mcipinkie

The coolest feature of Invisx, or any FC for that matter is that it costs at least 5 times as much as Big Game and doesn't catch anymore fish unless you're fishing in extremely clear water. I drank the FC Kool Aid when first came out many years ago. Careful study indicated to me that I was wasting my money. Our average water clarity here in western Missouri is a couple feet. Four feet is pretty darn clear. Green Big Game at about $15/mile depending on test works for me.

I'd buy 2 - BPS Crankin Sticks when they go on sale for $69.99. As good of a crank bait rod as is out there. Heck, I would buy them now at $79.99. Or just buy one and spend the rest of the money on lures. Seriously, that Crankin Stick is a excellent CB rod. Maybe a little heavier than rods that cost twice as much, but I never notice. I think I have 5 now. I use them for almost all movement baits - Cranks, chatter baits, spinner baits, swim jigs, etc.

Here's my $0.02. For $100, you get a $100 real. Pick any of the name brands and buy it. Buy the one that feels the best, looks the best, matches your boat, or whatever criteria you want to use. You should get a perfectly serviceable reel that will serve your needs. It won't be a $200 reel regardless of the brand. If you can spend more, you'll get a nicer reel, regardless of the brand. IMHO, right now, the best values are the $120 reels (last years $100 reels). I've bought several Revo X's last year. No problems. Couple of the $100 Lew's. No problem. Couple BPS Carbonlite's. No problem. I do squander a little money on my flipping reels. I set the hook quite hard so I use the Lew's Super Duty's. I believe they handle abuse very well. Use sound judgement. Buy what works for you. If you don't fish a lot, a very lot, $120 reels will serve you well.

An real accurate answer would require us to know what kind of 20HP motor you are planning on using. The old 20HP 2 strokes (I am familiar with Mercury) ran good. I'd expect 15 MPH with no problem. If you are looking at 4 stroke, they won't even get out their own way. We have some 25 HP lakes here in the KC area. I have a Lowe 1648 that I put front and rear decks in. Two batteries, 80 Lb Ultrex, and half a tackle store, by myself, I GPS at 26.2. 28.3 is my absolute empty, winter time best. That is with a 1985 2 stroke 25 Merc. We have some criminals here also that do the sticker change. Cheaters is what they are. I don't recommend. We have guys with 17' Trackers or equivalent with 25 4 stroke. With two guys and a decent load, they will barely, or nearly, get on plane.

Guess what fellows, Megabass made the bill and glued it in when they built the bait. You can too if you have good hands and are patient. It would, admittedly, take a lot work and testing to get it right in the basement, but it could be done, especially if the lure was something special or just hard to replace. I wouldn't, but I'm sure it can be done.

All the rods in that price range will be good rods. Some will suit you better than others. It really is not important what others like. You won't like mine. I probably won't like yours. Of course, I wouldn't spend that much for a rod anyway. Good for the economy, though.

I'd buy the Tracker of the two. It's a good enough boat. Put the savings in upgrades. Better trolling motor. You need an Ultrex or similar. Better electronics. If you don't get side imaging or similar, you'll wish you had. The Ranger is probably a better boat, but not worth the premium cost when you can get in an upgraded Tracker for about the same cost. I'm really not familiar with either of these boats, so can't discuss storage, fishability, layout, etc. You need to look at those issues and see which boat you like best. I am assuming that these two are the only dogs in the hunt.

IMHO, Living rubber is another cult following just like fluorocarbon line, tungsten weights, and old Wiggle Warts. The lakes I generally fish are typical dirty water low land lakes. Lake Truman and Smithville for example. In 2' of water visibility or less, I doubt the fish can tell the difference between silicone and rubber. I'm sure there will be a market. Crazy Randy is getting $10.00 each for his and can't keep up with the orders. Good luck.

Get off the computer and get on the water. Keyboard won't help.

It would beat the heck out of not going fishing. 14 here tomorrow with snow. Guess I'll be a candy and miss this one.

I drove finishing nails in the floor joists in the basement. Hang 40 or so rods if I ever bring them in out of the boat. We pretty much fish year round here in Missouri if it doesn't get abnormally cold.

I would use the heavy wire hooks and move up to a size 2, assuming you're throwing 1/2 or 3/4 ounce baits. Use the 4's on the 1/4 oz. baits. I use the Mustad KVD's, but used VMC 9651 round bends (short shank, heavy wire) for a long time. It's a head game. They both work.

A lot would depend on the dealer. My 2020 came fully rigged with batteries installed by the dealer, not Skeeter. I would not expect batteries to come from Skeeter. When I worked for a dealer many years ago, we always installed batteries in our shop. I would be PO'ed if a new boat didn't come with batteries. That said, unless you specified, they will probably not be the best batteries you can buy. Mine came with Interstates. Never had good luck with them in the past. This will be the third season. I would not expect them to make it. If you have a purchase agreement or similar document, I'd suggest you read it. A little gentlemanly, professional, whining might get you a discount or a rebate so you get a better level of batteries either from the dealer, or others. BE NICE !!

