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.

I drive 2 hours to Nashville to go to a BPS. My mother in law lives there so it is usually a big trip. I do must of my shopping at local stores but I usually make one big order or trip to BPS and drop a lot of cash.

This boat is a little different breed but War Eagle makes a great boat. The 1754 is great all around boat. Plus the guys there will custom build what ever you want. Want a pad put in just ask. They put seats and everything right where my brother in law wanted them. He got the duck boat version and the hull is awsome. 4 inches of ice, no problem not a dent or scratch. They are great boats and they make a fishing version with carpet ect. Just something else to look at. I think they are more expensive than a G3 but not sure.

Here's my 2 cents. On big motors Merc all the way. I have a 40 hp suziki (however u spell it) that is an 85 model that is great. The only thing I've done to it is put a water pump on it. I know it is not US but got it for a deal and loved it ever since. If I was going to go with a new motor though it would be BLACK. My 175 Merc has been a great motor. I think they are hard to beat.

I had a motorguide brute that was 45# thrust on my boat. It went to running on 6-12 instead of 12-24, the guy told me it lost a magnet. So I bought a Minn kota all terrain and absoulutly love it. It is the best money I ever spent on this boat. I have an old (85 model) minn kota on my jon boat and never had a problem with it. I think Minn kota's are hard to beat. That is all that will be on my boat from now on.

Thanks for the tips guys. Roadwarrior I agree with you, it is just that I was in a tournry and it bit me in the butt. Generally I know if the lake has fallen just go and have fun and enjoy the boat ride, but now that I have started fishing a few tournys I need to figure something out. Skeeter do you just look for the closest steeper point, ledge, ect or do you look for one with somesort of structure. That may be my problem I am looking to hard for structure and may just need to look for the depth change. Keep this up guys I am getting more ideas.

Nick I agree with you, I guess it is where to pull out to is my problem. How far will the fish move generally? If you are on shallow fish will they go to 5ft of water or 10-15? I know this is not a set process just curious where to start, and what kinda presentations to make.

It is Kentucky Lake and Barkley. They are TVA lakes. I guess I should have told that sorry.

I had ( still have) a 14 jon boat. 2 yrs ago I bought a 92 Procraft 18' with a 175 Merc on it for $8000. The boat was in great shape and I love it. I didn't know how I bass fished out of that small boat all those years. Good luck in your search.

This is crazy but have a 40 Hp on back of his 14 Lowe jon boat. It is really fast but you have to be careful when turning at WOT. His boat is 54in across the bottom and has alot of bracing in the transom. I would recommend it, I would get a 25 or smaller personally. I tried to trade that motor in a few years ago and the guy wouldn't give me anything for it and it still looks new, so I just keep it. Now I have a bass boat and just use that boat for bowfishing and duck hunting.

92 Procraft 18ft with a Merc 175 Xri. Use humminbird and lowrance finders. And just put a new Minn Kota all-terrian trolling motor on it with 65# thurst. Best money I have ever spent, on the boat.