New to Bass fishing, Hope to catch one soon.

[Rocketvapor]

Finally joined this forum. 

Retired rocket scientist starting another hobby.  FISHING !!

I live in Southeast Louisiana, Sportsman's Paradise, and haven't fished since I was a kid. 

I tried boat building but gave up on a half finished wood boat when other issues halted the work.  It's now upside down and serves as a work table

Wife just hates my 'projects' so I bought a Bass Raider 10E, a 3.5HP Mercury, and an 8 ft utility trailer. 

Somehow managed to even turn that into a project. 

 

I've been scanning the various threads here and expect to spend time reading as well as posting the 'Mods' I've completed on this BR 10E.  I read all 129 pages of the

Any Pelican Bass Raider Owners Out There? But thinking about a new thread about my modifications and fishing progress as we learn. 

 

Anyway, thanks for having me, I promise not start fights about politics and such

RV

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

 

[Log Catcher]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

[Bluebasser86]

Welcome!

[ATA]

Welcome and wish you the best.

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

A-Jay 

[whitwolf]

Welcome!

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard, RV!

[J-rod]

You've landed in the right place!

[Rocketvapor]

Thanks for the warm welcome.  Really looking forward to becoming a validated Bass fisherman

Even if it doesn't turn out great the wife and I are already enjoying little trips with the plastic boat.  

It took a few weeks for one to show up in my area and had to drive about 50 miles to pick one up that had not been damaged in shipment.  I made a slide for the pickup, short bed with tonneau and tool box so we could get it to the water.  No TMs in stock so we took off with paddles.  About 5 miles round trip and this thing is much more work than a pirogue. 

 

Finally a 30lb TM showed up at our local Academy.  Now we could cover some distance.  With a pair of 29 deep cycles we made a couple of exploring trips zipping along at 2.5mph on a fresh battery, less against the wind and current. Looked faster in the narrower streams but felt like a crawl in the wider rivers with passing boats.  

 

Pointed the wife in the direction of a mail order 3.5HP Tohatsu, out of stock and they offered the Mercury.  

(I know, Sam Ting).  Now we be cooking with gas.  Loaded up with stuff, the wife and I, one deep cell and the Mini-Kota 30 just in case, 7mph with favorable wind and current, 5 mph against the current.  Zoom Zoom   

 

We made a run down the river from the 12 mile marker to Lake Pontchartrain and out to the Madisonville light house.  

A 24 mile round trip.  That's when I noticed the first deficiency in the plastic boat.  The transom is not strong enough for a 3.5hp and a lot of weight, going upriver, into the wind.  In turns that put us into the wind I had to back off on the throttle.  The transom allowed the motor to lilt back, a lot.  Adjusted the tilt and the motor just tried to go bvack to the same angle.  That's when I started searching and found transom flex is a common issue.   

 

When I start my new thread (hope that's OK) I'll show my reinforcement and a pull test (up to 150lbs at the prop).  

I've added a drain and an easy method to drain the cavity between the hull sections that doesn't require standing the boat on end.  A short deck and some rod holders.  

 

Our one little fishing trip so far got us (her, not me  ) one tasty catfish.  

[Glenn]

Welcome Home! We're glad you're here.

[Sphynx]

10 hours ago, Rocketvapor said:

Thanks for the warm welcome.  Really looking forward to becoming a validated Bass fisherman

Even if it doesn't turn out great the wife and I are already enjoying little trips with the plastic boat.  

It took a few weeks for one to show up in my area and had to drive about 50 miles to pick one up that had not been damaged in shipment.  I made a slide for the pickup, short bed with tonneau and tool box so we could get it to the water.  No TMs in stock so we took off with paddles.  About 5 miles round trip and this thing is much more work than a pirogue. 

 

Finally a 30lb TM showed up at our local Academy.  Now we could cover some distance.  With a pair of 29 deep cycles we made a couple of exploring trips zipping along at 2.5mph on a fresh battery, less against the wind and current. Looked faster in the narrower streams but felt like a crawl in the wider rivers with passing boats.  

 

Pointed the wife in the direction of a mail order 3.5HP Tohatsu, out of stock and they offered the Mercury.  

