MSPbass

Maybe I should stick with oars. Ha! Just kidding. This is great info. However, I am a bit confused now. If a 30, 40 and 50lb motor use up the same amount of electricity and delivers the same speed with the same prop turning at the same rate, what does a 50lb motor do that a 30lb motor can't?

Yeah, I've been reading up on things and I think variable speed is the way to go. For me at least. I can also see that the prevailing sentiment for trolling motors is definitely: the bigger the better.

Hmmm. Thanks for the input, Surfer. More to think about.

Ok, first off, thanks again for that detailed explanation Sneaker. It helped, greatly. Second, the first place I looked was Cabelas. I now see that Bass Pro has a few Minn Kota's with their "Digital Maximizer" feature; which "controls the draw of power at infinitely variable speeds." They have a couple in the $4-600 range. But they also have the "Maxxum" transom mount motor. A MAX40T is a 40lb thrust, 12V with 36" shaft and goes for $290. That's more my speed, if you know what I mean. Actually, I was hoping I could get everything for under $300. The MAX55T, with a 45" shaft, jumps up to $375. You sell the variable speed motor very well. (I liken it to recording MP3s at a variable bit-rate; which is much more efficient kids.) I think that the extra money now will save me money in the long run. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_21688_200002001_200000000_200002000_200-2-1

Holy cow! The MK Vantage at $1200 is bad news.

Wow, dude. That was awesome. Thank you.

Just Google "float tube" or "pontoon float tube". You'll find tons. Then look up the different company web sites, like Outcast and Creek Company. When you find a watercraft that you like, do another search for that specific boat. I ended up getting mine for over $100 less than everywhere else, + free shipping, from a little company in Colorado. Or you could start at Cabelas and Bass Pro: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat360011&navAction=jump&navCount=1&cmCat=MainCatcat20431&parentType=category&parentId=cat20431 http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SportingGoods_Fly%2BFishing--Watercraft_10151_-1_10001_advisor_CA.CategoryExpand_N_175005000_175000000_175005000

I use a Fish Cat Cougar float boat, but recently inherited a 12-14' jon boat. Even though the Cougar has a motor mount, I hadn't ever thought of using one. But now I'm thinking about doing some of those bass boat mods to the jon and a motor would be nice. I know nothing about trolling motors. Could I use one motor for both boats? I fish small bodies of water in a metro area. Often gas engines are prohibited. I don't think I need an outboard, but I'm not sure how much power a trolling motor puts out. I know it would move the float boat fine, but do folks use just a trolling motor to putt around in bigger boats? What if there were two 200lb passengers? And then, it looks like you have to buy a motor, battery and then a battery charger? How much thrust would be needed for a jon? 12 or 24 volts? I have no idea how these new fangled motors work!

Love mine too. The 10 bearing drive is sweet. You'll be happy with a President. And if you don't trust all these endorsement, check out the reviews at Cabelas.com...all 79 of them. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0023114118332a&navCount=1&podId=0023114&parentId=cat20333&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20166-cat20333&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20333&hasJS=true

You have experience with both, so it sounds like it's a set up you can trust. That's a good way to go.

Cabelas seems to have a sale every month or two. Does anyone know if there's one (fishing) sale that's better than all the others?

Anyone else have any experience with the Crankshaft rod? I recently got a TechnaAV and love it; awesome rod. But I'm also looking for a new crank bait rig. Someone here told me the Fenwick HMG makes a better crankin' rod than the Techna. I was at my local shop (again) last week and was surprised to hear two sales guys say they prefer the Technas over the Elite Techs. I got the impression, from one of them, that he thought the Elite Techs were "gimmicky" maybe. Not the Crankshaft, specifically, but the whole line. It seems like a pretty nice rod to me. Having never even held a glass (or half glass) rod before, that whippiness was a little intimidating. But I believe that's exactly what you want in a good crankin' rod.

I think it's supposed to be an upgraded President. The guys at TackleTour.com gave it a pretty good review, but seem to love the President. Can anyone else compare the two?

