TommyBass

detroit you gave no reasoning for your argument. They don't actually have that many more parts, but Im not sure enough to argue specific numbers, and I imagine each brand is different. Most of the weight is due to the actual size of the engine, just take the covers off and look. The cost is negated anyways since you'll save enough money in the first year or two on gas to make it up, unless you don't use your boat that much. And its usually more than a couple ball squeezes for most two strokes, especially as they get older. Usually several starting attempts, choking, and prolonged idle sessions followed by their plumes of rolling smoke. They have their time and place and can be reliable, just saying if someone has to make the choice from the beginning a 4 is most likely going to benefit them more in the long run (unless they are drag racing).

What??? This thread is becomming a barage of false blasphamy. 1) Main ingredient in ethanol is not water. I run the lab of an ethanol plant and there are guidlines as to what buyers will buy (or what you can sell)... and I can tell you that more times than not its actually dryer then most gas. That dosnt mean it won't pick any up somewhere else, but not when its sold, its essentially as close to 200 proof as you can get it. The problem with ethanol isnt as much the moisture as it is its ability to corrode fititngs and piping that were not designed for it (most boats). 2) 4 strokes are a million times more reliable than a two stroke and have less maintenance. How many times more do you have to change the plugs per year on a heavily used two stroke than a four? Several. Unless you have the worst luck ever, you shouldn't hardly ever even have to maintenance your four stroke other than an oil change. Which Id rather buy oil once / year than everytime I fill my gass tank up. And get fuel injected, not carb. 3) Theres nothing worse than sitting there priminng your bulb trying to get a two strok piece of junk to start on a cool morning.... believe me, Ive had many of two stroke Mercs that are a pain in the rear to start. A 4 stroke will fire as soon as you turn the key (at least my Yamaha does). 4) 4 strokes are better gas mileage. And while they meet the same criteria set by the EPA, a four stroke still burns cleaner, period. That just makes sense. 5) True that performance is sacrificed on a 4 stroke. Its mostly due to weight, heavier engine = slower boat. They usually cost a little more as well (wonder why, O ya, they're better). On my 18 ft fiberglass boat... the differnence between a 90 two stroke and 90 four stroke was about 100 lbs and 4 mph. I got the 4 stroke and never looked back, best decision I made for my boat.

Not to further confuse you.... but I had this happen with both my Lowrances when the hub I used for their power got a loose fitting. Tightened it up and I was good to go.

Yea why the Vinci is only 3" confuses me. Ive did alot of reading on the Maxus and most early reviews seem to give it a good thumbs up but there arn't that many out and about yet. I generally hate buying something when it first comes out to market, but from the way it sounds Browning really put it through the ringer prior to production.

Anyone got one? Tried one? Thought about getting or trying one? Looks like a pretty sweet gun, I'm in the market for a new auto load this winter.

Yea this site has become a real TW love fest. Everyone here must be hoping for a TW sponsorship or work there. There have been like 5 of these threads this summer. Both places work well for me, but I seem to have more back order issues at TW, although they do get it to me when they get it. BPS has a million more options though if you are looking for other stuff and they give you rewards points instead of 500 black Tshirts. TW is just that, a tackle place, specializing in little more than tackle, rods, and reels. BPS didn't become a giant for no reason, they offer everything under the sun for fishing, plus the entire hunting lines. Their branded fishing equipment is also of pretty high quality (i.e. Johnny Morris reel). Again, no issues with TW for the most part, but BPS is always a Go-To. TW isn't a fraction the company BPS is, there is alot more in an out at BPS. If and when TW becomes the size BPS is (doubtful) you will see the same problems. Classic example of this is Toyota. They had less demand and built good cars that lasted forever. Now demand went up and they can barely keep up with it. Now what?... you see Toyota slacking behind our domestic GM and Ford in overall quality and reliability... its getting there.

True that..... Have you guys not ever pulled up to a good spot of fish (whether it be structure, break line, or cover), and caught them on basically anything you threw? Changing and catching bass on different lures dosn't prove anything other than the bass may have got accustomed to him throwing another one. Ive fished brush piles on drops before, caught a few keeprs on a jig and the bite stop. Throw right back with something else and immediately get bit... I don't think so much that what I threw mattered, its how I threw it and from what angle. Its not necessarily the lure if you hit it right. The wrong lure with the right presentation is much better than the right lure with the wrong presentation. Im not going to say that I have never seen a day where a lure or color seem to matter, but its far lower on the list of my priorities than finding the good fish to begin with.

