K1500

I believe most ST tires are speed rated to 65. The Goodyear Endurance (USA made) are speed rating N, which is up to 87 MPH. So, if you want to safely go above 65, you need to pay attention to the speed ratings. This is a major reason why these Goodyear’s are one of the only choices (I believe one other tire has a speed railing above 65). It’s really hard to stay at or below 65 on an interstate, both from a traffic flow perspective and a driver frustration level.

As others have said, max PSI cold. Also, don’t by China made trailer tires if you can at all help it, and don’t put passenger car tires on it, stick to ST rated tires. Goodyear endurance are USA made and worth the extra money. In contrast, Goodyear marathon are junk. Maxxis are probably the best of the imported ST tires if you are boycotting Goodyear. Finally, replace them every 4-5 years.

My experience is cheap inline spinners are no bargain, and I’ve not had much better luck with cheap spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. I would rather cheap out on a crankbait, but even then...

Take it to the dealer. To find a leak they will shut the bilge off and fill it with water and look for it leaking out of the boat. Quite often it’s around a penetration in the hull like a livewell drain. I’ve got a brand new Lowe that leaked and the dealer fixed it no problem.

I have 2 Fuego LT 2500’s and this has been my experience to a T. I also have a Daiwa BG that is solid as a rock. For $10 and a few ounces of weight more I would go with the BG every time. I also had a mag shield seal appear to fail on the Fuego.

Budget is important, as is number of passengers. The little bass pro tracker classic is a low entry price that may (or may not) work for you.

I’ve had pretty good luck with chartreuse garlic spike it on the tails of white keitechs.

They have different plasticizers that do not mix well. These are the chemicals that keep them soft. Original bag usually works best. Failing that, not mixing brands/colors helps.

I’ve had some baits tied on all season.

I have to admit I haven’t looked at prices in a while. I paid $1,000 a little over a year ago for that unit. It looks like prices have risen by about $150 since then.

It’s supposed to be that high, for safety.

Lowrance HDS Live 7”. $1,000 with transducer.

I have a couple of the Fuego LT’s and they flex a lot. Enough I won’t be buying another. Next time spent the $10 more and buy the Daiwa BG. It is aluminum and rock solid.

I use 12# on almost all my baitcasting reels with no complaints.

Thanks for the replies, it jibes with what I have experienced.

I know that post-release trout mortality skyrockets when water temps reach 70 something, to the point they advise don’t fish unless you plan on keeping them. Does the same thing occur to bass (at higher temps)? I caught a white bass yesterday, brought it in quickly and released it quickly. Surface temps were 87 or so and it would up dying. It got me thinking about the effect water temps have on bass mortality when released.

The $50 Huk glasses in mirror blue behind the counter at Academy are head and shoulders above the $25/$35 ones in the racks. I’m surprised they aren’t more expensive.

Thanks for the reply, I’m not really a tournament guy so I didn’t know if that was a thing. I can see how herbicides would change the fishing pattern in a lake, perhaps quite drastically. I have no idea about mortality, but I would guess that catch rates decrease for a while.

You fish tournaments with a guide? I think dying vegetation can definitely mess with bass fishing/patterns.

I’m usually one for overkill but if you do not exceed the Honda tow rating and are going on short trips I think you will be ok. Towing up the the max rating may wear your vehicle faster but shouldn’t be dangerous. I wouldn’t want it long term but for a few trips...

This!

I could see wearing a seatbelt when driving on a dangerous road, but when driving to the lake to fish? I would just find some other road or some other lake if driving there was so dangerous that I felt like I needed a seatbelt.

I agree 100%. I wear sunglasses and bring a pair of clear safety glasses in my sunglasses case. I switch out at dawn and dusk.

If you can live with a 7” screen the Lowrance HDS live 7 is a steal with transducer included for about $1,000.

Seadek is hard to clean stains off of but otherwise very nice.