Cephkiller

I just got a 50 PD and have had no problems. The only disadvantages I see are the lack of a breakaway mount and there is no tactile feel to the steering like there would be with a cable steer model. The feel can be overcome. I've only used it 4 times and I am pretty comfortable with it. The mount, however, is a little scary. I've hit a few stumps already and the composite shaft has done the job, but I am concerned about it's long term durability ??? Has anyone used one of these for a while? How is it holding up? Oh, I just remembered. If you don't get the universal sonar, stowing and deploying is a bit of a hassle. The shaft has to slide down through the mount every time you do it. I have a problem with the transducer cable getting caught. Has anyone found a better way to route the cable? This is an issue I never considered when I was shopping. Had I known, it probably would have been the deal-breaker :-/

I agree. Many people will say they're no good, but my last Everstart went 5+ years and I just bought a yellow max to replace it. Just charge it up ASAP after you use it and it should work great for the money.

If, when you pull the bait through the water, it rolls to one side, you need to tune it. To do so, slightly bend the front eye in the opposite direction until the bait tracks straight.

I probably catch the most fish per cast with a 6" Texas rig worm. My favorite is probably a buzzbait or a crankbait.

If you go with the front casting deck, the bow mount motor should bolt right to it. Just remember it should bolt right to it. In other words, plan ahead. Don't secure your deck down tight and then try to bolt the motor If you want to save a lot of money, and a hand control motor is acceptable to you, you can buy or make an aluminum bracket for the front of the boat that will accept a transom mount motor. Although I've never used one of these (or even seen it) it looks pretty cool to me. They have them at Basspro.com As far as the gas motor goes, we have a <10hp limit on most of the lakes I fish so I have an 8hp Merc on my 16' V. I seem to do alright with that. I would guess it pushes me about 8-12 mph. You should do better than that. With me, my gear and my boat, I am probably pushing 800-1000 lbs.

You're probably right, Marty. I usually fish from a boat and the plug knocker works absolutely great. I usually save a crankbait or two nearly every trip. I have tried it from the bank a few times, though and it didn't work. I was just trying to exhaust all possibilities for him. If the plug knocker fails, you aren't out much, if any, cash. Especially when compared to the cost of crankbaits. It also doesn't work when I decide to go "tree fishing" (but, of course pros like us would never do that) ;D

I don't think going from 8 to 10 will help much with logs, but here are some proven things to try (in order from the simplest to the most involved). 1) When you feel the bait hang up, STOP PULLING and try to let it float free. 2) Apply light tension and shake the rod tip. 3) Pull the rod tip up over your head to apply light tension and pluck the line like a bow string several times. 4) Make a plug knocker. This is accomplished by securing a large snap swivel to a heavy weight such as an old spark plug, a large bell sinker (1.5-2oz), etc. Snap the weight onto your line and raise the line to as close to vertical as possible. When the weight hits your bait, it will usually knock it free. If not, again apply light pressure and shake. If this fails, you are out the bait and the plug knocker, but at least you tried

I think the main problem is that in an automobile, the higher gears are utilized when the car's inertia is helping to "pull the weight through the wheels." This is why you have to downshift when climbing a steep hill and not only when you accelerate. A boat motor must still overcome the drag of the propeller (and everything else) in the water no matter the speed. A boat is in a constant state of "climbing a hill." I am sure that the boats inertia must help "pull the prop through the water", but the inefficiencies of hydrodynamics prevent this from being as helpful.

1) Medium Crank 2) Buzzbait 3) Ribbon tail worm

Last fall I was bank fishing twitching a Swimmin' Image much like one would twitch a floating minnow. I got a strike and started reeling in a 4-5" bluegill (I could see it well in the clear water). He soon disappeared in the mouth of a 4 lb largemouth. I fought that fish for a minute or so and brought it to within 5 feet of myself and it spit the bluegill, which I landed and released successfully ;D Two casts later, I caught what I am sure was the same bass because this pond was really small and I placed the bait back in the same spot where I recieved the first bite.