bassdocktor

I see the no power loading all the time when I'm up in Michigan. Most people including myself usually just put it in gear and let it idle on or off. Generally just back the truck up a few more feet and no problem. Plus to get it back on everyone just uses the winch. However, I do see many people gun it while trying to get the boat on. bassdocktor

It's pretty bad when they do that. I've had people pull infront of me and then undo everything. Sometimes which can be even worse are the people that are pulling the boat out and decide that the ramp is also the place to tie everything down. For some reason they can't pull up the extra 50ft. bassdocktor

I've got some spots on my trailer where rocks have taken off paint and was told about paint protection products. They are supposed to go over the paint and protect it. I know some one specifically sell it for boat trailers but if you go to the menue on the left side they have a version of it. www.crazyfishgraphics.com I'm sure they could get you exactly what you want for your trailer. The store Sign Options is loctaed here in Chicago and they do alot of wraps aswell. Worth a shot. bassdocktor

I'm not really sure about that unit. I've pretty much stuck with Lowrance for the last few years. I wish I could be more help. If it is like the x51 I'd charge the same price. Like I said I really don't know that unit. Look around at some old posts because you can find some guys that use humminbird. I'll try and see if later I can find a price on that for you. 184 was the cheapest I found too. That price is still better than 275 through cabelas. bassdocktor

Unfortunately I'm not sure on the price. Although, I do believe that Lowrance only has about 2 or 3 gps receivers(the white thing). You should be able to do a search for that particular one pretty easily. Also try one of the stores that sell through ebay. It would be a good place to check for the receiver. It seems like you've got a good deal on the unit already so you might check there. bassdocktor

Glad I could help. I saw that one before and it seemed like a nice unit. I can understand waiting on the 332c because I saw they recently raised the price on it for this year. I think the main reason I got it was because it was financed with the boat. Good luck with the new unit. bassdocktor

You can play with the fish finder on your computer. It's basically like running it in demo mode but on your computer. If you want to download it just follow the link http://www.lowrance.com/Software/PCSoftware/Install/LMS-332C/LMS-332C_demo.asp bassdocktor

No problem. I know there are a few others here that have them and as I said it is basically the 480 with color. Another idea is download the emulator at home and you can check it out just go to Lowrance's webstie for that. Also do a search because I know the 332c has been discussed here before. bassdocktor

Well I just looked at a few adds and it would seem like you can. Especially since it is compatable with Lowrance Net, it would seem like you should be able to add gps later. However, before you buy it I'd check with where ever you are planning to buy it at. You could also wait and see if someone here can give you a better answer. Again hope this helped. bassdocktor

I'm not sure about the price on the x-102c but if you like the color unit try the 332c. It really seems to be the 480 but in color. Last year I was really looking at the 480 until at the last minute I went color and got the 332. Also, An advantage if you think you are gonna be on lakes where gps would be good for find your way back to the launch or a spot color is nice. Each time you go out setting the trail you make to a different color can be very useful. It helped me to see where I went each day in practice at my last tournament. Hope this is some help. bassdocktor

Although highly over priced if you really really want one try going on ebay. Also one of the guys on here was selling his own version through his company. I think the link was in the tackle making section. bassdocktor

Two other suggestions I can add are watch how hard you throw when skipping and also try the Strike King 3x zeros. Since they are more boyant they seem to skip easier and also they last alot longer which is nice when you are trying to learn. As I said don't over power you cast some of my best skips are when I throw it a little more easily. bassdocktor

I became a life member about 2 years ago. I know alot of people don't like their membership as much anymore but I still find good information in there. This last weekend was my first tournament affiliated with BASS. It was the Federation Nation 6 Man State qualifier and it seemed nice. If you plan on fishing in the Federation Nation you're going to have to remember that any first impressions people have, good or bad may change since they are still trying to sey up the Fed Nation. bassdocktor

Depending on what options and type of engine you are getting like The Dictator said 26,000 seems pretty reasonable on a brand new 186. Before I got mine last year I was looking around alot and found alot of different prices. If you find prices from 2005 you're gonna see that for 06' they came up about 1500-2000. bassdocktor

I'm not really familiar with the other units since I haven't really played with them. However, I do have the lms332c and can say it is a very nice unit. A few of the very first one had some problems with the head unit but the dealers and Lowrance were quick to take care of them I would definitely say that it is a very nice unit and very user friendly. bassdocktor

From experience and reading on here I've learned how to deal with wakes or waves that you drive into. However, this weekend was my first tournament on a river and everyone was running the same direction. Only being able to go a max of 58 couldn't quite run with the guys who had 21's going 70+. So my question is how should you handle the wakes these guys send when the come from behind you. Also keep in mind that it was a river so there is only so much room to move. Thanks, bassdocktor

The entire paint job looks great.

Congrats on the acomplishment.

I actually picked that book up at a discount book store. It's not bad and has alot of basic information in it. One of the nice things is there are charts that give the actual size of the parts or hooks. Also nice is that it touches on a little bit of everything. It's pretty good if you can pick it up pretty cheap. Also I'd try Amazon to see if you can get it really cheap. Good book for basic info. bassdocktor

Used to have a nice 14ft Lowe but upgraded last spring to a Trition 186.

Thanks for the insight. There is a water pressure guage already installed on the boat. bassdocktor

Yeah I think I'm generally around 1/8. Not alot of thick stuff in the industrial rivers of Chicago or even in Michigan I haven't encounted anything that would require too much more. Also the water is usually pretty shallow so if I went too much heavier the tube would be right on the bottom. I'm not saying that would be bad but I think the slow fall might be part of the effectiveness at times. bassdocktor

In the next month or two I'll be putting a jack plate on my 05' Triton 186 with a 150XR6. The boats running just a little low in the rpms and there is just alittle chinewlak at about 57mph. It seems the jack plate is the way to go. My question is if you guys think I should be going with a manuel or hydraulic. I've been told by people at the shop and some Triton reps that 6" of setback is what I should get. Odds are I really won't need much adjustment for shallow water right now fishing around Chicago or up in Michigan but I'd like to come down south that might be an advatage in that situation. Thanks, bassdocktor

You may have been already but try skin hooking the tubes. I usually flip with 4" tubes and don't have a problem. You just pick up alittle bit of stuff if you are fishing weeds. Like Rattlinrogue I usually use a 4/0 or 5/0 EWG except a Gamakatsu. Maybe the difference is that usually they try and run with it right away. Might be the running is helping my cause. bassdocktor

That was awesome. Did they ever show that on TV?