TLBassin

I am going to replace the motor on my boat and there is a local johnson machinic who has rebuilt a Johnson Faststrike 150. The motor is a 95. Ever thing under the hood has been replaced (from A to Z) with Johnson parts. Anyways, I was wanting to know if any of you had or knew anyone who had a Faststrike and whether or not it is a well designed and reliable motor. Thanks for the help! Trevor

Stratos 278

Will this be of any help????? http://www.floridafisheries.com/Fishes/anatomy.html

Saving things such on the settings like keeping it on manual and other settings that I adjust.

Aren't fish finders susposed to save the things that you change on them when you cut them off, or do you have to do something to make it save.

Does anyone know of a common household product or commerical that cleans vinal well???? The seats on the boat arent bad, but there are a few spots I would like to get rid of.

I agree, that would be a HUGE helping hand

After reading the article about Best Boat Insurance and just recently purchasing a new boat, insurance is one of the key thing on my "to do" list. If you dont mind me asking what do you pay per year and what is covered under it on your insurance. I called one place earlier and 100,000 liability and 1,000 for personal with a 250 deductable was 262.00 a year. If I am wrong correct me but isnt that really high for a 95' Stratos 278 with a Evinrude 130???? All help would be appreciated.

I was thinking about replacing one of the fishfinders on my boat since the two that are one it are a little older. I was thinkin about a Humminbird Matrix 25. I found one for 150 new and look other places and compared and quality and price couldnt be beat. Anyone have input on this model or another finder that is around this price range that is good? Thanks!

Another question about outboard oil. Im new to all this with the motors and all, I just recently purchased my first boat. Anyway I have an Evinrude 130 on it and i was looking on line at oil and was wondering what would be suitable to run in that motor. I was looking at Johnson/Evinrude oil and they were like the X25, X30 and X50. Im sure the numbers are for different weight oils, but which weight would be a good to run?

95 Stratos 278, 17' 9'' 130 Evinrude Evinrude Trollin motor (thinkin of replacein, but it still works well, so Ill wait til it wears out) Lowrance on back and Eagle on front

In vehicle oil, brands like Napa oil is the same thing as Valvoline, same oil just packaged in another bottle and a cheaper price. Is the same for outboard oil. Are the other brands the same oil as the mercury/yamaha/johnson name brand oils. If so which is the best buy? Thanks for the help.

I just bought my first bass boat and was thinking about insurance. Its a 95 stratos 278 with a evinrude 130 on it. I know this may be a dumb question in since, but since it is not brand new anymore, would it still be worth me payin out the money for insurance each year to cover it?

Color question right quick? I know the craw and natural colors (greens and browns) are good choices this time of year and on into the spring, but what about like pearls and albino colors? Also will bluegill colors work effectively this time of year?

As the subject says, what is your go to bait this time of year?

I tested it today, it had 3/4 tank in it and i was with the man from the dealership, decent sized man, 250ish. Im around 180 and the back livewell had some water in it, but not full. Goin down the lake the boat maxed at 50-53, with fairly decent get up and go. Ive rode in a friends 18' ranger with a Merc. 150 and it didnt seem to much different. Although not fully loaded, I didnt think that the 50 range for a 130 was that bad?? or would be I mistaken? Thanks for all the help and input guys!!!! Trevor

My absolute go too is soft plastics!!!!!!!!!!!!! My opinion they can't be beat, but thats my opinion. 1st off is the C-Rig, the T-Rig, and some finesseing with a senko! I have all different brands of reels (Quantum, Bassmaster, etc.) I do like the BPS rods, not to most expensive but very good for the money also in my opinion. And for line prefrence I like Spiderwire alot, havent ever had any trouble with it!

The dealer that I am dealing with is smart, I have tried to get the owners number to contact him about history and replacement of parts on the boat, but they said it is a new privacy act that they arent allowed to give out info. about the owner. Although they said that would contact him with any ?'s I had. I have been able to bargain with them and get the price dropped some, to one thats not that unreasonable. Like mentioned its a 95 18' stratos, with the 130, and I got it too 5500. Little higher than some others, but the deal is 20 minutes away compared the the others which are several hours and i would make the difference in GAS and time. Since this is my first bass boat and it is used, and I am a college student with limited income, I am wanting to make sure all the ducks are gonna fall in a row. The good thing about the dealer having it is that they are inspecting it and the owner now is paying to have all things fixed that need to be, so I am trying to make sure everything is right before it becomes my burdan.

I am going to call and get specs on the compression and check with another evinrude dealer about numbers for back up. Also would the boat still idol well and run at high speeds well if compression was low? I test drove the boat today and drove fine, it has a 130 on it and speed peaked at around 50-53. Also no oil leaks were detected anywhere on the motor.

I just bought my first bass boat today! It is a 95 stratos with a 130 evenrude, and 18'. Has everything a bass boats needs, eletronics, trolling motor etc. I got it for 5500, i little higher than I wanted to give, but the motor had just been tuned (plugs, fuses, compression check, etc.) and a whole new steering system installed. Also the boat was very clean and taken care of. I found a few others that were a little cheaper, but considering this one was only 20 minutes away from home and the others were several hours away, I figured I made the difference up in saving GAS and time. Here are a few good websites: www.iboats.com, www.usedboats.com, www.boats.com, and theres always ebay! Good luck with the search! Trevor

Thanks for the heads up. The boat is on consignment, so as far as I know there is no warranty with it, but it wont hurt to ask. As mentioned, yes I am gong off of their word that the compression is good. Said it was 105 to be exact, and it has been checked cold and after running for about 15 minutes. Also the boat is a 95 model to be exact. Dealership like I mentioned went through the boat checking and replaced the steering because it was tough and need replacing. Also the engine has been tuned up as well, new plugs. fuses, etc. Any other comments would help before I test it out tommarow.

.As far as fish location,I hate it when they are suspended and love it when there on bottom. Same here. I love a C-rig, thats where my confidence is. But when there suspending, I have trouble gettin um in the boat.

I think I am on the verge of buying a used stratos from a dealerships that has been check over (compression, things of that nature) and cleaned. Boat is in nice real nice condition and I am going to take it on a test run in the next few days. Those with past experience, is there anything that I should look/listen for when i take it out and test while Im on the water? Thanks! Trevor

If you ever have to preform "opperations" this method is good to get the hook out. Used it several times and hook poped right out and fish lived. http://www.in-fisherman.com/magazine/articles/if2806_HookRemoval/

Everone has a certain thing that they look for when they fish on new water. What are some things that you look for and key in on when you get on a new body of water?