J Francho

I've looked at them. It's too big for restricted waters, and Nitro is nowhere near my list potential brands.

$100 is about my limit for a proven, hand made bait. I have a few. They work, some so well, that like BlueBasser, they've ended up costing me pennies per fish.

Bah, don't sweat it, unless you're buying. I've been doing the research for a couple years now. I've had a semi-v rowboat with a 8hp, then a 15' V with a 50 tiller, then a 17' V with a 50 tiller, then an 18' mod-v/hyperlift Xpress aluminum bass boat with a 115, then a 22' glass bass boat with a Merc Racing 2.5 V6. I pretty much have tried all the options. Another boat to look for, for the OP is a Tuffy. The X-170 is one of the few glass boats I'd consider. They made up north, and designed for our waters. http://www.tuffyboats.com/boats.asp?class=10

My brother in law drives a plow for the Town Highway dept. Sometimes "contracts" are taken on certain people's mailboxes. What I don't get is that they have to fix them if the take one out!

Almost all the glass boat builders have a deep - V multi species line. Ranger, Triton, Nitro, Stratos, etc.

Horrible cold starts! Bullet proof powerheads, though. Several guys were running them in my old bass club. The bendix on the starter were sometimes sticky. If you hit the flywheel with a mallet, that would release it. Nevermind the choke/rpm adjuster routine...

I generally pay cash for my boats. This one will be finance, though. Probably the last boat I'll buy. As far upside down, or right side up, I just consider it an add on to the eventual lake house we'll be getting.

What are these "stocker trout" you speak of?

I;'m losing it too. January 95th. Ugh.

That's a sucker. Probably some kind of redhorse. They get as big as a medium size carp up here. http://www2.dnr.cornell.edu/cek7/nyfish/Catostomidae/catastomidae.html

I doubt that. None of those guys are known for deep-v designs. Lund is.

We didn't get a foot of snow, but January 95th brought us a few inches of lake effect fluff. It was weird driving south, away from the lake shore, to work, sun in my eyes, and near white out from wind and fluffy flakes. It was 24° when I got up, so not too bad.

Yes, and for the same reasons of layout and length, it's probably not a good fit. I need a boat that can accommodate a kicker, has an open floor plan, front casting deck, able to be set for trolling, be less than 17' and set up for trolling for trout and salmon, as well as the typical LMB and SMB fishing I do. I fish Ontario and Erie frequently, so I'd prefer something that can handle big water. It's looking like a Pro Guide 1675. Comes in around $45-50 rigged the way I want.

That is not pretty. Quick update: gust exceeded 75 mph. I made it home. Power was out. Back of the garage roof is damaged, nothing I can’t fix on a Saturday. Wind move my boat and grill a couple feet. All in all, not so bad. Snow is starting to fly.

Looking like most of my direct routes are blocked by downed trees, overturned semis, or downed powerlines. Oficcially in a state of emergency. Pretty sure that shot above is of western NY right now!

Some needs to come up with a ned rig tuning fork. I mean, if you're not harmonically balancing the bait with the jig, line, and rod, how can you expect t get bit?

I've had Michelle looking at boats with me.... Once we figure out our combined financial situation, as well as any new *career paths*, the search will get much more serious.

They've been around for years for salt gear. Idea is that you have power for big fish, and speed for getting the lines in on a deep drop to re-bait. They are a GIGANTIC pain to service.

Seems like the drive is around 15 lbs. Not exactly feather light. It's not a gigantic pain to remove, but not super easy in the PA12/14. I've used a PA12/14 in pretty skinny water. You have to "feather" the fins instead of using full strokes.

I've seen large goldfish and koi carp eat small fish in aquariums, so I can't see why not in the wild. Advice I used to give my aquarium customers: if a fish can end up in another fish's mouth, it probably will. Another tidbit, I use to catch them using a bare 3/4 oz. red ball head jig, unbaited. Guess what was overhanging that cove? An old cherry tree. Go figure.

Yer so 2012. We're Carolina rigging inline spinners up here. That's where it's at! When does spring start?

You're going to remove the drive before car topping, and the dry hull is 67 lbs. I can assure, the difference is like night and day when you're around 70 lbs. rigged as appose to 85 or so when car topping. I don't think width plays as big a part in stability as hull design, so standing should not be an issue. My Commander is *only* 31" wide, and I'd fall out of it before I rolled it. Though, I'd really need to test drive it to know for sure. If it's good at standing as the videos show, the seat is of little importance. I don't use the one in my C140 most of the time. Carrying capacity could get tight, especially for a big dude. You take a big dude at 250, and it doesn't take much to hit that mark with battery, anchor, crate, tackle, etc. I would like to clarify 600 lbs. is for the PA14 - not a fair comparison. The PA12 max is 500 lbs. So, I think I'd have to take a spin before I can totally discount the three points you made. The weight thing, well not many smaller boats stray far for 400 - 500 lbs., but after doing many demo days, and seeing "plus size" guys overload an ultralight, it's a consideration. Looks like there versions with and without gear tracks. Also, what do you mean by "not fishing ready"? Gear tracks, transducer cavity, and rod holders come standard. Most places I saw online, it was $1949.99.

It's a little out of my range. I also feel like I want to get one that fits our limited HP/length (10/17') lakes as well. That allows a huge budget for Electronics, kicker TM, bow TM, shallow anchors, etc. I can't seem to outfit a Pro-V Bass 1875 for less than $60.

Let's see the blurry pics. I think this may be something else as well.

I'd go to a 3/0 or 4/0 round bend hook. Be sure that the gap of the hook is about twice the width of the bait. My guess is you're either getting bit by panfish or other small nibblers, or the plastic is getting in the way. Frogs take some practice. It only takes a very light twitch and then slack to make the walk.