Jig Man

Wow that was some hit. I know how you feel as I have been down that same rocky road. When you have it repaired talk to the tech about internal damage that may have occurred like prop shaft, gears etc. One of my buds had to replace the entire lower unit not just the housing.

I have never had braid twist. Tell more about your setup and the baits that you are using.

I have been told that is hormones. Actively feeding fish have more color than the ones just hanging out.

Xpress is a nice boat and rides like a glass boat. You sound like an inexperienced used so take it easy and learn the boat. Learn what your power trim does and how to use it. Don't run full throttle until you have learned how to control the boat as that rig probably will run in the mid to upper 50s.

Once in a while I have to use 4X4 on wet ramps but mostly 2 wheel does the trick.

I have a rule of thumb on jig size unless it is windy: 1-15 fow 1/4 oz jig, 15-20 fow 3/8 oz jig, 20-30 fow 1/2 oz jig, over 30 fow 3/4 and 1 oz.

Sam I have heard the same thing but never had a way to check it out.

I haven't been down there yet this year and haven't heard a thing about it.

Your chilled shot should contain antimony and will not be soft lead. Like stated, sell it to a shotgun reloader. Like cadman stated, I use all kinds of lead. I have plummers lead, lead from radioactive medicine containers, lead from X-ray rooms, printer's lead and wheel weights. I have had a few molds that were a bit finicky about pouring but on cadman's advice I bought some Frankfort Arsenal drop out mold release spray and cured their problem. I'd latch onto that $1/pound lead before the guy changes his mind.

The best one is the one that matches the steering cables that are on the boat thus saving you a lot of bones by not having to have them changed out.

That is good advice. However, you will need to look for skirts someplace other than fishing skirts as they are having trouble with their manufacturer right now.

I have tried it with no weight and is seems to settle too slowly into the bushes. 1/4 oz will get some fish but not as many as the 1/8 oz. I haven't pegged it yet so that may be even better. They don't seem to have a color preference.

I switched to Optima blue tops 2 or 3 years ago for the trolling motor. They have been completely trouble free and have held up all day long without showing a drop in power. I switched the crank last year to the sears 1150 cca agm because of electronics and voltage drop on my wet cell cranker. The Optimas came from Auto Zone with a 3 year warranty.

Right now that is all that I am getting. It is on soft sticks tossed close to and in bushes. The fish hammer them on the initial fall otherwise they won't take them at all.

As much salt as they already have you probably won't have to add any. Salt sinks so be sure to keep stirring it or the salt will settle to the bottom.

A Pop Snagger tool has it all: pliers, braid cutter, eye buster, line threader, and a file. It is all that I need. I don't go fishing without mine.

What kind of braid? How old is it? What # test? Are you fishing around wood or rocks? I fish with a guy who uses nothing but braid. He has been having trouble with his lately. He made a big cast with an A rig this spring and halfway from the bait to the reel his broke and the rig sailed off like an airplane.

I have a friend who has an Xpress 19' with a 115 four stroke Yammy. He has had 11 trouble free years out of it. It has the lift of a glass boat and a very smooth ride. It is the best ride that I have seen in an aluminum boat. If I were buying an aluminum it would either be an Xpress or a Lund as they both are quality boats. BTW: His 19' runs close to 50 mph (gps) with 2 guys. If you think the 17' is enough boat, personally I'd go for the 4 stroke for the quietness. Where are you located and how far would you drive to get a good deal?

I have been wearing Costas for two years and don't plan to change. They let me see stuff in the water that the guy in the back has no idea that is there.

I use loomis imx and mh does it up to and including 1/2 oz 1/2 oz with big trailer along with 3/4 and 1 oz work better on my h.

Gman and Cadman both make jigs. My suggestion is that you buy them without the weedguard installed so you can paint powder paint them and cure the heads without melting the weedguard. The last thing you do is superglue the weedguard in after the skirt is on.

Yes it does if you have small piles and a large boat you can be off a lot.

Most fats get rancid after a while, even vegetable oils. I use petroleum jelly because it last for years without the rancid smell. I mix what ever I want with it and smear it on the baits with a tool that I made.

Real craws aren't always hard. When they shed they are very soft for a while.

I'm on the other end of the stick. I bought 4 St Croix Avids at BPS. They are no where near my Gloomis rods. If I had do overs I'd leave them where I found them.