scbassin

Look around at used. In the fall of 2008 I bought a 2008 Ranger Z-21 with a 250 Yamaha HPDI. It had a Minn Kota 101T/M, with a MK460 battery charger. 10"Bobs Hyd jack plate, power pole, Lowrance electronics, 2 lock bars, lifetime warranty on the boat & 5 years on the engine it was a dealers program boat. I paid $25,000 less than it retailed for. It was used for 10 months & had 48 hours on the engine. It's picture is in the show your ride section.

I have 2, 5 1/2' casting rods that I use around Cypress trees & to get under docks.

I know you are looking for a crank bait But on Santee Cooper there is so much primrose, lily's coontail, & other type's of grass that I use a 5/16 or 1/4 oz War Eagle in 5' or less. Over the top of the grass I will use a Megabass Vision 110 it is an excellent bait.

GOOD LUCK

The frog bite is on here. I have been using Koppers to check them out. I have used them on bright & cloudy days with good results. I do not think the white bottom mattered. What gracefuldad had to say made a lot of sense. Once I had the fish hooked it stayed buttoned up. I did set the hook to early more than once.

You want big bass throw a big bait. Use a 3:16 Frog, I have caught one over 12lb on this frog. Around here you will also get a few gators to chase it. Most of my fish on this frog have been over 4 lbs. so it is a little slower catching but great fun. You do need heavy equipment for this frog.

I have used it many times without a problem.

I fish 175 to 250 days a year & use custom rods & light weight high end reels. There is a big difference in the sensitivity between a $25 & a higher end rod. The light weight helps me with fishing elbow & wrist. The more sensitive the rod the lighter bite you can feel. Now with that being said if you fish to just relax rods like a Shimano Compare would be fine. They are a good rod for $100.

On my last boat(Ranger 185vs) I had a Minn Kota 74lb thrust. It worked just fine. My new boat is a Ranger Z-21 with a Minn Kota 101lb thrust it also works just fine. This boat is much heavier. It has a 10" hyd jackplate, power pole,carries more fuel, live wells are bigger & a heavier engine. I fish on Santee Cooper in SC so wind is some what of a factor also. I don't think I would be happy with an 80lb thrust on this boat. You did not mention what size boat you were getting so I compared my last 2 to give you an idea. Hope it helps.

All the rods are custom made & the reels are Shimano's Click on picture for better view.

In clear water a white belly might be just the ticket. I have thrown them some this year but it's not quite time. The sit well in the water kind of like the Boze Sumo.

I don't use a certain rod for a specific techniques. I carry rods from 5 1/2 to 7 1/2 ft(in 1/2 ft lengths) that have different actions & power. If I am in close quarters(cypress trees) I opt for the shorter rod length & the more open it gets the longer the rod. The weight of the bait determines which reel I am going to use. For the lighter baits I use a Metanium Mg-7 or a Scorpion Mg, a little heavier maybe go to a Antares AR or a Chronarch D-7. The next weight I'll go to a Calais 201-5 or a 201A for the heavier baits or into the wind I'll use The Antares DC or Calais DC. I find this system works well for me.

If you fish open water use the longer rod, it gives you better leverage & moves more line on a hook set. M/H for your plastics.

Well it no longer looks like I can call your Wildcats, pussycats any longer. I will now have to find some crow to eat. Good Luck on the tour.

I was breaking 2 to 3 a year & while at the B/M Classic in Greenville I picked up a Wee-Vee. I have not broke one since.

I am with Raul on this. Here is a link to them. http://www.mannsbait.com/

I always hook & unhook in the water. I have seen a lot of people pull out with the person in the boat having the engine in gear holding the boat to the stop until the boat comes of the water. I would not think that is very good for the water pump.

With my last boat I had that problem so I put a 3 bank charger on it & the problem went away. I use the T/M way more than the engine. With all the acc. coming off the starting battery it's a good idea to charge it after a day on the water.

I have called Ranger in the recent past about a rod locker sweating. They put me thru to an engineer & he told me what to do & sent the part free of charge. It solved the problem.

I don't quite understand why there is a Women's section. Fishing is fishing no matter gender your are, it's the same. I am sure they have different ideas & would make some of the other sections better. I understand why they don't like that from my discussion with Deb in the women's section. As for me 99.9% of the time I fish by myself but it would not bother me which gender was in the back of the boat as long as we respected each other.

Deb I hope I did not get your blood pressure up with my comments. It sure was not my intent just my take on your post. I am glad we have the right to choose & I defended that right for 21 years. I have been bass fishing for over 40 years & probably not with the passion you have but can hold my own. I am surprised you did not remind me how bad your pussycats beat up the gamecocks. My buddy calls me 3 or 4 times a week to ask what the score was. Oh & one last thing I would not throw you overboard...... because I would probably have to go in to get you ;D With that I am off to the lake for 5 or 6 days.

There is nothing better than a good old cup of that Navy blend made on a diesel submarine with an enginemans sock thrown in for flavor( only after he has been crawling around in the bilge's for a week. It sure will keep you loose. ;D

Wow Deb talk about an attitude. I am not sure if we were to draw each other in a tx. that one of us would not go for a swim. Not all male anglers are A/H, as you mentioned but you sure chewed us up. It is not are fault that BASS treated y'all as they did. For me I don't care what gender one is or if there white,black or green as long as each is treated with respect. The only problem I would have with a strange lady in the boat is having to pee which would not be a problem unless one would hook & have to fight a fish while the other is in the middle of natures calling. I would tell you to keep on fighting & I'll get out of the way as soon as I can. It might be a little harder for a women to do with her britches down a ways. The privacy issue could be comprised. Other than that I could care less who's money I win or loose mine to.

Nick, I fish War Eagle Spinner Baits all the time & have yet to have a problem. I have caught a bunch of fish on the one I keep tied on & laying on the deck every time I am on the water.

As I said above I have the Koppers Frogs. I got them late last year & have thrown them to see how they looked in the water. I did not expect to catch a fish & I was right. I mess with for a short time & I liked what I saw. They sit low in the water & look like a frog at rest. The colors are good & the frog is soft so you should get good hook sets. It is getting close to time to find out.