MadGator

KVD, Aarron Martins, and Rick Clunn All class acts, Martins is a trip to watch, Clunn is an amazing fisherman, and well KVD is KVD and will proably become the greatest Bass fishermen of all time. Being from the North country I'll have to throw a shout out to Al Linder and crew they know everything there is know about fish and fishing.

I have a Bass Tracker Tournament V-17, I replaced that top deck when I put a new trolling motor on because it was rotting out. The deck was bolted to 4 metal pieces that were either welded or rivited to the hull (can't remember and either would work). The pieces were a piece of metal bent into a right angle with one face attached to the hull and the other with holes for the bolts. My trolling motor is also anchored to two of those pieces as well as the wood itself. I would recomend either marine grade plywood or treated ply wood at the very least, probably 1/2 to 3/4 inch. If you do a google search for boat rivet repair there is a tool and rivets you can get for about $20 that should work well or either weld or have someone weld the metal pieces to the side of the hull. Should have taken pictures lol.

We have that problem on most of the lakes I fish here in WI. I tend to use a lot of topwater lures, scum frogs, SPro, Horney Toads, etc... I also use weightless plastics over the top as well, let it slide into the holes. The Horney toad type baits seem to be producing very well this year, however, I went out on Friday and probably went through 10-15 of them. Most just started to get chewed up in the weeds and I had to run a new one. They are not very durable, doesn't matter what brand you use either. I've tried Zoom, Sizmic, and Mann's. All of them seem to have high and low points. I had the best succes casting them to an open spot, then bringing them over the weeds. They lasted much longer using this method as well. Instead of just dropping them into some sludge. I tried using hte SPro frog with no sucess, all my hits were on the Mann's, thats not to say on another night the reverse might be true.

Depends on when I go, if I go in the evening, by the time I get home from work and get the boat in the water, I might be out for 2-3 hours. If I go in the morning, I'll usually stay out at least 4 hours. I am younger (28) with a wife and daughter (1.5) and we just have too much stuff going on for me to spend all day on the water. However, I just went to KY lake with a buddy on a fishing trip. On the water by 8:00am in at 2:00am back on at 4:00pm in at 10:00pm for a week. Can't wait until I retire lol. I was pretty sore after that week though, lol. If I have free 20-30 minutes (like at lunch), I'll throw something around for a bit. Any time is a good time for fishing.

I do talk to myself a bit when I am fishing alone. I think to myself mostly though, I also scold myself if I screw something up. If I have someone in the boat there is usually some idle chat, but not a whole lot. I find it kind of irratating because I am also facing the water (not my fishing partner) and have to repeat stuff all the time or have the other person repeat what they say. I hate that.

I've never tried this, but has anyone thrown a C-Rig with a wacky rigged senko type worm. I just thought it might be something a little different. I've gotten a lot of bass when I work the wacky rig. I usually let it fall once, then "jig" it up, let it fall, repeat. I've gotten many bass on the jig part. Thought it might be cool to try the wacky on a C-rig let it fall, then maybe sweep the rod, and let the wacky rig fall again. I know I've read about people using the wacky rig under a slip bobber, but I have never read about it c-rigged. Was just curious if anyone has tried it and what your results might have been?

I am fortunate enough to be able to live very close to a chain of five lakes. All very different from the next in available species, techniques, and presentation. They are my home lakes and I would classify them as my favorite, because I have the best success on them. One might be good for numbers, while the other is good for size, one is good for LM while another is good for SM. Depending on style of fishing I want to do can dictate where I go. I really can't think of a better situation. The best part is also work with 2 minutes of one of the five, can you guess what I do during my lunch breaks. ;D

I have a reconditioned Minn Kota Maxxum. I've had it for about a year and yet to have any problems with it. It's truely a work horse too, I bang it on everything rocks, gravel, sand, mud, docks, whatever. I'm tough on stuff, and this has been a great buy for me. Probably saved $200+, I would definately buy another.

I have a '89 Bass Tracker Tournament V-17 with a Mercury Classic 50 (45hp). I am getting about 27mph with it. I really do love it. A few things I've noticed.... The whole rod locker did not open, only half, the front board was rotted out on mine so I replaced it with a new one, adding rivetted hinges to create a full door for the rod locker works sweet now. I was having trouble with my longer rods, it was really a pain. With two or more people in the boat it rides very smooth, with just me, it's usually a pretty rough ride and sometimes a very wet ride. If it's really windy and I have to go in the wrong direction, chances are I'm getting real wet. Some of the wood has rotted on my boat, it's very easily replaced, I usually pull the staples on the carpet and reuse it. All the electrical seems to work good thus far The only time I see a drop of water in the bottom of the hull is if it's really rough out on the water, very rarely do I have any water in the bottom of the boat I have a 24 volt Minn Kota Maxxum TM, with 65# thrust, works like a champ. It came with a 12-volt 36# TM, I am really glad I upgraded. You obviously could go more than 65#, but so far that has been more than enough for me I can run full speed in 1.5 - 2' of water no problems. I can fish in a little less than a foot of water and still be floating. I love that, I love fishing shallow, I can often go where other boats can't. Doesn't look like it, but this boat drafts very little water. If you have any other questions feel free to either email me or PM me here on the site. I would be glad help out. If you don't mind me asking what are you paying for the boat. I paid $4,000.00 for mine. I have since replaced the Fish finder, TM, a couple boards, and the external fuel line (clip and bulb). Other than that all is original on the boat.

