Flatrock

I'm curious as to the reliability of the 75 hp 4 cyl 4 stroke Mercs. Given the motor is properly maint... How reliable are these motors ? The reason for this post is I have a 2019 model 75hp and I only have a few more weeks to buy the extended warranty, 1-5 additional yrs.. quite pricey in my opinion. I realize no one can predict the life expectancy of the ecm or an injector. However I can honestly say that the motor won't get much use due to my work... I'd say maybe 30-40 running hrs a year (that's like taking the boat out 18 times annually). Right now the motor is 6 mos old and has 18 hrs on it and I still have 2.5 yrs left on the original factory warranty. My thought process is... if something will fail, it will do so within this time period. I'm not a hotdog and don't plan on racing the boat. Don't have kids so its not going to be pulling any skiers and I don't have any plans of using in salt water... essentially its gonna have a good life. Has anyone had any issues with their Mercs ? What kind of repairs were made ? Has anyone had to use their extended warranty and was it worth it ? How many hours did you have on your motors if and when you started having issues ? Here is what Merc wants to extend the warranty.. Gold coverage – mechanical coverage only 1 year - $426.08 2 year - $677.35 3 year - $912.24 4 year - $1136.20 5 year - $1305.54 Platinum coverage – both mechanical & electrical coverage 1 year - $529.86 2 year - $863.08 3 year - $1141.66 4 year - $1414.79 5 year - $1627.83

I like using snap swivels, easier and quicker to change lures... I hear some say it interferes with the swim bait action. I don't see how... I'm also contemplating on possibly installing a small o ring for easier hook up with the snap... . . Let the discussion begin.

I like top water poppers at night.. What do you suggest after sunset ?

I read a quote today that makes total sense.... When I first bought the Fishdrops, I read several reviews and several reviews rated the reel in 5th place out for top 10 reels. Then again I was also told by the guy that sold me the reel that it was basically a Shimano, which its not. I came across this extremely detailed post, complete with pictures, about this real. Now granted the original owner of the reel used in salt water, but I was amazed at his findings. The only good thing he had to say was the drag system was all metal, something you only seen from reels from the 70's... that even your modern $400 reels weren't all metal. http://www.*/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=144910.0 So yes the Fishdrops is a junk reel... So lets see how I do with this Garcia Revo Sx

Thanks for the advice.. I'll invest in a Daiwa in time.. Mean while I picked up a Garcia’s REVO SX for $75 and a second rod. From what I read in the reviews, its a good work horse mid range reel.

I should have figured as much. It was one of those spur of the moment purchases, but at least I don't have too much invested in it..

What is your opinion of a Fishdrops bait caster reels ? Also what other reels would make for a good budget beginners bait caster. ? (No Walmart crap) I've always been a spinning reel kind of guy but I'm trying to expand my horizons

I live in Tenn and with all this rain, the lakes have a slight brownish hue to them.. Tenn has a lot of clay. But I could see my lure about 3-4' from the surface. The guy I bought my boat from left a rattle trap and I like the action of it, so I bought several the other day. I've never fished them before and was looking for ideas on how to work them. Thanks for the tips.

I fell victim to the monkey as well yesterday while exploring my local BPS... Purchased a boat and motor cover.. a new 8' catfish rod reel combo, half dozen various rattle traps. I've been holding out cause there is a boat and fishing show this weekend.

Rattle Traps 3" 1/2oz... Water color.... I'd say 3-4' brownish clear Time of the year, water temp ? How long do you allow them to fall, 3,4, 5 seconds before retrieving them? What is the best way to work them... fast and hard, jerky ... slow and steady ?

What lot of info... It seems I have been working crankbaits totally wrong according to what I have read, which would explain a lot. I would have thought trying to mimic a injured fish with jerking motion followed by a pause would cause a reaction... Of course I did once catch a small base that was smaller then the top water plug I was using.. LOL I'd like to touch on a subject that I feel is important and that is crank bait retrieval speed or reel ratio. How do you know how fast to work or retrieve ?

I just bought some shoes at walmart that are cross between slip on boat shoes and shower shoes. They weight absolutely nothing, nice rubber sole and the material I think will dry quickly

Don't feel bad, I asked to join the Lawrence fish finder group and not only did they deny me but I think they blocked me.. ? All I wanted was to be able to learn how to use my fish finder more efficiently.

Farm Bureau seems to be fairly popular in my area with 250 & 500 ded A 22K boat is about 200 a yr

I wish Lowe had a better representation in my area because I do believe Lowe makes a good boat, but it did play a big factor in my final decision in what I ended up buying. To be honest, after my last disappointment, I pretty much gave up. Then my boat popped up on the market place, a 5 month old Bass Tracker. A deal was struck and now I have a 2019 BT PT 175 TXW

Treat the deck or the back edge with pray on bed liner.. You can buy it in a spray can.. love the stuff

Although I live alone, I don't even leave my socks on the floor. So for it to be looking like this... I gotta blame someone

My living room looks like a hurricane went thru it with tackle scattered everywhere, tackle boxes and plastic organizers stacked here and there from trying to rearrange tackle into some sort of order... You know, grubs and jigs in one and worms in another, spinners in the tackle box and one box totally dedicated to cat fishing.... And its all y'all's fault... ! Starting a thread like this and expecting people not to feed the monkey.. I mean buying a boat was wonderful, but a man NEEDS more fishing stuff to throw at these fish I can't seem to catch.... Well at least I'll look good trying ? Now to clean the livingroom... sure wish I had a lil woman that could move everything to the boat for me ?

Glad to see there are at least a couple other guys here from the hood

Where are all the Tenn guys and where do you fish or where are you at... ? I'm just east of Nashville

Good lord guys... go to lowes and buy about 10' of "clear" 1/2" tubing and suck away. Once the fuel gets half way it will continue on its own without worrying about drinking gas.

I like this setup.. I've saved the site.

Last night while going thru all my tackle boxes, some that I haven't seen the inside of for yrs, I came across some OLD lures. One in particular is a what appears to me a 6" hand carved double bodied green with yellow spot lure. Would I be crazy for fishing it or should it be hanging on the wall somewhere ?

I couldn't tell you to be honest. The guy guessed he had maybe 20 hrs on the boat, I put maybe 3 hrs on the engine since I bought it. I mean I'm doing 30 mph at 4000 which it seems to be its sweet spot