martintheduck

Maybe could make a new sub-forum called "feedback" where each member starts their own thread and their buyers post a "review/feedback" on the transaction? Might cut down the work for mods. Was on a forum maybe 10 years ago selling a bunch of stuff and this was the system they used... it worked great.

I like your style bud!

I gotta say this.... right about the time I bought some and decided I like em' more than ZOOM's, the bite SHUTDOWN. Night fishing has been garbage. Afternoon bite is a grind. It's been a good day when I catch 2 or more. Other day it was blowing about 20 on the water, so I had to duck off in some 3-7 ft coves and fish the pads. The bite for me has been DONE... deep, shallow, midrange.... It's been tough.

I didn't much pay attention on which way things are moving... all I know is it starts shaking. It has been correctable the past times, I'm just trying to figure out if there is a way to get it to balance better on pad. I'm usually going out alone (I'm 6'1 and 175 lbs) so I will see if it still happens on Friday when I bring my buddy along to even out the weight. Might just need to add some dead weight.

Ya know, I didn't much pay attention to that detail. I'll check it out and report back

Have an 18ft Xpress H18 with a 150 v-max on it. Have the jackplate set to 4 inches -to- 4-1/4 inches below pad. Im not comfortable raising it any higher since I lack a water pressure gauge. ANYWAY - Once I'm hitting 56-58 MPH @ 5300rpm, you can feel the boat get on pad and quickly after it starts walking. It can be corrected by steering a little bit port.... the suggested "jerk jerk jerk" to port doesn't correct it. SO - giving it a bit of steering to port manages to correct it, but only as long as the steering it HELD to port... once I let up and go back to moving straight, it starts to walk again. Does this seem like a weight distribution problem? I still don't quite understand how the trim tab works, but I thought maybe an adjustment on the tab could help the problem? Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

One day, in maybe 15 years, I will be fishing from a Ranger or a Phoenix

You picked the toughest time to start fishing! The summer bite can be REALLY slow. That's just the nature of the game. I know for me, I learned to fish with top water lures. I didn't catch anything for maybe 5 or 6 trips and then when I FINALLY caught something, I was SO excited! That's all my advice: Just hang in there man.... the bite is really slow right now.

I did the same exact thing man.... dang! Bought a few spinners and a few jigs. Oh well! I'll definitely be getting some of those chartreuse shad!

Absolutely MCS. I hear ya. I'm not trying to just "jump into something" and buy just to buy. I've done that before. I'm just trying to find something that is low profile, light, well built, and functions well. From things I've read and the one comment on here, I should just wait it out till the MG's come out. I'm gun shy when it comes to purchasing right now because I don't want a repeat of my $200 STX.

Bought a AG revo about 5 months ago and have grown to hate it along with all my other AG reels. After going out MAYBE 15 times with it, started making a terrible squelching sound when casting. Also bought a silvermax and a black max for running c-rig's and frogs - the black max is about to break I believe b/c it makes a grinding sound when casting and won't easily click back after casting. The silver max - the line guide snapped off on the first cast. I'm done...just done. Warranty means I have to pay for shipping and repairs according to AG. I'm done with them. I am looking at the smoke and the new TourMG MCS mentioned.

Well now that makes sense.

My pet peeve - on my lake there are MANY houses... during the summer, the kids take out the pontoon and just blast rap music. It's aweful.

Yep... looking for the high ratios for jigging. The appeal of the EXO was the light weight. I mean, pairing a light weight reel on a Shimano Cumara is my recipe for perfect all day jig setup!

Just ordered some siebert spinners. Would like to try the war eagles too. I recently bought some war eagle jigs and they have become my favorite jigs!

Buddy has a 94' tracker 175 (riveted) and used regular bunks. From what he just told me he's never had a problem. Curious, are normal bunks supposed to be bad for rivet hulls?

Read your comment and thank you. You're the only one who's not just passing on word of mouth. Thank you.

See, I've already read plenty of this "it's overhyped" stuff. I can respect that because I take the same approach a lot of times. NOW, has anyone actually USED one!? I mean, owned and fished it or just used their buddies reel?

I've been an Abu Gracia fan for sometime, but recently have had a string of bad luck with them, so now I am looking at new brands. Bought a Quantum code a few months ago and LOVE it for flipping. The drag is a little lighter than I'm used to, but I've figured it out. Well, now I'm looking at the EXO to replace my jacked up RevoSTX. Anyone used an EXO? Honest thoughts?

I've fished spinnerbaits plenty but never have gotten into "collecting" them like I do cranks, jigs, and plastics. For the most part, I've stuck to $1 walmart spinners and Strike King KVD spinners. I branched out one time and tried some other kind and the spinner broke on the first cast, so I went back to me normals. Who are your favorite spinnerbait manufacturers?

Just chiming back in.... I was glad to have a stereo of some kind. The bite was dead all day today and by the time 6:30 rolled around I was wiped. Pulled into a calm cove with no one around, turned on some hendrix, dangled my feet off the back and just relaxed. Last hour of my trip was just a "relax and do nothing on the water." Glad I have some kind of speakers.

I'd be happiest if it was Les calling to tell me he's quitting...ouch!.... was that too far?

I'm 100% on board for the no cell phones policy. I occasionally forget to turn my ringer off and someone will call me while I'm on the water and the ensuing "ring" makes my blood boil.

Medium Heavy rod or heavy rod. Whatever reel you want. I like 30lb braid for saltwater. Buy live bait down there. Live shrimp are AWESOME, but are pretty tough to keep alive. The next bet would be cockahoe minnows. Either one, rig up tight line style like you're catfishing with about a 4ft leader and a normal hook (just your average J shaped hook) in a size comparable to 2/0 or 3/0 . Depending on current and wind, you'll be looking to use anywhere from 1/2oz weight to 1.5oz weight. Hook cockahoe minnows through the mouth and cast out. For live shrimp, there is a small area behind the head to hook them through. Some people might tell you to use a bigger hook, but it will weight your bait down and not let them swim very well. Your can catch anything fishing from the shore in salt. Specks, reds, flounder, tarpon, drum, parrot fish, etc etc etc..... and I highly recommend cockahoe minnows because they can survive pretty much any conditions (people joke and say they can live in a used toilet bowl ). Also, they are cheap.... in south LA they go for $.25 each.

My boat came with a stereo installed...has marine speakers right under the console where your legs are. It's pretty much useless when you're running, and if you're fishing from the bow deck you can't hear it at all (because of the speaker position). I only try listening to music on a long run or if the fishing is really slow. When the fishing is slow and I've already been grinding it out for some hours, some dave matthews or some jazz helps me to have a bit more fun.