Fatdaddy150

I prefer to fish whenever I have time!! LOL That is when I go, morning, noon, night it really don't matter to me I just love goin bassin.

Glad you catch on fast...Craig.

Well done JT, I know several anglers that go to shows and seminars and go to every booth trying to get an organization to sponsor them. They send countless emails practically begging to be a pro staff member. I wish I had a dollar for everytime a buddy of mine added a new company name to his tournament shirt. He puts the patch on goes out has a good day takes all kinds of pictures with that logo on his shirt then sends a resume, to brand X company with that logo on his shirt. He has yet to land a sponsorship deal because he is very pushy and does not take the time to actually learn brand X line of product. He is a good fisherman but all he wants is what is best for him not the company he wishes to WORK for. "Yes I said work fulfilling your commitment to a sponsor is work" The key is be paitent and don't just go looking for a deal, make sure you get sponsorship deal from a company you trust, and truly enjoy using thier products. Like JT said I highly doubt in the early stages of tournament fishing you are going to get paid cash from the company. More like some product and apperal, if you are lucky maybe a small amount will be knocked off an entry fee or two. If you are trying to get a sponsor be prepaired to work at selling the product, doing shows, seminars, and trying new product line. More than likely you will work harder for them than they will for you, but that is how it should be because they are helping you out and you need to show your graditude to the company. Because bass fisheman are a dime a dozen they can find anyone to promote their product! Show them that you appreciate them because they choose you. "Also nice to prove to them that they choose the right guy for the job!! JUST MY TWO CENTS!! Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

Thanks for sharing everyone. I just realized me and Dad have only been on the water together once this year. I think I am gonna ask him to go Sunday Morning. He is the best. I spend so much time tounament fishing and getting prepared I almost forgot who got me hooked on bassin. If we go I'll let everyone know how it went. I bet he kicks my tail. It seems like he always does.LOL Thanks again! Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

I have said this once in a previous post but I will say it again. All boat manufacturers are really on the same field. They are all very comparable on ride, quality, speed, and fishability. Now with that said you need to look at exactly what you want. Some boats are faster but this usually in turn gives up some of the boat ride, some boats are slower but they may handle better. Boats that are made with quality in mind might suffer on one thing or another. A boat that is fast and handles well may not be made with as many quality companents as some of the others. What you need to do is sit down and decide for yourself what you really want. Quality, Speed, Ride, or fishability. It is just like Glenn put it everyone has their own personal choice because that is what fits them best. I would say in todays "NEW" bass boat market you should look at how the boat is laid out and go from there. Find one that you are comfortable in. Just shop hard and make the dealers let you drive the boats you are interested in. Beside whatever you get I am sure you will be happy with it. And you are the only person that needs to be happy with the purchase. Don't buy a boat just because somone says they are the best, and don't overlook one because someone said they are junk. Try the boats out and make the call on the info you have gathered on your own. Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

ONE WORD "CHAMPION"!!!! The name says it all. You can get a 188 Elite with all the extras and a 200hp Mercury Optimax for less than $35,000.00 18'8" long with a 92.5" beam. Boat rides great handles better than any other I have ever driven and has tons of space for your gear. Look at this one before you purchase something. The 198 Elite is nice too under $42,000.00 for this one. Look at Champions before you buy!! Once you drive one you will understand what I am talking about. Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

BPS in Cincinatti, Ohio is 120mi from me. About an hour and 35 minute drive. Not a bad store, selection is smaller than some of the other stores. I go there about once a month. Good trip for me and my wife. She shops the mall for about three hours while I drool in BPS!!! They are finishing up the one being built in Clarksville IN, this will cut my drive in half. Looks like it is going to be huge! I've heard that it is going to be the second biggest BPS in the nation, only one bigger will be the headquarters. Does anyone know if this is true? Just a rumor I heard. Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

I have a 1983 BassTracker with a 40hp Mercury. I use it for small lakes and rivers around my house. The Merc is a 83 also. It starts first turn of the key!! This has been the best outboard I have found. Of course my dad bought the boat new and sold it to me. It has been very well taken care of. I think this is the key to any outboard. I like mercs both of my boats have one. Take care of them and they will last a long time. Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

