mcipinkie

Does anyone but me want to discuss this circuit? Lots more discussion here about FFS and its place in the world of fishing. I doubt anyone has, or will, change their opinion. How about this tournament circuit? Will it go? Would you fish it? Let's have some ideas. Those you that are anti-FFS, this should be your start.

Who cares about what MIlliken thinks about finances and private equity? He's just counting clicks and views. This is a bass fishing forum. If you are hunting Warren Buffett, I doubt he frequents this site..

PS: Whenever I hear the words "Non - Profit", I lock up my credit cards and wallet. Should this circuit ever happen, which I doubt, someone will put some money in their pocket other than the competitors. You'd be surprised how much you have to pay a tournament director at a 200 boat, $1M derby.

Here's my $0.02. I'm not going to get into the FFS debate. I have one. I've fished almost 70 years without it. I can go either way, but I like mine and enjoy fishing with it. This circuit, as I understand it, is doomed to fail, if it hasn't already. If Randy ain't coming, it's dead. Half joking, but to succeed this circuit will need some cred. Randy would bring some. A few others with Randy's credentials also. $5,000 to enter, 200 boat field, no sponsors, no practice, no 360, no FFS, no GPS. Not happening. Most people that can afford the $5K have sponsors of some sort. That's why they can afford the $5K. They already have the electronics and have some skill at using them. Most won't go back 5 - 10 years and fish without. I could, but wouldn't like it except on lakes that I've fished for a long time. I'd also be concerned about dropping $5K in a circuit with no credentials. A lot of guys on the west coast did. I would like see a circuit, at least in my area that doesn't allow. Assuming all else OK, I might fish it. I wouldn't pay $5k to enter. A circuit that is similar in cost to some our existing local circuits might draw enough boats to be economically viable. Then there would be choice, and we could see who will put their money,and their butts, where their mouths are.

Only one correct answer - "You have to have both in as many colors as you can afford."

Click Bait !! Get me some more views. That's how I make money. Not often I agree with Glenn, but he's spot on. "This video has been hashed and rehashed several times already. It's absolutely NOTHING new at all. The industry has been this way for decades. He knew it when he started, and he's known it all along. To pretend it's something "secret" is nothing but pure sensationalism. He's certainly got his clickbait worth out of it though".

That Z19 is a nice little boat. I looked at one several years ago and decided to stay in Skeeters. Been in ZX200's since 2002. Happy. Nito quality did not look as good as some the bigger names, but more than adequate since it doesn't sound like you are going to use it hard. Take a look at the accessories. BPS (assuming you are buying from BPS) usually puts cheap, crappy TM's and electronics on their pre-rigged boats. Need to factor that cost in your decision making if you anticipate needing good units.

You have two choices: Walk away and say nothing except "No Thanks" when he asks you go. Walk away, confront him gently, and tell him why.

I'd buy a BPS Crankin' Stick. 7'-0 Medium. I use various Crankin Sticks for almost all my movement baits. Very good rod for $80. Probably $100 now. As good a rod as ones selling for for twice as much or more. You can always hide them in the rod locker at weigh in.

Biggest thing I can recommend is to learn to fish with either hand. My right hand is my master hand, but I can do 90% of my fishing with either hand. I'll be 77 in three weeks and still go 9 hour tournaments with minimal discomfort. Pills, straps, etc. all help, but I haven't had to use in several years, except after throwing an A-Rig all day.

Boat cleat, trolling motor.

The correct answer depends on you and your use of the tool, because that's what a reel is. Do you fish enough to justify a $200 or more reel? Can you afford one? Do you just like nice stuff, regardless of the cost? If not, there are plenty of very usable reels for about half that price, or even less.

WIGuide is pretty well on for a minimum price. It's going to be $150 plus/minus per hour plus parts at MSRP or better. If you'll drive it to KC and buy the beer and BBQ, my buddies and I will help you rig it. We've done 3 so far this year. Seriously, if you are at all good with your hands and have a couple tools, it's not that difficult.

