KevO

The only time distance is really that important to me is when I'm deep cranking. If I can't cast it at least 50-60 yd's I don't think its being fished effectively and covering enough water.

When I upgraded my trolling I opted for the longer 52" shaft just for that reason. The wind has been ridiculous this year in TN. My tin boat still gets blown around in the wind but the long shaft and stronger motor has really made it better.

Yeah it took a while to acquire all of my gear. You don't really need 3 of this or that. I can get by with 1 but its nice to be able to tie on 3 different baits and switch between them when one isn't working. I was lucky enough to have a good job and be single for a while so I could pay for the boat and combos. LOL!

Sweet Ride!

11 or 12 is whats usually in my boat. Usually take 4-5 when fishing in someone elses boat. G Loomis BCFR 954 GLX Flippin stick / Shimano Curado 200e7 - Punchin/Flippin/C-Rig Shimano Cumara 7'11 MH / Curado 200e5 - Deep Crankin Shimano Cumara 7'2 MHxf / Core 100mg - TX rigs / Frogs Dobyns Champion 705c / Chronarch 200e7 - Football Jigs / Pitchin jigs / Big TX rig Dobyns Champion 685cb / Curado 200e7 - Topwater / Jerkbaits / Lipless cranks St Croix Premier 7' MF / Curado 200DHSV - all purpose - mostly spinnerbaits / buzzbaits right now Shimano Crucial 7' MHM / Curado 200DPV - squarebills / shallow and medium cranks Shimano Crucial 6'6 MM / Cardiff 200a - finesse crankin Shimano Crucial 7' MHF / Chronarch 50mg - Finesse jigs and light TX rig Shimano Crucial 7'2 MH xf DS spinning / Stradic 2500 FI - Finesse Shimano Crucial 6'8 M XF DS spinning / Stradic 2500 FH - very light finesse baits and #5 shad raps

Ok great thanks

Do I need a license to fish on a head boat?

Thanks for the tips, that's probably what I will end up doing. I would like to take a more expensive charter but it will probably be only me fishing.

I had a 24v 70# on an 18' tin boat and replaced it with a 24v 70# maxxum. Everything being considered the same the variable speed maxxum blows the 5 speed out of the water in all regards.

Haha. That may be my best option even though I don't normally drink and fish... My buddy that lives there says he found some charters that are like $40 for 4 hrs.

Come on none of you South FLA guys like to drink beer????

This doesn't really have anything to do with fishing but I'm coming down to Miami to hang out with some friends next week 7/26-7/30. We are wanting to take a day long booze cruise to the keys or anywhere really, but we can't find anything other than taking a bus to key west and then go out on a boat for a couple hours. You guys got any suggestions? I'm also interested in a deep sea fishing trip for a few hours if you know of any good cheap charters to take. Thanks,

x2

I never had any problems with the motor it worked great. It just sucked in the wind, going into winds over 20mph was pointless. It would hold my place but it wouldn't go forward.

I ordered some directly from BOCA during their Black friday sale last year 50% off. I bought 8 sets. Of course, my credit card # was also compromised by them too but that's another story....

I had the previous version of the edge (all terrain) on my boat. It was ok but like Wayne said its select speed and speed 1 and 2 were useless, 3 and 4 were ok if there was no wind or a light breeze. 5 was useless because it was so strong it would throw you out of the boat. I upgraded to a Maxxum and the difference is amazing. The battery life seems like it doubled and variable speed is so smooth.

I carry a battery jumper box in case the cranking battery goes dead. it's easier than jumping the battery off from the trolling batteries too.

Saltwater motors have 25" shaft, regular outboards for bass boats have a 20" shaft. Other than that I'm not really sure, they probably have some extra corrosion protection from the saltwater too.

If you look at the screen from right to left... a fingernail width from the right is directly under the transducer you are looking at. If you look at the fish arches you can tell which side of the boat they are on if its only a half an arch in either direction also. I wish I could explain it better without a screenshot sorry. Hopefully WayneP will chime in he knows much more than I do.

I just bought a new Lowrance HDS 5 gen 2 unit from a sponsor on another forum for $630. I have 2 of them now and they are great! Humminbird makes great stuff too! Go to bass pro or cabelas and play around with them to see which one you like and make your decision.

Dobyns Champion 735 and chronarch 200e7

I used to have that reel too the only way I could get a good cast with all the brakes off (free spool). As much as I hated that reel it did teach me to throw a bc in free spool and not get backlashes.

Most days I don't fish a spot for more than 15-20 minutes. I start throwing reaction baits like crankbaits, traps, spinnerbaits to find active fish. If nothing bites I move on. If I get bit, I work the area more slowly again with a jig or worm. I will however stay longer if the spot looks really good and I see bait and fish on the graph like you did.

Lake fork flutter spoon! I don't what it is about these spoons but it out fishes the sexy spoon 3 to 1 on any TN River lake i've used them at. Make sure you add a swivel to the bait before you use it also.

Topwater, Jerkbaits, traps... maybe slow rolling a spinnerbait. Crankbait rods a pretty much only good for baits with treble hooks.