Retiredguns

Great replies thus far. Even though many times the kayak kicks my butt out there, I keep going because of the places I can fish and the quality of fish at these places. I have just had bad weather luck every time out this year. I am feeling better, but man was I sore and crampy all day yesterday and this morning. I have a sit on top with a couple rod holders and a bare bones seat. I am trying to figure out how to mount one of my stadium seats to it as I know it will be more comfy. Since I have a canoe, a tandem kayak and a Pro170, I am not looking to invest $1500+ into a really slick fishing kayak. I just think I'll be a little more picky on what days I decide to paddle.

Thanks for the replies. The fishing is good and a local lake is carry on only so the kayak works for that. I am 60 and it takes a little while to recover after 6-7 hours in the kayak. I know a calm day will be a treat. I’m grateful to have options.

My Brother-in-Law and I have been out in the kayaks 4 times this spring. EVERY single time it has been windy and cold even if the day before was beautiful. Today I was cramping, sore as heck, twirling in circles when not anchored and tangling my lines. As annoying as it was, we caught 8-9 4-5lb Bass and loss at least 4 even bigger. A couple of the fish came in about 8" of water and it is nice to go anywhere I want. Fishing so low to the water and behind my back sometimes was the cause for losing those hogs. I freely admit that I really enjoy fishing out of my boat, elevated with a trolling motor. The Wife and I do use the kayaks quite a bit for just paddling and exercise but it might be a while before I fish in it again.

My last boat had a DualPro 2 bank that was 100% reliable and easy as can be. My current boat has a NOCO 2 bank that seems to be reliable as well. It touts some fancy features like desulfator, repair, etc.. Twice I went to buy a Minn Kota, but ended up with something else. You are likely going to do well with any of those 3. If you rely on reviews, you will never get one!

My 24 year old Sean Nymph TX175 was so smooth that I could turn the steering by the motor with almost no effort. You cannot turn the steering by moving the motor for all your worth on the Tracker. I'll get it the best I can. It's not a huge deal, but a bit of a pain when trolling.

Yep, just enough to start weeping.

Took cable assembly off motor and the steering wheel turned as easy as can be. The motor turned by hand, but that is where the "stickiness" was. I lubed (again) and worked it back and forth by hand for a few minutes. Put it all back together and it is not perfect but better. I think I can live with is as I sure don't want to take it all apart unless necessary. Thanks again for the advise.

Thanks for the trips. I did make sure everything is lubed. My next step will now be disconnecting the cable as advised. Love the boat, just want it perfect.

It is just not as smooth as I believe it should be whether on or off the water. The motor/boat has less than 30 hours use and the cable and steering components seem OK. It's almost as if there is no lubrication, but there is. I think my next step will to take some bend out of the cable to see if it is any smoother.

Bought a virtually unused 2014 Pro170 with a 50hp Mercury 4 stroke and am really enjoying it. The one thing I'd like to address if possible is the steering being a little "jerky". The steering is just not as smooth as it should be. It is most annoying when trolling at 2.5mph as making adjustments is sort of a chore. I made sure it is lubricated. The lines do not appear to be bound or anything, but something is keeping it from being smoother. This is my first 4 stroke and man is it sweet!

When I was stationed in Beaufort, SC we used to fish Santee Cooper and Lake Moultrie a lot. Someone asked if I had ever tried the Cooper river which I had not. The very first time we fished it, I was chucking a blue and black Culprit under some low hanging branches and something hit it with a fury. Line got wrapped around some small branches, but I could still feel the fish. I knew it was a big gal. I was in front trying to get to that branch so fast that we were stepping on poles, poking our eyes out on branches, trying to get the net. It was pretty funny what 3 Marines will do when it comes to a hog. I tried for what seemed an eternity trying to untangle my 17lb Trilene from that stick. Then the fish surfaced and luckily I had witnesses. It looked like an 11-12 pounder that you could stuff a softball in that mouth with room to spare. My buddy went to try and get a net around it and how it happened we weren't sure but the line snapped. I just stood there staring in despair. I trolled away from the bank with nothing, but sticks and Spanish moss in the boat.

Bought a PD at a garage sale for $50. Used it for a year, but man are they slow if you are used to a cable. Sold it to a guy who mostly fishes for Walleye and Crappie. My Maxxum seems to be easier on the battery and of course much quicker if I am heading for a stump or something.

USMC 1981-2001 Retired as 2D Marine Division Infantry Weapons Chief

I just sold my old Sea Nymph and let the 55lb Maxxum go with it. My Tracker has an Edge 45 on it and I am kicking myself for not swapping as finding the 55 is impossible now. Not even on MK's site anymore. I miss the variable speed, easier deployment and the easier to use momentary foot button. Going to pick up a used one for sure.

Howdy folks, my name is Steve. I am a retired Marine GySgt who has enjoyed fishing all my life. I got heavy into Bass fishing after meeting another Marine in SC who was from SC. In less than a year I was fishing in a local club and then the Military Bass Angler's Association. Went from walking ponds to fishing Santee Cooper in a shiny Skeeter. Never stopped fishing even living in Japan for 3 years. The Army Corps of Engineers made some really nice reservoirs full of nice Bass. I still miss SC as the Beaufort area had some of the best fishing I have ever experienced. Maybe I'll move back down there some day. Glad to be here. Sorry for the novel.