striperone

Ryan There are many variables to consider when deciding between gas and electric outboards. I use to have a Briggs and Stratton electric outboard and was pleased with it. It would push my small pontoon boat (16') at 5.3 gps mph, running 4 twelve volt batteries. There are a few problems you could run into though as Briggs and Stratton pays a licensing fee to use the the patents of Lynch electric motors to produce their electric motors (the engine part of it), and has stopped producing them from time to time making it very hard at best to replace the electric motor (engine) if you ever had too. This motor draws 80 plus amps, so your run time at full throttle will be only about an hour or so... Advertised as 150 lbs of thrust. Price around 1500.00+ Another alternative would be a Ray electric outboard. On the same boat mentioned above the gps mph was 7.8, but it runs at 60volts not the 48 volts as the briggs outboard. This would mean an additional battery for you. This motor is the cream of the crop as far as electric outboards are concerned and are Top quality in every aspect. This motor also draws about 80 plus amps. Advertised as 270 lbs of thrust. This would be more then a 9.9 gas engine! Priced around 5000.00 (yea, that's five thousand dollars). For the money you would be better off replacing your current three electric motor set up for a 9.9 gas motor if your allowed to use them. It would also be much easier to sell if you ever wanted to. Unless you have a bow mount trolling motor you will want to keep one of your trolling motors to fish with while using the gas motor to run around. If your interested in purchasing a Ray Electric Outboard send me an Email or PM... -

A new Rod for the experienced fisherman. Endorsed by none other then "Roland Martin" himself! The Pro's Choice In Fishing Rods, Click Here

Here is a link to a company that makes embroidered marine and rv mats. They state they can custom make anything. Quote from their website: Have a custom shape, size or logo in mind for a personalized boat mat? Let our designers layout the perfect boat mat or carpet for you. We can custom cut marine-grade carpets up to 12' wide. With the largest computerized facility in North America, allMATS can design any size or shape you can dream up. Clicky Here

Quote: by JoshKeller I use crown royal bottle bags. You da' man! I have damaged more depth finders by removing them, then by leaving them mounted in the boat. 35 years of boating/fishing, I have never had a problem with damaging a depth finder while it was mounted on the boat in any way shape or form while trailering or otherwise. (short of someone hitting it while casting) On the other hand, I have dropped them while mounting and dismounting them... There is certainly no reason to remove your sonar units while trailering.

You are correct. The lower unit oil level is full when it comes out of the top hole (vent plug). To change your lower unit oil. Place a pan under the lower unit. Remove the lower drain plug, remove the upper plug and drain the lower unit. Connect your fill tube to the bottom drain plug, add lower unit oil until it comes out the top vent hole. Leaving the fill tube connected replace the vent hole plug, then remove the fill tube and replace the lower drain plug, your done. To add lower unit oil. If you need to just add fluid. Place a pan under the lower unit, Remove the lower plug and connect your fill tube, remove the vent plug, add lower unit oil until it comes out the vent hole, replace the vent hole plug, remove the fill tube, replace the lower drain plug and your done. When changing your lower unit oil you should make sure the oil does not have a milky look to it. If it does you most likely have a worn prop shaft seal and it should be replaced. The reason you should never add lower unit oil through the vent hole is that it will trap air making impossible to fill.

You guys are too much! Tearing me up... Cliff Claven... Nope I aint that good! Thought I would just bring a little factoid here to break up the who's got a boat for sale or how to hook up my batteries questions and answers that's all. Did you know the answer? If not, then your welcome Love it, thanks for the laughs. ...

- Did you know that Minnkota trolling motors (and accersories) are owned by SC Johnson & Son. Yes, SC Johnson is the makers of of the famous wax and many other household cleaners such as Pledge and Windex. Actually it trades under the name of Johnson Outdoors which is a subsidiary of SC Johnson and produces other well known products like Hummingbird, Old Town Canoes, Cannon downriggers, A long list of kayaks some small electric boats, Tents and camping gear, Scuba equipment and the list goes on. So whether your a fan of Minnkota or not, you are most likely supporting the company in one way or another. (or your wife is ).

Low Budget Hookers, Love the idea and it looks great. The first image you had posted looks the best. The scale of the fish should remain the same. Just my opinion though. Short of having it embroidered into you carpet, I think your going to have wear issues? But with that being said, I have seen pro's boats that have their sponsors names embroidered in the carpet have looked quite shabby after wear and tear not to mention stains on them.... Good Luck! and be sure to let us know the outcome!

