B@ssCrzy

Definitely seems like something that is worth a look. What kind of electronics does it have on it?

Looks like it might be a good one if the motor checks out ok. My boat is set up almost identical to that one, but mine is a deep v. My only concern would be if you fish any lakes that get really big waves on them, but in most places it should not be a problem.

I just made the switch from Motorguide to Minn Kota this year. Mine did not match up, but that was because I went to a Terrova instead of a cable steer model. Not sure if they would have lined up if I was going to another cable steer model. You could still use the old plug and receptacle. The problem is that the plug is wired directly to the Motorguide unit so you would have to cut the wire on your old unit and then splice the plug into the Minn Kota power cable which would not be very attractive, and won't allow you to sell your old unit. Plus depending on the model may not be the same gauge wire. If I were you I would pony up the extra money and get the Minn Kota plug or just wire it directly. I don't like wiring directly because I have heard of people having issues where the motor turns on due to a short in a switch or the motor and fries the unit and becomes a big fire risk. I believe someone posted a story about that here on one of the forums. It is easy to install and should fit where your old Motorguide plug recepticle is.

or just looking at some aluminum boats with smaller motors. Deep V, or modified V...You can get into a nicer aluminum boat for a lower price. I bought an aluminum boat 5 yrs ago and glad I did. It is my first boat and have learned a lot things to do and not do. Had I had a glass boat not sure how I would have fared. My 70 hp motor is plenty hp for me. I admire that you are paying cash for something and not getting into a loan for 30 years. My brother-in-law just lost his 21ft glass boat, 225hp motor, and all the bells and whistles to the repo man because he couldn't afford it. If I were looking for a new boat in your price range I would be looking for aluminum with somewhere around a 50-70hp motor on it. It will get you to where you need to go and give you time to learn the in's and out's of being on the water.

When I first started checking this site out I had an Ugly Stick spinning combo and I fished with night crawlers......since then I now prefer my Curado E7's and 50E series reels and slowly dragging a crawler on the bottom is like watching paint dry!!! Have learned most of what I know about bass fishing on this site. My favorite technique that I learned was swimming a jig. Northstar broke my heart with their recent announcement!!

I would agree for the most part. It can become a little cluttered when someone posts a new question and just three lines down is the same question, but that is pretty rare and I just skip over them. On the other hand part of the fun for me is the conversation that occurs by answering questions and talking with other people. There is value to talking with people other than just getting information from them, and that is the big reason I love bassresource. I have very few knowledgeable bass fisherman that live around me so the only time I really talk about bass fishing is when I am on here posting/replying. Talking about lines, lures, structure, habitat, etc is great!! Even if I have talked or read about it a 100 times before. It seems that there are a lot of great people on this forum that are not only great fisherman/woman, but are also great people. So for me it is good to rub elbows with them even if it is in the virtual world.

For the majority of my fishing I like to use bigger baits. Don't be afraid of it being to big. Just get out there and sling it. You will catch plenty with it.

I was there in the spring and used a leader. Did not seem to affect my catch rate for bass, but used mostly fast moving baits. Caught a ton of dinks and medium fish, but no big ones. The water is pretty stained, not dirty, just stained a tanic or syrup color so a black leader probably blended in pretty well. We did not hook up with any muskies. Did catch some pike, but not on Webster. There was a musky tournament the week we were there with about 60 boats, but they only caught around 10 muskies the whole tournament over 3 days. I have used toothy critter, but don't like the way that when you tie the knot on it the line kinks up by the knot so it is not nice and straight. I will be going in the spring again and may look at using a heavier fluorocarbon or co-poly instead of a wire leader, and will go no leader for my slow moving baits. Which probably means this will be the year that I hook into a 50" musky that breaks the line at the boat!!!

1. Read, read, and then read some more about bass and how they think. Ask questions on forums, etc. 2. Focus on learning and mastering at least one technique/lure that covers the water column. (Topwater, mid-range, and bottom) 3. Be patient.

x2 on the Jackson Cuda. It has to be in the discussion as far as fishing boats go. If you are worried about weight the Cuda 12 is lighter than the Ride 115. I don't think you can go wrong on any of these higher end kayaks so a lot is going to be preference as previously stated. I just recently bought a Cuda 12 and think it is a great boat. It was the only one in my area I was able to sit in before purchasing and felt comfortable with it, plus found a demo model for $800. The high/low seat is great on the Cuda, and for me the stability is great as well. I was standing and fishing my first trip out. In the price range you are looking at no matter what you choose will be a good boat so enjoy. Happy hunting....hope you find the best one for you.

