Stingray23

I have an opportunity to buy a 2013 Bass Cat Puma FTD next year from a pro staffer. Its gonna be loaded. I get to pick the options and colors too. My question is, are there anythings I should know before I agree to it? This will be my first boat and I just want to be sure. Has anyone here done the same? The boat will have a Merc. 250 ProXS with less then 75 hrs. Lowrance HDS10's, power poles, MK 101 Fortrex, Hot foot, pro trim, 4 bank charger, structure scan, hambys, etc....

yep. You know how many times I've been on one of the online sites just looking for something to buy and I tell myself that I already have it or I dont really need it? A LOT. But I still end up getting something. Its a must.

It was more out of curiosity. I know a lot of brands sell for more due to name recognition. I was just wondering if there is a rod out there with equally good components for less?

Any other brand out there that has comparable characteristics to St Croix and Loomis, but cheaper?

Thank you for taking the time to put this together for me. I really appreciate it.

I've never fished a top of the line St.Croix or Loomis so i wouldnt know. I'm sure they are much better given the huge difference in price. The TE PT's have been very good to me.

Thanks. It appears that St.Croix will be my next rod. I will need a deep cranking rod, lipless/med-shallow cranking rod, spinnerbait rod, pitching rod, topwater rod, finesse rod, drop shot/finesse spinning rod, worm rod. Thats pretty much it.

Those are some great prices. Very tempting. I think I'm gonna pick one up first, try it out, and then see whether or not I like it enough to switch all my rods.

Well, lets compare the Legend Elite, Tournament, and Xtreme to NRX, GLX, and whatever else Loomis has thats comparable. I currently fish all Quantum Tour Edition PT Signature Series rods. They have been great rods. I just want to see what all the fuss is about St Croix or Loomis. The rods will be technique specific.

I know this will open a can of worms, but I'm looking for opinions from actual owners. I'm looking to upgrade my rods for next season and want to know which to go with. I'm also referring to their comparably priced rods.

I'm gonna say a weightless, T-rigged, 5" Zoom fluke, preferably in pearl white.

The Hook'em Jig

1. White or wht/chrt double willow 3/8oz or 1/2oz Revenge spinnerbait(silver and gold blades) 2. Zoom super salty 4.5"fluke-pearl white, texas rigged w/3/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook 3. 1/2oz blue/blk custom jig

You made a killin'

Same here. Been using it for 4 years now and I love it.

Thanks for the responses. From the looks of the pics, the 196 looks to be in excellent condition. Supposedly has all the maintance records too. I dont tournament fish, so I really dont care about speed. As long as it gets me to where I want to be safely and smoothly, I really dont care to go too fast.

Anyone? I'd like to know the pro's and con's to owning a Champion. I recently ran into one that has me interested. Its a 2001 196DC w/200 Merc optimax. I keep hearing about the ride, the handling, the constuction.

^^^^Thats a hell of a deal. I too like the Nitros

good questions. I'd also like to know

^^^^^Exactly.

If thats what you call spoiling yourself.......

What if the inflateble fails?

Thanks Sam&Rhino. I take care of all my things, I was just curious as I am new to boating. I will be winterizing it every year. I realize things will eventually break or fail, just wanted to get an idea.

My cousin has one and I've used it before. Its a very nice reel.

I'm gonna try and get me a bass boat early next year and will be buying used. I keep hearing about people having issues and constantly needing to replace something. Is this exaggerated? What is the standard maintanance that you should do every season? Is it expensive? I know with anything, especially used, you're gonna have to eventually replace something. I get that, but will it get annoying and expensive? I totally new to boats, and boat terminology.