Madhouse27

I'd vote for buying what you can afford and offer your dad the use of it for leaving it in his yard while you're away. If you are returning home at the end of the school year it would be a good feeling knowing that your boat is sitting there ready for action. Who knows, maybe your father might throw a few bucks in on the deal knowing that he'd have access to it.

I'd find it hard to knock on Al Lindner regardless of how he grabbed a fish in an old video. There's a real short list of people who have done as much for catch and release fishing as he has. His In-Fisherman magazine may have actually coined the phrase "catch and release". Maybe his bass headlock developed from too many years of messing around with walleye or something although I've never seen him do it. I've always looked at Al as one of the true good guys not only in the world of fishing, but in the world period.

I'm with Chris and LBH on this one. I'd toss a weightless fluke style soft bait in that vicinity and get ready for action. I think one the same size as the topwater bait he missed would definately be deadly. It's winter where I live and the lakes are now frozen. You need to go catch this fish and describe it in detail so I can live and fish vicariously through you. I don't want to put any pressure on you....but please dont' let us down.

That is absolute insanity. Great post!

Hey I'm pumped. Just made a deal on the 1998 17ft Skeeter Aluminum bass boat with a Yamaha 40 hp outboard that I'd meantioned in another post. After weighing my towing and storage situation I'd decided to go with an aluminum boat for a few years until I have a garage to park a big dollar rig in. The G3's were certainly my first choice but I didn't want to break the bank on a boat that was going to be a relatively short term deal. This Skeeter was a predecessor to the G3's and is somewhat close in design and layout. It should tow great behind the 4Runner and keep me on the water way under budget. Paid $3900 which leaves me with a good chunk left in the boat fund. Going to take the TM and electronics from my current boat and move them onto the Skeeter. Anybody want a Mckee Craft center console with a bum outboard?

Hmm, maybe it's time to plan a trip to Lake Erie

Avid, just so you know, I am available for adoption.....Dad.

The biggest smallmouth that I actually got to weigh was 6 pounds 4 ounces. As with most of my bigger fish it was caught in 20 plus feet of water with a grub on an 1/8 ounce leadhead. That particular fish was caught on a Bobby Garland G-Tail grub (no longer produced) and was on a lake in central Maine. I just got a digital scale for my b-day so I am looking forward to getting to weigh my better fish. Late season 2005 I got into a pack of big bronzebacks dropshotting a zoom super fluke. They were schooled up and feasting on small alewifes. I'm thinking this dropshotting technique is going to prove deadly in the future.

If this is actually Charlie Moore then we already know what his father is getting for Christmas. A wasabi/chartreuse Fleck Spinnerbait and a gift certificate to Aubochaun Hardware.

I think one of those nice digital scales for accurately weighing the big boys would be a cool gift. Another idea might be one of the new style nets that are a little easier on the fish. Both would come in handy without exactly breaking the bank.

I'd always heard good things about Javelin. As the industry consolidated alot of brands of bass boats disappeared forever. It would fun to try and list them all. In addition to Javelin, Cajun certainly comes to mind as well as Astro. I would think that the prices of used boats that are no longer being manufactured would come down as interest in the brand subsides. You may be able to find a sweet deal on a late model Javelin.

Good plan fishie!

Man, over a year?? If it was an Old Navy or Home Depot they'd have it open in 3 weeks. This is a major emotional setback.

Snakes falling from trees? What else do you have down there? Flying spiders? I think I better stay up here in Maine and deal with the long cold winter.

Low, have you heard when the store is actually set to open. Some other posts have meantioned that the grand opening of these stores is a big time with some pros in the house and some awesome deals. Details man, we need details!

One

The rumors were that Raul had been placed in a witness protection program and would never be heard from again. Glad to have you back man.

Hi wanted to get your take on a potential deal I am considering. Just looked at a 1998 Skeeter 17ft aluminum bass boat with a 1998 Yamaha 40 hp. Boat is in fair to good condition for the year. Hull looks good, carpet a bit faded with a few stains, no holes in carpet. Yamaha outboard is in pristine condition. I would probably replace finders and trolling motor with the units on my current boat. Skeeter Trailer in good shape. If I pursue it my offer price would be around $3900.00. I've been thinking that perhaps aluminum might be a better bet given my fishing, towing and storage situation. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

Ice fishing is a great time. Gather up the family and friends, take a bunch of food to cook up and you have the making of a memorable outing. In Maine we primarily fish through the ice for salmon and trout but if a bunch of kids are going and we want some fast action we'll go chase the white perch and pickerel. Sometimes early in the season you get some unsnowed on ice and everyone takes their skates for a little hockey action. For me it's a different passion than my bass fishing. Ice fishing is more about the comraderie of getting together with the gang and finding ways to make the best of 3 or 4 months of winter. I'd get a bad case of cabin fever without it.

Low, you just made my night brother. Keep us posted on how contruction is coming along. I definately feel a little road trip coming on! I so pumped!

Great work Glenn! Man it's great to have the forum back!

Minuteman, have you seen the tv show "Surface"? I think those eggs must have been from one of the creatures on the show.

Wow I just reread your original post. Correction... he is asking 10 grand for a 12 year old Skeeter. Geesh

I'm with Nick. Depending on the condition I would prefer the Skeeter but would be talking around $6000 purchase price. There are lots of boats for sale and much of the country is now into the fall/winter non boating season. I'm not sure if this is at a dealership but in my opinion asking 9 grand for a what is now a 12 year old Skeeter is a case of wishful thinking. See if he'll bite lower or keep shopping.

Hey Glenn, I think your idea is catching on.