Troy85

I've always bought used. The good thing about these smaller simple setup aluminum boats is there is less to go wrong(if your worried about headaches of buying used), as opposed to larger fancier boats where you have to worry about all the electronics,wiring, pumps, hull damage/rot as well as mechanical. Take it for test drive, check for leaks, make sure engine starts/runs good, test the Trolling motor, pull the motor cover and make sure it looks decent under there(no corrosion, rust, etc), check the engine oil. You an usually tell if the owner did proper maintenance. As far as size, you can fish two out of that boat without any real issue. Any more than that is going to start getting cramped. The difference between that grizzly and this boat would be night in day, that extra 2' makes a big difference, and the Tracker you mentioned is going to be wider as well. Can't hurt to check it out and take it for a test drive. If you like it and it seems taken care of it could be a good purchase. If you don't get it, at least you will have something to compare the the Tracker test drive to. On another note(this is my personal thought process on buying a boat) , if you do take it for a test ride and you like still on the fence. I wouldn't buy you will know pretty quick if its the boat for you(at least that's how it works for me). My last 2 boat purchases, I looked at boats for months, then one came up and it was like it spoke to me.

I also use the Alberto for the same reasons Choporoz lists.

Maybe 5% online. I only buy something online if I can't find it in the store.

GET OUT WHILE YOU STILL CAN!!!!!! Most other posts covered equipment and strategy. I'll just add don't get discouraged. You will have trips where you go out and zero, may even have multiple trips in a row. As long as you enjoy it, keep at it. I will second whoever said don't buy cheap equipment. I take my buddy fishing and he buys those $20 rod and reel combos from Walmart, and he wonders why he spends half the day fixing his reel or his line. You don't have to have the most expensive, just get something that is quality.

Don't fish Houma area, but Depending you where you live it may be worth the drive. South side of Lake Catherine past couple weeks, clean water can be found in the small ponds and bayous. Bass have been going crazy for White Redfish magic spinners.

I leave my Hull mount on then entire trip. I put the TM unit on standby when the TM isn't in the water, it only takes a second and I figure better safe than sorry when it comes to the transducer pulsing out the water.

Check Facebook for Bass groups in your area. I found one named South Carolina Bass fishing, I would join that group and make a post asking about tournaments near you. It has almost 600 members and 10+ posts a day, so it seems like a pretty active group. Wednesday and/or Thursday evening tournaments are pretty popular in many places once the time springs forward. I'd check some popular boat launches near you on those evenings and see if you see anyone to ask. I know there are several in my area, they usually blast off around 5pm and weigh-in is usually 30 minutes after sunset, you could check the boat launches around those times.

I'm with ya here. Sometimes I think I over complicate it.

My top 3 1. Texas Rig 2. Spinnerbait 3.Top Water As far as a rod for baits with trebles, I prefer a rod with a "moderate" action. It should be printed somewhere on the rod what the power and action is.

Watermelon Seed is my most used color, with Senkos and worms. If I'm throwing a crawfish style plastic its almost always black and blue. I use white for flukes and soft swim baits. I tend to choose color based on what bait I'm trying to imitate more often than water clarity.

Shimano Sahara. They run a little over $75, but worth it imo.

I haven't used Vanish, so I can't comment on line quality. I'd check the guides of your rod, maybe there is a damaged guide with a sharp spot that is cutting your line. Had this problem once in the past.

Not many Bass guides near New Orleans but Toldeo bend IS worth the drive IMO. Also, if you are interested in redfish or speckled trout guided trip, PM me and I can give you a couple names and numbers of local guides that I know.

I go just about every Saturday, most of the time I'll stay out for at least 7-8 hours. Once the time changes and Wednesday evening tournaments start up, I'll fish those as well. Its never enough though, for everyday I'm not fishing all me and my brother do is text each other about where we are fishing on the next upcoming Saturday

The boat I bought sat for a couple years, it was covered, but some of the fuel in the tank, and the fuel left in the engine had turned to varnish. I had to replace all the fuel lines, pull the fuel tank out and clean it and replace 1 injector. I had a mechanic take the fuel system apart inside the engine and remove all the varnish buildup. In short. If possible, look inside the tank and make sure the gas hasn't began to gel up. If it has, I'd take the cost of cleaning and/or replacing the fuel system into account when making an offer.

Nice! Every time you update this post with pics it makes me want to start painting my own baits. I'm just afraid I'd spend all that money only to have them look like a 5 year old painted them with finger paint.

I run into the same thing fishing fairly shallow tidal waters almost exclusively. Seems like 95% of articles are written about reservoirs, while some things are same, there are a lot of differences.

Most the crawfish I see like to hide around boiled corn and potatoes. Thx Tom. Informative post about crawfish as they relate to bass.

What were you doing wrong?

The entire lake may be, but Housen definitely has a special place in your heart. I see why it produces tho, so many large flats near deeper water. I was looking at the maps for Caney last night, I don't really see any large spawning flats. Unless I missed something, I'm still very green when it comes to structure fishing. I'm going to look more closely tonight.

I'm hoping to make it up there in early April. Will probably be staying at the Army Rec center in the Caney Creek arm. I've never fished Caney Creek area, any pointers for that area? Or should I just run to Catts Toledo Bend holy grail(Housen)?

I go just about every Saturday. In the summer when the days get longer I go about twice a week , I'll go Saturday and usually go out about once during the week after work.

I always walk the path that looks the least snakey. Which can really hamper bank fishing.

Went out Saturday, stiff South west wind blowing from the start. This muddied the water and kept the tide from falling. Gave up on trying to find clean water and busted out my new bladed jigs. Ended up catching 3 decent fish and hooked a nice one that got off night next to the boat, all on the bladed jig. Not the best day, but given the high winds and muddy water, 3 is better than none. Thanks for the tips everyone.

Whats the main difference between the Hook series and the Elite Series?