Wayne P.

Here are some serious knot tests by folks that catch serious size fish. http://www.sportfishingmag.com/article.jsp?ID=43572

CFFF 1.5 the new 16 model is .090 guage and the larger boats are 1.000. The Topper riveted jon boats are .043 and the Grizzly welded jon boats are 1.000. A copy/paste note about another aluminum bass boat brand: "Xpress Boats are constructed with quality .080-.125 gauge aluminum alloy." The new model is plenty sturdy for its horsepower range. Most of the older aluminum bass boats were .072 and that was considered heavy duty then. I had a couple by Fisher Marine in the 1970's that were that guage and they are still in service.

I was not aware of that boat when I got one in early December and it may have been my first choice. For my present boating needs, it is the perfect size if rigged with a 9.9HP. I got the PT170TX.

With a little manual dexterity, you can thread the spring into the hook eye and twist it a couple of times to hold it better on a hook-set to keep it from tearing the bait so much. You have to cut about 1/2 of the tube off.

Amazing, another knock-off/re-introduction !!!!!! http://store.tackleandrods.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=FLT&Category_Code=FRTR

A real simple answer: treat the boater and his equipment with the same respect and courtesy as you would expect a co-angler to treat you if/when you are the boater.

On-board chargers: I just went thru the selection process of battery chargers for a new boat. My concern was with the space required to mount one. The Dual Pro has the smallest 3-bank footprint of all the brands in the output per bank I was interested in. I called the company to check on the warranty of the rebuilt as opposed to the new ones. The rebuilt has a one year warranty and the new ones have a three year warranty. I chose to purchase a new one and did an internet search for the best price and shipping price that goes with it. The majority of bass boats I have been in are outfitted with the Dual Pro. I have heard several persons that are pleased with the Guest brand and their excellent service. I also have 3 fuctioning automatic portable battery chargers for deep cycle batteries and all are the Schumacher brand-one is about 25 years old. I have another non-functioning Exide brand that has blown the diode twice.

I never leave fish to find fish.

1. You limitations are how much wire you have. 2. Your run time will be affected by the capacity of the lowest discharged battery 3. 50% is pretty much 1/2. Determining exactly what position of the speed control equals 50% may be impossible without an ammeter. 4. Charging time is determined by the amp output of your charger and the amount if discharge you need to recover. How long you run your trolling motor and at what setting will affect the discharge rate. Since you won't have any idea what the total discharge amount is, a good "rule of thumb" is overnight to fully recharge.

"Re-inventing the wheel" The rotating hook that has been around for years and was started when the Tru-Turn hooks were introduced. Several companies have/had their version too. Any of those hooks with the bait rigged completely on the shank will do the same. The "new" hook just does not have the offset shank as the predessors have.

When I peg a slip sinker, I use a rubber band. I use the insertion tool that comes with a Mojo weight kit.

I use the Stren Super Braid in the gold color for its visibility with no perceived affect on my catch ratio. I have some that I have been using over 4 years and it still has its color.

Leave us your name and the name of the local newspaper where the obituaries are listed so we can send condolences to your next of kin. :'(

First of all you will need oars that at about 2X longer than most paddles and a round handle for hand comfort. Having oars with already attached oarlocks will save you a lot of effort trying to control them. http://www.boatersworld.com/product/366090017msk.htm http://www.boatersworld.com/product/366790145.htm?bct=t13046503%3Bciboat-motor%3Bcipaddles-access

I have the MB783 baitcaster: well balanced, light, and sensitive.

Mann's Sting Ray grubs are still available and seem to be the only single flat tail grub. The "beaver" style grubs may be another option of you remove the side appendages.

Troy Jens is not a full time guide any more, he is employed by the PAA.

Robo Worms

SnowBass23, I purchased a 2009 Tracker about 3 weeks ago. The price was the same at all the Bass Pro locations and other Tracker dealers. The only cheaper price was a last years model of any they had in stock. The listed prices do not include "dealer prep and destination charges" which is about $950, then you add the taxes. In the new catalog, some 2009 models are reduced in price until April. They must be embarrased about the price of the Z9 as it is not shown in the catalog.

Yes, but I don't use wimpy 10# line, I use 30#.

I get "psyched and in the zone" when I hear the faint splash of a bass taking a bug from the water's surface, the swirl of a bass just under the surface, or the beep of my sonar as it changes depth ranges. I don't add any noise to my fishing.

If your aluminum boat has never been painted or has exposed aluminum showing thru paint, you need to use an acid etch primer made specifically for aluminum before you put on any paint. Over that primer you can use just about any auto or hobby-style paint. Do an internet search for painting aluminum to find out all the steps necessary. A thorough pre-cleaning is needed too. I tried a shortcut paint job on an aluminum boat a few years ago and as soon as the hull got wet, the paint just fell off.

sneaker, most bass fishermen prefer a bow mount electric motor for more precise boat control and better "balance" with the battery/s positioned at the transom.

Yes, you can turn the head around 180 degrees. You can mount a block of wood on the front of your boat to clamp the motor to or you can purchase a bracket made especially for jon boats that slips in the boat front carry handle. There is also a ready made block of wood with adjustable bracket that you can use. A cheaper option is to just use a filler piece of wood inside the front rail that is a thick as the rail and just clamp your motor to the boat front. It will be at an angle but your bracket will adjust to that angle. Bass Pro Shops has a couple of the brackets on page 455 of the 2009 catalog.

daviscw, no, I wasn't. I was fishing above vegetation that is 4'- 6' in height. I caught the most using a Chatterbait, Rat-L-Trap, and a wacky rigged worm.