Lottabass

There is a mat that is used in animal pens (I think) that farm and ranch stores sell. I put hydro turf in my boat but I think these mats may have an application.....

Thank you for your replies! I called MK and they said there is no lubrication needed, or anyplace to lubricate. Their answer was to take the motor to a service center. However, I sprayed silicone spray on the spot where the motor connects to the side rails and that seems to have fixed it. So, it was an external noise and not in the steering mechanism. Thank you again!

Nice old boat! If it was mine I would not cut into the glass anywhere. How about removing the padded seat and padded wrap around and building a rod box out of wood or whatever and adding that to the top of the bench seat...? You could do it on one side or both. Or, do this on both sides and extend it right up to the front, creating a raised casting platform (flipping deck) which would give you room to add a recessed well for your foot control. A lot of added weight, but.....? Good luck with whatever you do!

Besides the sound of the electric steering motor (which doesn't bother me) now it is making a squeaking/growling sound each time the motor turns (which does bother me). Anyone else have this problem? I sprayed it with WD40 but that didn't help. This is a new motor this year. I love the features of this motor and it works fine but I'm afraid this new noise is being heard by the fish when I get in close flipping. I will call MinnKota on Monday but wanted to hear your thoughts on this. Thank you!

Lots of good advice here. I don't work for Power Pole or Minn Kota (GPS controlled Terrova) but adding these tools to my boat has allowed me to slow way down and work a laydown or deep structure lots slower and more effectively than I used to. Last year I poled down in front of a laydown and flipped that tree for 15 minutes before a 6 pounder bit. I never would have spent that time there if I would have had to mess with holding the boat in the right spot with the breeze blowing into that laydown.

I'm with Scott F. YOUR confidence in what you're doing is the most important. Moving your lure at the correct speed and depth is what catches fish. I use bright yellow braid so I can see the strikes.

It's easier to pull a chain than push it...

Check out Troll King from Canyon Lake Products.

I don't know if the fishing will be good. The owner doesn't fish. He tells me that I'm the only one who has asked permission. In my walk to the lake I saw no trash or other sign of people. Good input from you all! Thank you! Now I have more ideas to pursue.

I like the cart idea but I worry if I have the strength to move it that far. I use a lawn mower trailer to haul it with my truck but again pretty heavy for me, I think. Yes, the owner mows with a large riding mower...I will ask about using that to move my boat. That seems like the best solution, if he will let me do that. As far as a kayak, I wanted to do something without investing in another boat. I am on a fixed income. I appreciate all your input!!!!!!

Bear with me and please provide your thoughts. I have gained permission to fish a 50 acre private lake that has no access and gets no fishing pressure. It is almost a half mile from road. Fishing from the bank would be very limited and difficult. The owner will not let me drive to the lake, in fact, the only path is a mowed path to the lake. Mostly flat but with one moderate hill. I have a 2 man Bass Baby, with wheels on one end. Physically, I can't drag this boat that far. Boat probably weighs about 180 pounds with battery, gear, etc. My idea is to use the Minn Kota, 55 pound thrust trolling motor to provide power to move the boat to the lake. I would replace the prop with a wheel, turn it sideways, extend the shaft so the front of the boat is up off the ground, and walking alongside, "drive" to boat to the lake. Crazy idea, or not? I have "Harry and Charlie" fantasies about all the sowbelly's I'm gonna catch in this lake! Please dissect my idea and critique. Thank you for any help you can give! P.S. I thought about buying a belly boat or mini pontoon but I'm not sure I could physically row or foot paddle (frequent leg and foot cramps...) something like this. It's hell to get old....but I will continue to chunk and wind somehow!!!

the visual is killing me...!!!

Last year I bought a Power Pole Micro Anchor. It has an 8 ft spike. Went to one of my favorite reservoirs (very old) and sitting in 2 ft of water I dropped the spike and it went all the way down! Now I realize just how soft and silty the bottom can be in an old lake. What happens to your jig or worm when it hits this type of bottom? Does it sink clear out of sight to the bass?

You only need two colors....black and green pumpkin. Everything else is tackle company propaganda.

A jig has always produced the biggest fish for me, but now I would have to add a bladed jig to that category as I caught just as many 5 pound plus bass on a chatterbait last year. It seems to work best in and around weeds in a lowland type lake with dingy water. Seems to work best during the time a rattletrap type bait works. Last year was my first experience with it. Good fishing to all!

I don't think you will be "inexperienced" for long....

No worry if you are using a dolly. If you are holding one end up and dragging it over rocks the point of contact will wear through eventually. Yes this is from experience. A pond prowler was the first mini boat I bought. I have a bass hunter now. It has wheels on one end and the sponsons have a v shape that acts like a rudder and prevents spinning. The pp sponsons are flat on the bottom so spins like a leaf in the wind, thus the need for a rudder, unless you don't mind going in circles.... You made a good choice over the narrow jon boat, this will be a lot more stable!

You will wear out the bottom of the pond prowler dragging it. Figure out a way to protect it now. Bass Hunter is a better boat but you have the PP now so make the best of it. My pp would spin like a leaf when I shut off the motor (BH doesn't do this) so I built a rudder for the rear and that stopped the spinning. Good luck!

Thank you! Changing from cable steer to elec steer is gonna take some practice. Minn Kota Terrova looks promising.

Would you elaborate on the wireless foot pedal on the x13? I would love to have spot lock but want to keep the 12 volt system on my 16 ft jon boat. I do a lot of shallow water fishing, including flipping, so maneuverability is important. What do you mean that it is not "pressure sensitive?" Thank you for your input!

I bought a 1650 Lowe....50 inch bottom.....borderline tippy! I shoulda got a 54 inch bottom!

It's so hot......I saw a dog chasing a cat.....and they were both walking!!!!!!!!

This is great! I have a story to share.....years ago (early 70's) I was a member of a bass club. It was as much social as fishing but at one of our "tournaments" a young, inexperienced, new guy fished a spincast outfit with a Lazy Ike and caught the fire out of them while us old "pro's" chunkin' our fancy lures caught little! Lazy Ike was in Fort Dodge, Iowa and my buddy's mom worked there. She would bring home the rejects and after the whuppin' we got from the new kid we all took to cleaning up the rejects and filling our tackle boxes with them. The new guy never did come back to fish with us. I reckon he figured we weren't much of a challenge!

Thank you all! I appreciate the insight and humor (jtharris3)!!! I'm glad I joined this forum. Lot of good info!

Thank you! I was referring to the difference from the fishes perspective.