Dirtyeggroll

With the newer style “smart” chargers, a higher initial charge amperage with prolong the life of your batteries. Moreover, if you are using AGM batteries, you will not be able to charge them to truly 100% unless you can achieve an amperage of >25. That being said, the differences are negligible to most people. Go with what makes sense for your budget. If you have the cash and the allowance for a little extra weight in the boat, go with the 36A. If you can think of anything else youd rather spend the money on, go with the other. Either is a good choice.

When I had my little 10’ Basshound boat I would go out in up to 15 mph winds. That being said, the lakes I would choose would be small and have pockets that were protected from the wind and didn’t require crossing the main lake to get to. I was out on the North end of a lake across the main lake once on a late October morning when a storm started rolling in. By the time I got half way back to the ramp the winds had really picked up. Had the boat not been filled with foam, it may be at the bottom of the lake right now. I will never let that happen again. Pay attention to the forecast and know what you are comfortable with, especially in the little one to two man boats.

When I first started using KVD L&L I didn’t use it on braid because I didn’t think it would add anything. I was talking with a guy in my club about it and he told me that he had been using on his braid. So, I tried it to prove to him that it was useless on braid and I ate my words. In my experience it is also effective on braid and makes it come of the spool much smoother.

If you go with an inflatable be aware that it only counts as a PFD if you are wearing it. If you take it off, you must have another PFD in the boat to be legal.

Last year a day before a tournament we ran into some guys that had already fished the lake that day. They told us that your frog had to have a white belly or it just would not produce much. I tied on a white-bellied frog that morning and the boater I was fishing with left on his dark-bellied frog about 90 minutes into the tournament we had a limit and I had caught all of the fish. The boated I was fishing with changed to a white-bellied frog and started catching them. I still don't really believe it.

Yep on sale until March 24th. https://m.samsclub.com/ip/duracell-agm-deep-cycle-marine-and-rv-battery-group-size-31dtmagm/prod3590232

Not sure what batteries you run but Sams Club has the Group 31 AGM's on sale for $159.99 right now. Only hear great things about those batteries. This is the 4-stroke? You are one of the few independent parties who has been able to get one. All the guys I know who ordered them have been waiting for months.

Mark Twain must have been on to something about us midwest folk... haha Used to do the same thing.

What’s the latest expense for your boat? Either things you started thinking about and had to have ... or little surprises that drive frustration. One of the banks on my onboard charger seems to have quit working. I cycle all of the batteries through that bank and only that bank seems to have the issue. Looks like I’ll be spending $200-$400 bucks for a new one. Ironic part is I just purchased all new batteries and was going to go with lithiums but the extra expense of a new charger was just enough to keep me from buying them, so I went with AGMs. Whats your latest reason to B.O.A.T?

Bellevue, NE A buddy’s shop had about 4 ft of water standing in it as of yesterday. At the time this picture was taken, the water was still rising. He uses this shop to take care of virtually all of the boats that belong to members of our bass club and other clubs he belongs to. He had several boats he was currently working on in there and got them all out except for his own. No flood insurance, because in 50+ years it’s never even come close. This is a minimal loss compared to what some are losing.

Pulling with a Tacoma, you are going to be limited in the amount of weight with which you can stop safely. I think an aluminum boat would be a good choice. Lots of fantastic aluminum boats out there in that price range.

Interested to see how the sonicside performs compared to the Flat 75 from 6th Sense.

-Budget? -Type of water you fish? -Tow vehicle? These questions will help to provide better advice. You are right, in general, aluminum boats are more forgiving.

Decide to also add some new graphs

So it begins. None of this work however is being done by me. A willing member of the club I belong who does boats on the side is doing me a solid for a deal I can’t believe. Comfort D-lux tray going in today!

Honestly, right now I feel like with the sandwich brackets and the extra weight I am making some compromises I could regret... at the same time, I could be overthinking it. I’ve also heard that mlre setback with a jackplate on these boats can really push the bow up a bit and result in lots of backwash when slowing... It’d be nice if I could just try them out and see what happens.

After the first time you use it, the best time to apply it is AFTER every time you are done fishing. That way it’s had some time to sit on the line and your reels are ready to go for next time!

I think I’m going to start with the poles sandwiched between the motor and transom. While you may not have a had a problem with your boat, adding ~70 lbs to my 17’ boat with a smaller motor might be a bit more significantly impacted. Lots of others with the same boat have reported lack of performance gains or even negative results with a jackplate on the R70 series (however, this was in the absence of trying to overcome extra weight, but trying to get their boats up on plane faster or squeeze out a few more mph). I recently learned that the same powerpoles brackets that can go between the motor and transom, can be used similarly with the jackplate. My biggest worry was getting the poles and then being super bogged down and having to shell out $300-$500 for a different set of bracket and another big chunk of change for the jackplate. Now just to figure out which series of poles to get.

Thinking about adding powerpoles to my Ranger R70 with a 125 Merc and 4 blade 21p Trophy prop. I already have 3 - 67 lb Batteries in the back of my boat and I’m worries adding another ~60 lbs by adding the poles will really start to effect my ability to get on plane. Would a jackplate help overcome added weight in the back of the boat as far as holeshot is concerned? Not super concerned about top speed.

Love the summary at the end. Nice job.

20# Tatsu is very easy to manage with a little squirt of KVD Line and Lure conditioner.

Nevermind. I had bad info

There is a thread about this. Someone contacted Seaguar and confirmed that Seaguar no longer does the levelwind on the spools. https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/211568-counterfeit-seaguar-invizix/?page=2

Currently on a surgical oncology rotation. Essentially cutting out bad tumors. Long hours, little sleep... and related to this thread, having to choose between sleep, studying or working out (with a quick breather here and there to think about fishing). Its gotten me out of my workout routine and I am starting to feel the effect. Few other things I’d rather be doing though. My presence on this forum is an indicator that I’m doing some daydreaming about fishing . Looking forward to a vacation week in April to do some fishing and take the (new to me) boat out, but there’s a good chance there won’t be any open water here in Omaha at that time.

Just trying to make light of the situation. . . In all seriousness, stay safe and warm. Your updates continue to inspire.