I agree, try out the braid. I fish small waters myself and use the Power Pro. No leader. It's definitely a different feel, there's no stretch, but I love the stuff now. If you don't, you can always take it off your reel and put the fluro back on, right?

That's a nice little tutorial, it should help out a lot. My suggestion is to practice on dry land as much as you can. Don't shoot for the moon or even your neighbor's garage, like Reelmechanic says. Distance will come later. For me, it was easier to learn with the lure/practice plug all the way up at the tip of my rod though; not hanging down. As I learned to throw I was able to let out some slack, which helps to load the rod and therefore cast farther. But, like I said before, don't worry about distance in the beginning. Just take it slow & easy and practice, practice, practice.

Thanks for the help all. I was weary of the high speed gearing, but I'm a little surprised by the advise here. I expected more pros than cons. This was informative and very helpful. It's good to learn they work well for frogs. Maybe someday I'll get a dedicated froggin' rig, but for now, I think I'm going to pass. Which means I can order a new Patriarch today!

If a reel comes in both 6.4 and 7.1:1, is there a reason I shouldn't go with the high speed? I guess I was thinking I could always turn the handle slower, but couldn't change the gear ratio. But I'm not so sure that's the way I should look at it. The new reel will primarily be used for worms and plastics. I'm not much of a buzz bait user either. Thanks!

I've been eyeing this reel in the Cabelas catalog like it was a centerfold! Can't wait for your review.

Switching to a baitcaster from a spinning reel is a little weird all around. Most folks do use their other hand for the b/c though. Practice is the biggest thing. Once you get used to it, switching hands to reel becomes automatic and it's usually in your other hand before the bait even hits the water. I got a couple yellow practice plugs and spent quite a bit of time in the back yard when I first got a b/c. When I got better, I had to move to the alley for more room. The neighbors always laughed at me, but it was a huge help. I still go out in the yard every Spring and practice casting. My new neighbors laugh at me just like the old ones. Oh well. At least now I don't get the bird's nests like I did when I started. Hang in there and use the reel on land as much as you can. Regardless of what hand you're cranking with, practice, practice, practice. It will pay off.

Yeah, there are a lot of variables, but you can't go wrong with PowerPro. After my local shop told me they spool their baitcasters with PowerPro, I tried it out. I haven't used a different line since.

"Bend", not "sensitivity". Action vs. Power. I do confuse the two. More bend must equate to a better snap on the cast then. Makes sense now.

For Shaky Head fishing specifically, do you guys prefer a stronger MH rod, or a more sensitive M?

They're used as breaks on the reel spool. Centrifugal brakes work at the begging of the cast when the spool starts spinning so fast. Magnetic breaks work towards the end of the cast to keep your spool rolling smooth as your bait soars off. Magnetic breaks help prevent the line from running over itself - resulting in a bird's nest. To adjust Centrifugal brakes, you have to open up the reel. Magnetic breaks usually have a dial on the non-handle side of the reel.

Whoa, hold on there. How the heck did you read that I wasn't appreciative of all the advise? I wasn't knocking anybody. I absolutely did not mean to sound that way, I assure you. Aside from talking to folks on the lake, this is the best way to get honest info about gear - from folks who really use the stuff. This helped me quite a bit. Raul is the one who called the Technas "excellent mid level priced rods". I called the HMG and Techna AV "pretty great rods". I think they're REALLY great rods! And they are NOT cheap. Maybe you weren't following this like I was sir, but I'm still sorry for ticking you off. Really. I learned quite a bit from this. The biggest thing was the exact answer to my original question: "Didn't see that your rod was for cranks, the HMG would still be better of the two." I'll go back to my local shop and look at the Elite Tech one more time, but I'm now pretty sure I'll go with another HMG. That way I can pick up a few fancy crankbaits with the money I saved. I would have not known that, and probably paid the extra $ for the Techna, if it weren't for the help of you experienced folks who did take the time to help me. THANK YOU.

That's great man. But for me, I don't think a $400+ rod would be worth it. I'm not at the level where that kind of rod would mean anything to me. Plus, I couldn't justify that kind of cash. I'd rather have 2 pretty great rods than one super expensive one. You get me?