Dex202

I'm one of those funny looking rigs. Small Truck and larger boat. I've got a 98' Dodge Dakota Ext. with a 318 V8. Its only two wheel drive, but I've haven't had any problems as of yet. The truck as a towing package and also has several aftermarket add-ons. Hyper-chip, flowmaster duals, Cool-air intake, Throddle body spacer (NOS) and killer sound system. All the add-ons really help with the gas mileage. The boat I pull with this little dude is a 2002 Blazer 202 (20'2") with a Yamaha 200hp V-Max. I'll drive this truck in the ground before getting another. Up to about 120K miles so far.

Just wondering what different kind of speeds you guys get? How important is speed?

I'm strickly a boat guy. During the college years (no money) I worked delivering pizzas just to save enough money to buy my first boat. $700. After the purchase I quickly quit the job. That was about 15 years ago. Three bass boats later (they just keep getting bigger) I wish I still had that little 14' flatbottom. Wasn't fast or nice, but I caught more fish out of it. ???

One of my best buds that I fish with didn't even want to give it a try. So I took the liberty of entering us into a tourament. I picked a lake that I knew very well. We finished in the money, not alot $, but made it well worth it. I think what got him hooked was the majestic scene of 80 fine bass boats waiting to blast and putting him in the drive seat. I'm sure most of us can remember that feeling in our first tourny.

I've got to say the man knows what his doing. Several years of school in Marketing are paying off. All the jumping around I could do without but, every fish caught is more $ in the bank. The only thing I didn't like was back the year he won the National Federation. Fishing the BASS Trail for two years as a pro (didn't fare out too well) so he made the state Fed team. There was a big uproar that year about pros fishing in the Federation. Anybody remember that? Pro's fishing against the average Joe. I personally do care about that, but what I didn't like was the way BASS covered the story. Kid from nowhere. Cindarella story! Bunk! Just a bunch of hype.

I've got to say the casting motion looks like art work. Start with the right hand only grasping the reel and rod. Make little circle motion with rod like the end was on fire! ;D Release! Make sure your tonge is sticking out. Makes it easier to ajust for wind. Left foot has a tendence to kick so I just knocked over my coffee. > And thats it! Poetry in motion! ;D

Ranger's, Skeeters and Champions are by no means low end boat. They all cost more than mine if your looking at same length with the same hp. One of the features a love about my boat is unlimited hp. Its hard to find a boat that is only 20' long and can handle a 300hp. Just because I think Nitro are "low end" doesn't mean anything. Personal preferrence. Nitro's are a dime a dozen around here.

2002 Blazer 202 Pro-V with a (little hopped up) 2002 Yamaha 200hp V-Max w/ Worked 25M prop 12" Slidemaster w/ 2" Panther Extentions. Propshaft is 1"below pad. Eagle 480 on bow and Eagle FishElite Sonar/GPS at helm. Minn 24V 74lb.

It all depends on what you want out of your boat. A Ranger, Champion, and Skeeter are some of the best riding boats I've ever been in. Great looking and very dependable. Only drawback is the speed. Speed isn't everything and nothing for some. My boat handles great and has great speed, but you'll have to install a 2" reciever ball in your driver seat if the water gets rough! ;D I've been in plenty of Nitros and sorry, I haven't a good thing to say about them. Not so good ride and you'll be traveling about half the speed of smell. 2-cents!

I've only got a few: Ray Scott, David Fritts, Rick Clunn and Bob Cobb. Don't get too many pros or big tourneys in my part of the country. All very nice guys!

The hardest part of having my first bass boat was the launch and loading. Having several other boats on the ramp just waiting for you to get out of the way can get on your nerves. Just relax and take the time to see if you have forgotten anything. Everyone has been in these shoes before and most won't give ya a hard time. Just in case someone is giving you a hard time, take a little longer. It pays to be nice. You never know, they or you might need a tow back in at the end of the day. 2-cents! ;D

Hawkeye Bass Anglers of Des Moines Iowa is currently looking for new members (boater and non-boaters).

Blazer !!!!!!!!!! ;D

Has anyone used Lucas Synthetic? Package says Replaces 80W90. 90w, GL5 or GL6. ???