J Francho

I agree. It isn't remotely ordinary that largemouth "nibble' baits. However, and I only saw this once during a tournament in fall. Temps had dropped, but there was that "migratory frog bite" going on. We came in second, using frogs, and a few times - maybe 6 of the bites out over at least 50, the fish grabbed the skirted "legs" and pulled the bait under. Eventually they would gulp or spit. We trimmed them, or switched to old school Scum Frogs, but we both saw it clear as day. Never saw it before, and never since. It was REALLY weird.

Have you tried threading the trailer on, rather then just skewering the tip of it? That will sometimes "tighten up" the presentation, and get them to commit to the whole package.

I generally bend it. Gently.

My H18 with a 115 ran mid fifties, two guys, livewell full, tournament load. I think it had a 23 or 24 Lazer II prop.That boat would have benefited from a slight setback and slightly higher engine height a jack-plate would offer. I think that hull was rated to 135 hp. Never felt under powered with the 115, though.

I too have seen several guys in my club chew up their V-6 Explorer/Blazer/Durango/Jeep whatever midsize SUVs, towing heavy bass rigs at their towing limits. Personally, I towed a 17' Sea Nymph deep-V/50 hp Merc, with a 2.8l V-6 Jeep Cherokee Chief without issue, but that boat was very light. I think it was less than 1000 lbs. It really depends on how finished the interior is. Mine had a flat floor, long livewell, and a couple of seats, that's it.

I wouldn't feel comfortable towing with that vehicle. Do you have the model/specs for your boat?

Lucky Craft Slim Shad. They are a suspending deep crank. They are disco'd, but you can find them.

True story^^^

Honestly, it looks like it got caught on a car seat or something, and they were nipped off after pushing the hook all the way through.

Hard to say if it actually came bent like that - could have happened while fishing. The broken middle hook is weird, though.

I'd take it up with whomever handles the team orders.

You got this directly from Spro, or was it used?

I dig it, man. Congrats!

It's probably fine. The pinion has "ramped" slots for the engagement pin on the pool, and the slipping is the grinding you heard.

I'd be looking for an Xpress X series, used. There's an X19 with a 150 Yammie on Boat Trader. It's a little underpowered, but for $10,900, looks pretty clean.

The best reels are not cast, but machined from billet. Maybe Catt knows where the billet comes from, or how that is made. I don't believe too many bass reels are made this way, though there are a few that machined after molded (cast/die cast - I'm not sure what process reels use).

Somewhere around 700 fps... at least I think that's about where my pellet rifle shoots.

Put line on it, put it on a rod, tie a bait on, set up the spool tension for that bait and the brakes to your casting ability. Then see what "noise" it makes. If something doesn't seem right, take it back under warranty.

Red Squirrels are the exception. The only thing that works for them is lead.

My Xpress, with the Hyperlift pad hull was a great boat. Tough as nails. Yes, hatches leaked a bit, and rough trips on Erie or Ontario would require checking for loose screws. The layout was easily my favorite. Mine did have a casting deck extension. That boat is still tearing up the club scene with the guy who bought from me.

What reels? And spinning the handle in the store on a floor model is no test of smoothness. The only purpose I can see for floor models is to check ergonomics, see how features work - clicking drags, spool tension, brakes, etc, and get an idea of weight in hand.

Exactly!

Because Mike has long supported Bass Resource. He provides great products at a fair price; your only contribution here is to complain about the price of something you will never buy.

If you're capable...lol.

What is that? Leather?