Shimano_1

I couldn't pick just one. I guess if I had to it would be strike king. I love most of their crankbaits and topwaters. Their jerkbaits thenjury is still out on but I've had decent success with them. I like my megabass although they're grossly overpriced. I need to dabble in the lucky crafts some more after reading this thread as I also believe any bait should come ready to fish and a lot of what I fish I have to modify in some sort to suite me.

Only time I fool with braid is if I'm in some nasty cover. Heavy grass or pads type of thing. Rest of the time its 20 lb fluoro. Not real familiar with what type of waters u fish so that would dictate what I would target and the type of line I'd use. I'm sure there's tons of information on YouTube etc from the pros. For the most part if they do it with their livelihood on the line its probably good advice. Good luck I love flippin a jig

All of those rigs are nice! Never been in a lund but never heard anything but praise. I do know the Lowe stingers are super nice. I personally dont think u can go wrong with any of them. It's all a matter of how much ur willing to spend for what u want! I love my Triton 18tx but I've never owned another aluminum bass boat to compare it to. I'm satisfied tho so that's all that matters. Good luck

I love me some red on boats and trucks. However my ram is black and my boat is dark gray. The truck was like 2k cheaper than any other and the best I just loved the color. Red stands out and as already stated looks sexy and fast.

Fished a little small lake here in central ky. Yeah we caught our fish on jerkbaits. It was post cold front and tough fishing.

I know what u mean. I broke one off and broke the bill on a 2nd one today. Won a local tournament on it tho so there lies the dilemma lol. I am looking for something I have the same confidence in but I'm not sure it exists. I sent megabass an email about it so we shall see if they do anything about it.

I'm sure the lund and vexus boats are a little better quality but they're also a lot more expensive. I love my Triton 18tx and the ranger line of aluminum rigs

I'd match that 30 myself if it helps the cause any. I know how things can be and if there are kids involved makes it even worse. Honestly probably some punk kids. Let me know if I can help at all and good luck

I think the xt is a better reel. The braking system is superior and compared to a cple of slx reels I've owned it feels a lil smoother. I'm sure the bearing under the drive shaft helps this. I sold the slx reels I had. Still have the xt. And yes it looks a lot better too if that matters

Sounds like a good setup for it but I personally would much prefer a 7 ft rod.

Throw a jerkbait! That's my go to in cold water and especially if they're not willing to eat faster moving baits

If u know someone that welds that could be fixed. I work in a weld shop and we have several guys that could fix that up. Sucks for sure some sorry human beings out there

I guess I think all the things I buy are worth the money or I wouldn't keep buying them. I love my lews and shimano reels. Live my bps and cabelas rods. Everything strike king makes. Rapala cranks, megabass jerkbaits, triton boats. It's all going up quickly tho kinda makes me wanna just keep what I have and only buy new gear as something breaks or wears out.

6ft10 or close medium action rod with a 7 gear ratio reel assuming it takes up 30 to 32 inches per turn. 12 lb fluorocarbon line I prefer seaguar red label. I throw all my jerkbaits on this rod. They're expensive but megabass vision 110 are by far the best in my opinion. I stayed away for years and kick myself all the time for being a tight wad about it. Any shad patterns and a cple with some chrome for dirty water. Ayu and emerald shiner type colors as well as perch are awesome. White is a good producer as well. I'd get about 4 different colors and experiment urself. The rick clunn jerkbaits are similar but if I were gonna buy them I'd get em from Ebay and get the older ones. The new ones are trash. Good luck

I throw em on 12 lb red label but have used 15 numerous times with the same success

I'd try a jerkbait fished slow and methodical, if that didn't work I'd try a jerkbait....then maybe a different color jerkbait. U get the idea lol. That's my go to when its tough

I store all my keitechs and rage craws in plano boxes and have never had any issues with either. I feel the clam shells take up far too much space for the amount I carry

Probably a decent enough deal assuming everything checks out on it. It would have to be in excellent condition. Good luck

I've fished a lot of em. Caught a lot of fish on most. I've settled on the megabass after years of swearing I'd never spend 25 bucks on a bait. Yes...in my opinion they are that good. They have their flaws...hooks are sharp but weak, busted a couple after a lot of hard fishing and a ton of fish per bait. They just seem to get bit when nothing else will. They've paid for themselves in my boat. If I couldn't buy them it would be kvd and lucky craft for me

Sounds like you have the right idea of what you need to do and have the gear to do it. I'd suggest just spending time on the water and experimenting until things start making sense. Good luck

I get it that it's not perfect but I've come to realize we are way passed the days of being able to buy anything quality. Brand new aluminum boats with cracked welds. Blistering on hulls of 70k glass boats. In the bigger scheme of things I'd fish it and let it be. Is it right...probably not...is it something to lose sleep over...for me it wouldn't be. Good luck

Yeah that's what you need to do. I think most of the trails around here require u to have 100k of liability insurance at minimum. Most of them dont ever check but occasionally they'll require u show them proof when u register for the tournament. Its ridiculously cheap tho like a couple dollars a month or so...or at least it is around here

I dont see how or why your homeowners insurance would cover a boat as well as other boats while on the water. It doesnt cover your vehicle while you're out and about. It may cover it in a fire or something at your residence. I've always kept minimum of liability on any boat I've had just because I feel its only fair to other boaters should I have some kind of accident that harms them or their property.

32 would be my choice for an all purpose reel. I wouldn't want a spinning reel any faster than that. All personal preference tho

Personally I would prefer the higher hours of the options listed. I dont trust many mechanics and even some dealers I've had bad experiences with. 400 isnt a ton of hours if the motor was maintained which I guess would be a mystery. Maybe if the rebuild or new lower unit had warranty I would have more confidence in going that route.