If sharing fishing secrets (i.e. what, when, and where worked) were a crime this site wouldn't be here. People will see you fish certain areas regardless of you telling them or not. I don't necessarily go out and spill my guts, but if asked I will generally tell them just how it was done.

I wish they were updated a little more often. Most images for my area are at least as old as 2005 according to the date on the photo. Ive heard google is coming out with alot higher definition images, hopefully soon.

Great Post!.... I wish more people would post pics of the sonar like you did... nice to see what someone else is seeing.

I think Id just be setting the hook a little easier... unless your rod was pre-weakened by some other event. I never use anything extra for flipping but I recently got a Kistler Magnesium that works very well.

Ya there are ALOT of people on here who probably won't answer that... most big rigs are alot. I have a larger 1860 jon boat with a 90hp 4 strk that is pretty tricked out for bass fishing and I am around $90/month after some cash down. I like to overpay on my payments, so if you get a low rate you don't relaly lose that much money that way. There are definately a variety of answers that can come from that, and Id imagine theres a representative from each on this site.

I was going to try this one since its got the nylon in it... I also prefer black, seems to calm my fish down. They are usually crazy out of the livewell. Plus adds some suspense. I got one from BPS not long ago but it was thin and got a hole easy... then a mouse finished it off > http://www.***.com/descpageBAGSBAGEM-BEWB.html

I have 6 setups.... but I generally vary what is on each one, its more for time saving then for lure prference. I would say in most instances two setups will cover most of your needs.

Which brands do you prefer? Clear or Black? I've had trouble with several of them lately... just kind of wondering what everyone uses in their tourneys?

Any higher end, 6.4 or 7.1... there is nothing worse than working a bait slow only to pick up your rod and have the fish flying at you and your reel not keeping up.

Shhhhhhhhhhh! It is a great technique for larger lures as well... give it a whirl.

Yep... have been out quite some time by independent manufacturers... just didn't have the name Frabill to go along with it. I also agree.. the front is really flimsy.

Even if the holes don't match exactly you'll be alright as long as they are both close to the same rectangle. I had a Lowrance not match up once but all I did was drill a couple holes in it and it was fine. All the other Lowrances I have had fit just fine though. I can't remember which I had that didn't, but I know it wasn't yours.

Exactly right.. the wind has absolutely nothing to do with it, other than it can make a different shore or area hotter. The saying does work sometimes, however, because in most of the country storm / frontal systems move west to east. So a low pressure system leading up to a storm you predominantly have west or south winds fueling the storm and dropping pressure. Once the storm passes you usually will have cooler north or east winds filling in behind it, but that all depends on your location to the counter clockwise spinning Low. Once the High starts moving in (clockwise rotation) your pressure will go up and your wind may change. This is when you'll see the bluebird clear skies comming in and sometimes cooler air. All that matters is the front effected the fish, not the wind. Once the weather is stable for a day or two the fish will start biting again, indifferent of the wind direction. Another thing that associates commonly with wind are clouds. Usually in advance of a large frontal system you can have clould build up (moisture). So when its close to that sytems arrival (and obviously during) you may have a couldy day that associates with a west or south wind, which could also increase the fish activity. Places like Florida where most storms are those stupid summer pop ups with no real system associated with it you are much more likely to see less influence or "signs" from the wind. Keep it in the back of your mind as a guidance as to what the air masses around you are doing, but don't live by it.

A non-world renouned fishery should make you have all the more urge to go! The urge to be the best on your water. Thats what drives me is the never ending learning process and trying to figure out those stupid fish. The better I get the better I want to be and so on. True that being outside is nice and relaxing... but its my opponent (both fish and other fisherman) that drive me to keep going. If I truely want relaxing I'll generally fish for crappie or catfish... something with less thinking

Actual fishing from a boat anything from ice out to ice in. I can handle cold fairly easily except my hands... so those are my biggest worry, especially when using a baitcaster with the frigid water. Something about being on that water makes it alot colder too... there have been several early season days where I think "what am I doing?" as I suck on my guides to get the ice off, but its usually worth it... its when you catch the big dogs. As far as my coldest temperature... Id have to say I don't know... but I know it was well below freezing and the windblown shores were slush... the only thing keeping the lake from instantly freezing me in there were the whitecaps ;D Now hunting... thats another story.

Asian Zing... then Honey BBQ.... thanks for making me hungry.

That may be the case... although the reel itself isn't new. Like a big dummy I kept backing out the tension knob until it fell off, and when it did it went into the lake and sank : ( So I figured I better be smart and just undo a couple of brakes this time : ) Thanks again guys!

Thanks, I will give it another try!