Jim Grouch

2004 Nitro 929 CDX - Cash... I agree w/ EastMark. Only 2 things I feel that are worth making payments on is my home and if I had to a vehicle. Even my vehicles I own are paid off... But I have NO problem buying a vehicle that is a few years old that someone else took the hit by being the first one to drive it off the dealer's lot. I never saw the point of paying more for things than what they're worth. (I know...I'm soo unAmerican).

You wont have any problems if youre considering a fiberglass bass boat or something lighter. I pulled a 19' glass boat from Michigan to the BR trip in Kentucky using a v6 Explorer Sport-Trac. Just make sure to turn the overdrive off when towing. I am now using it to pull a 20'8" Nitro without any problems. Sure it's a little slow getting up to speed, but it's fine once you get there.

Is this another dry county with the nearest beer store 1,000 miles away again? I didn't mind so much the icicles hanging off my nose or blowing up the VMax motor on my boat....it was the 45 minute drive to get a case of beer that was unbearable.

I can't get your link to work.... Here is BR member Johnny BassTerd's music. It's not bad. Some guys might recogize some areas in this short video when we were at KY lake.

What's amazing is your catch rate won't even decrease.

Do you think you two could've stood any closer? It looks like your grabbing his butt.... Burley, what is going on here?

I agree w/ checking craigslist. I saw some locally around me this week. You can get that boat alot cheaper than new. Don't worry about it being used. There's no electronics, motor, gauges, lights, trailer, etc. to worry about like most used boat purchases. As long as it floats then there is nothing else to worry about on it.

It's hard to tell what you're doing in that photo... I think you're either playing with your cell phone antenna or cracking open a beer that is tucked in your pocket.

I don't want to be the first to burst your bubble Burley, but I wouldn't quite call that being "featured" on ESPN. Your time will come when fans are asking for your autograph.

NBAA and FLW for tourneys... Oakland County Bass Club and there's a Sterling Heights Bass Club if you search the web. I do not know anyone in those clubs. BR member Bassnub and I had talked about putting together a Macomb County Bass Club as we are surprised there isn't one already. The problem is I am overseas for work. I am from the Utica/Shelby area and get together and fish with him when I'm home. You are more then welcome to join us when I'll be home in August. Let me know. -Jim

The cooler story would've been, " So then I dove in and punched him repeatedly in the face until he let go of my fish".

Here's a helpful tool... www.craigshelper.com

The reason I became a member is for the magazine subscription and the tournament eligibility.

I was rather disappointed today when the mail came. I recieved a "Tip and Techniques" DVD from Bassmaster University without me requesting it and I either keep it and they automatically charge me for $12.95 or return the disc in a pre-paid postage envelope and they won't charge me. I feel this is a pretty inappropriate way to get members to buy their merchandise and it actually makes me want to cancel my membership with them if this contiues. Has this happened to anyone else and does it get worse?

He's gonna love it.... Semper Fi to all my fellow devil dogs.

Nah, it's a wonderful place. Actually here are some words of advice when travelling to Detroit: 1) Don't stop at red lights (especially at night) 2) Don't ask for directions 3) Buy your gas before going into the city 4) Don't ever claim that you aren't a Red Wings fan 5) Don't drive a foreign vehicle there 6) Killer smallmouth bass fishing...just make sure your truck and trailer are insured. 7) Don't talk bad about the Lions... I can't explain it but the fans are dedicated. 8) If lost, then keep driving until you are out of the city... Direction doesn't matter. Just refer to number 2. 9) Watch for potholes, they're everywhere. 10) If someone says, "Gimme your wallet" that isn't open for discussion. 11) And once again...ALWAYS ROOT FOR THE RED WINGS!!!

Welcome aboard. Try this to see if there are some tourneys in the area. It has alot in Michigan. -Jim http://nbaa-bass.com/pages/divisions/state_map.php

I dropped mine in the lake under a dock....couldnt find it for 5 minutes. Took the battery out and the screen had some water in it. Let it sit out for 24 hours and put the battery back in and worked fine.

Unfortunately it sounds like it's time for a rebuild. Get a compression test done and you'll know for sure.

I'm from Shelby Township and usually head towards the lakes in Pontiac. There are quite a few out there. You may want to try Stoney Creek or Lake Orion too.

There was another post just talking about the side imaging unit mounted to the trolling motor. It wasn't working for them and here is the reason why. The sonar projects the sound to the left and right side of the transducer. If the trolling motor is turning clockwise and counter clockwise then the sound is no longer being projected to the left and right. Also the boat needs to be in forward motion for the side imaging to work properly.... Personally I dont think its worth it because you must travel in a constant straight line with your trolling motor for it to work. Remember, it is a sonar unit not a video camera. You are better off getting a cheaper model that just has 2 D imaging for the front. I have the 797 side imaging mounted on the transom and it works great. I use if for crusing along and finding structure. After I find structure, then I go to the front and use the 2D Lowrance unit to go back and forth over that area. I hope this helps. -Grouch

Here's a brand new trailer for $300 you could make work. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42709 Or check Craigslist in your area for a cheap trailer.

I wouldn't think that it would work at all...It should just all be a blur. Think about it. If you turn the trolling motor, then your constantly turning the transducer (which is scanning out to the left and the right of the transducer). If the transducer is spinning clockwise and counterclockwise then how in the heck could it scan out to the side? You would be scaning the side, the front, the back, the side, etc.... Try this...try going in a straight line forward for about 100 ft WITHOUT TURNING and then come back and tell us what it shows. p.s. Its sonar, not a video camera...It needs forward motion to work properly.

It's kinda funny that this post came up. That was what my limit was and here is what I recently picked up. It is a 2004 Nitro 929 CDX, 225 Merc, 2 Lowrance units (LMS-330C GPS, X-102C on bow), 101 lbs. Minn Kota Maxxum. I had it inspected and it had less then 16 hours on the motor. I paid $19,700. I am very happy w/ the purchase. I ALMOST had a 2005 Nitro 911 CDC until I got the inspection on it and the motor turned out to be garbage. Word to the wise....Pay the money to get an inspection done when buying a used boat. I know for a fact that it saved me money in the long run. Most reputable shops will do an inspection for around $100. Money well spent.

Definately get an inspection done. I was just about to buy a $20,000 boat and paid $100 for an inspection...Thankfully I did. The compression numbers were at the bottom end of the limits and those motors aren't cheap to rebuild. On top of that, the marina found many other things wrong with it that I would've never even think about. The next boat I was interested in I gave the seller $100 deposit and they took it into my marine mechanic for me. Sure I had to pay another $100 for another inspection, but there's no doubt in my mind it paid off in the long run.