Shimano_1

Megabass vision 110 by a long shot. I like the kvd jerkbaits too. Love any rapala but never had much success with their jerkbaits for some reason. I like a Tennessee shad or emerald shiner in clearer water and a purple back with white and chartreuse belly in stained.

There are going to be a hundred different opinions on this like most things. I dont think for a second that a guy with a few lures and 2 poles could consistently catch fish all season long in a variety of lakes etc. That doesnt make them a worse fisherman...I've just learned over the years that as the seasons change so do the fish and so should your approach to catching them. It's all relevant tho. If you only fish ponds or a particular lake then yeah a few baits would be sufficient. We travel all over the state and what I fish on local smaller lakes with grass is totally different than what I fish on Cumberland for big brown bass. I wouldn't run out and start buying up everything but I've built up my arsenal over the years to cover anything from 30 ft clear water to super shallow muddy and in between. I've let the success and failures dictate what I prefer for different circumstances and I've sold and gave away a lot to replace with more confidence baits. For someone wanting to dive into it a little deeper I'd suggest maybe finding a local club and trying your luck as a co-angler. The options are there for whatever you're driven to do. You sound like you already have plenty to get ya started and some experience with other anglers will help show you what you do and dont need. Admittedly I could probably take a quarter of my tackle and be just fine....but I've had more than one occasion when I had all my gear except the one thing I needed in that particular situation. Dont get overwhelmed tho. Most of us have acquired our tackle over many years. Take your time and enjoy it! Good luck

I have never spent over 75 bucks on a spinning reel and have never worn one out. I currently have a daiwa legalis, less mach speed spool and a pflueger president and like them all. U sound like u have a pretty good idea what u want and sounds like shimano or daiwa would suite u well. Any of their reels in the north of 75 dollar range should suite you just fine. I used to hate it too but I actually kinda enjoy fishing then these days. Like the sound of the drag with a fish on and just a change up from the traditional casting gear

I started with a 15ft job with a 9.9. Then bought a 16ft stratus with a 90. Then a 20 ft stratos with a 200. Then a 18ft stratos with a 150. Followed by a 21 ft triton with a 250. Traded it in last year for a 19ft aluminum Triton with a 115 4 stroke. So far I've been more than satisfied with each decision. I've tried the kayaks and honestly have zero desire to own one. Each to their own tho

Of the 2 I'd prefer the job myself.

Exactly! I fished these for several years but finally broke down this year and got some megabass. No comparison really especially compared to the new rick clunn ones. The megabass suspend like they should...whether that matters or not. The hooks are better but still not what I'd expect on a 25 dollar jerkbait. The paint job and quality of craftsmanship is 2nd to none. Most importantly I've been wrecking fish on em already. I hate spending that much but after all the rods and reels and boats etc I'm in deep enough to spend a lil more on the megabass

Not a fan of optimas but the Duracell ones at Sam's are hard to beat for the money

In my eyes it's just a deal where everything at basspro and cabelas is over priced til sales come around and we're talking about a company that basically owns the whole fishing industry. Do they "owe" us anything...no sir. Would I feel bad if I got one over on them...absolutely not. They could sell things even at the same prices as other places and not put a dent in their bottom line. They dont because of greed. I would tell someone at a bait shop of their mistake before I'd try to make em lose money. I'd say them losing a few hundred on a trolling motor isnt affecting whether Johnny can afford his next meal. As always just my opinion

I ordered the trolling motor and got cancelled as well. Knew it would but I believe a company like basspro should stand behind it when a mistake is made. I get that we knew it was a mistake but years ago a company would have stood behind it. As already stated tho no harm done it was worth a shot lol

I used to have this problem with black and blue. Heard everyone rave about it and couldn't buy a fish on it. Stuck with it tho in the right conditions and now it's probably my number one confidence color in anything in stained water. All those colors you mentioned are some of the staples to many anglers. Red bug is my favorite color in most worms. Just shows how people are so different in their favorites and I'm sure the waters they fish have a lot to do with it.

