Jig Man

I agree that the transducer placement is the probably culprit. You are shooting craps unless you grind out the top layer of glass and get to a good surface before putting the transducer down.

For me fishing is all about boat control and positioning. If your boat is not where it should be for you to make good casts you might as well be at home. Therefore, I fish into the wind about 90% of the time. I also try to find windy places and fish where the wind is the strongest. One of the guys I sometimes fish with fishes with the wind and we rarely have a good day when in his boat.

I have been using a TE 82 for 5 years hauling around a 20.5' glass boat. It does a great job because I use only batteries with lots of reserve amps. I had 200 reserve amp batteries for 4 years and they did a great job. Last fall I replaced them with 185 reserve amps and they are working out just fine. Get good reserve amps, keep them watered, and charge them within 24 hours after each use and they will really haul that 17'er around.

Unless I am missing something, you have never stated the boat size.

For a four stroke that is not high hours, especially if they troll. It does seem a bit pricey for a boat that is close to 9 years old. You might want to look at the nada guides before you turn loose of your money. http://www.nadaguides.com/default.aspx?LI=1-24-38-5692-0-0-0&l=1&w=24&p=38&f=5694&gc=MR&gtc=MR&m=0424&y=1999&ml=C http://www.nadaguides.com/default.aspx?LI=1-24-38-5692-0-0-0&l=1&w=24&p=38&f=5694&gc=MR&gtc=OB&m=0010&y=1999&ml=H http://www.nadaguides.com/default.aspx?LI=1-24-38-5692-0-0-0&l=1&w=24&p=38&f=5694&gc=MR&gtc=TR&m=0001&y=1999&ml=B

Your boat wieghs in at 1450 pounds. You motor is +- 420 lbs. Your trailer is probably at least 750 lbs. Add 50-75 per battery, 30 for tmotor and 8 lbs per gallon of gasoline and you will be in the ball park.

UMMM I'm thinking maybe it is the other way around, not enough trailer in the water. Experiment with depths until you can drive your boat on the trailer, let is settle on the bunks, trim up the engine and drive it till the eye makes contact with the front roller or what ever you have on the trailer. Once you have the magic depth, remember it and do it every time.

I have Frog Toggs--- I hate them. I only wore them once and gave them to my wife as a wind suit. I have Red Head---gortex cammos for hunting and fishing. They work pretty good. I have 10 X---gortex for warm weather fishing. They work pretty good. When I really want to stay dry, I pull out my 100 mph gortex. They are the best I have ever worn!!!

I have been using a Magellan for 4 years. I use it for marking spots on the water, navigating on water and land, biking, hiking, and geocaching. I have 2 software pkgs with it and several sd cards. I also have a topo map for 95 lakes. It has been with me from MO to MX to Canada. I rarely go anywhere without it, except Wal-Mart. ;D

Your #11 pork frog probably is the all time best producing trailer for a jig. The only problem is keeping them wet when more than one rod is rigged. I have a general rule of thumb for jigs: 10-20 fow 1/4 oz jig, 15-25 fow 3/8 oz jig, 20-30 fow 1/2 oz jig, deeper than 30 a 3/4 oz.

Jack it up and take one wheel off. It will look a little tacky and be a little inconvenient but it won't go anywhere.

About $150 to start out Lead-----------$2 per pound Lead pot-------$50 mold-----------$25 hooks----------$20-100 per 1000 weed guard----$5 per 100 paint------------$2.50 per oz skirt material---$20 per lb I buy my stuff at Shorty's Hooks, Ztackle, Jans Netcraft, Barlows, Bass Pro, Cabelas, Do-It and Stamina.

The thing which would concern me is the type of 2 stroke. If it is a carb or EFI then there are several lakes which won't let them on because of EPA ratings. I'd look around at the lakes I fish and be sure that this motor is allowed. If it is allowed, $2000 is a lot of money to save.

Tackle underground has some good tutorials. A word of caution. This can become a very addictive habit. ;D ;D I have been doing it for years and have at least 3 lifetime supplies of baits. :

I use the San Diego Jam for all terminal tackle with all lines and have no complaints with it. However, I am still experimenting with knots for fluro to braid.

I don't pay much attention to battery brands. I buy good ones from marine dealers or sporting goods stores. For motor batteries I get a good battery with lots of cold cranking amps. For trolling motor batteries I get deep cycle ones with lots of reserve amps (200 if possible). Maintaining the batteries by charging after fishing and keeping the water level correct will keep batteries going for years. I would keep the tmotor and depthfinder on seperate batteries. I would mount the depthfinder in the front. I have one in the front of a 21' boat and can see it just fine from the driver's seat or the front fishing seat. A Ram mount is a good option with the depthfinder for convenience. I also advise you to get the biggest tmotor you can reasonably afford.

Another issue may be the weight of the bait you are trying to cast. You may need a little heavier bait for your setup.

I know a guy who may have what you want. What state are you in?

I got one of those you can't buy 'em rods as a gift with a Stradic once. I was letting a guy use it last year and he broke it on the first cast. He said he would buy me a new one so I called Bass Pro and told them the story stating that the rod was several years old. The reply was he can not buy that rod but if he will bring the broken one in we will replace it free. They are kind of cheaply made but they seem to have a lifetime warranty, at least in the main store.

That organization is so big the left hand doesn't always know what the right hand is doing. Lots of times the ad people and the purchasing people aren't on the same page. Another thing you may be seeing is some of their rods can only be purchased in combos. You never see them on a shelf.

Tying braid to terminal tackle I use the same knot (San Diego Jam) that I use on mono. I have used the Palomar but I can tie the SDJ and get in a cast before I can tie the Palomar. If you want to watch how they are tied, here is a link: http://www.animatedknots.com/knotlist.php?LogoImage=LogoGrog.jpg&Website=www.animatedknots.com

It would help to know what kind of reel you have, how old it is and what kind of condition it is in. If it is a decent reel in good condition then you probably have the spool knob turned down too tight. Try loosening it and see if that helps. I have 8,10,15,and 30 on baitcasters and all do just fine.

Be sure to check out the reserve amps on the battery. If they only talk cold cranking amps, get something else. Get as close to 200 reserve amps as you can and it should be as strong at the end of the day as it is at the beginning.

I mostly use fluro or fluro coated with braid. I have used mono and can't see much differenct.

JB Weld is all you need. A friend of mine kept a Lowe jon dry for 25 years with that stuff. ;D