BigEbass

Got my SI unit - hb 998 about 8 months ago or so, have only got to go fishing with it a handfull of times (have a new baby) - still am figuring it out in totality, but it is all too clear that you can find crap MUCH easier....i can find submerged brush, logs, trees, rockpiles......I can find congregations of shad much easier now in quick passes in areas - I have not gotten all that good in identifying individual bass per se or schools, but I think when you get to this level its trickier....I hope to use it to easily target crappie with my baby boy later with ease - I have seen amazing photos of such things....the unit has given me much more confidence in searching for the "spot on spot" locations we all are looking for - without the SI I am sure I would be facing a steeper structure learning curve for sure.... Oh and you just gotta love how darn good weeds look in down imaging - you can just about tell the difference in various types of weeds from this technology - so good - of course the traditional sonar coupled with the other two....end result is really awesome....and I am still only a novice at using it......I will post some shots on here soon for people to look at... Oh, and I will add another great innovation - credit cards with points towards sporting good stores....that is such a nice innovation - I use it for EVERYTHING - I get at lease 20-40 bucks per month for "nothing"....

Got my SI unit - hb 998 about 8 months ago or so, have only got to go fishing with it a handfull of times (have a new baby) - still am figuring it out in totality, but it is all too clear that you can find crap MUCH easier....i can find submerged brush, logs, trees, rockpiles......I can find congregations of shad much easier now in quick passes in areas - I have not gotten all that good in identifying individual bass per se or schools, but I think when you get to this level its trickier....I hope to use it to easily target crappie with my baby boy later with ease - I have seen amazing photos of such things....the unit has given me much more confidence in searching for the "spot on spot" locations we all are looking for - without the SI I am sure I would be facing a steeper structure learning curve for sure.... Oh and you just gotta love how darn good weeds look in down imaging - you can just about tell the difference in various types of weeds from this technology - so good - of course the traditional sonar coupled with the other two....end result is really awesome....and I am still only a novice at using it......I will post some shots on here soon for people to look at... Oh, and I will add another great innovation - credit cards with points towards sporting good stores....that is such a nice innovation - I use it for EVERYTHING - I get at lease 20-40 bucks per month for "nothing"....

Hello, I have been fishing for the past 3 years now with my elder neighbor, been fishing in my modest bass boat for 2 years - would like to join a club casually just for fun really to have fun with others - I only can fish though every other saturday or sunday, so I am not sure if that limits me severely in being in such a club? I live in Birmingham.....

Hmm, canada...brrr....not entirely sure that your "fall" right now is the same as my fall here in AL Having said that, I will add to the discussion about focusing on bait...... As any one point about fishing, it is correct in part....I think of baitfish as a simple part of the equation...for me down here in AL, I do keep shad on my mind alot - I have been this past year using my side imaging unit....I can spot pretty big congregations of shad pretty quick....shad around structure...shad in the shallows plus near deeper water, plus a good weedline, plus perhaps finding some possible chart fish - in that area....now the picture is looking sweeter - part of the equation for finding the "spot on spot" I think simply put. I agree that only finding one ball of bait without any other ocnsiderations is not as productive....rather its just one important piece of the puzzle. But when I see shad and then breaks ANYWHERE I cast a crank bait, spinner, spook, something....many times that bass and others will be caught - such a thrill to cast the breaks this time of year ;D

Cheating? No. Not for fun. In a tournament yes obviously. I don't use live bait personally, but I could care less either way - whatever brings one enjoyment.

The chinese calendar forecasted a girl....... My wife carried the baby slightly high so far, which apparently forecasted a girl. One prediction turned out true from one of my collegues - she did not have morning sickness, so that meant it was a boy - that turned out correct - although many friends say this by far holds up. A huge majority predicted a girl - go figure - so much for predictions 8-)

Awesome - without my glasses I can only see a blurry big "E" - the top big letter on the eye chart - my vision is bad too!!

My wife and I are having our first child (due 9/4/10) - found out the sex this week and ITS A BOY ;D ;D ;D Would have been just as excited with a girl really, but I am looking forward to future father son fishing outings Just for fun and curiosity - what was the very eariliest you brought your daughter/son fishing? Well, just wanted to share this with you all - hope you have a great weekend - I know I am - going fishing ALL DAY tomorrow at Lewis Smith Lake ;D Take Care.

