BrianinMD

Not sure of the difference the one thing I noticed here in Maryland at Little Seneca Lake (Black Hills Regional Park) is the bass seem to only want very slow retrieves. I have yet to get anything worthwhile on swim baits. All my good fish have come from very very slow retrieves on carolina rigged plastics. Wonder if its just pressure, until this year I was fishing from the shore and there is a lot of people around. Now I have my boat wonder how much this will change when I get away from the heavy pressure areas.

This has been a great site, learned a lot and no one has gotten aggravated with my dumb newbie questions. Just bought my first boat and have a lot of questions. Hopefully soon get to the point I can provide some reasonable answers to others questions.

The only reason I was thinking 2 piece is storage and transport, I have a Nissan Xterra, a 7 foot rod in one piece would be a little rough to fit in. Most of my fishing before has been for smallmouth, heaviest rod I currently have is a 6 foot 6 inch spinning rod with 10lb test on it. Looking for something a little heavier. I will be fishing Little Seneca Lake in Germantown MD which has some good musky. Trying to get something a little heavier to handle any musky I could get into, but honestly would mainly be used for largemouths when I need something a little stronger. Bought my first boat ever recently need some better equipment.

Looking for a 2 piece 7 foot medium/heavy rod to use for musky. It can be either a baitcast or spinning. Problem is I don't have a lot of money left after getting my boat ready. Anyone got any suggestions for a decent quality setup?

Sorry for the newbie question, the add for the Minn Kota Endura 55# says its a Transom mount, it doesn't say anything about switching the head to make it a bow mount. How hard it that to do?

The boat I just purchased has a 1993 Johnson 25hp engine, I know I should replace the water pump (owner says it has never been replaced), change the lower unit fluid, and adjust the carb. Is there anything else this newbie to boat ownership should have checked?

Just another pic

Thought about it and decided to go used since I have never had a boat before. Its a 14ft jon boat with a 25hp Johnson. Will be fishing the Potomac River and a couple electric only lakes in the Rockville Md area. Now can't wait to get out and casting.

Was thinking used but I am not very good at the handyman items, don't want to get someone elses issues and get stuck paying a lot to fix it. I keep an eye on boat trader, and craigslist but whenever I see something that looks like something worthwhile its also priced over NADA retail value. The part of things that has surprised me most is the lack of dealers in the Germantown MD area. Hard to keep an eye on their used items.

Starting to look around, get ready to purchase a new boat around March/April. I can find a lot of information on styles of boats, alum. vs. glass, I am leaning towards a Tracker or Lund aluminum. What I can find is any information on what to expect to purchase after the boat to get it ready for the water, what kind of financing is available (interest rates, length available. I have about 3-4 thousand to put down, looking to spend about 14 thousand (wish i could go higher but have child support....). I know dealers would talk about these things but would like some thoughts from fellow fisherman who are not trying to sell me something. I mainly fish electric only lakes (black hill in boyds md) and the upper potomac. Any thoughts on Lund V-bottom or Tracker Pro-Team also appreciated.

Thinking about purchasing a used boat in the next few months. I have never had a boat before. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on things to keep in mind, warning signs of potential problems to look for, or any help at all. Only things I want for sure is something with storage areas, and raised seats. Most of my fishing is on electric only lakes, however it would spend time in the Potomac River.

All I would have to pay is the 2 years taxes to convert it to my name, the hitch for my tow vehicle, and whatever it takes to get it ready for the water. My only concern is I get the hitch and go get it back to maryland to find out it will cost a bunch of money. Obviously I don't have it or I would buy a new one..... both motor's were basically brand new 2 years ago, only a couple hours on each. I took the cover off the engine and it still outwardly brand new, its the seals inside that concern me. Thinking about having someone come over and take a look at it prior to me going down to check it out and tell me the odds its okay. A 2 cycle engine in Florida shouldn't be to bad, not like it went thru hard winters. I posted the question here because I knew people here would have experience with marine equipment.

I don't have a boat at this time However I may be able to get a 16ft v-bottom with a 40hp 2 cycle motor and a decent trolling motor. My biggest concern is its been sitting in central florida for 2 years. Nothing has been done to it at all. I took a look at it while in FL recently at outwardly it looks good, however I am not mechanically inclined and especially not with marine equipment. Wondering what I should be concerned with the most, and have checked out by a professional before towing it to Maryland. The tow is not a concern, I have to drive down anyway, driving back with a boat would be a bonus. Any thoughts or opinions on this?

Got out for a little time at the lake yesterday after work, taking some of the tips and hints from here I got into 3 nice largemouths. 2 of them in the 19 inch range, the other a little smaller. Nobody else was catching anything. Had success with a 6 inch plastic worm with a split shot about a foot or foot and a half from the bait. Barely moved it at all, very slow then would feel extra weight and set the hook.

Wondering what everyone's thoughts are on an issue I have been having on the lake. Been having bass swim up to my baits both swimming and topwater then just turn and swim off. Can't get them to hit not matter what I am doing. Trying different baits and retrieves without much success. The area is heaving fished which I am sure isn't helping matters. The hits I have been getting are on the topwater using a Zulu.

Thanks for all the responses and tips. I look forward to trying out the places Fendercaster suggested. Need to see what the weather does the next couple of days and figure out what night to go after working. My daughter is definately looking forward to fishing these areas. She loves using soft plastics for smallmouth. She won't use live bait anymore. Maybe if I get a few I can post some picks.

Hello to all, newbie to the site, seems like a lot of good people and good fishing. Great combination. Been searching around for some different places to fish. Recently moved to Germantown MD, been fishing Little Seneca but not having much luck. I don't have a boat, and there gets to be so many people around makes it hard. Best so far is an 18 inch largemouth. Been doing okay when they hit top water but no luck whatsoever otherwise. Anyone got any hints for a poor bank fisherman Also, any good places around to take a 9 year old, my daughter loves to fish with me?