J@k3 01s3n

Thanks for the suggestion. I do have the Piranha off of my old boat that I could use while I saved for a better model. Would it be strange to use the same type of fish finder on the bow and dash? for instance having two of those 480's?

Thanks for the replies. I am not too worried about being able to do waypoints from the bow at this time. I figure I can always walk back real quick and mark it on the dash. I only have around $500 to spend, so that unit would leave me with about 150-200 to spend on one for the bow. Is there anything worthwhile at that price?

I am looking at new electronics for my boat for this year. I really would like one for the dash that has some waypoint abilities. So far the eagle fishelite 480 looks pretty good for the money. Has anyone used this finder? Is there a better alternative that I am not seeing in the same price range? If I get this for the dash, can anyone recommend what I should run in the front?

The weather has been decent enough lately that we at least are done with the ice. I decided to head out and see if I could catch any, even though it was pretty cold and windy. The wind was a lot worse than I thought it would be, and so I had a lot of trouble detecting a bite on the jig. I only got two bites that I know of, but by the time I noticed it, it was too late to get a hook in. Better luck next time I hope. :-/ I don't know about you, but I can't wait for spring to get here!

So i dug into my new gator boat the other day, and it looks like there is going to be plenty to keep me busy. The old switch panel was swapped out for a cabela's one. There are some wires just hanging, so I guess I'll have to figure out where they hook up. Also there are two batteries hooked up as a 24 volt system. Sounds great until you realize that they are running EVERYTHING off of that. Now I'm going to have to buy a new battery and rewire everything up correctly. Also it looks like the livewells are filled up by gravity with a shut off valve. that means I will have to fill up both livewells at once? Looks like I'll be setting up two pumps, and wiring them up. Also the front livewell doesn't have an aerator.. yay! OH man, what a list of things to fix. At least the people at pro gator boats are nice, and it looks like i might be able to get a lot of information about this old boat from them. Plenty to keep me busy!

I was just browsing the bassmaster tournament page, and I noticed a BassResource.com ad. How Cool!

Well I've been looking at a lot of fiberglass boats, and just really didn't have the money to spend on the ones that I wanted. Finally I came across an older Pro Gator with a 115hp for $1800. I called the owner and asked if he'd take $1200(figured the motor is almost worth that). He said sure if you come get it tonight. Well I got back about 2am, but it was worth it. ;D So what do you think? Engine, livewells, electronics, all work. The only thing it really NEEDS is some new seats, new fish finders, and eventually some carpet.

Brian, thanks so much for the advice! I kept seeing that many people liked their criterion, and I was like, huh?? Mine was just horrible because I couldn't figure out how to set it up. Now I set it on 4 and its great! I might move it down to 2.

how do you get the cover off?

I am looking at a 1989 fiberglass tracker. I'd been looking at aluminum boats, and I decided that I could get a decently kept glass boat in the same price range. The finish on this one is in good shape. It has the Evinrude 110hp that supposedly runs well, along with a new 67lb brute running at 24volt. It has all new seats, a newer hummingbird fishfinder, a 3bank/10amp charger, newer cd player, and all new livewell guts. The only damage I can see is two tears in the floor carpet. I am thinking I can get this for just over 3K maybe even right at 3k. So, what do you think? If all is well, am I getting a good boat for the price, or should I keep searching?

That's in good shape for a '93. Are those the original seats because if so they are extremely clean. Yes, everything is original but the fishfinder and the trolling motor(bought last year, used twice). They really babied it. Parked in a garage whenever it wasn't on the water. It was a steal for $2500.

Here is my '93 Tracker with 40hp Johnson outboard. Still haven't been able to get it on the water yet. :'

Thanks for the advice. I pretty much have a couple techniques that I focus on. and these rods have done the trick so far. I am just trying to kind of designate rods to baits, as you have stated, just to maximize fishing time.

Well, this is going to be the first year that I stick my neck out and do some tournaments. They are not major ones, just a club. However it is a competitive club, and there are some 2 day tournaments mixed in with single day tournaments, as well as fishing on 5 or 6 lakes in multiple regions of my state. This is just getting my feet wet, but I want to get some opinions on my gear. Maybe this or that I might need as far as rod and reels go. This is what I have right now. 6'6" medium heavy rod with 7:1 baitcaster 6'6" medium rod with 6:4:1 baitcaster 6' medium rod with spinning reel 6'6" medium rod with spinning reel I was thinking I might need a 7' rod with a 7:1 baitcaster reel for flipping/pitching, and maybe a 7' fast action rod with spinning reel for finesse fishing. I am basically just trying to have the right tools for the various situations I will encounter throughout the year. Am I way off base with my idea of what I need? Any suggestions?

Thanks for the info. I'll check my local tractor supply since it is just a generic trailer.

So I have a busted leaf spring on my trailer. This ever happen to anyone. Know of a good place to get one? perhaps used?

Well, I finally ponied up and got a fish finder. I was really liking the Hummingbird Max 220, but all they had at the store was the 210. Well after noticing that it had fish id always on, and that it was only 20 degree single beam, I had to pass. Then I saw the 565. It was a little pricier, but had every feature that I was looking for. Snatched it up. Now I have to figure out how to use this thing! I figured this is a must for getting out and doing some deep water winter fishing. I have totally avoided deep water in the past, so I hope this will help me to learn a little bit.

I live near a lake that is used by the local power plant. The discharge is always a popular spot for those with cabin fever around this time of year. The lake has a fair to good stock of smallmouth. The banks are all rocky. Not pebbles, but rather rocks in the baseball to bowling ball range. I am mostly a largemouth basser, so I wondering if I could get some tips on catching smallies in this type of situation? I was thinking probably a small jig, spinnerbait, and maybe a 3inch tube. Am I anywhere in the ballpark with these? Any other suggestions? By the way the water temps are most likely in the 50's to 60's at the discharge. The whole lake stays unfrozen, with the other water probably in the 40's to 50's i think.

Has anyone repainted a fiberglass boat? If so, did you hand it? How were you able to get the bottom painted?

Now thats a bass!!

Sounds like a great time! Couldn;t have asked for much better of an angler to be paired with.

I totally agree on the smaller line. I usually use 6or 8lb myself. One thing that I love is that you can kind of cheat will flouro line if you are really worried about using smaller line, without sacrificing sensitivity or line diameter.

Great looking fish! Gotta love the chatterbait!

What type of rod do you have right now? If I was fishing a tournament, I'm pretty sure that I could make it through with only two rods if I had to. I'd say a 7' MH Baitcaster, and a 6'6" M Spinning. These two will handle almost anything you need for a day of bassin'. I always tie directly to the lure, and so tying and retying is just part of the daily routine for me. I am constantly retying after any decent fish, hangup, or the notice of any line wear, and so, for me, a snap swivel wouldn't really help me out too much. It may be a little time consuming, but it can mean the difference between being in the money and not in a tourney for sure. When I go out, I try to leave with a plan. Consider keying in on one or two forms of structure or cover that you think will hold bass. This will limit the types of lures you are using, and you won't have to be constantly changing baits.

I like to use the small zoom finesse worms, they are basically a miniature trick worm. I really like them in the junebug color. Berkley also makes some power bait shaky worms, and I have also had success using drop shot worms like those sold by Bass pro, and Bass Assassin. I am primarily a finesse fisherman, and so for me this is all about small baits with a delicate presentation. You will probably get other ideas from anglers with a little bit of a different style.