Boomstick

In this case the tough thing I'm not sure I'll end up with a better boat, but a better payment and maybe better equity in the boat. I even have relatives out that way I could visit.

I don't have any down payment, or even money for sales tax right now, or a safety net in my bank account I'm particularly comfortable with at the moment after a whole bunch of things around the house went wrong. By the end of the year, that should not be a problem. This one is going to take a lot of self restraint though.

I thought you meant "I sure do". It does look rather tempting and it also has a higher person weight capacity then most other boats, which I might take advantage of time to time as well.

Wow, I'd probably use around that in a single month in the summer.

This looks quite tempting. I'd probably buy it right now if a water pipe didn't just burst in my basement and a couple of other things. Think it could really only have 20 engine hours? https://www.boats.com/power-boats/2010-nitro-z-8-5864471/#.W2UYId9jNjE

I always thought the dealer prices are higher because they include freight, rigging etc.

I priced it out as I'd build it to $34k. Didn't go too fancy. The 1850 was $36k if I stick to the 115.

Honestly, I'm not going to fuss too terribly much. I really just want to get off the shore.

I definitely like the storage of the Pro-V Bass. It basically offers storage like a glass boat. At this point, I'm going to be holding off until next year, so I'm going to keep my eye out for used boats as well. There's a used Skeeter ZX200 that looks promising, and some Nitro Z8s and Z18s as well. Better deals might pop up as the season ends.

The boat I was looking at, should I buy new was the Lund Renegade 1875, which would probably run a little over $30k out the door. The Renegade 1775 would be my #2, and honestly offers the same amount of deck space and storage as the longer Ranger RT188 which is one of the better options for aluminum boats as well. I just a build on both boats, the 1850 wasn't really all that much more if I stick with the 115hp motor.

That's how I use mine, just to the point it begins to click side to side. But it still doesn't cast as far as other reels. It's not a huge difference, but worth it for added braking.

I have two Tatula SVs, and neither has the problem with birds nesting if I cast as hard as I can, but I do agree they are not the furthest casting reels. If you want max distance, may I suggest a lesser known reel, the Pflueger Supreme XT. I got one for my kid and the braking is quite excellent and it throws absolute bombs. My other kid has a Shimano Curado K, and I honestly think the Supreme XT brakes better and casts further, plus it's as light as a Curado 70.

My ideal target range is ideally under $30k, but there may be wiggle room. Basically, if I can get a used Skeeter for $18k, then that saves more money for tackle However if that Pro-V Bass was actually $36k, I'd be all over it but the ones I can find for $36k they stripped the trolling motor and electronics.

Me too. Of course, I'm going to have to keep an eye on the used boats this fall as that's when everyone sells them as well. Found a few good looking Nitros and Skeeters at least.

20lb braid should be the perfect diameter for that rod tbh, although many people go with 15lb simply for less visibility and the lighter action. I have a M/F spinning rod with a larger reel that I run 20lb braid on. My girlfriend largely uses the rod since she can't use a casting rod. Like islandbass said, be sure to set your drag accordingly so you don't risk damaging the rod. if you get a big one or a snag.

I'm debating getting a new boat or used boat myself. I can definitely afford a lot more boat used, that's for sure.

A used anything is almost always somebody else's problems in one way or another.

I found a Skeeter ZX200 from 2012 that's well equipped that I'm seriously considering looking at even though I am largely shopping aluminum boats and I should hold off on a boat at the moment due to both an unknown financial situation next year and some health reasons (chemo makes me tired, so I may not even be able to use it this year). At a glance without seeing that ugly gouge, this one looks just as nice but it's a 2001. I think he wants a little bit much for it especially considering the gouge.

Turns out they wanted $45k for the boat anyway, a bit more than I planned to spend anyway. But given my unknown financial situation at the moment plus being wiped out from chemo, it's probably better I wait. I do see a few nice glass boats for sale that would otherwise be tempting. One of these days...

Ouch. One of my kids got me good in the side before, that wasn't fun!

I didn't have anything nearly as major as your friend, but earlier this year I had colon cancer surgery. I couldn't use my stomach muscles until 3-4 days after I got out of the hospital, and it was painful a little while once I could start to use them again plus the staples really continued to bother me. What I was able to do after a little while is setup my folding chair and throw out a ned rig, doropshot or deadstick a senko and let it sit for a while, as casting bothered me but I could fish still baits. So like you said, dropshotting will be good once he first gets out there. I imagine with heart surgery, it will be a much slower recovery, but once your friend starts to feel better, I would imagine fishing similar baits that don't require a lot of casting will be good for a while.

Last week I was fishing with the kids, my youngest threw a NED rig. He didn't land any fish on it, but had a few bites. What was happening was the fish were biting the end of the TRD, pulling it over the hook but not fully committing -- it was pretty clear once he pulled it up. Perhaps the same is happening where you need to annoy the fish a little more to get a better bite?

I would go with the Mojo Bass out of all of them. It's a nice and light rod with a quality blank. I would pick the Tatula 6'10" MH/F over the Mojo Bass, which you might even get cheaper. I own both, the Mojo Bass is lighter for sure but the Tatula has a notably better reel seat.

My best outing this year, at least given the short amount of time I made it on the water involved bringing one rod rigged with a single crankbait. I did bring some other lures in my dry storage tray just in case, but just ended up using the one crank because it was killing it. That said, I typically run a three rod setup for myself, a MH/F rod, a MH/MF rod I use for moving baits and a ML/XF spinning rod. Someday I'll add a dedicated frogging rod and a M/F or M/XF casting rod. As far as tackle goes, I keep the storage trays in my tackle bag full. Once I lose one (or deem it worthless) I replace it. Since I don't currently own a boat, my personal guitar and amp collection is far more expensive than my fishing gear collection.

For a beginner to the baitcaster, I would NOT start with braid. I would go with a thicker mono that will birds nest less, and be easier to remove a birds nest. Something like Suffix Siege in 14lb or 17lb should be a good line to start with. Once you get to the point you are more comfortable with the baitcaster, then upgrade to braid or even flurocarbon depending what you want to throw.