KYRANGERMAN

Welcome to the forum. I think every day you fish adds a day to your life. So keep on fishing.

Two times I've ended up at the ER. 1) Fishing with my brother. First cast I catch a fish. His first cast, into a tree (Jitterbug). I troll over to the bank and get his lure free. Move back away from the bank and while I'm getting my worm ready to cast again he throws his Jitterbug into the next tree down the bank. He goes to rip it out of the limb and I hear this noise and look up and see said Jitterbug flying towards my head. I duck my head down and it hooks me in the back of my scalp. Get to the ER and the doc tapes off the other trebles, ties some REALLY heavy suture around the hook, puts his fingers on either side of the hook, wraps the suture around his other hand and gives it a hard jerk. The sound, resembling a rifle shot, was the suture breaking. He literally "jerked a knot" on the back of my head. Ended up sending some EMT's out to their ambulance where they got a pair of wire cutters and he cut the barb and then slipped it out. 2) Flyfishing one time I learned a valuable lesson. DON'T flyfish in a significant crosswind. Did my backcast and when I brought it forward the wind blew the fly too close to my head and I ended up piercing my earlobe with a Bett's Firefly Popper (chartreuse by the way). Don't remember exactly how the doc removed it. I just know it did not include any jerking motions.

In 99.99% of the lakes I fish if they lowered the level by 130' it wouldn't be called fishing anymore, just hunting.

Posted a pic of the boat and vehicle last year but I've been doing some updates since then. Thought I'd post some new pictures. Boat: 2000 Ranger R83 Garmin 63cv at helm, Garmin 93cv & 73sv at bow (with Str8-up dual mount), Comfortroll recessed tray. New dual wheel jack.

Love these types of threads. Keep posting pictures so we can follow along.

Wouldn't surprise me if that Malibu was closer to $160K - $180K. Those things are EX PEN SIVE. My brother bought a 1993 Mastercraft 205 Pro two years ago and still paid $10K for it. It was in pristine condition but $10K for a 27 year old boat . . .

If it checks most all of the boxes and you feel that in the long term you'll be happy then I would go ahead and do it. I've had my Ranger R83 for 21 years and I still like it. With new you will get the warranty, which won't be available on a used boat. If you do got with the RT188 my only suggestion would be to leave the 7" Garmin at the helm and put the 93 at the bow. The 7" (at the helm) would basically be used for navigation and finding areas to fish while the 93 (at the bow) would be used more for targeting fish once you're in the area you want to fish. $29K for a used Tracker vs. $36 for a new Ranger . . . and you don't have to finance any of it (smart move), I'm going with the Ranger.

You gonna add a jack plate to that bad boy?

The area around the numbers 2 & 7 is worth checking. It will funnel bait fish into that choke point and bass will use that as an ambush area. Also the point on the island #14 has a quick change in depth so bass can use it to move vertically. Bass are always going to relate to cover so when you can find areas that have both cover and structure (islands possibly) then those warrant a close look.

Fireball? Come on fish, if you're going to drink make sure it's something better than that crap.

Mainly bourbon with a large cube of ice. However I do enjoy a well made Old Fashioned or a Manhattan. Nothing like sitting on the deck while the wife enjoys a glass of wine and I'm sipping on something.

Not the Striker but I have a ECHOMap 93 Chirp at the bow (along with a ECHOMap Plus 73sv) and I really like mine. Don't think the Striker has all the options of the ECHO but still probably worth looking into.

Just the wife, me, daughter and her husband, son and the two grandkids this year. However we had a great time. Ate way too much and then watched football and played with the older grandson.

It's Magic!

Welcome. It's like riding a bicycle, you never really forget how to do it.

So do I!

Welcome from the heart of bourbon country. Love the Ron White inspired screen name.

Welcome from the heart of bourbon country.

You never hear a Northern Pike say "Watch this!" right before he hits the lure.

#1) Jig & Pig #2) TNT #3) Electric Shock Pole

No, it's not the teeth. We have orthodontists down here. It's actually the drawl y'all.

I don't know if very many of us start with a to of the line fully rigged bass boat. I know I didn't. 1) In 1989 I started with a 1979 16' Tracker with a 40HP Mercury. It did the job until I could upgrade. I fished a bass club with many guys running new Stratos, Vision, etc. boats and I longed for one of those but my little Tracker didn't keep me from fishing. I then moved on to; 2) In 1991 I purchased a 1987 Vision 180. I didn't catch anymore fish but at least I was able to fish lakes like KY Lake more safely. Then; 3) In 1996 I purchased my first new boat, a Javelin 379 DC. My wife loved the second console. Lastly; 4) in 2000 I purchased my current boat, a Ranger R83. It's served me well and is in pristine condition so I see no need to upgrade to the latest greatest boat. As long as it gets you on the water and is safe then I don't think it matters whether it's a "cheaper boat" or one that requires a second mortgage on the house. And my biggest fish ever . . . out of the Tracker.

Welcome to the forum . . . I guess???

Well of course all my posts are meaningful ?, I just don't have 200. Oh well you guys enjoy Fishmas.

Is your wife yelling at you about going fishing again when this happens? That might be the reason it's hard to hear. Sorry, I couldn't help myself.