Hey Everyone - HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!! I have quite poor vision (near sighted with astigmatism). I have tried contacts and only tolerate them for one day's usage and for reading somehow they do not work for me - I was told that is because they do not completely correct my mistake astigmatism....I was also told that I would be a prime candidate for lasik.... When I go fishing now I either wear clip on polarizers or I wear my contacts and sunglasses. When I go swimming or anything else I must try and tolerate the contacts (and I have tried a bunch of brands too to no avail). Basically with my insurance covering 15% of the cost and from the tax break from a flex spending account it will likely cost me around 2500-2800 bucks..... Its a high cost, but man would it be nice to not fool with glasses or contacts or whatever - I can afford the cost, so should I take the plunge. I will add to this your rec's on a good pair of sunglasses too - for both eye protection and durability and comfort.

Off topic and sorta silly, but I am not sure if you have tried various colors of sunglasses - the different tints actually improve color saturation and reduce glare and in many instances enhance contrast and color and possibly improve the experience - although it is all subjective really - whatever YOU like is what matters - but if you havent tried different colors, give it a whirl - I personally like amber lenses - it really improves color saturation and puts an ease on my eyes from harsh sun's reflections and such....but I am sure you have tried it - it just may not be for you

hahahaha - well, you have your priorities strait IMO!!!

I have not learned really to date - this is my 3rd season of fishing at this point - my first season started post spawn, my second season had spawn and we tried to catch a few off the bed unsuccessfully - it clearly take a certain degree of skill to do it at times - a skill I have not really honed - and I am not all that interested to hone it necessarily. Somehow it does seem lets sporting to catch that big one off the bed, but it aint a gimme I think - so if you can do it, then you have skill perhaps. But my question is, does it adversely affect the fish population...?? I have no idea really, but it seems at least generally logical that if you pull the bass off the bed, it could be to some extent some of the time deleterious - but wheater it is enough to really matter I am not clear?? So my answer is to your question - I dont know yet really Is there compelling evidence that this practice is bad for the bass population? Oh I hate to ask this question, so many people will take a side and get all reved up - lets all be nice now kids

Woops, see I guess I needed corrected What about top speed - it really aint that much greater than the Pro16 - so the added HP is just to move that bigger boat at about a similar speed as the Pro16 (although it appears about 5 mph greater). Its likely definately more stable than the Pro16 - my boat is noticably less stable than my neighbors larger boat - bigger boats are more stable? Is the Pro16 too unstable? Not for me so far - although I look out for big wakes and such - if you aint careful it can definately knock you off balance in that pro16 - its a 16 foot vessel and relatively narrow - so thats physics for you. Is it too unstable for me? Nope. it does move around easier with you and your fishing buddy moving around, but I never had a real problem with that so far to any significant extent - it is stable enough based on our experience on the water - granted, it is less stable - so the 170 you get more stability. The Pro16 fits perfectly in my garage parking spot at my house - much longer or wider it wouldnt fit - that is just a side note - I freakin love storing it in the garage - no hassel! So, for 4000 bucks more you get a relatively more stable, longer boat that goes a bit faster....based on that, I would say the extra 4000 is generally worth it, but for me, I still would not pay the 4000 bucks again....I dont think it would overall change my fishing experience much at all really - although I suppose the next time I fall out of the boat I may recant

FREAKIN NICE - heck yeah man!! Oh and I think technically you may have gone Ike really - I mean jumpin in in your socks and sandals - cmon - tell us the truth - you yelped or said something loud - I know you did - no shame in it dude - its a PB!!!

I had my best topwater bite on a "dog day" at a pond in west Alabama - 1pm - wasnt catching crap on anything - it was really calm - HOT AS CRAP - tied on a buzzbait and proceded to catch bass TNTC (too numerous to count - medical lingo ) - Of course ask me how many times I replicate that....not really all that often, but I think its worth a shot from time to time, from season to season - and definately when they are actively feeding - I just love topwater baby!!! And if you always follow the same rules, then you may miss catching TNTC bass ;D

Storage - Pro16 I has a rear storage compartment and a larger one on the bow casting deck....I believe the 170 has essentially an identical setup - oh and this made me laugh so hard - I had no idea I had some storage under one of the lower seats (passenger) until I saw them on the tracker website, hahahah - I really know my boat apparently

Oh, and for whatever its worth, I have had mine right at a year and am lovin it still - cant wait to go fish Lewis Smith Lake this weekend and get on some striper topwater bite baby - yeah!!

