Avalonjohn44

I have no idea, but after watching FLW this year, I can't wait to try oversized spoons on offshore structure. It just looks fun as heck.

I finally get to post a pic in this thread:

195 has a wider beam by 7 inches or so and still has a little cooler built into the floor. Aside from the cracked welds, those are the only differences...

The Turbines Rotors are some really good looking glasses. The lenses should not be difficult to swap out if you want multiple options.

Maybe try it the first few times with a couple of wheel chocks in case you run into trouble going back up that steep ramp.

Just looking quickly on google maps, there's a ton of water all around Tappahannock. Ponds small rivers and the Rappahannock River. Should be able to find bass in just about anything around there.

Old line I loop up and then cut into little bits so no birds or turtles gets tangled in it at the dump or wherever it ends up. Old hooks I do what kcdinkerz does and put them in a bottle or old can and toss them in recycling.

Tracker 190tx aluminum. I think it will work, and for around $75, it's worth a shot. If it doesn't work, I can return it or sell it on ebay.

Deep water is blue, shallow has more of a copper/amber. Deep water is a bit darker tint too, which it sounds like you need in the bright sun of AZ.

Nice, dunno if it will hold my boat, but can't hurt to try.

Can't afford a Talon or Power Pole for several years, and have been looking around at various fiberglass poles with dedicated mounting brackets or cleat tie-off systems. They are essentially just a long pole (up to 12feet, but most are 8 or 10) that you jam into the bottom and tie your boat off to in one manner or another. The price is usually between $50 and $100 and they sound like a viable alternative to the Power Poles et al. I can envision instances where they might be somewhat frustrating to use. Anyone have any experience with these things?

Go to a store and try both out before you buy, and compare to other glasses. A lot of guys here will tell you Costa, but I own versions of both and prefer Oakleys... Once you try them on and have your preference, buy the glasses from Ebay, there are reputable sellers that sell for 25-50% off from what the Mall stores or BPS sells them for. Just pay attention to feedback scores. As for your particular conditions, I would say it sounds like the Oakly Prizm Deep Water Blue would be of most benefit to you. But whichever color you go, I would go Oakley over Costa. Oakley has a better variety of styles (though this is subjective). Also my Oakley's stay on my head a lot easier, my Costas slip. The Oakley's are lighter generally, my Costas weigh down on the bridge of my nose after just an hour drive. Also, if you buy the Oakley Shallow Prizms and find you need the Deep Blue, you can buy just the other lenses and pop them in/out with ease on many Oakley Models (Half Jackets or Flak Jackets). I viewed the Oakley Prizm Shallow and Deep this spring SideXside with Costa Blue Mirror and Green Mirror polarized (both were the 580Glass). The Costa Blue and the Oakley Prizm Blue were no different to my eyes whatsoever. The Costa Green and the Oakley Shallow were similar, with the Costas having a bit more amber and more of a color contrast which wound up being kind of irritating to my eyes after a few minutes.

There's a pretty nice Nitro on there for 4k, not terribly far off from what you have. Save a bit more or maybe take a small personal loan out. Otherwise, there are tons of little boats on there you can go look at: https://dallas.craigslist.org/search/sss?sort=rel&query=bass%20boat

Is there a NPS ban on Two-Strokes? I have read it was only certain older motors on a handful of lakes out west. Edited: The two stroke ban by the NPS is only for non-carbourated PWC inboard engines, not bass boats: https://www.nps.gov/lake/learn/management/twostroke.htm

Good to hear, will just pay for it and hope I don't ever need it...

Walk away, for $2500 you can find a newer boat with an uncracked transom easy on craigslist. Take whatever you find to a service mechanic.

I opted for the 7 year extended warranty on the motor thru Tracker Marine for a few bucks more a month. Now I'm trying to buy insurance and Progressive has this 'Propulsion Plus Coverage' that seems somewhat redundant. Can anyone familiar with this protection share any experience? TIA!

Just got approved today and pickup is in 2 weeks. I can't wait. Now to upgrade the TM and the Electronics... Going with a 24v 70lb TM and a single Humminbird Helix 7 SI with GPS. I played around with the 5 SI, it was too small I think, since I will be turning it around to use from the bow. The 7SI was a lot bigger. Might go with the comparable Lowrance.

I sat in both the 175TXW and the 190Tx, leg room if not the same, it is so close that I couldn't tell the diff. I'm 6'1" 225lbs, and both were perfectly comfortable. I went into BPS yesterday thinking I was going to buy the 175 with the 60hp and ended up putting the money down on the 190 with the Optimax 115hp instead. It was only ~30 more per month, and a huge motor upgrade. The biggest difference between the two boats seems to be a bigger casting deck and a bigger motor capacity, otherwise they are nearly identical boats. My wife joked that we could fit our little 2man tent on the front deck of the 190... That might be worth a try...:D

Man, that boat looks a heck of a lot prettier on the water than in the BPS showroom... I went for the Optimax 2 stroke, I think with the lower emission DFI I should be fine for the foreseeable future in VA. Hopefully.

About 19k before they add all the prep and freight and taxes and little fees... It's got tons of storage and the front deck is big enough to put a tent on...

Here's a pic:

I was gonna go for the 175 TXW, but the 190TX was not that much more and I got it with a beast 115HP motor. Applied for financing today, but apparently won't know anything till Monday or Tuesday - Tracker Marine financing is closed on the weekends?!?! If you're a prayer oriented person, say a prayer for me. If you aren't a prayer oriented person, say one for me anyway...

Same thing happened to me, I still can't quite believe it... I've had a billion questions and everyone in this sub forum has amazing ideas/experience to draw from. Good luck!

Man that stinks, I know how you feel. The first truck I owned was a 94 Nissan 4x4 that I loved. Put over 200k on her before the repairs needed to keep her going were too much for me to afford. Sold her to a mechanic and now I see her driving around town almost every other day. It's a dagger in the heart ever time I see her. At least the dude gave me a ride in her recently... Are you getting another boat?