That's great! Nothing like upgrading to a bigger or better boat that's for sure. Bass tracker does produce a nice boat. I don't personally own one but have fish out of a few different models and they were all comfortable to fish from. From a financial stand point it would be nice if you could find a used boat as just like with a new car you will take the initial beating. But hey nothing beats the smell of a new car! Which ever boat manufacture you choose, Good Luck and hope you enjoy it.

Shadmaster, If you only have a few hundred bucks to spend, then only buy one unit. When shopping for you new depth sounder you should look at pixel count with top priority and everything else secondly. I know that bass pro shops had the Eagle Fishmark 480 on sale for 179.oo not long ago (may still be?) It is a grayscale sonar (not color) but sports an impressive 480x480 pixel resolution. This should suit you well.

Ahhh...that makes sense. Thanks for the info. Seriously, let me know what I could do to help your sponsorship.

If the rope lights are LED, then there is not much concern over killing your batteries as long as your not installing 900' of the stuff. You should wire it up to it's own switch and fuse anyway as it will give the the option of on and off by themselves. For instance you may not want them on when you are motoring from spot to spot.

Hey it's great to hear from both you guys (spinnerB & SteveFin). New York does have some good fishing, but I can't stand the cold . I remember you saying something about moving, I see it was true...Good luck up there and hope to see you guys around here. Ben, You Da' Man! I bet you are excited and I'm sure it will be a great experience. Here I'm thinking you are limited to Triadelphia and maybe some local ponds when in reality your also fishing the lower Potomac in tournaments. This does raise a question (?) How does that work if the members are under 16 and without a boat? Who's boat do you use and who runs it? Excuse my ignorance I just have never looked into it. If I can do anything to help you in your quest for the title shot in the Junior World Championships, don't hesitate in asking. I would love to see a local do well there.

December 21,2006 2:35 PM Press Release from Bass Cat Boats RE: Mike Iaconelli The Bass Cat Family of Owners, the Pierces and staff of Bass Cat Boats are pleased to announce that Mike Iaconelli will be joining the "Bass Cat Family". ;D ;D ;D

- Hey Ben, Sorry for the delayed response! Conowingo Reservoir doesn't have a gas motor restriction like our local reservoirs do, just be careful. Big horsepower bass boats are a dime a dozen in the spring and fall. Remember too it's a big reservoir in comparison. I think its 8000 acres and about 15 miles long. Show yourself and your boat some respect and you will be fine. I have been there a few times in a relatively small boat with no problems. Quote: I really need to keep fishing so that I am not rusty for the Junior World Championships in Alabama!!!!! Are you really going? Man that would be great, I would love to see you go. I can read the headlines now ; Local boy hits the big time, joins the ranks of Roland Martin! A get together would be fun. It will happen.

I heard that. Not a pro at repair problems, but I would think it is a transducer problem. It is possible that it "appears" that you have not broken the cable but all it takes is for the outer band of the cable to touch the inner and walaa, no signal. Or in you case nothing but interference. If you have the luxury of testing your unit with a different transducer it would be the simplest way out.

HotDog, Really nice striper you have there. Impressed! Yes Triadelphia has both gizzard and threadfin. Problem is you aren't allowed to net them. I have pretty good success in triadelphia and Rocky Gorge. Certainly not all the time, but my fair share anyway. I hate to admit it but my wife not only has her way with me but the stripers as well :. If you ever see her, DON"T make any bets. ;D SteveFinMD Good to hear from ya'. Nice forum here. I didn't know spinnerB was here as well? Have to get together sometime. As Ben23 has suggested maybe sometime in the spring at Triadelphia or Rocky Gorge? Yea HotDog Hope to see you there TOO! I need another striper man there to help fend off the bass fisherman! (Just jokin' of course, I love the bass as well)

