helms83

Had a compression test done on the motor, everything checked out fine and the cylinders all came in at 115 psi. I think I'm going to jump on this deal for $6500!

Thanks for the replies everyone. It sounds like a good deal, I hope it's not too good of a deal, if you know what I mean.

After looking for several months, I think I found the boat i want to purchase, but I would greatly appreciate the opinions of the fellas on this site... 2001 Sprint 280 Pro w/90hp Mercury Stainless Prop Docking Lights Lowrance GPS Humminbird Fish Finder Evinrude Trolling Motor Dual Batteries with On-Board Charger Livewell Single Axle Trailer w/Spare Seller is selling through a dealership, he is asking 7500, but we have negotiated to 6500. Opinions?

I found a boat I'm interested in buying but need some advice. It's a: Year: 2000 Brand: Stratos Model: 283 Vindicator Motor: Evinrude 150 Features: MotorGuide 70 # 24v trolling motor , Lowrance X65 in dash Lowrance X28 in bow Description: Length 18'2" Beam 91" Max hp 175 http://renegademarine.net/view-product.php?id=451 The boat is from a dealership, asking price is $6000. Any concerns or knowledge about this model? Does it sound like a good deal for my first boat? What questions should I ask the dealer?

I just returned from a year long deployment to afghanistan and am looking to buy my first boat. I have been looking on craigslist, but I was wondering if anyone had additional sites, tips for searching for used boats (besides the obvious ebay, classifieds, etc.) Thanks for your help!!!

I posted awhile ago about buying my first boat once I return home from my current deployement (which should be before 2012). You guys suggested buying a used boat with the economy today. I think I will go that route (just worried about the motor condition). I'm leaning towards buying a used Tracker 175 TXW, as this is my first boat I will ever own. The biggest area I will fish is Kentucky Lake, with a lot of smaller lakes around KY. I would like to not spend more than $5000, but willing to go up to $7500. Also, I own an '05 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo V-6, I'm sure this Jeep should be able to pull a Tracker or boat no bigger than a Nitro Z6, correct? I'm looking for any suggestions, tips, opinions. All is much appreciated. Thanks!!!

Probably the largest body of water will be KY Lake. I'm willing to put down anywhere from $2000-4000, then finance the rest. I am wanting a bigger motor (eventually), and you guys are making me lean towards a used boat; just always uneasy about spending a lot of money on something 'used.' I have a 2.5 car garage, will easily leave my car outside, lol. When I fish, it's usually just myself and one other person. Thanks for the quick replies and the well wish.

I wrote last winter about buying my first boat when I return from Afghanistan. Well, I have a little over 5 months left and have 3 options for buying a boat: -Bass Tracker 175 TXW (new): would eventually want a boat of this size and motor but expensive -Bass Tracker Pro Angler 16 (new): garunteed to be in great condition, but would eventually want a bigger boat -Used boat: cheaper but unsure of condition and quality if bought from private owner This will be my first boat ever and unsure of what to do. Any help?

Hey fellas, Haven't posted in awhile, just wanted to say hi to everyone. Things are alright here, halfway through my tour. Been reading Bassmaster magazines and skimming through the Bass Pro master catalog building a wish list. Hopefully going to buy my first boat when I get back. Been on the site a few times, living on the water through everyones' posts. Can't wait to return stateside to the family and go fishing next spring. Wishing everyone the best, Josh

Fished the same open tournament, as last weekend, except I fished it with my buddy on his boat. Like last weekend, our two keppers were caught first thing in the morning, of course by my partner. I only caught one dink again, and he only caught one other dink. We had a few missed and some come off, not sure why. The Eng. Corps was pooling the lake pretty hard the day before, so the fishing was slow and tough for us. 17 boats showed, a few had limits, with winning weight around 9.3lbs. We had 2 for 4.3lbs. I noticed that all our action come in coves behind secondary points. Of course baitfish were in the back of creeks and shallow areas, but couldn't get much going. Not sure where all the other fish we caught off of, but I heard main lake flats are good areas. All our action came from slow swimming jigs or bouncing them off the bottom. Thanks for the read!

Usually does the trick, good advice. 8-) I agree. Best advice here. And if they resort to asking you not fish it or to leave, so be it, there are plenty ther docks.

Seriously good advice. Thanks!!! Just started using the Shakey-head and was having a few issues. Same here! I'm new to the Shakey technique, but it's quickly becoming my favorite! I too have had a few hook ups come undone, so I'm going to try this as well.

I've really been into the shakey head this fall, but I often wonder what is happening under the water's surface. After seeing the video of the ShakE2 and reading the article in FLW about Hag Tornado, I decided to order these two products and pair them together. I should receive these items Thursday evening, hopefully I will be able to post a standard review with pics (before testing on the water) and then an after tournament review. I'm really excited about the potential here!!!

