Susky River Rat

I know the term hammer gets thrown around a lot. Hammering a fish, being a great angler etc. it was mentioned there is different styles of hammers. That not everyone is a sledge hammer. Well, I can now consider myself a hammer!

Shimano Sahara reel and it’s going to be hard to stay under $150. Most rods I would recommend are around that price point themselves. I’d recommend spending the money on a decent rod that’s what you need for feel. If you can spend 80ish on a reel and $150ish on a rod then I would recommend a st croix premier or mojo bass. the bass x are on sale other now at TW for 115. I have never used one though. others may give you better options on rods.

Another goal id like to add is not put a hole in my new boat.

For every fish I catch it takes me 3 hours to catch it 😂 kidding well some days it’s true. It honestly depends on the day and how the fish are schooled in the river.

@casts_by_fly sounds good buddy. My dog is 80lbs and doesn’t look it at all.

River always willing to lend a paw

@casts_by_fly we can probably get something by arranged! For warning. Just because I have a new boat doesn’t mean I know how to catch fish. It’s also the Dogs boat what he says goes. Lol

This may be unpopular. More towards tournament anglers as well. I think arrogance is something most of the great anglers have. You need this to compete at a top level of any sport. This doesn’t mean you aren’t a good guy/gal. That you aren’t great with fans, sponsors or the public. It just means when you enter a competition you don’t think you are the best. You know you are the best. This far surpasses confidence.

Welcome back! You broke a major rule. Never sell fishing equipment unless it’s to get more fishing equipment. I am glad you are on the dark side of fishing. Remember the river rat life chooses you.

I would like to fish with someone new/ Get someone new into fishing. I would like to learn more of the river. I branched out using different baits in 2023. I would like to refine this and get proficient with them. I would like to enter another tournament. I want to have as much fun as possible. I would like to become in my eyes a decent angler.

@Fishingmickey I know the musky did here. I mainly bass fish the river so I think it changes a lot more it’s not as big of an effect.

No doubt there is skill involved. KVD made the comment you know how many less casts I would have made in fishless spots having this decades ago? Instead I ground it out on a spot that probably had no fish. I do not like it. I also do think it takes a lot of skill to master. Once you do it changes the game.

The bait monkey just got me this morning. I always have two different ned rig heads drop shot and T rig on and usually a crank.. I will swap out spinners top waters and other different jig trailers.

@IndianaOutdoors realistically you should have about 2.5’ of water to get on plane for most jet boats. Most draft 10”-12”. From the bottom of the boat till you dig to get on plane most people don’t do that under 1.5 on their transducers. You can only run in 3-5” on plane. If you get a boat that was engineered to have a jet on it you can draft 6-8” and be on plan in about 2 boat lengths. Need about a foot of water to get on plane. only you know you waterways and what you can safely run.

@IndianaOutdoorsi never let mine idle at the launch like that because of that reason. Just like I don’t use reverse on a jet unless I’m in 5’ of water. Personally I’d rather go for a kayak then downsize a boat. Just my opinion.

@IndianaOutdoors is it a 25HP that was converted to a jet or a 25HP at the nozzle jet? When you are running a jet hard and on plane most things you just suck through and spit out the nozzle. When you go around slow is when you have issues. Every once and awhile I’ll get a stick or clump of leaves. The idea is you will be going fast enough to not really worry.

@IndianaOutdoors ouch. Jets don’t like ice or slushie water. Any days I get out from December to mid March are bonus days. The fishing usually is terrible anyway.

I have a “Muskie bumper” which is a brand name of them. Then For bass I have the ketch 26” yellow.

Go with a tranx 500 HG. You’ll be able to winch your boat on the trailer with it 😂😂. I’m only kidding that’s def over kill for what you’re doing.

I had a 2019 tracker pro 160. Is it the most amazing boat you can buy? No. It is a solid boat. It doesn’t excel in any one particular area but, it does everything well. You have to be realistic with what you want out of it. The decks are probably wood. I’d feel around for soft spots. Look for make shift wiring. It doesn’t sound like it was used to much. If it was stored outside I’d look for any signs animals lived in it. Baring no major issues you should have a great upgrade compared to what You had.

The bite has been extremely tough here. If I can’t take my dog I generally do not go. So I like the air temps to be 50 or above for his sake. Every once in awhile I will sneak out at 48.

@RipzLipz that sounds to much like musky fishing. I’d say about 80% of the time I don’t know where I am going to fish till I get on the highway and choose.

@ol'crickety I think the people that get in that “zone” more than they aren’t. They are your better anglers. I think that goes with pretty much every hobby or skill. Sadly I am not there more than I am there. I’m actually surprised people don’t think my boat is on fire because I am thinking that hard smoking is rolling out my ears.

Welcome aboard! This group of anglers helps get through long cold winters for sure.

I used to get this way when I race motocross. Didn’t even feel like I was human or on earth. Time was at a stand still everything just happened. I didn’t feel a single bump, didn’t make a single mistake. I didn’t even feel like I ever touched the ground. Like you it’s extremely hard to explain. It wasn’t all the time either. I do at times get this way fishing. I couldn’t tell you what I’m doing but, I’m doing it and it’s working. I think you have to fish what you’re given and fish often. I think what at least for me is don’t make a job out of it. I know to some of you it make sound crazy but, I need to back off fishing at times. It becomes a job, a routine. I do it because well “that’s what I do” I do not fish every day. I don’t have kids my wife works every other weekend so I tend to get plenty of time out. Sometimes I need to take a break to get that itch back. Then it becomes fun and magical.