Ash1983

I cannot remember what year of Tracker it was, its not more than a decade old though. I keep on changing my mind on what I want, luckily I am not planning on purchasing a boat until next fall/winter so I have plenty of time to narrow down what I want in a boat and find a model that works for me. I keep going to different forums and looking up information from different resources and I keep changing my mind on what I want. For example, I just checked out the better business bureau and Tracker Marine has a large number of complaints compared to other boat builders. G3 for example has had no complaints in the past 3 years where Tracker Marine has had 17. But I would greatly appreciate information on other people's experiences they have had with their boats.

Thanks for the advice, I was looking at a tracker 170 because it is so cheap and most of my fishing is on smaller lakes, so I don't need a huge boat with a huge motor, but my friend has a 175 and it was not very stable. I was thinking about welding some stabilizers on the back if I get one, does anyone have experience with that?

I was wondering when the best time of year to buy a new bass boat would be. I hear the fall is the best time to get the best deal from the dealer, but what about factory rebates. I have been looking the past couple months and the Lowe ST175 has a $1500 rebate, and many others have deals of the like. So, is the fall the best time to get a good deal or is the late winter? I tried to look up the past years manufacturer rebates on many models but have had a hard time finding any information.

I am looking at getting either the Stratos 176VLO, Nitro Z6 or Lowe ST175 Camo. All three have traits I like and are close to the same price, with the Nitro being the most expensive. For advice you should know my fishing background. I typically fish two local lakes, one with a 9.9 hp limit and the other is no wake, so if I get a boat with a larger motor I will get a kicker motor as I fish these lakes 2-3 times a week. I thought about getting another used boat, but after doing some shopping, the boats I would go for are around 10k, so why not spend a little more and get a new boat with all those nice warranties they come with. 1. Nitro Z6: I am going to have to finance and the 3.99% they advertise is nice. I like the stability of fiberglass boats, but I would not be able to use the 115 hp motor to its fullest very often. 2. Stratos 176VLO: I can downgrade the motor to 25hp, which I am able to use on some local lakes I go to occasionally and it is fiberglass. 3. Lowe ST175: I can downgrade the motor to use at other local lakes, the camo option will probably have a better resale value in the area I live. On all of these choices I will upgrade the trolling motor.

Yeah, you guys are right, the article said snap, not snap swivel. I had never heard of a snap until this site. Are they good to use with other lures like jigs and tubes as well?

Just curious if anyone used a snap swivel with their crankbait, I was reading in one of the fishing articles a snap swivel will give a deep diving crank another point to pivot and is a good idea to use. Does anyone use snap swivels for shallow or mid running cranks?

Thanks for the info Wayne but I read your pm after I had already made the purchase.

Huh, I just checked Gander Mountain again and it was up this time. I must have been groggy when I woke yesterday and put in the wrong information for the search. Thanks for the affirmation 5dollarsplash, I am now a new owner of a Humminbird 798. Now I need to find where I can get that rebate. It says it ends on the 19th, does it come with the order and I send it in or do I have to print it off somewhere and mail it before the 19th. I am looking over gander mt. and cannot find the information.

I was looking at a 798 earlier in the week at GanderMountain, it was on sale and had a rebate. I went to bed on it and when I work up and decided to order it, it was no longer listed.

I have gone to BassPro and looked at the different units, but the displays might be different in actual use than what they show in the store, so, I thought people with first hand experience with the different models would be my best resource. The deepest I will be using it, on an annual basis, will be around 20-30 feet. I have an old humminbird that is just the graph, but I want something more detailed so I can better tell what is around me and adjust my fishing accordingly.

My budget is around $1,000 but I would prefer less than that, what unit do you suggest for side imaging.My practice has been to troll the bank and hit up fallen trees, but I am thinking a side imaging unit will let me see structures and venture into new areas. I have been reading how people like the older generation of Humminbird side imaging units more than the new ones that just came out, any thoughts? Lowrance Vs. Humminbird?