Terrova is a heavier built unit than the Power Drive V2 in many areas. Foot pedal is much better. Shaft is thicker than the V2, and has notch in it so that you can thread your sonar transducer wire up the shaft if you need a transducer that is not supported by the US2 sonar. Stowing and deploying is a cinch compared to the V2. V2 has a problem with the shaft sticking (or not being smooth in deploying and stowing). I just bought my Terrova 55lb thrust in the spring of this year after much research and fished with it all summer. I love it. I can't say enough good things about it. The other thing is that the Terrova I believe is a newer model so there is a better chance that they will discontinue the Power Drive V2 before the Terrova. Which means they will stop releasing add-ons that will work with the V2 first. I have yet to be able to afford the I-Pilot, but hopefully in a year or two will be able to do so. I do have the autopilot which is still very nice. After using the Terrova I don't ever see myself going back to a cable steer trolling motor. Keep in mind that the pedal wire that attaches to the motor is about 16ft so even if you don't buy the co-pilot you can still sit about anywhere you want in your boat and use the pedal.

Went from a MG cable steer to a Minn Kota Terrova and the holes did not line up for me. My MG was a 94-95 though so it may have just been that it was an older model. I will say that I LOVE MY TERROVA!!! I don't have the I-Pilot yet, but the auto pilot alone is worth it. I find myself fishing more and worrying less about driving the boat. Took some getting used to, but can't imagine I would ever go back.

I always have a license. Peace of mind makes any fishing experience well worth the small cost of a license.

Buy a Kayak.....lots of fun and will give you added exercise in addition to enjoying your favorite hobby.

This is you building confidence in plastics and t-rigs. Confidence is built as you go fish and catch fish. The more that you catch and see that lure working under various conditions the more you gain confidence that it will work. I started fishing artificials using curly tail worms. Over the years I have experimented with other different lures, but found myself going back to the worms this year because they just flat out catch fish for me. Confidence will come as you spend time on the water. Try different presentations because you will find something that suits the way you like to fish. I can't catch a cold on a senko, but some guys on here love them. You will gain confidence as you experiment and see what works for you.

Better than being on shore, but not sure I would call it a "good idea." I am sure it would work, but there are much better alternatives that you could use. Kayak for one....a lot of guys fish the oceans in their kayaks.

Wildcat Creek Outfitters in Zionsville. Great place for fishing kayaks and they are currently having a good closeout sale on this years models. Wouldn't wait too long as they will probably go fast. I went to a lot of other kayak stores in indy, but they did not sell many fishing kayaks and were mainly for recreation. This store on the other hand is geared strictly for fisherman. Pretty cool store and the guys are pretty cool as well. http://www.wildcatcreekoutfitters.com/

I am only 10 minutes from the White River which I have never been able to get on because it is too shallow for my boat, but is an excellent smallmouth fishery. Super stoked that I can now get on it.

Thanks!! Looking forward to it. The best thing about it is the lake I fish close to me has a $30 launch fee on weekends!! No more paying their outlandish fees!!

So tell me how I did? I just picked up a demo'd Cuda 12 for $800 out the door!!! (Works out to $744 + tax) From what I have seen that is pretty good price. Hull has the usual scratches on the bottom and side, but all the hardware, seat, etc, looks brand new. I am pretty excited. I was nervous about pulling the trigger so soon, but figured this is the best time to buy. From everything I have seen it seemed like a deal that was to good to pass on. Did I pull the trigger too soon?

Good point. I am looking forward to giving this a try and seeing how things develop. Thanks everybody for the input.

Thanks Darren for the response. I went and sat in both of them. I did feel that I liked the Cuda better. It just felt more comfortable for some reason. I like the fact to that it is easier to get in and out of. However, I did like the storage better on the Kilroy. Now to see if I can find a used one.....

If I were constantly finding myself immersed in trees and stump fields I could see how a cable steer would be more responsive and somewhat preferable if I was zooming in and out. Only because your brain gets used to the feel of where the motor is in relation to the angle of the pedal. Which you don't get with the electric steer. But if that is not the case than I much prefer the electric steer. If you fish more open lakes then there is no reason to not go with electric steer. Especially when you can have the auto pilot or I-pilot addition. The best thing about the electric steer models is that new innovations will continue to be developed, whereas with the cable steer it pretty much is what it is.

I upgraded at the beginning of the summer from a Motorguide regular cable steer to a MinnKota Terrova with Autopilot. Best thing I have done to my boat. Was able to concentrate on fishing and not on driving the boat. In the wind it is amazing. While other people are worrying about the wind blowing them around I am just worrying about fishing. Can't wait to get I-Pilot, but even with just the auto pilot it is a huge upgrade from the cable steer. Will never go back to cable steer. Just make sure your sonar power wire has it's own direct line to your cranking battery or you will blow your unit like I did. Have fun and enjoy!!

I have been looking at both these kayaks for an upgrade to my fishing kayak experience. I am in a dilemma because I am not in a place where I can demo these kayaks besides just sitting in them in the store. Sat in both of them today and really liked them. Liked the Cuda's open feel, but really like the Kilroy's storage. Also one of my high priorities is stability and I hear the the Kilroy is much more stable since it sits lower in the water. I have a chance to get a really good deal on either of them since it is the end of the season. However, I would be buying without ever testing them on the water. Any thoughts?