Ben I don't think you would get your butt kicked. Your holding some pretty nice fish in those pictures are you not! I'm not saying there won't be any "heavy hitters" registered, but that's not totally what the tournament trail is about. Sure winning or placing well is important but the comradely and learning experience is there too. It has a small entry fee with 95% payback. Big ray electric motors will be on some of the boats. I have them also, but think about it, there are quite a few GREAT fishing holes really close to the ramps at all the reservoirs in our area. Now if they were to fish the Baltimore reservoirs, that may be a different scenario. The closing of the local lakes does suck. All of the major ones close. I have suggested everyone contact Wssc and voice your opinion on the reservoir closings. Ya' never know??? Your choices are certainly limited, and it will be a much longer ride for you. The Conowingo reservoir stays open all year. Mattawoman creek on the Potomac river is of course an option which has controversially some of the best fishing in Maryland. Mattingly (formerly slavens) boat ramp offers access to the river in a all no wake zone that will be pretty user friendly to an electric only boat. Send me an email or personal message sometime if your interested? I don't want it to look like I am advertising for anyone on this forum. I'm new here and I like it too much! P.S. the get together is a good idea...

Despite the hear say about Mike taking sponsorship from Legend boats, (which I have heard nothing about), You can believe one thing is certain, and that is Mike can get sponsored by any boat manufacturer out there. Remember too that just because a pro is sponsored by a manufacturer, corporation or any other product or entity, does not necessarily mean that he is in love with the product. Many things come in to play with sponsorships, and the product is only one of them. Regardless of his sponsors, Mike is the man.

I think there maybe a little confusion as to the "power" a sonar unit possesses vs it's use or worth? Yes the more the power the more the money, but it is totally unnecessary to spend your cash in this area for general lakes and reservoirs! You are wasting your money and won't utilize near the power that your unit has in depths up to say 100 feet and less. I said it before and I'll say it again, Spend your money on pixel count! Nothing else is near as important. Pixel count is what gives you target separation. Color units are even better at it. Big power only helps in very deep water. If you were to view both a high power unit against one with moderate power in about 40 feet of water you would NOT see a difference! On the other hand put two units together with different pixel count (resolution) and it's night and day. Target separation and definition is drastic. Buy a minimum of 480x480 if you can afford 640 Buy it! Don't get hung up in all this depth finder (sonar) bells and whistles stuff. Stick to the basics of a good unit and you'll be very happy!

Ben, I took the liberty to do some exposure corrections to a photo you had posted here. I hope you don't mind? You can now SEE the fish...

Ben, you will see me out there. Hope to see all you guys here at this forum. I have uploaded a photo of my new boat (that is still at the dealership) so you guys will recognize me. Please come over and give me a shout! I will be offended otherwise Nothing better then to have friends on the water. I have also suggested that everyone carry or mount a marine radio in there raft so that we can stay in contact with one another. So far only a few have done it. I think its a great idea. For one suppose you get to the lake and see a friends trailer in the parking lot, You don't know where on the lake he is. It would be as simple as a radio call to let him know your there, and perhaps trade some fishing info? There is also a Tournanment Trail forming on the WSSC reservoirs. Triadelphia, Rocky Gorge Little Seneca and Piney Run reservoirs.

Is there a mathematical equation for this? ;D Just kiddin' of course. You are absolutely correct though! Narrow cone angle transducers are made for deep water. Generally offshore deep sea fishing. Not changing the subject, but love the 66 Chevelle.

Humming bird VS Lowrance... I am an avid believer in Lowrance. BUT Don't let name brands confuse you. In looking for good sonar unit your first concern for a moderate depth lake or reservoir would be pixel count or resolution. Spend as much money as you can afford on this. You have no concern for bells and whistles. Forget the fish ID or fish symbols, you will want to turn this feature OFF if you do have it anyway. A color unit does have better definition than a gray scale unit, but gray scale units can be extremly affordable now with pixel counts that would cost hundreds more in a color unit. The choice if of course up to you. If you buy a unit with a high pixel count (at least 480x480) it will be a long time till you will replace it.

I have a small pontoon boat that I used at Triadelphia, Rocky Gorge and Little Seneca reservoirs. Even when the water is at normal pool I usually have to come to an abrupt stop at the ramp to get the boat to leave the trailer. In cold water it would be highly suggested that you bring your waders as your going to be pretty uncomfortable the rest of the day if you get wet. In the spring of this year (2006) a woman plowed into the back of my boat almost pushing it into the bed of my truck. It wasn't until October that the insurance companies considered it a total loss. My new boat is still at the dealership being prepped for me to take. I have lost all this summers fishing to a woman applying makeup instead of driving her suv. Where's the justice! Anyway come spring I'll be there! Edit: Forgot to mention... Ben23, You have some nice photo's of your fish!