(I know, Sam Ting).  Now we be cooking with gas.  Loaded up with stuff, the wife and I, one deep cell and the Mini-Kota 30 just in case, 7mph with favorable wind and current, 5 mph against the current.  Zoom Zoom   

 

We made a run down the river from the 12 mile marker to Lake Pontchartrain and out to the Madisonville light house.  

A 24 mile round trip.  That's when I noticed the first deficiency in the plastic boat.  The transom is not strong enough for a 3.5hp and a lot of weight, going upriver, into the wind.  In turns that put us into the wind I had to back off on the throttle.  The transom allowed the motor to lilt back, a lot.  Adjusted the tilt and the motor just tried to go bvack to the same angle.  That's when I started searching and found transom flex is a common issue.   

 

When I start my new thread (hope that's OK) I'll show my reinforcement and a pull test (up to 150lbs at the prop).  

I've added a drain and an easy method to drain the cavity between the hull sections that doesn't require standing the boat on end.  A short deck and some rod holders.  

 

Our one little fishing trip so far got us (her, not me  ) one tasty catfish.  

You'll get there, it's all about the journey man, looking forward to seeing your story unfold, welcome aboard.

 

Having done a fair bit of fishing in Louisiana, I can say with confidence that you have solid fish near you, if you put in the time, you'll catch them.

[Rocketvapor]

Guess I'll start the thread on my adventures, leaving this picture here;

 

[Spankey]

Have fun. Nice looking back water cove. Your first fish ? Is that a bass cat?

[Sam]

Welcome.

 

The secret to being a successful Louisiana bass fisherman is to wear only purple and gold and yell "Geaux Tigers" when you set the hook.

 

Great having you with us.

 

Geaux Tigers!

[roadwarrior]

 

[Rocketvapor]

Thanks, will watch the video latter today.  

Help is always welcome.  

[Sphynx]

@Sam was obviously intending to say that support of the Ragin' Cajuns is the true secret to success in the Bayou, but I forgive him for his error, lol.

[Rocketvapor]

That's OK.

 

I have to listen to the wife (retired Marine) every time she tries to set a hook.  

 

[Sam]

13 hours ago, Sphynx said:

@Sam was obviously intending to say that support of the Ragin' Cajuns is the true secret to success in the Bayou, but I forgive him for his error, lol.

Us LSU fans always pull for U-La-La other then when they come to Death Valley to tangle with the Fighting Tigers.

 

 

[Tatsu Dave]

Be interested in your watercraft mods and experiences, its what makes these threads overflow with ideas and interesting discoveries. Welcome to the forum and seeing the learning process in action! Son and I can only manage 10mph with us and fishing gear, 11mph tops with a tailwind and calm water  Don't need speed to catch bass however, just the right lures and technique. Good Fishing and keep us posted on your boat work.    Dave

[Sphynx]

4 hours ago, Sam said:

Us LSU fans always pull for U-La-La other then when they come to Death Valley to tangle with the Fighting Tigers.

 

 

I'm a Longhorns fan, but since living in the Swamp I have adopted the Cajuns as a second team, I abjectly refuse to support LSU after the Les miles/Nick Saban era, that put an end to it for me.

[Rocketvapor]

@Tatsu Dave

What do you have that makes 10-11mph. 

That's scary fast

 

I started my own thread for my Bass Raider 10E mods, completed, in work and imagined. 

Don't worry, I'll catch something soon.

If not, I'll dig out the old Billy Bass.

 

 

[Sam]

2 hours ago, Sphynx said:

I'm a Longhorns fan, but since living in the Swamp I have adopted the Cajuns as a second team, I abjectly refuse to support LSU after the Les miles/Nick Saban era, that put an end to it for me.

It also came close to putting an end of it with a lot of LSU fans.

 

Saban is a jerk. And Miles was on Planet 9.

 

At least Coach Eaux is authentic.

 

And I saw where Texas lost to TCU. How could Sam Ellinger let that happen?

[Sphynx]

1 hour ago, Sam said:

It also came close to putting an end of it with a lot of LSU fans.

 

Saban is a jerk. And Miles was on Planet 9.

 

At least Coach Eaux is authentic.

 

And I saw where Texas lost to TCU. How could Sam Ellinger let that happen?

One of the great mysteries of life I am afraid, and one of the greatest things that ever happened to football players is my decision not to pursue coaching, because I guarantee you that entire program would be attending practices and press events in dresses and wigs until further notice, and bleachers would be getting run until an ambulance was required.