CBedo

How much do you think a 2005 Ranger Z21 with a 225 Optimax, the trailer, 36V trolling system, and normal gear load weighs? I'm getting ready to potentially purchase this, and am also in the market for a tow vehicle. Thanks

I haven't done this in a while, but my grandfather used to use this technique quite a bit. Also, before the jig and pig really took off, he use to pitch and flip a spinnerbait and work it off the bottom alot.

Up to this point, I've only considered buying a new boat, but a good friend of mine has a year old Ranger Z21 with an Opti 225 that he is selling (he is a guide and got his new boat for year). What questions should I ask, and what should I watch out for when buying a used boat? Thanks for the help.

I would like to apply for team waterboy. That way I get to be in all of you guy's boats, gladly furning hydration, and learning from all of you as much as possible (and maybe wet a line in some quality diverse waters). Oh yeah, and I heard you get a cool team shirt that helps you get chicks!

with you Raul. I am from Texas and have lived in California and Las Vegas before moving to Denver. I used to say I would move anywhere for the right career opportunity, but now as I have gotten older (and lazier), quality of life has moved way up the scale. I say I won't move anywhere where the winter is worse than Denver's (For those of you that think Denver is icey all winter, think again. It snows, then the sun comes out melts everything off, and you can golf shortly thereafter. 300 days of sunshine. My girlfriend, who is from Detroit and likes to ski, has a severe problem with anywhere I want to move. All of my cities are south and all of hers are north.

Reddman, All of the older Glen Lau videos can be found at www.questforadventure.com I think.

I still would recommend this video to someone who is relatively new. It is pretty straightforward about how at least to pick a spot to start your angling attack. I agree with Raul on Bigmouth & Bigmouth Forever. Also, in Glen Lau's collection, you gotta see Feeding Habits of Bass. The video itself is ok, but the end is classic. It is Rick Clunn fishing with Al Lindner way back in the day! You get to see Rick using a spinning rod and catching potentially his first ten pound bass ever. And then you get to see him drop it, try to grab it, and fall halfway into the lake before Al helps him. Good stuff. I also have most (I think all) of the Bass Pro videos. Some are better than others, but most are pretty good instructional videos. Woo's Clues was a pretty good one for a bunch of little tips you might not normally see. The Larry Nixon ones on Spring, Summer, and Fall patterns are pretty good in terms of establishing patterns as well.

Overall, I thought it was a pretty well made dvd. I don't think there was any earth shattering new info for the experienced fisherman, but he did a very good job of giving some structure and simplicity to the process of attacking new water. My biggest two recommendations to them for making it better would be: 1) He talks about a checklist for the boat that is supposed to be on the website. It's not on the website that I can find. You need to deliver on something you promise. That shouldn't be that hard. 2) With regards to the video, he goes through using transmission lures to learn a site, but doesn't really give you much info on what to do with it. He just jumps forward to showing him flip some mats and catch a good one which supposedly he got there from his previous work he taught us, but there is no real transition to help us. What did you guys think?

Speaking of fall fishing, Matt, I noticed the UT connection. I actually have orange blood as well (MBA Finance, 1994). I actually caught four fish between seven and nine pounds in a ten day period in the beginning of fall on Lake Austin! One of them was right under the Hula Hut on a fluke. Another thing that being in Austin reminds me about fall fishing, as the water temps cool in most of our lakes, don't forget the POWER PLANT lakes. You should able to find whatever temps you need around Austin with the diversity of waters.

I love jig fishing in the fall! Spinnerbaits, topwaters, and cranks through fish driving schools of bait are more exciting, but the last couple of years, I have caught some of my biggest fishing, and more accurately, "swimming" a big white jig. I actually am looking forward to the end of the month trying out some of BooYah's swimming jigs. I haven't fished them in the past, but they should slay them!

I love mine! I not only can wear them comfortably when I'm using my kick boat, but also can wear them during tournaments, saving a few seconds (getting a quick cast in before someone who has to take their jacket off). If you are just fishing for fun, in bass boat, and you don't wear your jacket while you're fishing, then you really don't need them. As to manual or automatic, I've heard some people in the past complain of their automatic getting wet in the boat and inflating, but I haven't heard that about any of the newer models, and I've never had that problem, even when I've been pretty wet on my kick boat. I prefer the automatic, because what if you are knocked unconscious when knocked out of the boat, then who is going to inflate it for you?

As usual, the answer to your question about the bite is....it depends! Sorry. Because there is some line between your weight and the hook, many times, the bite can be more subtle than on a Texas rig. You also, need a bigger sweeping hookset with the Carolina rig to pick up the extra line.

It's never to cold to be in a boat fishing! Fall and early winter are some of my favorite fishing times, mainly because there is a ton less boat traffic as many have put up their rods and reels in favor of their shotguns and rifles. Ernel's post sounds about dead on. If you wanted to shorten and completely oversimplify his entire post, it would be..........: FOLLOW THE BAIT! The schools of baitfish will begin a migration from the main lake towards the backs of the coves, before they begin to die out. The bass will follow.

I think I heard Ray Scott say once, in reference to building a private lake or pond: "A lake is what you have on a piece of property you are trying to sell, and a pond is the same body of water on a piece of property you are trying to buy!"

Hard to beat a good crankbait for me. Unless they are suspended around alot of cover, then I'm pitching something that they can hit on the fall with alot of movement like a brushawg.

I'm the opposite of Glen. I have a huge nugget, 7 3/4 hat size (proof of no correlation between brainpower and head size), so most glasses are way to small on my fat face . I had a pair of Action Optics glasses forever that were top notch, but after seven years of duty, they were retired this year and replaced with a pair of Solar Bats. These things are awesome. I bought the model that you can take off the side rails and replace them with a goggle strap, and a foam insert to pull it close to your face. It is awesome for sight fishing when you want no light in under the glasses. The glasses are super light, almost seeming "cheap" when you first pick them up, but after you put them on they are super comfortable, and you forget they are on. I went with the mossback green colored lens this time instead of the orange I have had before, and so far, I love it.

That's suprising. I have a 332c now mounted on my kick boat, and that thing takes a beating. The main unit and the GPS antenna have spent fair amount of time getting soaked, and I have never had a problem.

My brother is looking at used boat that has Garmin units installed in the dash and on the bow. Neither of us have any experience with anything but Lowrance products. I was just wondering what people's thoughts were about the Garmin products, and the pros and cons versus Lowrance. Thanks

Thanks guys. I figured there probably wasn't going to be much difference except personal preference.

I think I'm sold on the Z. Now just have to figure out which one and what motor.

When you can actually see the whole thing, it will be interesting to see how truly "advanced" they are. Some of the features sound nice. Here in Colorado we already have speed limits on most lakes (or as I call them large ponds) since they are so small and crowded. Also, most tourney organizations only allow for up to 250hp right now anyway.

That's a beaut! I'm leaning towards a Ranger, either a Z20 or Z21. Trying to figure out what size, and what size engine (and what brand).

Don't want to start a ticking match between owners of each. I'm just wondering if anyone has any objective pros and cons for each brand? I'm trying to make every decision from the ground up for a new boat including the trolling motor. I'll probably be going with a 36 volt system. Thanks.

I know that Mercury used the Classic as the coming out party last year for the 250 Verado. I was wondering if they are using the Verado again this year, or are they using this Classic as the coming out for the new 225xs?

FYI, the 2006 Ranger Z series will be adding a Z19 rated for 225. The only other difference I've heard of will be cosmetic on the the Z dashboard, using more aluminum and less carbon fiber. As far as price goes, I've heard probably up about 5%, but that is not confirmed.