I recently decided to give bass fishing a try. I have a 16 ft Xpress bass boat that I'm trying to get ready.

1. Do you recommend mounting the trolling motor foot control to the floor at the front of the bow? Pros/cons?

2. I don't have any cut off valves on the hoses to the livewell and was thinking this may be a good safety feature to add. Any idea where I can find some? I've tried two marine places and both said "good idea, we don't carry those."

The only bass fishing I've done prior to this is random bank casting so I hope I can have some fun with learning.

Thanks for the help,

Take a look at the Bow-Mount Stabilizer Kit by Minn Kota, it's used as extra security when running, just slide your foot control over next to the mount and strap her down.

Cut off valves try Lowe's  

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/accessories/detail.asp?pg=mka4

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since you are a rookie to bass fishing , feel free to ask a lot of questions and somebody here will have an answer for you.

Oh by the way there is no such thing as a stupid question here.

Welcome to the BEST bass fishing forum on the Net, IMO! Fishing from your boat will be a "whole different ballgame" than randomly fishing from the shore!! It is going to open up MANY, MANY areas where there are bass/fish that you'd have trouble catching from the shore. I've continually tried to convince my wife of that fact and I think she's finally had the light turn on in her head!! If you wanna increase your chances of catching more and bigger fish, you almost gotta be out on the water to do it. I know there will probably be some guys who will disagree with my line of thought, BUT that's the way I SEE IT. I've ALWAYS had more success when fishing from a boat. Besides, I like to stealth my way into the tullies along the shore and have a blast trying to "pull a few" outta there!!! Again, WELCOME to BR. It's one Fantastic Forum!!!