I don't know how old you are, or what you have tried to date. I'm 76 and have a right shoulder that hurts all the time. Went to my doctor. X-rays and MRI. No torn rotator cuff, just arthritis. She recommended physical therapy. Went to a fantastic PT guy. The first day and the day after were agony. He beat the snot out of me. Gave me an exercise regimen to follow. I did it religiously. Hurt, but I did all the exercises he wanted plus more. I couldn't raise my right arm above horizontal before PT. In two days, I was reaching over my head to apply deodorant. Don't seem like much, but a major accomplishment. I've been doing this six weeks now. The improvement is a miracle. Still some pain, but nothing I can't deal with. I'm retired and fish almost every day. Today was my 8th day in a row. I'll start back on tournaments this month. I expect to out fish guys half my age. Long narrative, but the point is to avoid the surgery if at all possible. If you have it, the PT afterward will be long and painful from my conversations with other people. Tough out the PT instead if you can. I do 4 routines a day. 2 - rotation, 2 - strength. They hurt, but better than the knife. GOOD LUCK !!

I see the San Disk 32G Ultra for $7.45 on Amazon.

The files, unless you are updating HB Base Maps, are really small. I'd bet a 4GB would work. Go to WM, buy a card. Use it for nothing else. I've got a 32 SanDisk from Amazon that I've used for years. Never formatted it or anything else. Just copied the files and went to work. I've got 1 - Helix 12, 3 - Helix 10, and 2 - Helix 7 on my various boats. Use the same card for all of them. Never had an issue.

They seem to be good jigs but I like the Boss jigs.. I buy two colors of jig heads in 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4. a few 3/8 swim jig heads. and change skirts as needed. Skirts are lot cheaper than jigs and I can carry every color I might ever need or want, plus a skirt making kit and tabs to make my own. Same with spinner and buzz baits. The Boss Gary Klein Heavy Cover Jig is the best heavy cover jig I've seen.

It can be done with proper skills and tools. I've done it on old transducers, but not these new ones with 9 - 14 conductors plus shielding. Whether or not you should kind of depends on you wallet. You didn't specify a unit, but SI transducers cost $200 - $400. If you don't have the money and can solder and heat shrink, may have to try. I wouldn't, but I have $400 for a new one. Watch the Amazon Warehouse for transducer buys. I've picked up a couple there.

I find a little 6 - 8 inch mill wretched file from Menards works as well as anything. You all know the word after "mill".

Vision 110 knock off. $10 cheaper. I like them. Swap out a hook or two and they'll suspend.

Minn Kota adding another year warranty for dealer installation doesn't make sense unless it's just a chip to help their dealer sell service. I've never seen anything like that before. Caution advised. It's an easy DIY project if you can reach under the deck. At least $50 worth of gas hauling your boat to dealer and back plus your time. I'm guessing $300 charge. Not worth it if you're handy with tools. If good access, I could do it in under 2 hours, but I've done 4 of them.

We used them on the Coosa River 50 years ago. Fished them just like that new thing they call a Ned rig.

One other thing from a non kayaker: Remember you are hard to see. Don't make the mistake of thinking everyone in a power boat can see and avoid you. Don't start on me about ;the rights of kayakers and other paddlers. I'm fully aware. Kayaks are hard to see. Use some common judgement. Remember, regardless of who is at legal fault, in a kayak/power boat collision, the kayaker will always lose.

My real world guess is something to do with patents. Bottom Line (Computrol) had a rudimentary scanning type sonar in the early 2000's. I had it on a boat I bought in 2002. It worked, but extremely crude. If I remember correctly, Johnson Outdoors (HB, Minn Kota, and others) bought Computrol and, I would assume, those basic patents. I think about 2005 plus/minus. I'm just guessing now, but I would imagine those patents started to expire and work began in earnest on scanning type units. I'm still quessing again, but I would expect this is why HB came out so early with side imaging.

You my man, T-Billy! I thought I was the only one around that hadn't drank the fluorocarbon Kool-Aid. Full disclosure - I drank it, but spit it out. 100% braid for me. Big Game leaders 6 - 25 lb. test as, and when needed. 4 ft. - 15 ft. as needed. If I go to Table Rock or Bull Shoals, I might consider long FC leaders, but not in western Missouri.