dotz

Generally I will trim my boat until I have 15 psi of water pressure. If I go below that I am throwing a big rooster tail and looking pretty but I will loose 1-2 mph on top end. Seat time is really the best advice I can give you. Just take it easy and don't be scared to play around with it. Have fun.

My trophies would be a 10+ largemouth, a 6# smallmouth, and a 3+ crappie. I have a 4.5 Ky bass and a Lg mouth at 6 on the wall and a 1+ bluegill. Your area determines what is a trophy. Most guys around here wouldn't think of mounting the fish I did but I have fished all my life and those are the biggest ones I have caught. Set your goals were you can reach them then as you do move them a little higher.

I am set up the same way as JTL. It is handy for me, especially since on day I am fishing a bass tourney, the next I may be catfishing, crappie, bluegill who knows. So I went through and made boxes for each species. So when I get home and figure out what I am going to do the next day I take out those boxes and put in the ones I need. This makes for a lot less cluter and a more enjoy experience for everyone else.

I leave it down. I have noticed that it makes the boat track straight in the wind. Also seems to make boat control much easier. In shallow water I trim it up as little as possible for the control benifit.

I would have to agree with the tempest. I have a lazer 2 right now (25") and the tempest is a lot better prop. i am buying one as soon as I get the money.

I really like the ones with mesh uppers and your flotation around your waist. I have 2 of them and I could wear them all day long if I had to. Alot of it is personal preference and what feels good to you. My wife likes a ski vest so that is what she wears. Try several on and buy the one that feels best, if you buy one that is uncomfortable you will hate putting it on and won't wear it. If its not on it won't do any good.

Here is my short list Baitcasters 1 Browning Medallion 1 Browning Citiori 4 Abu 5000 Spinning 1 Bass Pro ? I got it when i was 9 2 Mictchell's from the 50's ( Work great so why change) 2 Walmart specials for bluegill.

How much experience are you wanting for as fishing tourneys? and how wide of an area do you want them to cover? I am from Western KY. Fish Ky lake and Barkley and the Ohio, and Tennesse Rivers mostly. Just started fishing tourneys this year. so far have a 1st, 6th, and 3 zero's. Would like more info and what you are looking for please

I been fortunate, dad and grandfather where both huge fishermen. When Papaw past away in 97 I hung my rods up until 2003. Papaw and me spent every summer on the lake for 5 yrs while I was out of school. I just didn't feel like doing it anymore it lost its passion to me. Now me and Dad still hunted and bowfished together but no fishing rods. My now brother in law talked me into going with him one day and the passion came back. Went and bought a bass boat and haven't missed a beat since. I take Mom and Dad ever chance I get. And every once in a while when I am by myself I can feel a special person in back of the boat when I am setting on his spot. There is no better feeling in the world. That is great to take parents or just our elders out fishing, they forget there problems and we make memories that will last a lifetime.

I really like the middle grade Rude oil I think the number on it is 50 for my 175 merc.

92 ProCraft 18' w 175 merc and 10" jackplate spinning a 25" lazer 2 at 6000 = 67mph.

As for as a cheap unit the Lowarance X41 or x47 (can't remember which number) are really good. They have temp reading, very easy to use and under $100. I have one of them on the front of my boat and really like it.

I do the same thing as gobbledog. I use my left hand to put pressure on the line to slow the bait down. The other thing is just pratice. Hope this helps and good luck.

I'm from Murray, KY. 50 south of Paducah. I live 20 min. from Kentucky Lake. That is where I am found most afternoons.

I have a boat and love it but there is one thing that I have always thought was odd: People in boats want to cast as close to the bank as they can get and people on the bank want to cast as far away from the bank as they can. For as your question I have had about the same amount of luck either way. I do alot of wading also and have caught fish right at my feet. So you can get pretty close to them. The worse days to do ot when it is sunny and the water is slick.