MarkH024

The Manns Minus -1 cranks have a heck of waddle to them. They only dive about a foot though. They work great if you have weed growth that's a 1-2 feet from the surface and burning them on top.

Ted, Thanks a bunch for the offer, that is mighty kind of you. Not sure if I'll be needing your expertise or not but I will definitely keep you in mind. A fellow co-worker brought up a good point to me about just drilling holes instead of cutting a big giant hole. The only worry about that idea is I have to be able to back the rod butt in far enough to pass the tip down in front by the tubes in the front end. The current holder for where the reel and butt end sits is the "V" shape kind against the walls of the locker. I am now thinking if I can cut holes to accommodate the holder that is in there already, that would be even better. I'm going to snap some pictures when i can get to it. I'll do some photoshop work to diagram what I'm thinking so you guys can give me a better idea. Appreciate all the help. This should be a fun project..........I hope. lol

Thanks man. Appreciate info and the link.

Agreed. I do fish solo quite often so I'm not entirely worried about that. Besides I can always give the verbal warning or the charlie horse punch to the thigh. Do do you think by cutting a hole down there would weaken the boat or be hazardous to do so? Off topic- do you know of any good plastic cleaner to restore the plastics on the consoles? My plastic has this weird white speckling on it and it was always like that. I could never seem to find something to take it off. I need to do a little TLC come spring time.

With the extension hole cut....I could just put it in butt end first to clear the tip of the rod, then slide forward into the existing rod locker holders. I basically just need an extension for the butt ends of my rods. Ideally 12" or less will do the trick for most of my rods. I'd prefer to keep the console only because hacking it all the way out would seem like a lot more work than I intend. I want to keep it as nice as I can so that when I do decide to sell it's for the most part the "original" boat. Slonezp...to further clarify...the space under the second console goes all the way up to the wall that divides the rod locker from the open space of the console. I'd basically just be cutting a hole in the wall. Probably a thickness of no more than 1-2".

Winter months for us Midwest folk and northerners is rough. Dealing with months of snow and ice really drives me crazy. In those times I like to organize and go through tackle. Fix lures or replace hooks etc... I also clean/lube all my reels myself now and with many thanks from BR guys like Mike from DVT who are so open to helping people here on the forums. So just stay busy and prepare for Spring. It's a long haul until then. Wish I had a southern destination to escape to during winter but my get away is North. As Edard Stark said "Brace yourselves, winter is coming"

I have been contemplating this for over a season now and would like some input from you guys who know your boats in and out. I have a 01' Ranger R73 which is only a 17.5' bass boat. It is dual console and in result the rod locker allows only up to 6'6" rods. I do not own or fish with a rod that is less than 6'8" with most being over 7'. I have been thinking about cutting out the wall that separates the rod locker and where the passengers feet are to accommodate my rods and allow me to use the locker as intended. I would frame it out nicely with some sort of plastic or rubber fitting so that it's not just some gnarly hole. I'm thinking about getting into a bass club for tourney fishing in the next year or two and while my boat would work, I need to make it more ideal for myself and the co-angler. I would also liek to be able to store the rods in the boat and not have to lug them around all the time. Do you advise not doing this? What are my pro's/cons? I'm almost certain there are not electrical wires that would be of any issue there. I'm a bit concerned that it could weaken the boat in that area but again, would need some expert opinions. This obviously is a move that can't be undone so this is why i'm very hesitant. Over all my boat is in pretty good condition and I'm really not even worried about selling it right now or anytime soon. The way I see it, the modification would be a perk for a new buyer but you never know. Let me hear some thoughts. FYI- buying a new boat just isn't an option so lets weed out those answers from the get go. If I have to just deal with it, so be it as I've been doing so for 5 years.

I'm not complaining. I was just letting people know that there could be a long wait. Almost to Xmas if its like last batch.

That's it! Thanks!

If you're getting frustrated to the point of wanting to "hang it up" with a hobby you're supposed to love, then you need to make changes. Whether that is location or a fisherman (ie: techniques, presentations etc..) . Nothing is fun when it becomes frustrating. Change your game, don't let the game change you!

I got some gloves at BPS last year, Timber something brand. I can't quite recall the name. They're fleece with the fingertips cut off, they do a great job except for the occasional hook point that gets stuck in there if you're not careful. They were in a big bin at BPS during the spring classic sale for $5 each pair. I wish I'd grabbed another 2 or 3 pair just to have.

Obviously photoshopped.

I just finally got my 68 weedless Perch from the last batch. If you order direct be prepared to wait guys. I was a bit bummed because my season is pretty much done and probably wont have a chance to throw mine this year. If you're in a hurry, flea bay has them all over but inflated prices.

This is my family dog Arnie (lives with mom & dad) but I raised him as a pup until I moved out. He's a pit mix. We're not sure of the other half (most likely lab) but the mother was pure pit. He and his runt brother "Jake" were the last of the pups that were taken from a residence in Chicago known to breed fighting dogs. The person kept the runt and we ended up with Arnie through a connection. For the most part he was fine just worms and fleas that were easily taken care of. He's been a great, great dog. He's 11 now going on 12 in Spring and has some bad arthritis but still overall pretty healthy. He gets a little chubby in the winter months though!

Not me. Not really my thing but if I got on a hole with a lot of walleye/perch for dinner I'd stick it out for a day or two. Sad day for me yesterday, winterized my boat and put her away until spring.

Around these parts its called pop. But yes clean your stuff. You wouldn't want sticky parts or worse.

Ditto on the hardgill Branden. If anyone gets a heads up on a new batch of production I'd be much obliged. Can't wait to put those U2 gills to work come spring time.

I never use a net. Not because I won't, I just don't have one. lol

Cad and I were talking about us FIB's should get together on a lake here in IL or Southern WI for a mini BR get together next year. Any of you guys interested?

Noise is only a nuisance to the angler...you will get used to it. Although, I use braid on 90% of my setups and I don't get this horrible noise problem many complain about. Perhaps I'm just used to it.

I'd definitely like to hit that lake in spring or off days when the pleasure boaters aren't creating choas. I've only been there 2 times and this was the first time for serious fishing. If docks are a gold mine then I should have no issue finding fish but I will definitely PM you for some pointers next season. Thanks Cad!

Very cool man! Thanks for sharing

Happy Birthday man. Have a great one.

Way to go man. Nice fish there!

I'll let you in on a Frog Turds Minnesota secret. He has a weapon called the Ugly Pig, throw it and you'll catch about 400 bass an outing. Just watch his youtube.