StatosDadRI

My son bought a 97 Tracker with a 40 hp Mercury it had one in great shape. since he does only lake's we took it off. It's for sale if you'd like it $35.00 plus shipping. pictures availible. It's made from 1/4' stainless this and attacjes with 6 bolts.

First check to see if the boat can handle a plate and if it doesnt void any warranty. Then as you say you dont need overkill. A 2 pice will get the job done and weight the least. A 1 piece is a bit stronger but has some added weigth. 6" is about the most you would want and be sure all the cable especially the steering vable will strech back that far. TH Marine make one for about $175.00 and there is always a vance brand on ebay for mid $150.00.

Again Welcome and Thanks, If your still traveling look up an area's take a soldier fishing program, may help to pass the time when your away.

As of July 1st R.I. adopted a new age for children who are required to have a PFD (personal flotation device). The age was 10 and under and is NOW 12 AND UNDER for boats under 65 feet. The law further states they must wear a PFD while the boat is underway. R.I. DEM Enforcement has defined that as not being tied, docked or anchored. ANY MOVEMENT including trolling motors and drifting requires a child 12 and under to be wearing one. While DEM has opted to warn and enlighten violators for the remainder of the year. A ticket may be issued. "Children who are 12 or younger must wear life jackets on boats shorter than 65 feet while the boat is moving, unless they are below decks or inside a closed cabin. The new rule replaces one requiring kids younger than 10 to wear life jackets on boats shorter than 26 feet. "The purpose of this law," said Michael Scanlon, the state's boating safety coordinator, "is to protect our children when they are on our waterways, and to also instill safe boating habits at a very early age that will be carried on into adulthood." Department of Environmental Management police officers are using the rest of the boating season to educate boaters of the change in the law, and will be enforcing the old statute in the meantime. "However," says Stephen Hall, chief of the DEM's Division of Law Enforcement, "although the law applies only to youngsters, and only topside when the boat is under way, it's just common sense for people of all ages on all sizes of boats to wear life jackets. Life jackets are the most effective way to save boaters' lives, and we encourage everyone to wear them any time they are in a boat. "Nationwide in 2004, 676 people died in recreational boating accidents. More than four hundred of those boaters could have been saved if they had been wearing life jackets." For further information contact. Michael J. Scanlon Program Services Officer RI DEM Division of Law Enforcement 235 Promenade Street Providence RI 02908 michael.scanlon@dem.ri.gov (401) 222 2986

For night fishing or in a real cloudy foggy day they can be leathal. Sometimes you simple retreive then in at a steady pace other times throw them out let them sit up to a couple minutes, reel in and you may have a big suprize. One night in July in Ct my son and I caught and released over 50 bass using jitterbugs. We kept fishing till we had lost all the Jitterbugs, next winter I bought lots of them on ebay real cheap now I have 2-3 of every color and size just waiting for that right time.

The 17' rule was in place for 2006 and 250HP has been there for a few years. Local T's can alter size but if you make it to a BASS, TBF Divisonal any boat measured from bow to stern not including the rubber bumper arount the cap it must be over 17' http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/federation/news/story?page=bass_fed_documents rules are 5th on the list.

12 V Trolling motors draw quite a few amps just as much as the most powerfull 24v and 36V. From Minnkota's spec sheet amps are roughly=thrust lb ratings. If that one you have is 40 48 or 55 you are drawing quite a few amp and I would recommend 6 gauge and a 50 amp breaker. There will also be less voltage drop in 6 gauge wire. 12v 55lb draws 50 amps 50lb draws 42 amps 46 lb draws 42 amps 40 lb draws 40amps 36 lb draws32amps

Hats off to bassresource.com they already have a youth section. Again as a youth director one of my biggest hurdles is bringing so many eager kids togehter with sometimes hesitant boat captains. I made these video's and a couple more in 2005 to not only let kids see what is all about but to show some of the Sr anglers some of fun we have.

Glenn, going to be a long winter how about a spot dedicated just for our younger anglers. Jr Bassmasters & Jr Anglers Here is a little of what we do with the boys. http://s122.photobucket.com/albums/o240/mbroggi1/?action=view&current=BoysareBAck2006_0001.flv Oh can't forget those Jr Lady Anglers http://s122.photobucket.com/albums/o240/mbroggi1/?action=view&current=girlsjustwannahavefunWMM_0001.flv

She is a fine person who I'd always want in my court on any subject. LBH= Low Budget Hookers if you read the earlier post you'll understand that he has a low buget to pay us hookers to put fish on the hooks so he can make FTV =Fish TV

Does not mean use them for bait.

Yup, Dianne is one of the early Rat Pack I came aboard 2004 and upon meeting Dianne she knew I was a newbie and lent a helping hand She and NJ are one of the biggest advocate for the Jr Program's there are.