I looked at the tracker 170 TX when I got my pro 16. For 4000 bucks more (which is by my count a significant amount of money) you get a slightly (2 inches longer) boat - 680 lbs vs. 1050 lbs - but by my account the same basic "john boat" as the pro 16 (except a tad bigger and heavier. The motor is larger (50 horse) and top speed I believe is at 30-32 MPH - which is in my view no real step up from the pro 16.....I am not an expert really, so feel free to openly correct me, but what exactly are we buying here with the additional 4000 - I think that perhaps the Pro16 for 4000 less will actually do the same things as the 170?? At least that was my thinking when I compared the two. Correct me if I missed a critical difference between these models. And with that additional 4 thousand you spend you could put killer electronics and still have a couple grand to spare. I looked at it this way too...how much is the 30HP motor cost or worth? How much is the "carpeted john boat" worth, the electronics, and the warranty? Then ask "will the Pro16 meet my fishing needs/demands?" I think if you ask yourself these questions one could easily swallow the 8500 dollar price tag for the Pro16.....granted, you will find a potentially much better used deal, but you have to be willing to roll the dice there to a degree and also demands you have the liquidity to buy said boat. Also, this may be a dumb question - but what exaclty is the technical difference between a "John Boat" and a "bass boat"? Semantics I think perhaps. The Pro16 has a console, casting decks, chairs, nice steering, electronic tilt and trim, and a depth sounder (cheap one though - i replaced mine for a HB998 ) - If my boat is a "John Boat" then I am proud of my little "John Boat" Now I will duck ;D

Baitfishing primarily from the bank growing up which never "hooked" me into fishing - just a tad over 2 years ago my brother drug me on his canoe bass fishing - was using a floating jointed rapala - got my first topwater bass - then another, then another - since I have been ruined

I will throw in my humble $0.02..... I bought the pro16 last year from BPS with the 30HP merc.... I fish Smith Lake, Lay Lake, Logan Martin a bit, and some private ponds. I have been happy so far with the motor - the speed (tops at like 28-30mph or so. It is a smaller boat, but very comfortable - the trolling motor I have no quams with - if set to the highest seeting it will pull that boat very easily. The seats have held up in the last year and they are comfortable. The livewell has worked fine for me. I thought about used - I think you can get a better value used for certain - but I didnt have the cash and bought mine on a nice line of credit at like 5.2%...... For me the lack of money was an issue - if you can secure the cash one way or the other, then there is likely a more cost-effective route to take, but for me I am happy with it so far. I think some of the other ideas regarding jon boats are probably good ones too - but with all that said, I have been quite pleased with my purchase really - but I have not tasted the forbidden fruit of a larger motor or a larger boat really so ignorance is bliss I suppose. For 8500 bucks its not a steal and you can certainly find a used - but for brand new little bass boat like that, it is by far not a rip off - at least that is what I tell myself and am happy with that rationalization - plus you are buying into a warrty as well which has some value I suppose to it. But I am NOT a boat expert - so take that with a big ol' grain of salt!! Good Luck

PS - I have family in Reston man - you will have to give me a couple tips on fishing spots to take my brother in law fishing while I am up there some time.

Uhh, that is a pig!! Nice fish!! Oh I mean a "Betty" - I like that one.....who cares if it aint a 10 lber - the whole ten pound or DD bass craze is just an arbitrary benchmark - its all about catching bigger fish in general that I go for and 6 lber is a NICE FISH!! Having said that I want to catch a DD bass Big Bait Theory? Did you catch her on a big swimbait or such?

I have read consistently from the big bait folks in articles and in forums that strong winds are a boon for the wake bait bite - those guys apparently get really excited when the wind get strong enough to make boat control difficult. Having said that, I think safety first - I dont have alot of expeirence in those kinds of strong winds to date, but know your own personal limits and that of your equipment. I have read that wind doesnt move fish themselves, rather it simply moves and concentrates the food chain, the plankton and stuff that the smaller baitfish want to eat moves with the surface current, so does the baitfish - thus so does the predator fish....thats what I have read anyway - I dont think these winds really "move fish" themselves - but that is all semantics really..... I cast into the wind - not 30mph wind - good luck doing that - I like to use wind to give my baits more vectors - a vector of movement from me reeling in the bait, from the wind/current, and perhaps from boat movement - my thoughts are that this will give a more realistic appearance and helplessness to the bait - and blammo ;D I like to find transitions too between windy flats and wind protected areas - I think sometimes fish will use such a transition to their advantage. Ok, those are just a few of my humble thoughts - probably already know all that anyway

YEAH BABY YEAH - even the dink coosa spots that I have caught today put up a hela-fight - I recall my first coosa spot thinking - OH GOD, WHAT HAVE WE HERE - and it was a dink - Coosa spot dinks rule!! Not to mention 4, 8, or 12 pounders ;D I have started to fish Smith Lake (only been twice now) and am loving catching whatever size spots up there - cannot wait to hook something more substantial.

That is a good point too I think, but my experience with plastics so far shows varying results - ie if you wait sometimes they will hold on to it for 3-4 seconds or so and you can see line movement then stick em - but other days if you feel something and dont do anything for a sec - opportunity missed....I am still figuring this out - I think that you have to figure them out as you go perhaps? Either way the confidence will come.