Jig Man

So my guess was wrong. I didn’t even know that there was such a species as yellow bass. Learn something new every day.

Are you familiar with this lake? Have you fished it very often? First I will ask you what size is the lake, is it in hilly country or wide flat country? Is it an impounded river with lots turns? Those items would play a large part in my selection of a boat. You will need a trailer to take the boat for service. If you choose glass your listed budget will put you into the used market.

Looks like a white bass to me.

I don’t know of a company that offers every thing you want in a package. You may have to get the forms poured from a custom bait maker and look around for the components. Seibert Outdoors, Cadman or Smalljaw might be able to help you out.

I throw Arigs a lot. For me the slower the gear ratio the smoother they fish. I was using faster reels and not liking the retrieve. I went to Shimano buy sell trade on Facebook and picked up a couple of Curado G5s. They work great.

I don’t see how you can take time to eat while you are on the water. I eat a ginormous breakfast and do my lunch on the way home if at all.

Too many reheats, too much heat can cause lots of issues. It is really noticeable on white and chartreuse. Heat stabilizer and an infared thermometer will help.

You better find a place for cheaper boxes. Your hobby will keep growing and growing and growing.... There is no end.

Depends on the material, just cut in different places if silicone, split tabs pull and cut differently if living rubber.

You should take a test ride in both. Like fishes in trees I have ridden in Xpress boats. They have lift and ride similar to a glass boat.

I owned my last boat 14 years. It was a 20’ with a 225 hp 2 stroke engine. I had it serviced yearly. It usually cost me under $200. My current boat is four years old with a 200 with a 250 hp four stroke engine. I have it serviced yearly. It has been coating a little over $200 because of the engine oil change. I use mfg additives every time I add gasoline. I also run 91 octane non ethanol gasoline. My greatest expense is insurance.

I’ve seen all kinds of rates and lengths. Rates were generally dependent on the customers credit rating and credit record. I would advise against anyone getting a 15 year boat loan. You will be upside down from day one and your interest may be larger than your principal for years. Download a amortization schedule and run the numbers before you sign on the dotted line. I can’t tell you how many people came in to put boats on consignment that were way upside down and just wanted out.

I don’t know what you are calling shallow or deep. The lake I like to fish is around 200’ deep at its deepest. The deep bite has been as far down as 80’. T caught fish on an Arig in less than 10 feet of water. The water temp was 42° every where that I went.

Generally they are going to want 20% down. If you have a local bank or credit union, I suggest you start there. Your past records, credit score, and ability to make the payments on time will have a bearing on the interest rate and length of the loan. I used to work with 20 banks securing boat loans for customers. They had a wide range of rates and lengths. If you can secure your own loan you can save lots of money that would go for finders fees.

I don’t have any reels that slow. I’d rather slow my cranking to match the bait than have a slow reel.

Check to make sure that it is locked down.

I got a Curado DC for father’s day. I liked it well enough to pick up another one.

Congrats Chad for hanging in there. MV P of the game.

That would be a very good idea. I’ve never seen a boat come from the factory with quality electronics.

I have done a few. I just used a candle. It doesn’t take very much heat to do the job.

I make my own and use a version of the flash mob so I pour 1/16 ball head on a 4/0 light wire hook to hold down the weight and drag.

Now I am working on a laminate swim bait.

My advice is decide what you want a unit to do then see which works best for you. As stated some brands can communicate with trolling motors. Some can control shallow water anchors. Regardless of the brand you choose, mapping is a must in today’s world as well as the units being able to share information via Ethernet.

That’s definitely thinking outside the box bud.

Also you should be aware of the rules , regulations, and record keeping that you will need to follow both in your state and federally. You may have to collect sales tax and even excise tax on your sales and pay them to the respective authority.