volzfan59

I got caught up with trying to learn every technique. Being versatile is great, especially if you're a tournament angler, but for me it just became to much. I took the Henry David Thoreau approach, "simplify, simplify, simplify". Stopped fishing tournaments. Still own all of the various tackle items, but they rarely see the light of day. Next year my plan is to simplify even more. All light tackle, all of the time. Spinning rods only, no line over 10 lb test. As always, to each his or her own.

I'm from East TN, living in southern AR now, 9 miles from the LA state line. The guy doesn't run a Norris Craft does he? I fished a year end tournament on Watts Bar Lake years ago as a back seater. My boater owned a black Norris Craft. He got pretty mad because I was catching them and he wasn't. I even offered him the exact crank I was using, said he'd rather do whatever he was doing. I was different back then. The madder he got, the more I kept my foot on the gas. You could always go and wade for Smallies.

I agree with @MN Fisher. If everything else checks out, works well and you're happy with the boat, I'd work on his suggested upgrades. While these aren't flashy upgrades, they do offer peace of mind which is important to me. Disregard if your rig already has these. Automatic bilge pump. New trailer tires plus a spare wheel/tire.

Amen.

@A-Jay is 100% correct on this. While the alleged crime is heinous, I say it like that because I haven't seen the "evidence". Assuming it is correct, he's paid his debt to society, possibly still paying, i.e parole. Let he among us that hasn't sinned cast the first stone. That's coming from a retired law enforcement professional.

That's crazy.......as I go look to see if our glas front stove looks anything like yours!

Congratulations on the new rig! I love jet outboards.

I've owned several different brands, Stratos, Nitro, Champion, Tracker and G-3. Currently own an F&F aluminum boat (locally made custom, no longer in business). They were all great boats and gave me no problems. The one that I would love to have back is the Champion. I think that they were some of the best boats ever made, but that's just my opinion. As always, to each his/her own.

I have a BPS A/M 24 and an Onyx A/M 24 clear. Where I live in AR it gets crazy humid. I just bring mine indoors when not in use. No self-inflation issues at all. That said, Mustangs are an excellent option.

Great job B.A.S.S.

@Stratocat_Joe, I caught that too, and couldn't agree more. No one "deserves" to be anywhere, B.A.S.S. Elites, mlf/bpt, etc. @Tennessee Boy, Kinda like the late Neil Bonnett said about racing, "Best way to win a all fortune in racing is to start with a large fortune." Everyone looks at the payout. Other than entry fees, no one looks at the costs.

I agree 100%

He alludes to some of that. Says he's around 61st. in mlf/bpt points and he's probably out. Brings up a lot of other stuff too. None of that alleviates the fact that boyd duckett, gary klein and company sold a bunch of people a "bill of goods".

I would suggest everyone listen to or watch Like Dunkin's newest Low Budget Live podcast with guest mlf/bpt pro James Watson. It might open your eyes to the crap show that is mlf. James doesn't hold back at all.

What he said!

I agree 100%. One has to decide on how much work, if any, you're willing to do. If the deal is right and everything else checks out, I wouldn't let replacing the deck or flooring on an older Tracker scare me off. They are pretty easy to replace. That said, I get it you're wanting to get on the water now. Gotta do what's right for you. To each his own.

In addition to the other suggestions, test drive the boat, with or without the seller. When I bought my aluminum boat (used), the seller met me at the ramp. He told me to take it out by myself, but I asked him to come along.

I saw that. He pretty much agrees, mlf is a joke.

Great podcasts on this very subject. Matt Stefan, Andrew Upshaw and Luke Dunkin's Low Budget Live. None of them are very flattering towards mlf.

In the Army, we used say "The only constant is change". Seems like mlf lives by that motto, they are a joke. Correct me if I'm missing something. If they're only going to fish 50 angler's on the bpt tour, sounds like some folks are going to get a layoff notice. I'll continue to support the B.A.S.S. Trails.

Really slow on my android too.

Holy cow, I would love to catch a 2 lb red ear! Well done, my biggest is around 1 lb. I've been thinking about going 100% lite tackle and ultra lite fishing next year. I really enjoy lite tackle bass fishing. Bounced it off of @Eric 26 in a PM conversation last week.

Do any of you remember the old Quantum "Micro Lite" rod and reels? The rod was 48" and you could touch the rod tip to the handle. They had that much bend to them! The reels were very small too. Anyway, using a Quantum Micro Lite rod and reel, with 2lb test regular old Stren (before the Pure Fishing buyout) and a black with gold blade 1/16 oz Rooster Tail, I caught a 3.5 lb Smallmouth on Center Hill Lake in middle TN. As soon as I got home I retired the rig to the wall. Still have it all to this day. That was one crazy fight, the smallie would jump on one side of the boat, bulldog down stripping line and jump on the other side! Thankfully I kept the drag set really loose. If I remember correctly, it was an early spring, cloudy day, light mist from time to time.

@MAN, Same thing in Arkansas. No matter the brand, it's a Bass Buster. I've always kinda wanted one but never pulled the trigger.

I'm the exact same way, no matter the reason I go to Walmart I go to the fishing department especially if it's one I've never been to. They surprise me sometimes. Picked up a bunch of Slobberknockers this spring.