Bulletman20XD

*** Fishings new offering debuted at ICAST this year has ZERO bearings. Offered for preorder at TW now----$200!! I think I'll wait until it's been out a while and let a few people post some reviews on it before I commit! http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/13_Fishing_Concept_Z_Casting_Reel/descpage-CCZ.html

That's my point a big used high-end boat may be nice but not when it cuts into your wallet every other month. Not to mention to shear headache of breakdowns/repairs. There are some bargains out there (Used boats with few hours on the motor) but one that's 10+ years old will usually be a money pit. It's sad to say but true--Big high dollar boats are for folks that can afford them and the repair costs associated with them!

Cool----May have to give some a try. Looks like cutting them long and then trimming with a razor after shrinking would be key to a better fit.

Your original post you say you make rattling squarebills out of cedar. How are you getting rattles in them?? Or did I read that incorrectly.

I like the looks of them but they are far from being as comfortable as the original high-backs. No where near as much padding---You're limited as to how much you can have because of the way the cover fits the shell. As to hooking--This is my third 20 footer and this is the only one that has done it. Had my 300 pound partner literally in my lap and it did it at only 45 MPH. Can't imagine doing it at 90 plus as a friend of mine did in his Allison.

It all comes down to this $$$. No matter the make or price, a new boat has one advantage over most used ones "Warranty". Some manufacturers have a transferable lifetime hull warranty. Some motors warranties are transferable. Having paid to rebuild a couple motors will buy new next time around! Is a Ranger a better boat that a Nitro?---As they say down here Hail Yes SA. But you didn't mention any details about the Ranger. A once top of the line Ranger selling at $25,000 used may already and will definitely have issues in the near future! And it won't be cheap!

Google and Youtube are wonderful places to find all kinds of information BUT is it correct information. Call and ask your local dealer!

I wouldn't worry about props at this point. You changed from 24 to a 19 and its still bogging down--There IS something wrong with your motor. With that 19, it should either jump up on plane or the prop would cavitate so bad you'd know by the RPM increase!! This is an EXPENSIVE outboard and never should you try and fix a problem by going cheap when in the long run it could cost you thousands! Been there done that!

Pure Gas also has an App for Iphone or Android. I want to add--This goes for basically everyone but especially for those of you that use or must use 93 octane as I do . BUY only from name brand gas stations that sell a lot of gas. Remember Phase Separation occurs at around 30 days. Doesn't matter if the gas is in your boat or in a stations tank--it still happens. Why name brand? Many of them treat their gas already to prevent phase separation AND they do not cut corners when it comes to filtration at the tank. Do you really think a Mom and Pop independent station would spend thousands on a filtration system and the annual costs to maintain them!!!

May have already been mentioned but I'll post it anyway. Use braided line in as light test as you can get away with in grass. It's small diameter will cut most grasses instead of sawing into it and hanging up.

Find what depth they are feeding at and try to throw something that "Matches The Hatch". My experience with fish feeding on big bait-balls is they hone in on bait of that same size and color and may not bite anything different. It is not to say they won't bite something bigger/smaller but that is the general rule. "At times" larger fish being lazy as they are will hover below the feeding frenzy and pick off injured/dead fish as they fall to the bottom. Try a crankbaits, small spoons, flutter-spoons, small swimbaits, curl-tail grubs, and even a roostertail type spinner may work.

I won 3 tourneys in a row last year and a couple this year using a Zoom 7 inch Z3 Trick Worm (Bold BlueGill). That color has worked on every lake I have fished in the last year. I used and highly suggest Pepper Custom Baits Pentr8tor Shaky Head. I've fished it in heavy cover, grass, rock, wood, you name it and rarely do I get hung up. This head will stand a 7 inch Zoom worm straight up "EVERY" time! 80%-90% of the time the hook will bury in the roof of the mouth due to it's design!!! http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Zoom_Z3_Trick_Worm/descpage-ZZ3TW.html http://peppercustombaits.com/product-category/penetr8or-shakey-head/

I've had "Bass Thumb" several times over the years but none hurt as bad as catching a 1/2 oz spinnerbait a 5 pounder spit back at me!

