mcipinkie

Golf !!!

Those PVC boats are what I call a "pond boat". 200 and 500 acres are pretty good sized lakes. The pond boat would work, but you would have to be patient if you wanted to move around any. If the budget would allow, a jon boat with a 24v trolling motor would allow you to cover more water.

Hello geo, I'm 75, similarly retired, and and would offer my expertise for what it's worth. Give us a little more info. Do you plan to trailer the boat, or will you leave in the lake? Are you thinking a "pond" boat that you can throw in back of your truck and drag from the truck to the water? Do you want to stand up, or do you fish sitting down? What do you call a "small" lake? 10 acres - 500 acres? I'm fortunate enough to have four boats. All the way from a 20' Skeeter to an 8' pond boat. I've had a lot of fun with the pond boat, but as I've gotten older, it gets more difficult to put it the back of my truck, put a battery in, then drag it out of the truck, down to water and fish. I've had no problem with stability. I even stand up every now and then. (Not recommended). If you're going to trailer, it would be hard beat something like a 1448 jon boat. You can put a 24v trolling motor on it, some decent electronics and fish away. I have a 1648 with an 80 lb Ultrex on it. I take a Helix 10 off the Skeeter and put in on the 1648 so I'm tooled up at the cost of a transducer. What a fishing machine. Even if you keep in in one of the kid's docks, would be a nice tool, but then again so would the pond boat and you could get by with a 12v troller. Sounds like a nice problem to have.

Gary H has the right idea. Get rid of the group 24 crank battery. Go to at least a 27, preferably a 31. You're home free. WalMart has the group 29's on sale for 79.99. Should solve your problem. unless your problem is a surplus of cash and an urge to "keep up".

Guess the humor regarding "sponsors" was not received. I'm 75 years old now, and the few sponsors I had in my prime are long gone, but the tackle I got in my prime isn't. I still have a couple 30 plus year old rods in my rod locker every time I go fishing and, a few reels that will push 20. I buy something new if I need it, or think it will help me catch a few more fish. I doubt a 2021 reel is significantly better that the 2020 of the same model. No "Bling" here.

It all depends on when your sponsor gives you new tackle. You all have sponsors, don't you ?

I would suggest using copious amounts of Yellow Rocket Fuel. If you are going to spend the time to tie this monstrosity, might as well lubricate with the best. Spit works on an Alberto Knot.

Drags ?? We don't need no stinking drags. We're bass fishermen. On bait casters, I screw 'em down. Probably costs me a treble hook fish or two every year, but I make up for it on the one's I horse out of heavy cover. Spinners, I just adjust them until it feels right. Been fishing almost 70 years. I know what feels right. Still probably tighter than most people. Surely don't need a scale to adjust reel drags. Got to agree with Fishes in Trees on this one.

Does this mean anything when it comes to catching fish?

The only thing I can add from 21 years of experience; If you are going to build a jon/bass boat, get a 1648 if you can at all afford it. I built one in 2000 for some of our HP limited lakes in the area. Front and rear decks, 25 HP Merc, a real one, a 2 stroke, tiller steer. Full disclosure, I had the Merc from an old boat, so didn't have to buy one. Went through a handful of cheap trolling motors, now have an 80 Ultrex. Take a Helix 10 SI off the Skeeter and put on the little boat whenever I use it. I built wooden decks. If I did it again and could afford it, I'd go with Aluminum. The 1648 Lowe has a built in live well. I plumbed with fill and recirc pumps. We've never lost a fish. I'm a pretty big guy, my partner is even bigger. We've fished a lot of HP limited tournaments, and some others where they would allow the little boat. We can put at least 8 rods each in with no trouble. I GPS 26 MPH with just me. I promise you that you will like the 16' better that a 15 if you can swing it.

