Jig Man

If you buy that boat plan on it not stopping the load and plan on buying a transmission real soon. The other option is to get a bigger tow vehicle.

To stay in that price range you might look at a Shimano Symmetry 2500 along with a St. Croix avid rod. I bought 4 Avids last winter when they were on clearance. I like them as well as my Gloomis spinning rods and they are a lot less expensive. I use the 6.6 medium action.

If you aren't sure what to do, then maybe you should get someone else to do it. Typically you oil bearings and grease gears. Look at the paperwork that came with the reel and see if it has any directions for you.

I use Ketchup on mine.

That was good advice about the rod and tackle box. I'd go one step farther and say take as many rods as you like to use on an outing and see if they will fit and still let you fish.

I carry a Power Zap from BPS. It is a little pricey to start but I have been using it for close to a year mending and modifying plastics and am still on the first battery. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPage?mode=article&objectID=28594&storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1

I have tried lots of different paints on jigs. I prefer powder paint over all the others. This is where I get mine. I buy it by the pound. http://www.csipaint.com/powderpaint.htm

I have some friends with cheap reels. Invariably when we are fishing they have one or more reels screw up and have to be put down for the night. I just smile and keep on throwing my Shimanos. The sad thing is they have never figured it out that I don't have reel or line problems.

Very well stated. And since they have no hands, if you feel anything different SET THE HOOK.

If it is a screw and not a bolt then you may have to go to a bigger size. If it is actually a bolt then wrap the threads with teflon tape. Several wraps may be needed to get it to fit snugly.

I tried every digital scale that BPS carried. None of them gave me any consistent readings. If I weighed a fish 5 times I would get from 3 to 5 different weights. So I bit the bullet and sprung for a Goga. It was hard to pull the string for that much but I haven't regreted it.

I disremember where but a while back a guy wanted to sell a tube mold for $300. I won't spend that much in the rest of my life on tubes.

I don't profess to be a big bass fisherman but have caught a few. I find them in all kinds of water from 18" to 30' deep. When I am strictly fishing for big bass I use big baits (3/4 oz jig/7" craw trailer) and I fish deep. Some places hold big fish. There is one spot where we have caught smallmouth to 4# and largemouth to 7#14oz. All of them have been on a ledge off a secondary point 40 yds long.

Yup, I still do, got nuff lead weights to poison planet earth 2 or 3 times over and I 'm not going to change until I 'm out of them. Doesn 't mean that for certain applications I don 't use other sinker material like tungsten, brass or stainless steel but my main sinker material is lead. Me too. I have abut 200 lbs of lead left before I make any switches.

It doesn't melt but after a few years it will rot.

I have 2 favorites for tubes for smallmouth; 1. Gloomis IMX SJR 782 and St. Croix Avid 6.6 MF spinning rod.

For that depth I use tubes, salt craws and jigs most of the time.

I have been fishing a clear highland lake. I have found quite a good number of fish hanging in the 21-23' depth on bluff end ledges which were about 30-50' long. I fished four ways for them and caught them using 3 of the ways. In case I am missing something, I'd like to know how you guys would approach this situation. There were no shad deeper, shallower, or up the bluff from this ledge except for some suspended in deep water with no fish showing up around them. This is the kind of stuff I was seeing.

Your buddy is right. Just carefully drill them out and put new ones in their places when you are finished painting.

It sounds like you really are unsure at this time. I have seen a lot of people like you. I recommend that you take your time because this is a very big venture with you looking at new or near new units. If you are thinking new, look at new non current models. They have been setting around dealerships and the interest on the floor plan is paid every month. Some of them need to go away. Many of them can be bought for $1000-1500 below what they cost the dealership. Since you are slowing down a little in this process, if you really want to know what boats are good and what are not, then, the resale value is a good indicator. Pick out a model or two and check it out in NADA over a period of 5 year listings to see how the resale value has dropped. That lone will steer you away from some brands. What ever brand you end up with will probably turn into your pride and joy. Buying a boat should be a wonderful experience if you take your time and learn as you go. When you buy make sure to only buy from someone who will take you to the water and teach you all you need to know about unloading, loading, and operating the rig in a safe manner. Good luck in your quest.

It all depends on what type of boat you have as to what type material. The man made stuff if not carpeted would have the potential of being slick and maybe causing some problems. I only use treated lumber when I have to replace a bunk. I get the measurements and prepare a new one, put it in the truck and head for the lake. I let someone fish with my boat while I am changing the bunk. It usually only takes a few minutes.

I wouldn't worry about the warranty. A two year old engine should have already shot craps if it were going to. If warranty is a real concern then you can buy extended ones. If this is a dealership boat and not a consignment, then they might offer you some kind of warranty. As for the 150, I think that is the max rating on that boat.

Never haveing owned a Pfleuger I can't comment on the reel. I only have Shimano reels. I do have 4 St Croix Avid rods and I rate them just under the Gloomis IMX. So based on my experience I recommend a Shimano Citica or Curado reel with a Gloomis IMX or second choice St Croix Avid rod. For best all around performance I would get a 7' MHF in what ever brand I chose.

This rig is listed for $2,150 under the average price for that age and model of Skeeter. Either the depressed market or a problem with the unit could make them start out lower than the average value. If you are really interested, you might make a heck of a deal on this one. I'll bet you can get it for $16,500 if you deal hard.

Very good advice. Once you buy a boat and think you are done the costs have just started (sales tax, licenses, titles, insurance, etc) If the economy doesn't improve by next year you will have a very good chance of buying a lot of boat for a lot less money than this year.