Goldstar225

And that decision was quickly recinded. They described it as a "mistaken" communication.

My trash goes under the passenger seat so it doesn't blow out. Damaged soft plastics go in a cup holder. Boat gets cleaned out when I get home.

For defensive ammo I chose Federal HST 124 grain. With that said if I had to use Gold Dot, Golden Sabre, Ranger T or any of the other top brand JHP rounds I wouldn't lose a minute of sleep over it. Practice ammo, if it functions well in your gun use it. As far as the gun hitting low, how low and at what distance? It may need an adjustment of the sights or technique.

I drive 130 miles round trip to the primary lake I fish, about $35 in gas and use about $10 in gas for the boat each trip. I have a $40 annual launch pass for COE lake so minimal cost there, free everywhere else. I primarily fish soft plastics so figure $5 a trip in loss/tearing. So I guess I'm out $50 or so each trip.

Work a PT job, save your money, pay cash for a suitable boat. I may be off base but it sounds as if going into debt would not be a good thing for you. Good luck.

I remember that article. It was an Aprils fools piece.

I prefer foot control over hand control but... I have used hand control in one jon boat and really didn't have a problem. In a 12 foot jon I would go with a hand control over the foot.

I've had my PT190 for 3 1/2 years, prior to that I had a 1987 TX17 for 7 years. I've fished three at a time in both many, many times. The 190 does give distinctly more room for three but you still have to consider others when casting. Two on the front deck and one on the stern works just fine. The biggest advantage on the 190 IMO is that the storage lockers (on my 2018 model) are 30% larger than the lockers on the 175. The 115 Merc is nice. I rarely run WOT but cruise at 30-40 MPH running 4,000-5,000 RPM. Honestly the 175 with the 60 Merc would cover 90% of my needs but at the time I bought mine there was only a $3,500.00 base price difference between the two. Now the base price difference is $6,000.00 ? I have no regrets on purchasing the 190. I'm just glad that I bought when I did. The price increase is nuts! $9,000.00 (about 40%) bump in 3 1/2 years.

I never got interested in team sports. Although I have cable I watch the local/national news each night. Aside from that I watch maybe 3-4 hours of television a month.

When I had my 14' jon boat I mounted the FF at the bow. When I was running the OB I set the display to show depth numbers only. I was easily able to read it from the stern. When I moved to the bow to fish I changed it to traditional sonar display. I don't know if your FF has than ability though.

Many years ago I was wanting a 6' light action spinning rod for trout fishing. Bought one at the Springfield BPS while on a trip to Branson. First trip to the Little Red River I was getting my gear together and closed the tailgate of my truck on the rod. Never got to make even one cast with it?

I fished for years out of a 14/42 jon boat with a front casting deck. It was a little tippy but I never went into the drink. A 14/48 would have been much better IMO. Fished with two in it many times. If my family gathering fishing trips to larger lakes ever ends I'll probably sell my PT190 and go back to a jon boat as I really enjoy fishing smaller waters. If I do, I'll look hard at the tracker Grizzly 1648 jon boat.

My tin boat serves my purpose and where I fish. I'll acknowledge the superiority of glass boats in many or most circumstances but I'm not going out in 3'-4' waves even in a glass boat. I'll keep my happy butt on shore and fish another day.

My wife picked a Ruger LC9S. She's reached the point that she can't rack the slide without difficulty. I took her to a well stocked LGS and turned her over to the female staff to look at her options. She then chose the S&W EZ 380 (the 9mm version hadn't come out yet). I suggest taking your wife to a LGS, preferably one with a range and rental guns and let HER decide.

IMO prices on used boats will eventually drop, new boats not so much. As gimruis said above, once the people who aren't dedicated fishermen get tired of paying for and maintaining a boat they no longer use that market will come down. The only problem is if they overpaid during the spike they'll initially rice it to get as much of their money back as they can until it doesn't sell. The exception being, as always, are those who put themselves in a bind and are trying to unload debt. I don't think prices doubled but the price on my boat, which I bought new 3 1/2 years ago has gone up 30% in the meantime with the same equipment and features. Glad I bought when I did.

I maintain mine well. I DIY what I can but pay for those things beyond my skill set.

I have always made a 15 minute time cushion, work, social or play. My wife on the other hand seems to think the world waits on her so for social occasions I tell her the start/arrival time is thirty minutes earlier than it actually is. It's worked so far.

I did not regard A-Jays post as condescending. I took it as a sincere request on how he could structure his appeals to reach and affect a wider audience. Jonas, glad you made it off the water OK.

I have a tracker PT190. I primarily chose it over the 175 for the extra storage (30% larger front lockers) and the fact that I often fish with three people in my boat (Me, son & grandson). If it were not for that The 175 would have fully served my needs. With the 115 HP over the 60 HP I gained 12-15 MPH. Sounds like a lot but not really. For a 10 mile run 35 MPH will take 17 minutes vs. 12 minutes at 50 MPH. Important in a tournament, not so much in a days fishing unless you make really long runs. Oh, and the Tracker revolution hull is well designed for choppy water and small waves (don't ask about 3 footers, I haven't been and won't be on the water then).

Soldering will do a fine job and would actually be preferred over butt connectors. I'm assuming that you will put heat shrink tubing over the bare areas after soldering?

I upgraded the prop on my motor as soon as I got my boat. I keep the original aluminum prop on board along with the needed tools and 2X4 to change out on the water. Shear pins for the TM but I need to add a spare TM prop.

Nope. Since I'm retired I get to fish when I want, weather permitting. I avoid weekends and go during the weekdays.

I have a couple of lakes like that that I fish. Both have boat lanes but out of the lanes it's a jungle. When I'm out of the lanes I'm on the trolling motor at low speed and try to thread my way through. If I get stuck I'm usually able to back off by ramping up the TM but sometimes I have to fire up the outboard to back off. The bottom of my older tracker was beat to heck from running over stumps and tree tops while running the O/B. My new tracker I'm trying to keep in better shape. So far no dents, just minor scratches on the bottom after three years.

Others have covered the baits and techniques that have become more prominent. Electronics have advanced as have trolling motors with spot lock and navigation features.

My state requires liability coverage for any boat having a 50 HP or larger motor. Since my boat is financed I'm required to have full coverage. The policy only covered $2K in accessories on the boat so I placed additional coverage for rods, reels, lures, fish finders, and the trolling motor. Even after I pay it off I'll maintain full coverage.