BaitMonkey1984

Such a major change in the attitude of bass fishing once you go from live bait to lures. An aunt of mine just posted a picture of my grandfather to Facebook, who loved to bass fish, and who gave me my first boat and took me fishing many times. I saw it the other day and it is my grandfather in his (mine now) boat with a 2lb bass and a big smile. He has been gone over 5 years now and I truly miss him. That picture made me so happy, but I noticed a bobber on the line! Maybe we can photoshop that out of the picture.

I put the Ranger away last week. I pulled my 16 foot aluminum boat out yesterday. I have lots of work planned for the two this winter. I winterized, changed plugs, changed lower gear oil etc for the aluminum yesterday, cleaned the hull, took the seats out and gave it a good scrub. Today I installed all new trailer lights, redid all the trailer wiring, painted the trailer, put on two new trailer tires. installed a spare tire carrier, replaced the bunk boards, and replaced a 5 ft section of wood to make walking on the front of the trailer easier. Pretty good amount of work done (it helps that the Pats had bye this week). The next steps are to replace the transom wood that has rotted out over 20+ years and paint the inside of the boat. I have used rustoleum spray paint in the past and they work fine for 1-2 years but then crack. I want something more long term. I see that epoxy is the way to go based upon many online reviews. I was looking at bed liners as well as they are durable and watertight. Does anyone have any experience with a good paint to use on an aluminum boat that is already painted? Thanks for the help guys.

The ground is usually the white or black wire- not green, yellow, or brown. Check your instruction manual online to determine definitively. The ground wire is usually only a few inches long and attaches to the trailer near the trailer tongue. Whenever I have problems with the trailer lights I always start here. Make sure the wire is not corroded and that it has a good, constant contact with the body of the trailer. IF it doesn't, cut the ground wire an inch or two and put in a a new ring style wire end blade connection while your at it.

I have a 14 foot aluminum grumman. The boat was given to me by my grandfather many years ago. I have upgraded everything and made nice additions. Now, it seems that that transom wood needs to be replaced. I am wondering if anyone has done this before, what wood to use, and how difficult it is, along with any other tips. Thanks guys.

I bought an 2001 R81vs with 150 yamaha max, motorguide tour pro 82 lbs thrust and two 5 year old lowrance unties for 10k. Boat and motor in perfect shape. I upgraded the electronics and many other options. I think you can get newer.

I feel your pain. Spent the better part of the afternoon working on my aluminum boat trailer including installing all new wires and lights. I would start simple, check the splice and check the ground.

Painful to watch. Reminds me that black bear is in season here in NH. Tasty critter.

Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and the long forgotten curly tail grub.

Flukes are great baits because they are so versatile. I still keep a full array of sizes and colors of these baits available at all times. My favorite way to use these baits are on weightless on and EWG hook and jerk it over the top of weeds or rig it on a keel weighted swim belly hook. Good luck.

I live 45 minutes north of Boston. The bite has been tough. We have got a lot of rain the past few days so, maybe the rain will get the fish active. Will let you know how tomorrow goes, when I take the boat out for the past trip. Time to hunt the whitetail instead.

So my girlfriend's family lives on my favorite lake. When I started to fish, the beaver tail slap scared the hell out of me. Now, I am use to it and play back with either a sandal or whacking the paddle against the water. I demonstrated this once on a party boat ride and everyone looked at me like I was crazy. I cast to bait fishing breaking the service but otherwise I cast to my pre-determined targets.

Was up on Ossippee last weekend and the water temps were a consistent 66. The weekend before, the lakes on the MA/NH border were 74ish but falling fast.

Not sure what the plans for next year is. Got one boat put away and the other one will be out of the water and winterized on Saturday. Lots of upgrades for the two planned all winter.

I purchased a few of the live target mouse lures and forgot to use them all summer..maybe this weekend

Never happened to me, and I have that same crank bait. Guess I will have to tune it lol

5 inch watermelon creme kills up north. Also, a similar green/white BPS 6" tournament worm works well too for bigger fish. The only 2 inch sizes I use.

Only room for blondes in my boat. Also, favor the bait casters over spinning reels.

Throw anything that mimics a baitfish and is moving. One of my favorites is a terminator bluegill spinnerbait.

This sound stupid but is about the only thing I expect someone fishing in the back of my boat to do. I have a net attached to the back seat with a carabiner and it makes me go absolutely nuts when I call for the net and its a struggle. Other than that, just use common sense. Ask questions and ask to help.

Us lawyers are always getting a bad rap. Good luck on your project, I have a carpet and seat project on the bass boat and a front deck project on my aluminum. Should be a fun winter.

Could just be a lot of JJ's Magic.

I agree they are excellent choices and although I probably could afford new boats in the next year or so, I do not see that ever happening. My quote simply meant that boats have issues, things wear, things break, and there are mishaps. I take great care of my boat- waxing it once a month, always covered, always charged batteries but used boats have used items. Use cocktail of additives in every fuel up with premium gas. However, used items wear out. Trailer bearings need to be greased, motors tuned up, trailer tires replaced, batteries replaced, trolling motors replaced, electronics replaced and this is all barring the expensive motor issues. Therefore, I simply meant that they require upkeep and repair and the post I responded to here, not the OP, stated that he would get mad if he had to pay to fix his boat. That is all.

Your budget would be helpful. However, if you do your research, and are patient, with a bit of luck you will find an affordable deal to suit your needs. I purchased my first bass boat 10 years old but mint condition 19ft Ranger with 150hp. Does everything I need it to do and was big step up from my aluminum in regards to fishability. Hull, Motor, and trolling motor is the order of importance in my opinion.

You wouldn't like used boats than hahah.

Yup, this is the answer. Easiest way I have found to make sure scales are reading accurately ( and I have many digital and spring scales available at all time) is to keep a 5lb cannonball on board. If you have any doubts, check the cannonball (test measurement).