12poundbass

I agree with you it's getting more difficult but it can be done. And maybe the FLW route is a better way to go to start out (I don't know I don't follow the FLW closely). College bass fishing is exploding and BASS played a big role in that. Only time will tell.

I missed it. Is there a place that it can be seen?

What's your budget? Just asking about a 12 inch unit is pretty vague considering both companies have several 12 inch units that start out around $1200 and go well above $2k

I don't believe so. I've been looking at the 73sv echomap. I did a lot of reading and the verdict is still out on CHIRP. I've read they have their advantage in really deep water which I don't fish. So CHIRP is no longer on my radar. Especially for the price difference.

Didn't think they could what?

As long as they both have network ports absolutely. Are you wondering if the non CHIRP unit could read CHIRP from the other unit?

Their "poster boys" don't need the opens to requalify for the Elites the majority don't anyways. I'm not a business man by any means so I could very well be off in left field here, but I'm guessing an overwhelming majority of the open anglers are looking to make it to the Elites so I don't really understand where you're coming from when you say the "future looks bleak for BASS". Somebody brought up having to be a millionaire or extremely wealthy to fish the Elites a few months back on Bassmaster and it was either Jordan or Matt Lee quickly responded and said neither were wealthy. He went on to say that their dad was a Veterinarian but hasn't footed the bill for their career choice. Brandon Palaniuk just won AOY, while speaking right after winning AOY, if I remember correctly he said he sold his boat he won at the Federation championship to foot the bill for his first year on the Elites. Gerald Swindle last years AOY did construction, hardly wealthy. There are some great examples that totally put the misconception that you have to be wealthy to fish the Elites to bed. It would help. But these three examples (and there's way more) show that if you put in the long days, hard work, skill, and a little luck anyone can do it. There's no denying that most who try fall short and end up broke, which is where being wealthy would help, but your bank account isn't going to buy your way in or keep you in, because there are hundreds of anglers across the country waiting for you to slip up and have their shot.

That happened to all of us with the most recent update, but was a one time deal. Weird, must be a fluke thing.

Don't push him over the edge. ?

Lol many forget the cheek meat! Yum yum

Shenandoah the country group has a good tune "Sunday in the south" ?

Are you a journalist? Maybe KVD is following his best friend Mark Zona to Diawa. J/k to play along I'd guess he's going nowhere. He's stuck by his main sponsors since pretty much day one. He seems pretty loyal to them. Heck there are better boats than Nitro. Minkota has a leg up on Motorguide but he sticks with MG and Nitro. Those are just two examples.

My thought at first....but hooksets are free! ?

I've been using my finger for a while now. I'm going to give this a try. I might be depressed to see how many bites I've been missing.

10oz swimbait?! That weighs more than most of the bass I catch! Seriously though that would feel like throwing a brick! I'd be afraid the rod would come flying out of my hands.

Make sure it's a microwave you don't use for food and you don't melt them in the house or you'll be single before your plastic hardens. Lol

There's nothing like a fresh can of worms on a Friday morning. ?

Gee what I wouldn't give to have a car that cost me around $1000 for an oil change. Lol I guess if I could afford a car with a base price of $530k oil changes wouldn't be too bad. ?

As a kid I chased after the pan fish, got bored (not enough fight) , and we used to troll for walleye (snooze fest when you're younger than 12). Now it's all bass. I'd like to hook into a pike or it's big brother some day until then just bass for me.

If a guy could live without mapping the Striker 7 is the way to go. Garmin has good pricing on their units.

Nice one! I love top water myself. I'm more of a frog guy but I've been contemplating breaking out the 'ole buzzbait and pop-R next time out. If they miss ALWAYS throw it right back!

Lol ?

You have made an impact on her that will last well past your time on this earth. I would guess she had all but written men off (I would've). You step up to the plate and help heal those negative emotions. What you've done my friend will hopefully have an effect for generations. All the best to you and your expanding family. BTW bikers aren't that tough and scary. I have an MC an 1/8 from me. They cried when Friends was canceled. Biggest softies and nicest guys.

Untreated wood wouldn't even rot in 3 years. Good luck in your search.

Tracker makes a stick steer called the Panfish 16. If you want something a little cheaper they have the Pro 160. You made a comment about wood decking, if you take care of it, it'll last you 20+ years. I had a 14' that had 25 year old wood on it. It was still good and firm when I redid the boat. Leave it outside in the elements all the time and you're right it won't last. Don't be afraid of wood and don't be afraid of getting it wet. Those 2 boats are about as cheap as you'll get new, unless you go the john boat route.