This was my first year following the Bass Masters Series and i was disappointed. I'm not certain how long the tournament has been ran in this manner, or the evolution of the series, but when an angler can dominate all year long (Skeet Reese) and not be the AOY, that confuses me. AOY should encompass the full season. How consistent an angler is throughout the season, IMO, should justify the AOY winner. Skeet Reese dominanted all season long, but isn't as dominant for two tournaments, and that cancels out the past season??? I think AOY should encompass the full season, no end of season tournament. If they are looking for entertainment value, come up with some sort of end-of-season tournament that might put an extra guy or two into the Classic. Or something. I'm not fully up to speed on the Series, but I think you'll get my drift. Any thoughts?

Ok, so try the lure for several casts, then try different water columns. I'm guessing if nothing happens, start again at the top with a different lure, and then repeat the process until a pattern starts to form?

I fished my first tournament this weekend, afterwards analyzing everything that happened. In the Bass Masters magazine, the section 'Day on the Lake' the pro changes lures almost every cast. I stuck to mainly 5-7 lures/techniques throughout an entire day, rarely switching once in an area. My thought is maybe that last cast was in a bad spot, or maybe I didn't present it right, etc. so why give up so quickly on the technique. (Of course it was different if we beat the bank up and down with nothing, then I was switch my lures. How often should you change lures? When is it time to give up on a certain technique and change it in an area?

OMG! I'm crying as I type this... (I'm a visual thinker). My gilfriend is still crying and laughing so hard...

Stephen - I wish I could have seen him. I've never had a freshwater fish fight like that. It might not have even been a bass, but we were catching them there. Endless - I did finally get to fish the avid and the PQ together. After some frustration and fine tuning, I finally got it setup for my ability, and man does it send lures flying! Sensitivity is awesome; I could feel the difference between the rocks, timber, etc. I love the action this rod gives to a crankbait. After I finally got the PQ set correctly, I fell in love. I threw some cranks in a clear shallow pond to watch the action, and what a difference from a 6.x reel. It swims correctly, and it stays in the strike zone much longer. Can't wait to hook something on it. I knew it was Rick Morris cause his name was on the truck, boat, and others were calling him Rick. When I got home, I looked him up, and sure enough on the Bass master site, there he was. Then I'm watching the PAA I had DVRed, and there he is fishing, lol.

I fished my first tournament today at Nolin Lake in KY. It was quite the learning experience. My partner, John Newton, taught me alot. I only caught one fish (non-keeper) to John's 10+ (2 keepers including big fish of 2.31lbs). I do however have another "one that got away" story. As John said, "the rookie forgot to adjust his drag." I was using a shakey head with a zoom trick worm in pumpkin green. It was off a point, could feel the rocky bottom, and felt a tick. I reeled down, waited to feel the fish swim away, and set the hook. He immediately took off running. My drag wasn't super lose, he was a beast pulling my rod and fighting, but the drag was too lose as he was able to strip line and wrap around a stumb. John tried to manuever the boat to work him loose, but it was too late. The hook came loose and he was gone. John swears that it was a hog, and he felt like a hog. On a side note... unbeknowest to me, I met Rick Morris today. He pulled up, started talking to me, asking how the fishing was, how I did, what the winning weight was, etc. I didn't know at the time who Rick Morris was, but I knew he was a pro cause of his truck and boat. Pretty down to earth, laid back guy. All-in-all, it was a great learning experience.

There is a recent thread talking about the BPS Pro Qualifier real being on sell for $70. Well, I had purchased this reel online a week ago and was aggravated that i had just missed on saving $30. I contacted BPS through their online customer service department (CSD) about missing reward points. My girlfriend bought me items through the online store with her debit card; since the purchase was in her name, the points would not be added to my rewards program. After discussing this with the CSD, they agreed to put the points onto my account. Afterwards, the representative asked if there was anything else, and jokingly (figuring it was buyers' luck) I responded about the reel and new sale price. She said she would see what she could do. I received this email from BPS today: Joshua, Thank you for contacting Bass Pro Shops. I have reviewed your order information. Item 35142200 REEL-PRO Q PQX10 5.2:1 BAIT 99.99 is now on sale for 69.94. We price match within the last 30 days from the date of purchase. I will refund your credit card $ 30.05 today. Please contact us again if you require further assistance. Best regards, Carolyn Bass Pro Shops Customer Service Simply Awesome!

I AM SO MAD! I just bought one last weds for $99, I kid you not!

MAN! I have not caught anything over a pound and you catch those beasts!

he has to get another 1000 posts before xmas, he can't do that without bumping older posts... but funny!

I bought my first high-end rod a few weeks ago: a ST Croix Avid. This rod lists at $180, while I saved the money for it and didn't break the bank, I did however create a problem. The difference between a $50 to a $180 rod is HUGE. The weight, sensitivity, durability, action, responsiviness; everything feels much better in a higher grade rod. I hope I'm not screwed for the long term, lol....

I do the samething. I use snaps for quick lure changes until I figure out a pattern (depth and/or color). When the bite turns off, I'll take the snap off to change the lures movement.