booty0

I've got an 18 ft. Stratos F & S with a 'Rude 175. It's a great boat for what it is. Pulls skiers very well, has an awesome holeshot, and will run 65 mph with a nice ride. The drawbacks are a lack of storage space and small decks. It fishes fine for me though you do have stay aware of the windshield while casting. If I had it to do again, I would get something in the 20 ft. range for the larger decks and more storage. The Viper Coral 202 is probably the nicest F & S I've seen.

You have to re-spool flouro more often than mono. After a few dozen backlashes, even minor ones, the flouro gets small kinks and weakens significantly. If you snap off on the cast, re-spool immediately. It took a couple of heartbreaks before I learned this lesson. Overall, I really like the Vanish for use with soft plastics. It has definitely helped my catch rate. It's amusing to watch my frustrated, mono using partners struggle while I'm catching fish. I always suggest that the difference might be the flouro, but they have yet to convert.

The jig, no doubt. That's how the big ones are caught here on the Big G, but I don't have the patience or confidence to stick with it. I throw it a few times and then go back to the worm. Maybe I should just leave the worms at home for a while, though I would probably have an anxiety attack if I did...

I caught about a 3 pounder the other day that had the tail of a small bass sticking out of it's throat. Too bad it wasn't a tourney fish...

The Dingers are a little more resilient than the Senkos. They don't tear up as easily so they last longer.

When fishing the Dinger, I've learned not to set the hook on the first tap. The fish usually keep after it, so you have a little time to be sure she's engulfed it. Don't wait too long or she'll be gut hooked. Reel in any slack, make sure she's still there, and set.