I have to post on this one. In full disclosure, I'm a braid and leader guy, just because I am. Tried it, liked it. It is, and will always be, more important where you throw, than what you throw. What you throw ,more important than what line you use. What line you use, more important than what rod/reel you use. Once you get where you can find them all the time, you'll usually catch one or two. Pick a line you like, for whatever reason, even it's just the pro that uses it. Concentrate on throwing the right lure in the right place. Continued full disclosure, Power Pro Super Slick, or whatever they call it, Big Game leader on everything but jerk baits. 8 - 12 FC on jerk baits. No technical reasons, just feel good to me.

Getting skunked is, IMO, the same as catching the snot out of them. Sometimes it happens, either of them, but that's it. Learn from it, move on. It's a hobby for most of us. Catching fish is fun, more fun that not catching fish, and I love it either way, but it ain't no life changing event.

What are we talking about for a draw down? Couple of feet, or 10's of feet. If minor, it's just a change in water level and you deal with it like any other. If it's a significant draw down and has been down for a year or more,may be like fishing new lake that already had fish in it. It'll be just like fishing a new lake. You got to find them. Sounds like fun.

I agree, everything you do is a personal preference. I expounded mine for whatever use it might be. The more you know, the capable you are of making a proper decision. If money is no object, find a pro you thinks fishes somewhat like you do, and emulate his rig. As I said, I'm 75 years old, fished my first tournament in 1975, so some experience. I am primarily a shallow water visual cover fisherman. I don't need $15K in electronics. A Helix 10 Mega SI + on the bow and another on the console suit my needs. I stayed with 10" units because I thought the 12's were too big and took up too much room in my boat (Skeeter ZX200) If I decide to go Mega Live, if it ever comes out, then I may have to upgrade the bow 10 to a 12. Humminbird has a good listing of what units work with Mega 360 on their web site. Basically, if thinking of Helix's, they have to have SI+ or DI+ in the unit name. Not concerned with the other HB's, so look at the site, if you have Solix or some other unit. Obviously, I'm a MK and HB guy. Some of the other brands look pretty exciting. Same general opinion, though. Buy what YOU need.

Ultrex, or equivalent, first. Most valuable tool you can buy. Deep, or shallow, you need this type TM. Get the biggest one you can afford. The 80 should be more than adequate, but I never anyone cry "My trolling motor is too powerful". Make a rational decision regarding batteries. Lithiums have lots of advantages over wet cells, or AGM, but very expensive. If you are not a serious fisherman (very serious) IMHO just too costly right now. Get some good wet cells, or AGM's if you want to spend more. Just remember prior to 2019, that was all we had, and we caught a lot of fish. Part of that decision is what you plan to buy for electronics. The more powerful electronics you choose, the more you need to be concerned about batteries. If I was rigging the boat for my use, the way I fish, I'd get an Ultrex, either size, 2 - Helix 10's or 12's, depending on the budget, and whether or not they would physically fit my boat. Both SI. I like SI on the front. Get some good wet cell batteries. Lot's of discussion on the web regarding wet cells. Plenty of good ones to choose from. I like Helix's rather than Solix. Personal comfort. Same principal if you go with other than MK and HB. Next would be a Mega 360. You could change the front Helix from SI to DI if you go with Mega 360 now. I'm not a fan (yet) of forward looking sonar, so not in my equation. I would think some good wet cells or AGM's should handle power needs. If you get much more electronics, then I would consider Lithiums, especially if the cost drops to more manageable levels. My advice as a 75 year old fisherman, that still seriously, and successfully, fishes tournaments, is to look honestly at how you fish, how you intend to fish now, and in the future, and your real needs. Just because Jacob Wheeler has 5 depth finders, and ever how many batteries he uses, doesn't mean you or I should. Buy what suits you.

