J Francho

You DIY? Seems risky. I would have charged you $90 and a day on the water of your choice to install it! But seriously, that looks tough as nails. Please report back on how it holds.

Get her on the water, and let's see some catch pics!

I love my Maxxums, but I didn't think it was you wanted. They still make them. http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Trolling-Motors/Freshwater-Bow-Mount/Maxxum/

My first fish of last year was on a Rage Tail Craw. Third cast, never hit the bottom.

You need to do some research. The one you linked to is a cable steer. I don't think you're going to like that for that size boat. Most would use a electric steer. You'd also need to have a mounting plate fabricated for that.

It's best just to call Shimano directly (877-577-0600). I've been able to order parts for decade old reels.

So, basically if you like split grips and microguides, go to Avid X.

Why not just call Shimano support and tell them the problem? 877-577-0600

It's almost 70 here, I'm probably gonna wet a line after work. Supposed to snow tomorrow. Crazy winter.

I don't know what state you're in, but double check on this....in NY, you must register a boat with an electric motor.

Around here, you can't touch a tin boat with a running motor, trailer, and title for under a $1000.

Mojo is made in Mexico, with lower grade components, and a shorter warranty, but built on the same blank. I didn't like the original Mojo line, but I haven't tried the new ones.

Do you have a picture of what the finished product looks like? All google cam up for "Boonie Bug" was this, lol:

It's so weird, that his experience with Tatsu could be the polar opposite of mine. I won't anything else for finesse. Well, I will be testing the finesse line, lol. Great review, Gary. Line choice is a touchy subject, and there's quite a bit of emotion attached, and rightly so. If a line lets you down - whether or not it's the line's fault - you're not going to trust it. Ever.

Avid use SCIII. SCIII is a pretty decent jump in sensitivity, weight, and overall "crsipness" over SCII. I have a couple rods that use SCII blanks, and they're great, but not up to the SCIII. I also have SCIV and SCV rods. They are incrementally better than the SCIII, though not as big a leap. I have four drop shot rods: 2x AVS63MLXF 2x AVS63MXF I also have the AVS68MXF which would also be an excellent DS rod. I happen to one of the few that prefers a shorter rod for DS.

Most of my early season, cold water fish come from a jig or Texas rig plastic of some sort. Once the water warms to 50+, then moving baits start to work better.

Fish slow. Plastics, jigs, and suspending jerk baits would be my plan.

When they want to bite, they bite anything. Problem is, they don't always want to bite. Unless you're in a tournament, then they, drum, and pike are on the feed.

Erie has to be on a list.

Something like this, with a quick disconnect plate is what you probably want for that style boat. http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Trolling-Motors/Freshwater-Bow-Mount/New-PowerDrive/

Get some in Peas and Carrots!!! (some goofball came up with the name)

At that price point, I can recommend the Savage Gear gliders, and personally vouch for their ability to catch.

Also, I keep "milk run" of ponds I hit for shore fishing. Some ponds just seem "off" during different times of the day. Part of the fun is the hunt for the hot bite. Think of it like being in a boat, on a larger lake. You run and gun to new spots when one doesn't produce, trying to fit together a pattern. It gets real fun when you get together with a group friends, and the group attacks a pond, or ponds, and communicates what works and doesn't.

Glad you're plugged in down there. Stay involved.

We can always go back to "leaderboards," where the big fish of the day are nailed to a plank. I get it, but rather than go after the tournament guy, who is penalized for dead fish, why not seek to educate fisherman, conduct research, collect data, and learn how we can really protect the resource. No, too hard. Poking holes hurts them little fishies. OK, I'm done ranting and raving.