Yes I have a few times. Always super positive experience. Order with confidence

I never go below 40 on casting gear. Usually use 50. I see no reason or techniques that would require anything smaller and casting reels just dont act right or suitable for thin braid. All I use braid for is frog/buzzbaits and for punching nasty cover. Everything else is fluoro or mono

It seems you're satisfied with it. I see no need to get something newer just because it's more modern or whatever. Yes there are things the newer reels do better but as DVT stated this reel gives u the things we are all chasing without spending 400 on a reel then having to change gears etc. There are several older shimano reels I would buy a ton of if I could find new ones. This reel seems like it would make a great big swimbait reel if you did buy another reel for versatility. Good luck

I'm a Triton guy and have been for years. Are they better than nitro...I guess that's depending on who you're asking. I'm sure the majority will say yes they're better built boats. I personally dont see anything about a ranger that makes it better...again I'm sure this is also debatable. They all make fine boats and if that price seems good to you for that boat then I think you would be more than satisfied. I know a guy who has one and he's in love with his. Good luck

I personally think you're on the right track. I've been fishing seriously for the last 10 years or so and every year I seem to thin down my selection a little more. I just did it a couple weeks ago and if I couldn't remember the last time I threw a bait, it got removed. I kept things I knew there was a place for that maybe I wont use on my local lakes. You're absolutely right tho it all can be thinned down to a few of every type of bait in a couple colors. I still buy too much but I think a lot of that is the cabin fever. Hopefully in the next couple weeks the fishing will get me busy enough that I'm not surfing the inter web for tackle deals. I wouldn't get rid of all...or maybe any of it but maybe just put some of it up and focus on a few techniques and a few lures and just fish the heck out of em. I bring so much with me every trip and honestly over half the time I could bring a few jigs and a couple rods and do just fine. Good luck

That's all personal preference. If you're aware of what to look out for and patient there can be some nice deals that'll save thousands on used boats. On the other hand there's nothing better than peace of mind that your new boat is covered should there be any problems. Only you can determine if this peace of mind is worth the cost. I bought my first new boat last year and I hated spending that much but it's been nice that the cple of small problems I've had were fixed quickly and free of charge. I have no concern of how the boat or motor were treated because I've put every hour on it myself. Good luck!

I think its pretty cool that he has all 3 and is essentially seeing which is better for what. I can see a lot of those using garmin for the livescope and the humminbird for the mega imaging. I personally dont like having so many things on my boat...but I'm not fishing for 100k either.

Some of the bigger aluminum rigs are hard to beat for the money. If you're putting an ultrex on it I wouldn't worry so much about the wind. I personally would be looking at one of the rigs mentioned maybe a few years old should fit in your budget. The glass vs aluminum debate is one only you can answer. I've had both and am leaning more in favor of the aluminum rigs at this point. The pros outweigh the cons for me and my fishing. The pro v type boats should serve you well and handle the rough water much better. If fuel economy is a concern I'd look for the newer 4 stroke motors. I've got a newer Triton 18tx with a 115 pro xs 4 stroke and the fuel economy is amazing compared to the 2 strokes I've had in the past. Your budget should allow you to find a really nice rig that will fit your needs. I'm sure the z7 would be fine. My buddy has one and it's a nice rig and handles rough water pretty good for its size. Good luck and be patient!

Likely haven't done any damage but needs to have the straight 90 weight oil. Local wal mart's sell this as well as what you've been running. I'd just put the 90 in it and not worry about it

And comments like that make me wanna use em even more. U can keep ur daiwas.

I agree that daiwas customer service is lacking and my buddy swears shimano is the same way. This is a lot of the reason I have went to all lews reels the last couple of years. I personally think the days of reels lasting 10 plus years are over so at some point the customer service is going to be needed from any of them. I've had more issues with daiwa reels than any others I've owned. They do make some fine gear but I doubt I'll be fishing anything daiwa going forward. I've had lews go above and beyond and have been more than impressed with them.

Wonderful motors. My boat mechanic still says those were the best motors ever built. My dad still has a 95 stratos with a 150 fast strike on it that has been a great motor. I'd definitely check the compression and all that but I'd honestly be more worried about the hull on a boat that old than I would be the motor. Good luck

If I were in the market for one I'd get on that in a hurry. Super good deal on that boat for sure!

I personally favor the Triton/ranger tin boats for the money. However, I've never talked to anyone that's actually owned a tracker that had many bad things to say about em. I also believe in buying new if ur budget can afford it. The 175 tracker should serve your needs well, but I would check other companies similar offerings and whichever offered me the most for my dollar is where I'd go. Good luck!

My fishing partner has one. Super nice boat. He bought his new and still has it. Never had any problems at all with the boat. If the money was right I wouldn't have any issues buying one