Jim B, You hit the nail on the head. The first couple years we were always begging and pleading for boat captains. Once someone spends a day on the water with a couple Jr Anglers they're hooked. With almost 35 in our program last year we where needing 15-17 boats per tournament. Between fathers and a couple moms we usually have 8-10 boats that are regulars so we are looking for about 6 captains often. Our Federation made a bylaw change for 2006 to amend and enforce that all clubs have to hold a youth event. While that doesn't specify they must be boat captains being one would comply with the rule. 2006 we had many new boat captains which turned into repeat boat captains. This past year we had a complete club sponsor a Jr tournament, they showed up with 6+ boats. For 2007 I have 3 clubs that have vowed to sponsor a Jr tournament. We have 8 regular tournaments including a campout 2 day and then a 2 day State Championship. 2006 we co-hosted a New England Jr Bassmasters Open that sent the top 6 Anglers from every club from all over New England and was open to B.A.S.S and TBF maybe a first and the way it should be, CAST For kids 2006 Providence. That's a lot of boats, captains and volunteers but the support is always there. If anyone is interested in joining a States Jr Bassmaster program or helping as a boat captain anywhere accross the country drop me a email I'll be glad to hook you up with a local Youth Director. If your Organization has questions on starting a program I'll do my best to point ya in the right direction.

Who do you think really catch's all those fish in LBH video's? He pays a $1 a pound then 2.50 for me to get'm on his lure's. The only reason he doesnt have a December video is I refuse to scuba under ice. Look real close sometimes you can see my snorkle rigth before his hookset.....

Thanks, I have been a guest to long.. Just want to say what a breath of fresh air this site is. LBH didnt now I was in the witness protection program so it's back to Cleveland after that photo. This is whats it all about

My son has a 97 Pro Team 170 and it's rivited, great boat.

Russ, here is the contact information for NY BASS Federation Nation, I will be seeing Mickey and Pam this Febuary in Birminghham. They are great people and I'm sure be helpful in getting the Innagural NY CAST For Kids off and running. Pam Bliss president@nybassfed.com 1746 Addison Back Rd, Addison, NY 14801 607-359-3947 home 607-765-1128 cell Vice President Ted Barth vp@nybassfed.com 80 Wellsville St., Bolivar, NY 14715 585-928-2803 Treasurer Pam Bliss treasurer@nybassfed.com 1746 Addison Back Rd, Addison, NY 14801 607-359-3947 Secretary Sue Good secretary@nybassfed.com 9839 Rt. 98, Alexander, NY 14005 585-343-3765 Past President Wayne Tomassi waynet@nybassfed.com 177 Barmore Road, Lagrangeville, NY 12540 845-677-4130 Youth Mickey Fortunato youth@nybassfed.com 123 Boyden St. , Syracuse, NY 13203 315-416-4262 ****all copied from the nybassfed.com website

Sorry saw Newark and thought NJ. Ohio B.A.S.S Federation Nation Todd Thompson H - 740-366-4060 skeeterfx210@adelphia.net www.ohiobassfederationnation.com

You could try contacting the NJ B.A.S.S. Federation Nation at the following sites or call John Radamski H - 732-349-8414 johnrada@bellatlantic.net www.FederationNationofNJ.org

Nope understood, I was incorrect & WRONG. We all know the 250 PRO XS are a more like 275 HP anyway. But the 300 OH MY GOD. Hold on..

HPBB, Your absolutly correct. With what felt like 2 in one year last year I got my years mixed up. It was 2004 When they where run at Lake Norman for the Jr's and Lake Wyle during the Classic. My son was with Tommy Biffle and the best it would do on the 21X was 67-68 mph with a 250 Verado. Last year I rode with Davy Hite and we where running the canals and Toho 73 mph all day long with the 225 Pro XS and there where some running a little quicker than that. Some guys where pretty upset if they had a 69 mph boat and those boats where getting the attention all night long in the boat yard.

New this season was the Abu Garcia Cardinal 500ALB series. They are frequently on sale for as little as $49.99 I have 2 and will be bying a few more next year.

The boat must have a titanuim light pole and big easy to read livewell airator switches.

Minnkota maxxum pro all the way go for the new 2007 temp probe and dual frequency built in the sonar

All the 2005 Classic boats had the 250 Verados and had hot foots, they are wireless. But what about the 250 HP rule if you fish BASS or TBF you cant fish in any sanctioned tournament? Then I would go with a 250 Pro XS and not worry about the 3 miles per hour Get a Balanced and blue printed prop. The Boat may have less resale value to also because of the 250 HP limit. If tournament fishing isnt a factor and resale value go with the 300 XS probalby the best most efficent motor out there. The Verados' dont belong on a bass boat that was the consencious of many of the Classic Anglers