Thanks for understanding what I was talking about abelfisher. Sometimes people like things we don't. And other times a guy has to buy what is in his price range. Just nice to tell a fellow basser good job and hope you really like the new purchase. Even if it was something we might not have bought ourseleves. Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

OK boys time to calm down! We all have a favorite boat manufacturer. No need to get out of shape. I have driven a Triton and Gambler they are very nice boats. I did not have a problem with chine walk in the Trition TR196 with a 200 optimax on it. The Gambler was also had good ride, fast too. Like Glenn said I think it may be in the setup or prop on the Triton this boat just may be harder to dial in. I am partial to Champions and Rangers myself. But everyone has their own opinion. My buddy has a Nitro and he swears it is the best boat made "it does ride pretty well and he has had no problems with it, He has had it for four years now speed is ok and ride ain't bad either". I think that almost all boat companies are on the same playing feild. It is just every anglers personal preference. The point is get what you want and congratulate a fellow basser on his new purchase. Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

I have had a 14 foot john boat with a 5 hp on it. Pushed the boat fine for me. Depends on what you want out of it. I would not think you would want more than a 25 hp engine. I used mine for small river and 7-15 acre lakes. I choose the five because it was lighter and I fish alot by myself. Not much speed but it did the job just fine. A friend of mine has it now, he sold the 5 hp and put a 55 lb thrust trolling motor. He says it pushes the boat almost as fast as the 5hp. May be something to think about with gas prices like they are now.

GREAT!! I HOPE YOU GOT WHAT YOU WANTED POST SOME PICS SO WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR NEW BABY.

I drove a 2005 champion 188 elite over the weekend. A buddy of mine just got it. WHAT A BOAT!! 18'8" long 92.5" beam 200 hp Mercury Optimax. Fast and handeled the rough water great. This was probably the nicest I have ever ridden in, rides better than any Ranger even the new Z, Triton, Skeeter, or any of the other Champion models I have driven. I WANT ONE NOW!!! Great boat, check one out. It is laid out very well, feels like you are in a 20' boat!! Of course he got all the options cost him over $32,000.00 Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

Tighten up the knot with out pulling on the tag end. When the knot is firmly up against the hook, or bait tighten the knot using both the tag end and main line. What you need to accomplish is getting the knot wraps down to the hook before actually tighting the knot. Hope this helps. Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

Large mouth ;D 12lb 6oz Small mouth ;D 7lb 3oz Spot 3lb 4oz Five fish stringer 31lb 5oz all largemouth, what a tournament!! Came in second missed first by three oz fish were going crazy!!!! Greatest day I have ever had on the water. Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

Good Point Squid!! Good job Rich, hows it working out for you?

The good ole days LOL!

I agree with Boo! Stick to three or four colors of each bait you have confidence in. In most applications I don't think color is a key factor. I remember one B.A.S.S. event where all three to finishers were using a creature type bait. All three were fishing the same water, with different colors. If I start using a new bait and catch fish with it I will usually buy more, just in the same two or three colors I have confidence in. Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

Air temp 82 degrees Water temp 67 degrees overcast water stained. Light 4-7 mph wind coming in from the south. On the lake around 9 am. Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

Just wanted to know if anyone has gained sponsorship deals because they posted their resume on this site? Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

A bass fishing club is for anglers. Most are local anglers that you know. Many have fishing tournaments, help with getting kids involved in fishing and help DNR with surveys and rehab of water ways or wet lands. Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

I agree with J.T.!! It depends on the drivers skill. I have found that the new Z series Ranger, Champion and Gambler are probably the nicest handling boats that I have driven. Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

Which do you prefer to fish for? Smallmouth, Spots, or Largemouth. I prefer to fish for smallmouth bass, but they are limited most places I fish. Catch largemouth 80% of the time, don't get many spots either. Love to catch the smallies what great fighters!!!!! Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

I have never tried this. I always just cut the line and release the fish with the hook still in. I been told this is the best way to release a deeply hooked fish. The hook will eventually dissolve, and the fish lives with little or no side effects. Tight Lines, Fatdaddy151

Mark Davis, Woo Daves, KVD, Rick Clunn, Mike IKE, Denny Brauer, Bryan Kerchal R.I.P. :'( , Zell Rowland, Joe Thomas, Mark Dove, Jimmy Houston, Peter T, David Fritts. I think that is it.