volzfan59

Congratulations on the new rig! Enjoy your trip, be safe.

Congratulations!!!

@MN FisherKen, I think we got it back. It was 85 here this morning at 0730. Another day over 100. How is it up your way? Steve

@Kirtley Howe, When I worked for BPS, we sold a ton of the Tourny Special reels. We rarely had any come back as defective returns. Don't misunderstand, all reel companies have some come back defective. Some more than others. Take the BPS Formula series baitcaster's as an example. We had a bunch of those come back defective, a bunch. I could never recommend them. Also, for what it's worth all BPS products have a minimum one year return warranty.

Hah! My Optometrist is a big time crappie angler. Every time I have an eye appointment, we end up talking about area lakes. Edit; I forgot, my MD and his son (also an MD) are big time trout anglers. They also fly fish for smallies. My step-daughter is one of their nurses and reminded me last night.

You're very welcome, I listen to Low Budget Live every Monday. I'll never say that B.A.S.S. is perfect, but they beat the pants off of mlf. I used to occasionally watch the mlf tournament coverage, won't watch it again. Not going to do anything to support them.

As I always say, to each his own. I've never used Walmart hard baits, but I'm not against giving them a shot. I have used BPS "XTS" and Academy H2O hard baits. They're great. I would suggest that you watch your hooks. I don't know if the Ozark Trail hooks are any good or not, but that is a place that cheaper lure companies save money. When I was still with BPS, I learned that the BPS "XTS" line of hard baits had absolutely terrible hooks. I always told my customers to upgrade them. The "XPS" hooks were fine. Years ago, back in the mid 80's, Walmart's house brand soft plastics were called "Renegade". I used them with great success. Their motor oil color was great.

Typical mlf

When I worked at BPS, Excel line was made by Pure Fishing (Trilene/Stren parent company). I'm not sure if it was XL or XT. Your theory sounds about right, never really thought about that. While BPS does shop contracts from time to time, Pure Fishing has been making BPS Excel for decades.

My Tacoma's front windows are tinted to match the factory tint on the back doors and sliding rear window.

I use BPS Excel mono for everything. 4lb to 8lb for spinning, 10lb to 17lb for casting set ups.

I've been fishing since I was like 6 years old, I'm 63 now. Broke exactly two rods in all that time, one Walmart cheapie and a St Croix panfish series rod (made in Mexico). I must be like @Tennessee Boy and not trying hard enough.

@Huckfinn38, I'm a crankbait junkie too. Not particularly brand loyal though, I've got them from Megabass down to BPS and Academy house baits. Same thing with jerkbaits and lipless. Numerous 3700 deep boxes full.

@Cody28, To each his own brother, do what is right for you. That said, years ago I sold my boats, I had two at the time. Took the money and paid off what debt I had in preparation for my retirement. Bought a yak and hated it, everything about it. I built a motor mount and hung a trolling motor off the back of it. Made a foot controlled cable steer mechanism, electronics, etc, still hated it. Sold it and the trailer and bought another boat, a semi-vee 16' jon that I converted to a bass jon. As I no longer fish tournaments or keep fish, I didn't worry with a live well. If you want to fish tournaments, install a live well in your Jon, it's not complicated. @MN Fisher has an excellent build post about building his jon boat w/ a live well. There are tournaments that will allow you to compete in a jon with a live well.

Heck Ken, I didn't realize that we sent our temps north. Our actual high temps here in south AR have been 100+ all week. Not sure about the feels like. Not gonna try and sugarcoat it, this blows.

There are some topics that I don't really contemplate, this is one of them. Like other's have mentioned, I know exactly where I'm going when I pass on. @T-Billy, I'm a Billy Joe Shaver fan too. Good stuff!

@MN Fisher, TN did the same thing several years ago. Now that I live in AR, I'll have to check.

All I use is monofilament line. I haven't purchased any line since resigning from BPS in 2017 or 18, can't remember which. I keep my spool's stored in my bedroom closet, dark and cool.

I've got an Onyx and a BPS inflatable PFD. Got one for Christmas and purchased the other. Only had them for a year, but they are the one thing that I don't leave in the boat all the time. It gets super humid down here in south Arkansas

@roadwarrior, I looked him up right after reading your great trip report. You're 100% correct, "Hotdawg" does seem to know a thing or two, about a thing or two when it comes to trout fishing. His rates aren't bad either. Hopefully this fall or next spring we can get up there. I would love to own a place on the White River!

As you can see, you get a ton of answers concerning which line to use. Use what feels most comfortable to you. Personally, I've gone back to 100% mono 100% of the time.

I've owned the Sun Dolphin version and the old Coleman single hull Crawdad. I agree with everything that @Tdsmith172said. Great little boats but can be a little tippy especially if anyone stands up. I ended up putting both of them on trailers. When fishing alone, it was easier for me to load that way. Personally I liked the old single hull Crawdad better but they're no longer made. All of that said, I would buy another one if need be.

Looks like you and your friends had a great time @roadwarrior. I've been wanting to go up that way.

Not to be a pimp for Luke Dunkin's Low Budget Live podcast and YouTube show, I know that it sounds like I am but that's where it's being discussed. The mlf sure isn't talking about and wants it to go away. The episode that dropped today has a guy named "Slick Johnson", President of the AL Bass Council, assuming that's really a thing, I don't know. If "Slick" isn't a member here, I wish that he was. Anyway, Luke and "Slick" address the Cayuga mlf scandal and name some names. One bpt angler (they name him) is reported to have been been fined $50,000.00, his Cayuga winnings plus the remaining balance. He must pay up before the next bpt tournament or he can't fish. He is reportedly refusing to pay and has lawyers involved. They name two more cheater's but apparently mlf is attempting to sweep it under the rug. After the way that mlf has handled the last three cheating incidents, it boggles my mind how anyone supports them anymore or watches their show's. I wish them nothing but the worst.

I've been using them since they were introduced. I do much better with the 4" to the point that I don't carry any 6" in the boat anymore.