casts_by_fly

Yes, but because it was a big thing here the wardens do check the plates. I've considered this. And also swapping carbs/restrictor plates/ECU for 9.9 models to get them up to 15 or 20 while still having a 9.9 ID plate. But, I'm not that worried about it. Sure a bigger motor would be great, but I'm not planning on getting on plane and I'd rather keep it on the right side of legal and not mess about.

then you mean inline spinners. I guess technically a spinnerbait, but not what most call a spinnerbait. You'll have to play with it on the water. For the most part, swapping to a single single hook you'd upsize a size or two. Next time you're out, snip two points and see how it runs for you. And have a spare single hook ready to swap in if it doesn't look great.

yeah, used vs deep discount new (last year model) is pretty close. ah, you were suggesting a 100 AH for the electronics. I am going to have a dedicated electronics battery, just not a 100ah. A 50/60 is a good bit smaller and I'll have a limited space in the back. Its currently only set up for 2 battery trays, but there is space for a third and maybe fourth. I'm probably going to go with a 24V for the trolling motor also. Megalive 2 and ultrex together are no problem. The megalive 2 won't connect to the helix.

that’s a lot! I’ve seen that rate but not for a full hour. The big snow a couple weeks ago dropped an inch in about 15-20 minutes when the front first hit but then it let up as it passed though. It takes a special combination of wet air and just the right temp for that.

it’s got a swing tongue already (only way I can fit a boat in the garage) so plus one there! Im with you on ml2. But you can’t hook it to a helix so I can’t take advantage of the sales going on. why three 100 ah? I get two for the trolling motor (unless you’re implying 36v).

I’ll grant you that toothy critters are a question mark after I just reglued last seasons freestyles (pickerel in my case). But the average bass that ate a 6” Magdraft for me last year was probably 2.5#. I’d have to check my pictures for the smallest, but I’m not worried about any bass that I am intending to catch eating it.

we got lucky that the storm stayed south. I only have a inch and a half to clear today. With 4-8 more this weekend.

I'm in the 1448 camp. You have two small kids now- what are the changes that you take one and not the other? Three people in a bass raider isn't going to cut it. Even in a 12' boat you're going to be tripping on each other and gear. And they aren't going to get younger or smaller. In 3 years you're going to have a 6 and 10 year old. You'll definitely want the stability of the bigger boat at that point.

I mostly have 9.9 or electric only limits. Only four lakes have unlimited HP and three of them are < 300 acres so any bigger is not really helpful. The unlimited lake that's actually big enough to justify it has ten thousand boats on it every weekend so I don't fish it anymore.

this was my logic that got me started. A 6" magdraft is the perfect entry into swimbaits. A modest jig rod can throw it. The profile isn't really any bigger than a bladed jig or spinnerbait with trailer. And bass from 12" and up will eat it. Aggressively. I bought one and it worked. Then I fished it more and it worked more. So this year I have a couple more, a pair of 8", and some hard swimbaits to go with it.

in 5' or less with a lot of grass I think you'll see minimal practical benefit from live imaging. perspective mode might be useful for you depending how you're fishing. Look up Scott Martin on the Okeechobee tournament 2024 to see shallow grass with livescope perspective. If that's the only benefit though, I wouldn't bother swapping or adding it.

in the bfs realm, there are limited options for an inexpensive off the shelf reel. For what it takes to buy one, you have a cheap and easy solution to throw 1/16oz on a baitcaster.

I know you said tackle, but I haven’t reorganized yet so haven’t dug it all out. But you seem bored so here is the bulk of the new reel lineup. I got an unexpected gift certificate from work so the three reels I was on the fence about all made it to the cart. The last one just came in the mail today. There is a new stradic not in this picture also. From left to right zillion, chronarch, two bantams, an aldebaran bfs, and two Mets. these will be the bulk of what I fish through the year. A few more reels will make spot duty depending on the lake and day.

I never updated this thread after the two seasons but came across it just now as I getting ready to sell it here in the classifieds. a couple notes per my comments above now that I’ve used it for two years. It has held up well despite the plastic feel. I don’t even have any boat rash on it or any other marks. It’s smoother now and less geary than when I first got it. I suspect it had some heavy grease which has worn down over use and it’s now properly lubed and geared. I’ve done my usual light oil on the bearings and moving parts a couple times per season and it’s as smooth as my plastic abus (stx/sx/mgx). The drag is as smooth as anything. the casting performance is good. It’s underbraked a little I think. Until you turn them up and it’s suddenly overbraked. There is a definite sweet spot for a given lure weight and rod. Once you find it, it’s set and forget for that combo the rest of the day. The 832 broke in as expected and was a good pairing for it. all in, I’m happy I bought it and used it. I’m upgrading as I thought I might, but I considered not. It was only because of an unexpected gift card from work that I picked up the shimano. For the cost of one and with just a little tuning it’s a decent little entry bfs reel.

I sure hope so. The medium sized lake down the road is still 20’ low and the ramp is unusable. Water levels this low plus the 8 degree highs for a week are what killed the grass in that lake. It had t come back at all last year and then this again.

the trip report is impending, right....?

except they don't have one now and we're past the deadline. I think they are a playoff finalist level, but they are going to have to figure out some defense that isn't immediately obvious.

If I get to pick two, and the first is the beaver with a 3/8 weight, then the second is 1/8 oz and a smaller plastic. If forced to choose its probably a boar hogz but I could be convinced by any number of 5-6" worms. With these two, you've got faster and slower fall rates. With the beaver you can cover some water quickly or pitch to targets. With the lighter one you're slowing down (or pitching to targets) and also offering a much skinnier profile.

that should be a pretty awesome jerkbait rod. Also would be a nice small crankbait rod for squarebills and smaller DT4 types. I have an older st croix with the same spec/flex and its a neat little rod for a couple specific things.

I’m with Dwight. 10# domestic braid is actually 15+ # strength depending on the brand and model. I’ve even considered dropping to 6-8 rated for finesse work. I’ll throw 6-10 leader depending on the situation.

I’ll send you a private message here.

We were right on the edge of snow and rain/sleet. It started as sleet for a half hour and then went big fluffy flakes which dropped 2-3” in a half hour. Then finished with an inch of glass pellet sleet. It compressed down to about 3” depth but the top was so crusted I slid a gallon jug of washer fluid across the top of it and didn’t leave a mark. Fortunately the fluffy underneath wasn’t glued to the pavers so the snow blower sorted it all out. Good too because it’s dropping to low teens tonight and going to be cold for a few days.

hi Walt, I just put a deposit on a boat yesterday so I’m ready. I was just looking at it in the garage and getting ready to list it. If you’re interested we can get together and you see it. rick

You still need an N model. You’ll get 2d from the ultrex. Then your side imaging will have to be from the stern transducer.

And for the helix, you will need an N unit. Given the sales going, a g4N will be the best option for price. The rest of the letters are the functionality. If you want side imaging you need an MSI. And it will give you all of the other functions with it (gps, mdi, 2d chirp).