snowpawn

i'd want rod holders somewhere. prob. along the side

i don't know if that would be such a good idea. i have a 12' alluminum, and the front is very unstable. i stand in the back, and in tight areas, i back troll. if you can get it to water, try standing in it, the back will be alot more stable, and if you stand on the bench, you will probably take a bath (higher center of gravity ). it is also only rated for 10hp, and alot of extra wood will make it alot slower. i used plywood to make a flat floor, and still don't stand even in the middle. stradle the stern bench, and it's not to bad as long as you stay in the center. other than not being able to put a jet on(smallest i've seen is 20hp, and new they only go down to 40), it's the best boat to use around rocks in skinny water. lot's of fun, good luck.

i just upgraded from a 43# motorguide to a 70# minkota pd. haven't even finished hooking it up cuz the mount is different, and on my glass boat, it has to hang over the edge so i had to get a quick release mount to slide it back. the 43 just didn't get it done on a 16' bayliner. it was ok for still water if you're not in a hurry, but wind was tough, current killed me, and an electric only lake was a waste of time. i can't imagine wishing i had gotten a smaller motor, but i know i wish the boat came with a bigger one. i'd go with 24v if you can swing it. i bet you'll wish you had if you don't. you'll never wish you hadn't if you do... well not after you forget the sting of spending the extra $.

[ If the record was caught on my bait I couldnt sell any more baits than I already am. I am backed up on my stores and I have no idea when I will ever get caught up. I think if that happened I would try and sell my company The clueless thing was about people thinking they are only in it for the money.

yep, i was gonna say hair jigs, especially on flats. i live by the susquehanna, and everyone swears by helgamites too. i haven't tried them yet, but that's definately the prefered live bait. i also have had luck trolling a 3" original rapala in the current, but not casting it. if all else fails, that may be worth a try, but burn it, and as long a cast as you can get. oh, black and either white or silver work best for me.... well this was late summer and fall, may not work so good now.

ok, thanks. now let me give you a scenario, and see if anyone can unlock the secret. i'm fishing in a river. i find a spot in the main channel with an island in the middle. the west shore side of the island is anywhere from 2 to 4' deep. trolling from the island shoreline to the west shore, whith a 3" original floating rapala, whith an old junk rod(i can only assume the stiffer tip is the reason my others won't work), i let out line, then let out some more, then open the bail and let it run out for a while, point is i have to let out alot of line, i usually don't make it from one side to the other(i'd guess 150 yrds) without a fish. doing this i can catch 3#ers all day. i cast everything i own at them to no avail. i believe one problem is the boat spooking them. i just got a new 70# motor to replace the 43 i had, in hopes of being able to come up stream behind them, instead of downstream ahead of them where they see me faster, and any sound or scent, or whatever gets to them easier and faster. what else should i be thinking about. i figure if i could cast about 75 yrds, i could probably get them, but i am tired of trolling and my fiance' won't fish with me any other way till i find one that works! oh, one mor thing, the middle is bedrock, with a few rocks, and maybe accasionally some veg. in the few sandy spots. and maybe a few in between rocky spots(fist to big toe size).

how do you decide what to change when you don't find the bite. assume you're in unfamiliar water. do you try the same bait in a new spot, new spot same bait, same bait and spot but vary the retrieve, etc. etc. etc. less than 8' no fish on sonar. river system

you can cut, or have the shaft cut to your needs. be careful not to kill your warranty, i just got a minnkota pd, and i think i'm gonna have the shaft cut. it would depend on your use how long you need. choppy water requires a longer shaft than small water. i would go with a little more than you think you need, and if it becomes a prob. make it shorter.