zerofivenismo

How about vacations? I swear they do.

I agree with bass or bass?'s response. But if you must get on the lake, I'd recommend fishing-only lakes. There are a few local lakes around my parts where lake does not permit pleasure boating at all.

You might want to check tinboats for some ideas. They have a few jon boat club tourneys with rules, website, etc. Good luck!

Can you believe this. I can.

Congrats on the boat! I would buy a depthfinder over a rod/reel setup. You can get a used Lowrance x96/x125 or Eagle FishMark 320/480 for dirt cheap from fleabay. For your budget of $200, you can get two used for your rig. Like AC500 says, you just need a unit to help you with depth, temps, and structure type. Are there any soft spots on the deck and floor? Not an expert, but the carpet doesn't look to be marine grade. Looks quite fluffy and might retain water like a sponge. If all is good, keep on boating and fishing! Good luck satisfying both the boat and bait monkeys.

The price range will be different depending on your region. Recommend you check out craigslist for similar setups and price yours accordingly. I usually price my stuff a little higher for negotiation purposes. Folks there will low ball the heck out of you. Good luck.

I've read through a couple threads where owners have extended their front decks. They all came out very nice and professional. Hopefully that'll give you an idea of where and how to start. Good luck.

I'm left handed. Cast, crank, and do about 90% of other things left handed, but my strong arm is my right. Good for hooksets. I can throw two thumbs up so I'm ambidextrous.

Welcome aboard FishFocker! Good to hear you rekindled the fishing bug, and woke up the monkey. You were a brave kid...toting a trap in your pants.

Welcome to BR and back into fishing.

Good re-discovery of the boat! Other than what you and the others mentioned, I recommend new lower unit lube, new impeller, and also check trailer hub bearings. Good luck!

A 32lb thrust tm will be more than sufficient for your vessel for an all day excursion. I use a 33lb bow mount tm on my decked out 14' flat jon and it moves the boat just fine. Granted I use an outboard for longer runs, but I'm on the tm 95% of the time that I'm on the water. Just recharge your battery as soon as you get home.

Hello and welcome to BR.

Welcome back!

My preference is clear and fluorescent blue. I fish lightly stained to murky water. I'm sure green line works perfectly in those conditions, but it's just my personal preference.

Bandit Footloose, Storm Subwarts, Bomber Square A, and Rebel Humpback are some of my favorite shallow cranks in the $4-$5 range.

From the looks of it, a F&S Tec Spec fits your desires of a $60 split grip stick. I'm sure you can find a $10 off Dick's coupon online that'll leave you enough for a spool of line.

A Falcon Buccoo $100-$110 or BPS Carbonlite $80-$110 would fit the bill nicely.

Welcome aboard.

Welcome fellow tinboater!

As a general rule, I stay away from "angler signature series" branded baitcasting reels and rods. Just not my cup of tea.

That's my preferred method of bumble bee removal as well. Great way of working on your overhand smash.

If you have the extra $150 laying around, then pull the trigger on the 50mg.

No facts to back it up, but I'm sure there has to be some loss in sensitivity in a 2pc. 2pc rods are geared towards making storage/transport in confined areas more manageable. I've grown fond of 1pc rods so much that a 2pc would be a deal breaker except for 10-12ft crappie rods . To each its own.

Rod takes precedence over reel. Lifetime warranty on the rod doesn't hurt either.