Jig Man

I think you have the right idea about a house battery for the electronics. I experimented with several configurations of them and the most satisfactory is a 100 ah lithium for electronics only.

I would add a spinning rod 7’ mlf because it is super versatile. It is one of my favorite setups. I use it a lot more than my 7’ mf.

Good luck. Speedy recovery

The Pitzen is one step less than the SDJ and just as strong.

You are correct. It can’t handle the extra weight. I found that out the hard way.

I’ve been using fluorocarbon for years as has one of my fishing buddies. He uses the Alberto to join lines and the Palomar on the bait while I join with the FG and tie on with the Pitzen. Neither one of us has knot problems.

I have an Ulterra. I wouldn’t have anything else. Mine is 3 or 4 years old. Mine is ipilot link. It is Ethernet connected to the one boat network. It has 2d sonar as well as down scan. I can control it with my remote, the foot pedal or any one of my Solix units. It has spot lock, spot lock jog, auto pilot, cruise control, go to waypoint features and follow the contour as well as the ability to go to and follow tracks. Going shallow after hung baits I can raise it straight up to keep it out of the rocks without having to touch it. The main feature for me is it has kept me fishing because I ruptured a lung and broke 3 ribs which didn’t heal properly so I could no longer pull a trolling motor out of the water.

A friend of mine has a Tracker that never gets the bow strap on until in the parking lot.

Tighten your spool tension knob.

Mostly I match them.

Do you find it necessary to latch the boat before you leave the ramp? It’s been years since mine was hooked back up before it was back in the parking lot.

Do you have Humminbirds? If so did you try to run it from them?

You should be able to use 24 volts and be fine. I ran a 20’ 6” Champion with a 24 volt Motorguide TE 82 for 14 years in all kinds of weather. It would hold in the wind until water would start to come over the bow. It’s not the trolling motor but the batteries that will keep you on the water. You might need another battery.

Single axel trailers are a lot easier to handle than tandem. I would always go single if I had a choice.

I have a 20’ glitter sled with a 250 Merc and a Humminbird one boat network (3 Solix Units, MK Ulterra 36 volt, Mega live unit) all networked via Ethernet. I used to have shallow water anchors but they proved to be useless for me. Since my stuff isn’t new then I am less than level 10.

It’s not as bad as you think. Propane tanks can only be filled to 80% and they are filling up to 75%. I heat with propane and they never go above what it takes to make 800 gallons in my tank.

Where are you? Do you have any metal shops in your area? It should be easy to find a piece of metal or even a piece of synthetic that will work. You can use the original piece and mark the holes to be drilled then attach it to the boat.

I know nothing about the Tatula. I do own 4 Premier rods. Two of them get used every time I go.

In SW MO we have 3; copperhead, rattlesnake and cotton mouth. We have copperheads scattered here and there around the farm. We have a slough down by the creek that cotton mouths like so we don’t let kids go there.

I run 3 Solix units. They are turned on in the parking lot. When I get back I clear the tracks and turn them off just before I load the boat.

My wife got me one at Harbor Freight yesterday. I tried it out this morning. It worked great.

7’ to 7.5’ medium and medium heavy cover 90% of what I do here in mid USA. My H rods rarely see the light of day. My 7.5’ m can handle cranks, swim baits, and shaky. It can also be used for Ned rigs. The mh can take care of the rest.

You might want to take a look at Bow to Stern. It is a sealant. I have been using it for years. Three coats are needed to seal it properly. I add a new coat about once a month.

I think you are asking too much for gel coat that age. Personally I think it looks good. I think you did a great job.

I fish a lot for smallmouth in very clear water with Ned rigs. I have experimented with several line types and weights. What has been the best overall for me is High vis yellow 15# along with 10# fluorocarbon leader. I use the Zman TRDs with various head weights. I like 7’ spinning rods with 2500 size reels. I want my leaders to be at least 10’ long tied on with an FG knot which has never failed.