The nice thing about YouTube is you can post comments. Tell the poster very politely, of your concerns. If they get enough, they'll change. I certainly understand your concerns but disagree to some extent. Not sure your age (I'm 75). Watch the movies and TV shows from the early 1940's through the late 1960's. Almost every one, both men and women, smoked. Almost everyone drank. In business, you never went to a meeting where the room wasn't smoky, with ashtrays on 2'0 centers on the tables. Both my parents smoked. I never did, just my choice. The world is NOT completely going to pot. In some ways, it's better than when I was growing up. Remember, YOU have to raise your children and teach them right from wrong. If you don't others will. I see every day the influence social media has on the world and am glad I ain't raising kids any more, there are far worse influences out there than some fisherman smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer.

Now, I'm an old guy, almost 75 years old. I have a bunch of the old Wiggle Warts, both mine and my dad's. They are cult baits. Some people value them dearly, really dearly. The prices some people are willing to pay for a lure that cost under $2.00 new is amazing. They are good lures, but they aren't magic. There are time when the new WW's will out fish the old ones. I've had good luck on the Rock Crawlers. There are time they outfish either of the WW's. I like the look of that new 6th Sense Curve. It's still a lot more where you throw, than what you throw.

This leads into a really interesting, I hope, discussion. Does "messing" around with GoPro and similar cameras interfere with fishing? I personally, think it does. Now, I'm 74, and not hunting sponsors, or making YouTube videos, so that part is not important to me, but I prefer to put all my mental efforts into fishing when I'm on the water. Not being critical of people that think differently, mind you, just my opinion. That being said, my wife is an invalid, and sometimes when I'm fun fishing, I'll set up a camera just to entertain her, but not when money is on the line.

You can throw anything you like 1/4 oz. and over. 3/16 oz if you are a really good caster. Less than that, I'm going with spinning tackle. You can use 12 lb test, or even 15 on a spinning reel and cast light jigs easily. Most of you guys aren't old enough to remember, but Tom Mann threw everything on a spinning rod. Appropriate for the lure and presentation, of course.

Keep in mind that none of the companies offering lengthy warranties have been in business as long as the warranties they are offering. They all won't be. Lot's of reasons to go to lithium's but IMHO, extended warranties are not a good one. BPS has at least been around a while.

I know that no one believes this, but the BPS Crankin' Stick is a fantastic rod. $100 or so if you can find one. Then I'd try a SC Mojo Glass for $130.

While I am certainly concerned about the number of idiots out there that know nothing about handling a boat, I do not want any more government mandated anything. Look how well automotive driver's licensing works at preventing accidents. So you take an on line course in basic boat operation, get your certificate, go out side and jump in a Bass Cat Eyra and run 80 MPH down the lake, without ever having paddled a canoe. The safety course card is more "feel good" stuff. I don't know the answer as to how we prevent some of these dumb - ass wrecks. A bunch of on-line lawyer courses isn't it.

If you are looking for a quality rod, and not interested in anything else, the BPS Crankin Stick is a fine crank bait rod. Only problem is the new ones are just so ugly. I've a half dozen of the old ones with the cork power hump handles and have no complaints.

Back about 10 years ago when I was much more active tournament fishing and dealing with sponsors, I kept a record of tournaments, fish caught, fish we could have caught and results. Blows you mind as to how few fish you have to catch to be successful, if you catch the right ones. Blows my mind as to how poorly we fished, but that's another story. From 2009 through 2011, my partner and I fished 182 tournaments. Some of these were short little night tournaments on our local lakes, why so many. Totaled 976 hours. Fish caught - 358 (0.37/hour) Fish if limit - 659 (0.68/hour) Results - Lost $725. In 2010, we averaged 0.40/hour and still won $900 over the season. Not sure what this means. I kept and passed on to my sponsors what I wanted them to see (mainly exposure). But is was fun to do. I had to back off after the heart attacks and lost my regular partner and let my sponsor work slip away. About the only thing I think this tells us is "catch the right fish".

Not quite that simple. If you only want 2D sonar and buy an Ultrex with the built in 2D transducer, you can hook a Lowrance (I'm not sure about Garmin, but I think you can) to it with the appropriate cable. If you want SI or DI, and have the appropriate transducer in the TM, then, to the best of my knowledge, you are limited to HB.