Deephaven

I assumed I wasn't alone and also thought others could benefit from the info and discussion. I've always flush mounted or just bolted the bracket to my boat as none of the adjustable ones in the past worked for me...but this boat has unique challenges in it's dual purpose although I see these challenges as the same for the front mount many use. Obviously the closer to your eyes the better so getting it up easy but still being able to lower it has some value.

I’d like some dual purpose mounts. Currently I have Ram mounts, but with the 12“ graphs you need to tighten them so hard they are functionally not useable if you ever want to change their position....which defeats the whole purpose of having an adjustable mount. There are 2 positions I’d like my graphs in. Normal bass fishing mode, ie super vertical to get the graphs high so they are easy to see while driving around: Trailering & Walleye/backtrolling mode, ie low and under my rod as I will fish right over the top of them: I don’t walleye fish all that often, but it is literally impossible to switch between the two modes right now. To make things worse, I have to go to either remove the graphs to trailer or at least lower them down. With the ball mounts I am afraid they will get damaged towing as they ALWAYS slip. Yes, I am using the big ram balls. They aren’t enough. Wondering if anyone has any experience with any of these mounts and good/bad things to say about them. Here they are with some commentary. If you have other options please let me know and I will include them in the thread for future reference. Balzout $235 – seems like the defacto recommendation. I wonder how hard the knurled knobs are to adjust and there are some complaints of the knobs loosening. Cornfield fishing $215 – crappie focused company, but I like the allen key screws assuming they „lock“ in place well. Totally ok having to have a tool onboard although a tool less would be more convenient Geiger Tech $285 – expensive an no long arm option but looks robust Nerka Sockeye $180 – Budget device, but sold at Scheel’s which gives me faith that it isn’t just budget but quality. Perhaps I am biased since I grew up with the Scheel kids. Precision LockJaw $140 – Most budget friendly solution, but the required tool looks like it won’t be a simple on the water change Russell Marine $180 – Doesn’t really come with long enough arms, but thought it may work for others Traxstech $230 – Looks like a great option although they haven’t been in stock in a long time. Bluewater $235 – Being a ball and socket design it should be the most manuverable but I am concerned they will slip like the Ram mounts.

I am no longer expanding my tackle, but just replacing. In this case I pre-replaced things I haven't lost to try some new vendors. So yeah or no depending. We will see what else I buy I don't need

Didn't have off season needs, but thought I should do my best to support board sponsors.

F or XF for both

My boat came with 4 stainless props...I keep meaning to do a back to back to back to back, but that takes away from fishing time. Perhaps next year before the season opens. Aluminums cost me more as they always seem to have little nicks in them and I then get them fixed. Either I am more protective of my stainless props, I am luckier or they are better at avoiding little dings.

Surprised no one has mentioned Caldo Verde yet...yum.

To get the D size to hold I lined the sockets with grip tape and crank the living beejesus out of the crank handle with a wrench. Have to tighten it 3 times in a row with some space to let the plastic settle. When I take them off there are huge grooves in the balls. Any less tension and they creep. I 'need' the flexibility of moving the mounts. I like them really high for scouting and bass fishing, but if I am going to pull lindy rigs for some shore lunch I want them down low so my rod can be over them. Contemplating the balzout and a few others. I will start a thread here in the next week or so as I narrow down the options. The swing arm ram is a different beast. They hold. The balls however, not so much.

I am just about to upgrade the mounts....or am shopping for ones to replace my rams. They were fine with 9's, but even with grip tape on them they are completely overwhelmed by the 12's. Mine is a tiller too and in the back so they have less wave force than ones mounted further up.

I will also add a 12" on a Ram mount sort of defeats the reason for the Ram mount as you can't really move them as they over whelm the ball. Need to really crank them down.

Mine are on the shelf in the basement....but I wouldn't mind a more glorious and protective way of storing them.

Spinnerbait/Lipless if I need to cover water.

I use my leafblower even when it isn't powder. It has zero problems until it is over 6-8" depending on the snow. I keep my whole patio, deck and sidewalks cleaned with it. The driveway we have a service, but I am particular so I clean up his nonsense with the plow on the 4 wheeler. ....I do have the highest hp 2 stroke leaf blower available and gave it a port/polish job and slight compression bump. Makes it fun

Ha, I've never cleaned & cooked a frog. Vicariously was living through you on that one.

I have zero brand loyalty in rods and don't understand why anyone would. Every bait I throw I want a specific rod power and action. Whatever manufacturer has the blank that fits the bill is the one I will have built. Every time I have bought a rod based on what it should be it has been a monster failure.

Don't post pics of the steak, but do share the bullfrogs! Shore lunch isn't good, easy to make your own. Bummer you can't eat MSG, it is really a great salt. I have at least 5 lbs of it here.

Not a shore lunch pic, but the same setup I use. Can't say I classically take pictures of me cooking outside, but when it is my son after foraging a bunch of wild blueberries & raspberries I do. Same trip we had shore lunch a few times. BWCA walleye cooked in that pan. It is a must for up North adventures for me. The pic was outside Grand Marais on the way in.

I just bought some slug go's. Love 'em. Interesting. All my Terminators broke the first time out. Hated them. Where have I been. I was going to come in here and say pork chunks...but holy $12! I had no idea they were available again.

Efficiency is not the same. I palm while I cast and my hand never moves. I completely agree that being efficient at both is the best although I am losing my left handed casting as I don't do it often enough Jerkbaits are one of the main driving factors that caused me to grab a left handed reel. It is so natural that way and so awkward the opposite.

Yes, I have a Merten's system and a hydraulic jackplate. Crazy to "let go" of the tiller handle and have the boat hold course. Quotes are because I don't actually let go, but it is crazy how well it works.

I have 4 props for my boat. Will do almost 55 with one and the boat near empty but I am about to sell that prop. Boat is setup to go mid 40's now with a load. WAY better midrange and MUCH more fun to drive. Sure I am a little slower getting places as it means my cruise speed is near 30 but it is more enjoyable in particular when you need throttle and bite to deal with wakes and waves. My home lake has a ton of 40-50' cruisers so that is something I need all the time. While more than 50 is fun in a tiller it just isn't useful. So no matter the boat you get, set it up for how YOU need it to perform not someone else. For me that is not top speed, but midrange and side image speed.

And then you will know if you want some of each reel.

Whatever you do learn to cast with the hand you are not reeling with. That is more important than the side you reel on although rather related. If you do everything on the rod with your left reel with your right or vice versa.

Some dock owners are fine. I have unhooked people a few times from mine. As for skipping, almost always a jig.

Awesome. Love seeing headway!