bassmanET

Yes my outboard is a 6hp Johnson. I've seen outboard locks & trolling motor locks too, do they work? Anyone use a battery operated alarm?

Hello all, Just bought a new jon boat & trailer. Don't have a garage or gate around it. Just a coupler lock & cable wrapped threw handle on boat & locked to neighbors chain link fence. What do have to keep thieves away? How do you keep your outboard motor & trolling motor secure?

Well. sold my crawdad & are now ready to buy my new boat. But, I'm seeing some reviews on Pro 120 that are not so good? Leaks around the drains & some build quality issues? Has anyone experienced these? The lakes & pond I fish are under 300 acres, so the Pro 120 looks like my best option. Thoughts? Thanks!

My first post was about my trailer dilemma. So, if trailer doesn't work for me. Thinking about selling crawdad & getting a kayak. Anyone with advice about fishing kayaks & roof racks please help? Fish small local ponds & lakes & I know I want a sit-on kayak but from there don't really know what else I'm gonna need?

Looking for some input, wife's car had to be replaced which had trailer hitch. New car is a lease & didn't wanna pay $1,000 for trailer hitch. So, my car is a 07 Mazda 3 & boat is a crawdad on a small utility trailer maybe combined weight of 350-400 lbs. Mazda owner's manual says 0 towing cap. But, you can find class I trailer hitches which installs easy. What are you thoughts on towing a small boat like mine with Mazda 3?

Thanks for the input guys! One more thing that concerns me is, size of the live well in the sundolphin pro. Is it big enough to keep five bass alive? I fish some small boat bass tourneys when ever i can.

Yes, the basstender 11.3 does look good too. If I can find one used, that's a possiblity too.

Looking to get a new boat this year. Can't decide between Sun dolphin pro or a 1436 tracker jon boat? After adding up what it would cost to make a jon boat into a bass boat (decking, wiring, fuses, livewells ect..) the cost would be almost the same a buying the dolphin pro, with out all the work? Just slap a trolling motor, battery and go! Anyone have experiance on these boats? Thanks!

So, finally got a new battery. But, still low on power? Anything else I could check on trolling motor before I go out & buy a new one?

Have a minkota 30lb for my crawdad. It seems to have lost some of it power since I bought the boat 3 years ago. Any thoughts on what it could be? Battery or Motor? Took off the prop & cleaned it out, battery is maybe 4 years old? Thanks for nay help!

I have both the silver max & the pro qualifier reels. Bought the silver max as my first bait caster & so,far like it. It is kinda noisey but, does perform well. Then bought the PQ as my crankin' reel & noticed the difference between the two right away. PQ was much smoother reel. BPS is have their spring classic sale soon, which is when I bought my PQ. It was on sale for $79 & I did the reel trade-in & got it $49 or $59! Check out the sale its definitely worth it, you can trade-in any reel as long as it works. Good luck & tight lines!

Just do what this guy did!!

Thanks for the info guys! I'm not looking to make my own jigs but, did look into it. Looking for already made or maybe jigs that just need paint & finishing touches? Got a local guy here in mass making jigs from tin/bismuth alloy. Just shopping around to see what else is out there.

Anyone out there know where I can get lead free bass jigs, other than tungsten? Or is anyone out there in the jig making bussiness?

Here in Massachusetts 2012 will be lead free. Does anyone know of any other metals I could use to pour my own jigs? Someone told me that a tin/bismuth alloy would work?

Try "harbor freight tools" They have a few trailers including a small boat trailer for about $350. Its not galvanized & not sure of the quality. But, have seen them around & most give em' good reviews.

Thanks for all the input guys! Yes its the Blue box "Vanish". I knew it was on the light side for baitcaster, using it for crankbaits for maximum depth. I have the same line on my spinning real & also have had a 1 lb. fish break me off. From the replies I've read, I just don't have the confidence to use this stuff. This was my first Fluoro line, thought It would be a good place to start since I never fished it before. Like the the added feel for fluoro & have caught many fish on it. Gonna look for a better line in the spring.

I picked the 10lb test for throwing crankbaits, to get maximum depth. Since fluoro sinks can or should I use a heavier test? When I caught my PB 5.5 last week. Got a huge back lash (hooked the seat next to me, good thing I was alone ooops!) Switched to my spinning reel with 12lb mono. Guess it was a good time for a back lash or would have lost that fish for sure!

Does anyone use Berkley "Vanish" Fluoro? I have had 2 big fish break me off at the boat. Both times it was a spinnerbait 3/8 oz on 10lb fluoro, on a baitcaster. I'm using a trilene knot & wetting line ever time I tie on. Does fluoro have a long life (sun and/or sitting on spool for long time affect it)? Drag was set a little to high? I hate losing a fish but, losing my lure too really steams me! Maybe I should pony up & by some better line?

Hey guys, I have been getting skunked a lot at my local honey hole this summer. The water level stayed up for most of the spring, which I think has caused a lot more weeds to grow in really thick (some spots there are mats in 3-6' of water). An under water hump that would produce some nice fish almost every trip last summer are not this year? Also the water looks murkier too (almost green). Went out this morning with a friend & he caught 3 fish in 3-8' depth. Nothing huge but, not where I expected to catch em (10-20'). My night fishing trip was also in the same range. The only constant is the water temp 79.5-82*. Has this happen to anyone before? I know that murky water bass tend to be shallower. Should I be looking in the weeds or stick with deeper water?

Try weighing some around the house, like a bag of sugar. If the bag says 5lbs & your scale reads 5lbs the its accurate!

Looking for some input. I have a BPS baitcaster reel that I just purchased over the winter, paired with a 7' med crankin stick, it has 10lb mono on it. I don't feel like I'm get the distance I need to get crankbait down to the correct depth. This is my second baitcater so, adjusting the spool & magnet brake is always done correctly. My first baitcater I have is on a 6'6" med heavy rod, with 40lb braid. I use this rod for pitching. I probably need a little more practice pitching but, again don't seem to get much distance? I have the spool set loose & brake turned up all the way. So, what's a long cast & pitch? Is there anything I'm doing wrong?

Same as any other pond in alabama.

If you guys like that one check this video out!! HAHA!!! I think its the same guy?

I have a 11' crawdad with the trolling motor mounted on the bow. Which is where I usually fish from. I just took a dryer vent clamp & mounted the transducer on the trolling motor. Don't know if that will work if its behind you instead of in front? My boat came rigged that way, with a on/off foot pedal. Nothing fancy but it works! Then mounted the fish finder on the bow also, there is small plastic bench in front of me. Everything is right in front of me when I'm fishing. If you decide to put motor on the bow, you will need a rudder on the transom, to keep the back end from fish tailing when you turn.