CBedo

Hey Texasbass1, where are you in Texas? I'll more than likely be making my boat purchase somewhere around Dallas (my mom is north of Dallas about 1 1/2 hours). Thanks for the help. I understand the cost issues. I was just wondering if there was any other reason not to buy the bigger boat with the bigger engine.

Only thing that keeps me off of that plane is my girlfriend nagging me to clean up the garage, move my rods off of the dining room table, clean out the car, ..............

Shimano Castaic SF, basically an Curado SF with thumb engagment system. So smooth.

Thanks. I understand exactly what you are saying. I guess my question is what other reasons besides "dollars and cents" would I choose a 20 with a 225 over the same company's 21 with a 250? Thanks again.

I was looking at some of the BASS/FLW pro's boat stats, and I noticed that there are quite a few that are running 19 foot boats with 200 HP motors. Most are running 20 footers with 225s, and a small number are running 21s with 250s. I'd love to hear all your thoughts on what size boat to get, and the pros and cons of bigger versus smaller. I'll be using it on Lake Mead quite a bit, so I have decided that anything under 19 is crazy. It will also be used quite a bit for tournaments. Also, what would be the tradeoffs going from 200 to 225 to 250HP? Is there a reason that BASS and FLW are still running 225s when they could run 250s? Will the range of a 21ft boat with a 250 be so much shorter than a 19 with a 200 that that could make a difference on a lake like Mead? What would be the top end speed differences between the 19/200 and the 21/250? Thanks again.

If the Z Comanche is Ranger's best boat, why do almost all of the pros still run VXs instead?

For someone who hasn't owned a boat before, and doesn't know too much about them, should I buy a brand of boat where there is a local dealer? Or will I be ok, if there are local places that can service the engine? If I need a local dealer, then it makes things pretty easy since there is only one bass boat dealer (that I can find) in Las Vegas. But there are tons of ski and recreation boat dealers that are authorized to work on the different outboard brands. (I just looked and there are authorized service centers for Mercury, Evinrude, Honda, & Yamaha).

Getting ready to take the plunge and buy a bass boat. I have always fished out of belly, kick, and jon boats, but never owned a big fiberglass boat. Everyone here at the board has been so helpful, so I can't wait to get more help from ya! If I'm going to lay down this much coin, I'm going to make sure to get what I want! My goal is buy (or order) a boat sometime in the fall, so I will have it here before spring. Here's a little background on what I'll need. The boat might be used in Colorado some, but primarily will be based out of Las Vegas. The main lake will be Lake Mead. The primary users will be myself and my brother, and will be used (hopefully) for a number of team tournaments. I'd love to hear people's opinions in general for what I should be looking for. I'll be firing a ton of specific questions from brands, to motors, electronics, trolling motors, trailers, etc at you guys for a while. Thanks in advance. CBedo

My last club tourney, we put a crappie, walleye, white bass, and a cat in the boat on senkos and brushhawgs.

I think I'm a 5, and just lack a little time on the water from being a 6. On my best days, I'm probably an 8, and I still definately have days where I'm struggling to be a 1!

9.88 LM on a clear Zara Spook postspawn (she was all head, only can wonder what she was prespawn) in September on a small pond.

I have an Outcast Fishcat Cougar pontoon, and I love it. I have mounted trolling motor, rod holders, and electronics on it. It is becoming a little less portable with all my gear, but it fishes great.

I thought they were doing it one at a time as well, until I saw the story here on this site and then went to BASS site to check it out. Also, even though it's not in the title, everyone should know that it's not really the "greatest angler," so much as the "greatest B.A.S.S angler." I'm sure some of the other species have great fisherman as well.

Agreed, I don't think you can throw someone out just because they didn't win a classic.........but if they didn't they better be pretty special.

I agree Dance has done a ton to promote the sport, but that shouldn't count towards "greatest angler." But I will say Dance did kick *** when he was fishing competitively, not just catch private pond bass. I think he deserves to be in the top ten probably, just not third.

Come on! 3) Bill Dance 4) Denny Brauer 5) Kevin Van Dam 6) Larry Nixon I know Bill won a boatload of tourneys while he fished, but in my opinion (not worth much), this list would at least look palatable if you swapped Bill and Larry Nixon. At least they got the top two right. Judging by how people voted for the top ten, I'd say Clunn has no chance unfotunately. He'll get my vote, but I won't be unhappy with Roland.

I have caught two largemouth on a 1 oz ratl-trap before. I couldn't figure out what I had, since with both trying to pull different directions, it was a weird feel at the end of the line. One was about three pounds and the other was about a pound and a half. I've done it a few times in the fall when the fish are really schooling and feeding heavily.

Use the sonar to find the EDGES of the grass or whatever structure you are fishing. Then marker buoys are key. Drop one somewhere off the edge so you know where to cast, or use your trolling motor to stay on the edge, and pitch ahead of you. Don't worry about graphing fish so much. Trust your instincts as too where "they ought to be." Also, if you are graphing fish, are they the nice big arcs or little scratches. I have found that if I'm getting big arches on my screen, they tend to be carp. Smaller lines or arches are wipers or stripers. Bass tend to show up as "scratches" either just off the bottom, or suspending close to cover. Those marked fish are catchable, but if you're in a good area, there should be more than what you just marked.

I had a tube and just upgraded to an outcast pontoon style. The outcast tubes are a little pricey, but they are awesome!

I forgot to mention that if you goto the Lowrance website, you can go to the software section and download an emulator of the 332 (or any other unit), and simulate everything that it does on your computer screen. Anything you could do on the water, you can get a feel for on your computer. A great way to test one without plopping down the cash. GL

I have the Lowrance LMS 332 and love it. I actually have an extra mount in my truck now to use just the GPS when I travel. With mapping software, it is great. As far as the sonar works, what would you expect from a Lowrance? It is top notch! Personally, I adjust ASP (noise filtering) and surface clutter settings to low, and then play with the sensitivity (usually between 70-80). I find that for bass fishing, you get to see good "scratches" with these settings. I also like the fact that the 332 has a fairly small footprint, so that if you wanted to mount it in the front of your boat, it would not be in the way. I actually even use mine on my kickboat.

With the Outdoor Channel and the Outdoor Life Network (606 & 608 on DirecTV), there are no shortage of fishing shows. The great thing about Tivo is that you can record them all, then fast forward and/or delete what you don't want. I like Classic Patterns, BassMaster University, & the tour shows the best. Loudmouth Bass gets on my nerves. Why does ESPN have to try to make everything so controversial and dramatic, in fishing and every other sport? DON"T answer that, I know already, but it is still annoying. It seems that Roland, Shaw, Fishing University, Strike King Pro Fishing Journal, and a couple of others seem to be pretty informative, but are always advertising a lure, hook, attractant, or something else to sell me. As long as you understand that I guess, then you can take away some information.

I have heard this as well. Maybe something to dow with the new muddy water having a different temp than the lake itself? Only way I would know would be to use an Aqua Vu type camera maybe?

If the water is warm enough, usually rising water gets the fish to go shallower--new cover and new forage. Find'em with a spinnerbait and flip all that new cover.

I was thinking of going the way you are talking about. Instead I went with a pontoon style kick boat. The amount of tweaking you can do to it is infinite. I am in the process of putting a floor in mine so I can stand up, even though I have already raised the seat and sit pretty high above the water. A friend put a floor in his and it is very stable. I also have already added electronics and a big trolling motor to mine. There are numerous good products, and numerous web sites to give you some ideas. If you have any questions, I'll help all I can. Good luck.