I cast with either (both, sometimes) hand. Didn't learn to cast with my left hand until I was around 60 years old. One of the best things I ever did. I use right handed reels (rod in left hand). Started to go the other way, but I couldn't afford to sell everything and start over. Realistically, it doesn't matter. Put the right lure in the right place and the rest of it is just details. I watch a lot of the big name pros fish, have for a long time. I don't see how some of them fish the way they hold their rod. I'm typically a short range flipper/pitcher. Being able to cast with either hand makes it so much easier. I've done it so long, I never think about which hand I'm using. The rod always knows which hand to get in. I strongly recommend that anyone that wants to be a serious (or at least, better) fisherman learn to cast with either hand.

I live on private lake and share a dock with my neighbor. Small lake, about 80 acres, limited HP so big fine boats not needed. I have 1998 18' G3 bass boat in the lake 365 days a year. Been there for at least 6 years. In bad years, we'll get 6 - 8 inches of ice. Never had a problem. Have 1998 Yamaha Salt Water 3 cylinder motor. Stays in the water year round. I do have a built in charger for the batteries. Plug it in and leave it plugged in. Double dose of Stabil in the motor. It never has failed to start. If we get a mile winter, or a mild stretch of winter, I fish all year. I'm saying that's the way to go but it works for me.

Sounds to me like you are looking for at least two, maybe three, rods. I like a pretty soft rod to jerk bait fish with. I never could throw a trap and jerk bait on the same rod. You might get by with a crank bait and trap on the same rod, but I couldn't. I need three crank bait rods. One for DT-6 and Wiggle Warts, one for 3 - 5 XD and equivalent and one for big cranks and traps. I'd go to BPS and buy me three Crankin' Sticks. I think they are as good any crank bait rod out there. Ott and Edwin manage to catch a fish ever now and then on them. They come in lots of actions and length for almost any movement bait. $79.99 right now at BPS. That's the normal price. I've seen them at $49.99. What's even worse is I'm not a crank bait buff. lol !!

I see it this way. If they are good enough for Edwin Evers and Ott Defoe, they're good enough for me. I really like the BPS Crankin Sticks for all my movement baits. Spinner bait, chatter bait, cranks of all kinds, swim jigs, buzz baits. If you pull it, it works on the Crankin Stick. $80 regular price. I'll get a few more at the Spring Fling. If Tom don't like Johnny Morris, that's his business, but the BPS products are pretty good. Hard baits are still pretty marginal, but the soft plastics are good, and getting better.

I started some time around the time I turned 60. I'm 75 now. All it takes is practice. It really isn't that hard. Obviously, the longer at it, the better you'll get, but after a few hours, you should start getting the feel of it. Now, unless I'm skipping docks, I never think about which hand I'm using. The rod seems to know where to go to make the cast I need. May have been a little easier for me than most because my right hand is my normally dominant hand, but I'm left eyed. Every thing I do with my eyes, shoot a rifle or shot gun, shoot pool, etc. I do with my left hand. Shoot a pistol cross handed. Right hand, left eye. One of the best things I've learned in fishing.

What I want to know is why isn't anyone asking how to fix a spinning rod so you can punch a 2 ounce sinker on 65 lb braid into heavy hydrilla. Makes just as much sense as trying to cast a 1/16 ounce ned rig on a bait caster. Do I need to explain my point?

There is nothing like the old P70 Rebel Pop R. I haven't tried the new P71 or the Magnum Pop R. I have hopefully enough real P70's to last me the rest of my life. I trim the bottom lip until it's basically gone so the lure stays up and bloops nice. No 2 hooks, big feather on the back. To me the old P70's are more valuable than old Wiggle Warts. IMHO, for what it's worth: I don't want a popper to walk. I want it to bloop. 30 lb braid with 20 lb Big Game leader tied tight to the lure. If I want a walking lure, I'll throw a Spook.

Dawn detergent.

Cover the boat everytime. Sun, long term, is more of a problem than rain. Try to get some ventilation under the cover to prevent mildew. Got to keep the sun off the vinyl and the carpet. Yeah, a day or two is minimal, but they accumulate.

Just keep your crazy . . . in Oklahoma. Stay out of Missouri.

The BPS Crankin Stick is an excellent rod, well better than its price. $80 normally. Can find on sale for $60. I use a 7'-0 MH for almost every moving bait except crank baits. I like a M for CB's. Got a hand full of PQ's, Carbonlites, and JM's. No problems. Here's my sermon for the day. If you buy a $50 piece of equipment, regardless of brand, you get a $50 piece of equipment. If you spend a $100, it will be better, $150 even better still. Once you get above $150, IMHO, you have to ask your self "Am I buying status, or am I spending money that will help me catch fish?" Certain brands have features that you may like better, or worse than others, but the formula is generally true.

I think someone (or maybe a lot of someone's) needs to go fishing.