I either use my wifes, 2005 Chevy Equinox or my 2001 Bonneville to pull my '89 Bass Tracker Tournament V-17. I really haven't seen much of a difference between the two vehicles, the Bonneville actually has more power, but dosen't stop quite as well. I've never gotten stuck at a ramp, however, I have spun out a few times in both vehicles on ramps. There have been times I was glad to be in the Equinox, versus the Bonneville though.

I've searched everywhere on the web for the pic. I do have my new BassMasters at home. I can not find the pic that is in the Magazine. Interestingly enough the bass in that pic looks an awfull like Weakley's bass. Just my two cents.

One my most annoying habits is trying to cast too hard. Especially if I switch rods to something softer or lighter. The really bad side of this is that I will on occastion actaully break heavier lures off because I cast too hard.

The small mouth are probably almost done spawning there. I would try deep holes or up by the dams for smallies, grubs, tubes, and maybee some deep diving cranks would produce some fish. I've always had great success in the back waters LM, some of my biggest fish have come on topwater scum frogs in thickest slop you can find around places like Goose Island. The LM spawn should be going pretty strong so warm shallow water would be your best bet. Not sure if the top water will work well, but spinnerbait, chatterbait, jig&pig, tubes, and senkos should all produce well. Hope this helps.

I keep a smaller Leatherman (Juice S2) in my pocket at all times. The only time I don't have it is in bed and on a plane. Best x-mas present ever (thank you wifey). It has a scissors, knife, and pliers, all essential tools while fishing. I've even had to bust out the screw drivers on occasion. Oh it never hurts to have a bottle opener handy . Seriously, BEST PRESENT EVER!!!!!

Check your local dealers. I found a Reconditioned Minn-Kota w/ 2 year warrenty for $300. Mine is probably a bit bigger than you want, it's a 65# AT. I'm sure they would have something smaller. I've had mine for a year and have had zero problems with it.

Some major retailers are begining to carry them. I just picked up two at a Dick's Sporting Goods where I live so check your local big box stores and possibly your Mom and Pops and see if anyone has them.

Wisconsin Weed flats are something I have not really targeted yet so I am going to try this year hopefully with better results. The lakes I fish have rediculous weed growth from all of the farm runoff so I assume that those weeds would provide good cover for fish. I've also decided to start running a spinnerbait, something I have not tried before because I used to mostly shore fish. I figure the spinnerbait should work well over/through weeds and also allow me to cover lots of water.

I am torn between getting the Eagle Fishelite 502c or the Eagle Fishelite 642c. Other than $150.00 price differnece, the only difference is 640V x 480H pixel resolution vs. 320V x 240H pixel resolution for the 502c. I am a computer geek so I know that that is a pretty big difference, I haven't really had a chance to compare the two side by side. I also feel like if I just get the 502c I really won't even know the difference, I suppose this is the same thinking as if I were to just get a b&w, I would never know how much better color was. Any thoughts on this, should I just forget it and spend the extra $150? Should I take the excrutiating pain of trying to justify $150 extra to my wife?

A few weeks ago I was watching Hank Parker and he had a segment about fishing with your kids. He pretty much said when fishing with your kids, just put down YOUR rod and reel and help them catch some fish. Thinking about that statement, for me putting down my rod and reel while others are fishing is a tall order, but the joy you are going to get out of seeing your kids excitement will most likely far outweight putting down your gear for a couple hours. I think it would also help to have another adult or teen with you. That way you can alternate who is fishing and who is helping. I remember walleye fishing with my dad, two brothers, and grandpa, my poor dad was barely able to wet a line, between removing fish, baiting hooks, and untangling line. However, to this day myself and both brothers are dedicated anglers. We all love fishing, if it were not for my father and grandfathers infinite patience that may not have happened.

I love to watch fishing shows, just ask my poor wife. I learn a ton from them, and have really gotten into the tournaments both FLW and BASS, but I just can't stand Bill Dance. He doesn't teach you anything, its the same show over and over. About the only thing you learn from his shows is that you can catch huge fish in private ponds, where presentation doesn't matter. You would think that OLN would have a responsibility to step in and say something about how he handles fish, it's pretty rediculous if you ask me. At least other shows like Hank Parker, Rollin Martin, even Charlie Moore have some educational value to them. Dance just sits in his Tracker boat, with his Stren fishing line, on Quantum gear bassically shooting fish in a barrel. That's not really helping anyone.