J Francho

I have an 18' Xpress with a 115. It is different from other tinnies, like a Tracker, in that it has a pad. I've had that boat up to 54 mph GPS. Loaded with tackle, gas, full wells, and two guys I get about 45 mph. I've had this boat out in 2-3 foot rollers on Lake Ontario and Erie. I wouldn't do this in a Tracker.

Here's what I found: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/cslrpt11tuscaroral.pdf http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/fish_marine_pdf/tusclkmap.pdf Looks like you'll need a fishing kayak!

This is my 3rd season with it. All I've done is oil the roller bearing.

Yes, I said finesse and swimbaits. I alternated between throwing a High Power Herring and Jackall Flick Shake worms on 1/16 oz. wacky jigs. I threw several colors of worms, and that didn't seem to matter much. This may sound strange, but I used the swimbait as a search tool, covering flats with sparse weeds. I caught several bass this way, but nothing noteworthy, save the one below, lol. All I can figure is it was merely defending a nest with eggs or babies. The biggest of the day, pictured below, followed the herring, but wouldn't commit. No matter, it exposed itself, and the finesse tactics got him to the boat. I used a Pinnacle Tournament Class Perfecta DHC5 Rod / Performa XT spooled with 20# Sufix 832 and 12# Seaguar Tatsu for a leader. The rod is tippy enough to toss and skip the light baits, but plenty of rear end to control a big fish. I had one last drag stripping run when I got it to the boat, and the reel performed flawlessly. I did get a few minor wind knots, but that's to be expected with braid and light baits, mixed with wind. Water temps ranged from 59 in the main lake to 66 in the shallow coves. Air temps in the high 60s, N/NW winds around 10 mph, clear skies. Fished from 9 until 3. All in all, a nice day on the water. I think I boated 8 bass and lord knows how many rockies. Top notch equipment provided a hassle free fishing experience.

Not normal. Something is broke.

I change up the cadence, walk, pop, dead stick, short pauses with bursts...the key is to remember what you did when you get your first blow up.

Looks real good, Bobby. Way to keep evolving and offering better baits!

Silicone the hook hole in the butt, and drill a hole in the top, near the rear. Works on Spros and Yum frogs.

Exactly. In fact, some are downright territorial, and there are no other bass in the area, which is why many assume those spots are "dry," when in fact, it may hld the biggest fish in the lake.

Save your $$ for baits.

Hmmm, shouldn't make any difference. My spinning reels take up 34 IPT. Those little poppers are impossible to throw on casting gear. I prefer a MH spinning rod and 20# braid with a leader for that. Anything bigger than 3/8 oz., and I'll use casting gear.

If you have the oak already, then I'd say use that. It should last plenty long enough, though teak and marine plywood are the usual materials. Starboard is cool stuff. You can do a lot with it.

Do you have a picture of the boat? I can't really visualize what your trying to accomplish. At first, sounded like you were replacing the wood bench in a rowboat. Now I'm not so sure...

Marine plywood would probably work best.

Two terms, same thing.

I'll PM you pics and price later when I get home.

It's a lefty. It also has fancy hypalon knobs with bearings, Carbontex drag, let me think a bit on price. It isn't nearly as outrageous as a TD-Ito, lol.

I've got a JDM Zillion 7.1:1 I might be coaxed into letting go.

Oh yeah! One tip: always keep a super fuke rigged and ready to cast to those fish that smack, but don't hook up. A fluke will thrown to the are of the miss will often seal the deal.

Those spray on types are only good if someone else puts it on for you. Blue Lizard is white, and you can see where it's on and where it's not. It eventually blends in. That SunX30 sounds like a great product. I'll keep an eye out for it.

Point #2 is truth. I've fallen into that trap.

Sure, but you'll ruin it eventually. If it's just a one time shot, be sure to gently and thoroughly rinse the reel in warm, fresh running water. Let it dry, and add a drop of oil to the spool bearings, knob bases, and level wind worm gear. If it's going to be a regular salt use reel, get one designated for saltwater use. Treat it the same as above.

Smallies go crazy for big topwaters. Spooks and Super Spooks are a great smallie bait.

It's driving technique, not a boat issue. Get on plane, back off on the throttle, and trim out. My boat planes around 18 mph.

I'm banning .ghoti for an hour, lol. East siiiiiiiiiiide!