cravenfish

Well, Putput I paid my $25 to ABA. I can't say anything about how they run a tournament since I've never fished any of their stuff. But if your a tournament fisherman another $25 is just another drop in the bucket. You also said you have fished most of the trails and you didn't need to be a member? I know BASS, FLW, Championship Teams, Hooters, ABA, Fisher of Men all requier membership prior to fishing.

I see they went back to 5 tournaments, and fishing on Saturdays. This is a conflict between their schedule and the BFL schedule( each have a tournament at Kerr the same day)

From the choices you have. 300 Opti. Minn Kota Electronics, I like a big screen at dash( GPS only ) Depth finder in dash( no combos or split screens ) Depth finder at front deck( I dont fish huge bodies of water where it is nessary to have a GPS up front to hold on a spot )

You need to go fish it and learn all you can and dont worry about beeing front ended( back boated). If you feel that way you need to speak up. If that dont work, tell your boater that you wont sign his weight-in card and report him to the tournament director. You would be well within your rights. But there are very few guys who backboat their non-boaters unless you are fishing docks,which in that case you will be fishing used water all day.

Matt, we have a legend dealer here in Va. I went for a ride in one and didn't think much of it. But I wouldn't be surprised if all the boat manurfactures aren't beating down Ike's door. Its a shame that these guys will look to see who will give them the most and then use their product and go promote it like it was the best thing since sliced bread.

What I ment by that is anyone can go and have a good day fishing, but if you are going to put up a post like that you need to do it more then once, whats that ol' saying"even a blind squrril can find a nut once in a while"

Billybob, I fish tournaments also. I put my Mustang on and dont take it off. I leave the kill switch hooked to it and it dont bother me a bit. I find it a lot eaiser then a jacket

Go do that a few more times then come back bragging

Bud , I bet you he wouldn't even try the grits!! ;D ;D

You may want to downsize your bait ;D ;D

I wear a Mustang that I won in a tournament. It came with a extra co2 cartdrige. I love it and dont take it off when I stop to fish, summer time I do take it off. One thing about them that stays in my mind is, when I'm running down the river in a pouring down rain storm, is the vest going to get so saturated that the co2 goes off?

Hey Cart, these guys got some fast boats w/150s on em. I run a Ranger 521 w/ Yamaha 250HPDI and it tops out at 73. I would have to sink it if I got passed by a 18' Tracker w/ a 150 on it ;D ;D ;D

I just fished a tourny out of a new 201Stratos with a Yamaha 250HPDI on it. That boat will fly. It took the rough water well and the layout and fishability of it was good. The guy who I fished with was on Stratos staff and told me he could sell that boat for around 23K and it would have the full factory warranty on it since it has never been registered. He is in NC if you want his name and # PM me. I'm not a big fan of the Triton boats and have fished from a few of them, best be left at that.

[highlight]70% pay back isn't all that bad and that is what both trails payout. I'm looking forward to fishing the Weekend series again this year, I hadn't plan on it until the change. The payout structure needs to be changed, in the regionals $50,000 for 1st, 2,000 for second, 7th was 750.00

I fish about 20-25 tournaments a year. I have never had a run in with anbody on the water,EXECPT for two guys riding a jet-ski between me and the shore( about 15feet away). the first time I didn't say anything,but the second time I let them know how I felt about it. I also practice fish alot and have been on the water when there is a big tourny going on and I have never been asked to move off a spot or fished in on. This all started out sounding like someone was crying, and I'll tell you if you fish the Potomac like you say you do , then you need to get over it and enjoy the day fishing.

I've been reading all the post on here, ABA and Bassmasters. I fish two different weekend series and enjoyed em as much as any other tournament series. I've never fished an ABA tournament, but I can tell you that if they dont do better payback then bass did it wont be long lived. There are too many other tournaments around that pay back better for the weekend angler. BUT we shall see!!!

On your boat you can use a product called Spray Nine made by Knights. You can get it at Lowes or Home Depot. Its a general cleaner and works great on boats

Hey BF, I'm planning on making the trip and dragging my boat with me. I have to wait for the BASS and BFL 2007 schedule to come out and make sure I don't have a tournament that weekend, and if I dont, I will be making the trip and you would be welcome to fish with me.

OK OK I've seen enough about the food and readers who are going to be there! As soon as I get the 2007 fishing schedule for my tournemants,I'll see if I can be there! is there anybody going from the Richmond,VA area that might want to ride with me, I'll have boat in tow!

I'm just going to put in my $0.02 worth. If you want a fast boat, get an Allison. If you are a fisherman and want a good boat for tournaments and a safe ride then there are plenty to make your pick from. If you are going to tournament fish, get a single console and a 20 or 21 footer. The Allisons are fast but the lay out stinks and they dont fish real well. The Bullets seem to be a boat that was never finished( they seem to fall apart ) Then you have Ranger, Skeeter, Champion, Triton, and Bass Cats which all seem to be good fishing machines and I have fished from all of them. I own one of the above and I dont want to seem bias,so I'm not going to say which one. If I were you, I would go to all the dealers and set up a test ride, don't just ride, stop the boat on a wind blown point and put the trolling motor down and see how the boat behaves( this is how you will be using the boat most of the time ). You have all the time in the world to make a good choice for yourself. Good Luck

My policy is with Progressive and it covers the boat, If you tell the insurance co. they will sell you what ever you want. I would just ask the question and get their answer.

As far as competing, if you are a good fisherman you will do well no matter what boat you fish from. BUT for $10000.00 you are looking at a boat that is around 8 to 10 years old. That is not bad if it was well maintained. I fish the same waters as you do and sometimes they can get rough. I don't know if you ever been on the Potomac in a 18' boat and rough water, it can be challanging but there are alot of guys who do it.

My Ranger 521 with no payments( boat is all mine, and paid for )

With only a 10' boat, I would think you are limited to small ponds. Paint it whatever you want. THE FISHERMAN CATCHES THE FISH , not his boat. BUT if the water is clear fish do spook from shadows and they can see yhe bottom of your boat. I've had black, grey,red and now a white bottom boat and I can't tell you which is best. There have been alot of articals about bottom colors, but to me it seems like the only time I'm real concerned about it is when I'm sight fishing.

I once owned a 18' Gambler, on smooyh water it was one of the most fun boats to drive and fish out of,BUT i fish the Potomac alot and when the water got rough that boat would beat you to death. I still think they are the best looking boat on the water. Anyway thats WHY!!