I just became a member yesterday and ran across this thread today and read every post. Things like this break down the heart of this old soldier and as I write this, it's hard to hold back my tears. People have no idea how much it means to a vet to see/hear appreciation as it is given to us. More and more I shop and see stores, restaurants etc.. giving discounts to active duty and vets. I am a member of the Army Bass Anglers Pro Staff and I too donate to several charities that assist our Wounded Warriors. It's my way of saying thanks to my brothers (and sisters) in arms who have been wounded in combat. Many in our great country have no idea of the sacrifices our military must make as "Volunteers" on a daily basis. The long hours, 30 day training exercises, the deployments, moving our family away from our homes every 2-3 years, the mental and physical fatigue, and the worst being, the uncertainty if we'll make it home alive. Personally my service cost me my first marriage and almost my second. A back injury in 1989 will haunt me the rest of my life but these are nothing compared to what some others have endured. I want to thank each and every one of you who were involved in this unselfish gift to our vets--I am sure those who received a rod will cherish them for the rest of their life! Hooah!

Anyone ever buy any of the stuff that pops up on your FB page??? https://fishingsavage.com/products/12-1-ball-bearings-high-speed-baitcasting-fishing-reel-with-magnetic-brake-system

I agree 200%----Your either a Lewser or a Hater!

How bout you grab a couple and use them for a couple trips and report back to us all. Use those things down here in south Texas and they won't last a single trip!

These line suggestions only work for specific techniques and on specific bodies of water. Bring that thread down here to south Texas and you'll spend all your time retying and replacing lost lures!!

If the planning issue is new, it could be that the boat is now loaded differently than before or something is going on with the motor that needs to be checked out by a shop. A planner will help any boat plane faster as has already been mentioned but simply adding one will not fix a problem that may exist. Also not know what motor--prop etc... Some merc/custom props can be tuned with mercury's PVS plugs. Made a mountain of difference with one of my props!

Hadn't been on the lake for several years but I grew up near there and fished it regularly back then. According to Arkansas Fish and Game, BS is the top bass lake in the state based on tournament catches and shocking reports. Its hard to believe but the fish making up the highest percentages are smallmouth. The lake is full of them and a better overall size than most lakes in the country. Fish deep points near the dam out of the state park with black hair jigs, shaky heads and drop shots. You will get bit!!

Many areas in Texas offer fishing spots like no other state. Mostly because the climate allows for year round fishing. Dallas area, central and east Texas have more lakes than other areas. Although Texas State Troopers are probably the best "Paid" law enforcement folks, you have to keep in mind that if you are hired as a Trooper, you will have little to say where they place you (Pecos, Midland areas have little to offer a fisherman!)

Most replies here are in regards to the health of the fish, of which I agree. We as anglers must do all we can to protect our sport and the fish. BUT no one has mentioned our safety when landing fish. Using a net is a much safer way to land fish. Many people end up with hooks in our hands, and fingers as well as other parts of the body trying to land a fish by hand. Keep in mind that we have tension on the line headed straight for us when leaning over to land the fish. If the hook is thrown it's coming your way. The picture attached is of what happens when a 5 pounder spits a spinnerbait in you face. I at first thought the hook got my eye but luckily it didn't. After clearing the tears and the pain subsided I threw the spinnerbait back into the same spot and caught another at 4 pounds. I was a Judge for the Bassmasters TTBC on Sam Rayburn back in May and saw the pain in Jason Christie's face when he ran a hook through the palm of his hand. Some of you may have seen the video. I standing about 20 feet away when it was filmed. Another event I witnessed years ago was a friend fishing with me ended up with a 1/2 oz jig stuck right between his eyes when a fish spit it back at him. Another friend got a crankbait spit at him on Old Hickory. 2 treble hooks stuck in his left cheek of his face. You can't help but laugh when your back-seater is looking at you with a jig/crankbait hanging off his face but the pain is still real and can cause a permanent injury!

83 Tourney loaded-----Take everything out and remove TM--Change prop 90/91

1999 Bullet 20XD--Merc ProMax rebuilt and modified by of Jay Smith Racing Engines

I've had 3 near misses on or near the water over the years--I have never been struck directly but could feel the effects every time. The worst was while fishing a tourney on Belton lake (Near Belton/Temple Texas) in 1993. It was raining so hard you could barely see the trees on the bank 75 yard away. Lightning hit near the bank and I guess electrified the water. It came up my left leg and out my left arm. My arm hurt for a few hours but was not too bad. Another time I was on Kentucky lake when a really bad storm hit. We beached the boat to run for cover at the campground we were staying. Water was pouring down the bank right where we beached the boat so hard the boat started floating away. I went back down and into the water to retrieve it when lightning hit nearby. It was like being electrocuted by household current. When I got back to the bank, there were 2 guys laying on the ground at the camp ground. They apparently were holding the awning poles of there pop-up camper and both took a direct hit. They were both taken by ambulance to the hospital. Since that last time, I head for cover long "BEFORE" lightning gets close.