Texasangler14

I have a big ford truck so that isnt gonna be an issue, besides gasoline what other operating cost am i not thinking about? appreciate all the help fellas.

i hear ya wayne. so you found it to be a significant difference in cost of maintenance? i may just upgrade my aluminum! haha.

i have a 9.5 on a 14' jon boat and it is fine but to most surely would be underpowered.

I have been fishing out of a 14' aluminum boat for the last year and it has served me well on my home lake, Lake Austin. It is just fine on this lake, as it looks more like a river. However, i am moving to florida in the next 2 months and really want to get in some local club tournaments. My current setup only has a 9.5 HP motor, and it is an older johnson. It is ok in reliability, i have been high and dry 2 times. Other than that, it has been good. I have gotten a lot of time on the water this year. It does not have a livewell, which i know is a must and it is quite light and if there is any wind at all it starts pushing me around and i end up fighting my boat more than the fish. All that said, it is not the ideal tournament boat, or one that i would prefer to get lodged back in gator country without power. My question is this....maintenance and engine troubles are just not that big of deal with only a small outboard connected to a gas tank like i ahve now...if i was going to be buying a glass boat it would have to be an older one and i am worried that i am just asking for thousands of dollars in repairs. It goes without saying that i will be getting whatever used boat i purchase inspected, but having spent the last 4 years in med school, i dont have a lot of money to buy a newer one. Just looking for something that can hold me for 3 years without costing an arm and a leg in the shop. Buying a bigger motor and all the moving parts of a fiberglass boat i know that i am looking at more cost of maintenance, have any of you made the switch like I am planning, if so what has been your experience? thanks!

i havent used that rod, but for an all purpose rod i would prefer a fast tip. With the moderate, it sound like a good crankbait rod though. I use a St. Croix Premier mh/modfast rod for cranks and i wouldnt like it for say, plastics and jigs. Just my opinion, others may disagree

Thanks guys, the casing seems more solid too. I appreciate the feedback so far, more is always welcome. Thanks

Thanks J, my thoughts exactly. Just was curious what others thought too. Since i am moving lakes i have to redo some of my setups.

I was thinking about this today. I just bought a dobyns flipping stick to pair with a chronarch and 20lb fluoro for flipping docks and small timber. I also bought an irod punch rod to use with 65# braid for punching florida grass (moving there soon). Do you think this is smart or do you guys flip with one rod and use braid for most cover situations? I don't like the idea of a leader, i dont know why i just dont want to do that. I feel like a system is only as strong as its weakest point, that is a lot of knots and i prefer not to get my heart broken when i dont do something exactly right. I love flipping and pitching, aside from a Texas rig it is my favorite and most productive, so i guess it doesnt hurt to have 2 setups. But then again, i could be going about it the wrong way. What got me thinking about this is that i was flipping some reed edges at Lake Austin 2 days ago and got a huge bite and the fish headed straight for the reeds. My fluoro never stood a chance. I should have been using braid but there was a drop off in depth so i was mainly flipping to the drop off and reeds just happened to be there. Water was clear so i wanted to use fluoro instead.

I like Big Game. I use 30lb and very little memory. good mono, i just don't use mono much.

1 piece for sure.

I am going to buy one of these two reels. I have 3 of the speed spools and love them. They are really good reels, esp for 100.00. I had 2 Tournament Lasers and really didn't care for them so im leary of getting the regular tournament but i held one in my hands the other night and really loved the feel of it. So for those that have used both, do you think it is worth the extra 50 for the tournament or stick with what i know and love. Thanks!

Thanks everyone, some great suggestions there!

I personally like 4/0. 3/0 looks good too but i have only used the 4/0.

What baits have you tried that have a big profile? i am looking for a punching bait to use with 1.5 oz tungten and punching skirt and also just on fluoro on a flipping stick with a pegged weight but wanted a big profile. Maybe these baits arent good for punching because of the size making it harder to get through a mat? Thoughts?

im sorry i glossed over that detail. What about the menace? i like it better than the manic and it comes in a high gear ratio. i have one im not using but it was a great reel

I like teh H20 reels, but if i was going to do another one, i would do the mettle. Ive just had better luck with them. great reels, i got mine when they are marked down some.

I have the *** 7'3" Heavy/fast for mine. Some like a longer rod like 7'6". I just think 7'+ heavy are the minimum.

I havent directly used it, but if it is anything like the quality of their 100% fluoro, you won't be disappointed. My favorite fluoro.

Thanks guys, was deciding between mojo and premier. i appreciate the help. any more opinions welcomed!

Is there one in their line that can throw a square bill well, but also dive about 15' and not be overpowered?

I placed an order when their easter sale went on. I bought an irod punch rod and thought i grabbed the last one in stock, at 25% off it was a great deal. Wrong. They called back and were like "we havent had that rod in a while". I was pretty ticked because he thought it was funny. they are backordered until "some time in may" but i am probably gonna wait it out since i dont actually need it right now. I was still pretty irritated.

Ok, i searched and realize there are a lot of opinions on this, instead of asking what everyones fav brand of rod is, i will tell you my situation and just ask what you would do in this situation. Moving from Texas to Gainesville, FL where probably Rodman reservoir will be my home water when i get settled in. Considering this move i am changing up my gear to fit the new style that i will be fishing. I use a 7'3"H/F *** Black for flipping to docks and such for now, but will be changing that rod over to fish Carolina Rigs. I think Rodman has stump fields so i will be flipping plastics and jigs to wood cover. I will have a separate punch rod. Jigs will be most in the 1/2 - 3/4 oz range. I have a gander mountain gift card for 100.00. I am not married to the idea of using it for a flipping stick as it will be my primary source for tackle once in florida. So here is what I am between Available at Gander: Duckett 7'10" *** 7'11" H/XF Mojo Bass 7'9" Heavy/Fast - Actually their swimbait rod but i thought would be a good flipping stick Crucial Flipping stick OR buying a Denali Jadewood/Kovert Flipping stick. Would prefer a FAST tip vs Xfast, so probably have to be the Kovert. So keep the gift card and buy from TW or use it to get one of the above rods at Gander? Thanks guys.

I figured tax stimulus, but i thought it was 10% off. who knows, i am planning 3 rods and a mountain of other stuff so i am pulling for one as well!

I use a custom build 7'6" extra fast heavy right now. But the vegetation around here let's me get away with an extra fast tip. I can always use it as a swimbait rod. I had my eye on the rage or mojo bass 7'11" heavy moderate fast. They aren't easy to find for me in a heavy power (not mh for deep cranks)

Hey guys I will be relocating from Texas to Gainesville Florida in June. I have had to reconfigure some of my gear. With the extra vegetation out in fl I want to upgrade my punch rod. I'm not looking for specific models of what to buy but it general I have read in need extra fast, fast and moderate fast tips. I know it needs to be heavy but just confused on what tip. Any help is appreciated