9 hours ago, Jtrout said:

I got my bass raider last weekend and in maryland u have to get it registered and get stickers for it.. so what do i need to do? Take the title to the mva? Im not sure ive never owned a watercraft lol

You need to go the the DNR office to register it.  Google Maryland DNR.  Good luck

I have been trying to figure out how to make launching my Bass Raider easier. It's not tough to unload it from the pickup when I have another person with me, but it can be a pain to rig it all up on the shore. The primary drive for figuring out a better launch solution has been to make it possible to launch without dragging the boat when I fish alone, or with one of my kids. 

I have a 10' utility trailer with a fold down ramp style tailgate, so I figured i'd give that a shot. I backed it down into the water, but then I had to deploy the ramp while in the water. Needless to say it worked well, but I got quite wet. To resolve this issue I added a 4' length of chain to both sides of the tailgate in order to suspend it off the ground. This way I'm able to pull into the launch area, drop the tailgate (just shy of being level with the deck of the trailer), pull the boat out a bit, rig it all up in the trailer, then back it into the water. It works like a dream, and I don't get wet at all. Just do the reverse for the take out. 

Testing at home

At the lake

Now that that problem is finally solved, back to fishing.

I tried top water for a few hours with no success so I switched it up to a Ned Rig for the first time. I had a lot of bites, one LM spit it on a jump close to the boat, but I was able to land this monster. After trying this rig for the first time, I'm sold. Ned Rig when the bite is tough. 

 

Happy and safe fishing, everyone.

Well, after looking through the Comments in this post I thought the bass raider would be good for me and my wife, or me and our 4 year old daughter so I bought one a few days ago. I didn't know in Alabama u had to have a boating license just for a trolling motor, so I have to get the boat registered, get license and find a trolling motor lol it looks like it will be fun once I get it legally water ready. I tend to have a way to keep rods from falling off the sides and maybe some other stuff from this forum on it before I take it out too. What's the first things I should add? I'm thinking about a 40lb trolling motor, and that's about as far as I have got so far. Thanks in advance 

Corey 

    I could be wrong, but, I don't think you have to have a boaters' license for a trolling motor powered craft.  I would go to a 45 to 55 on your trolling motor.

Ken

 

2 hours ago, Corey91 said:

Well, after looking through the Comments in this post I thought the bass raider would be good for me and my wife, or me and our 4 year old daughter so I bought one a few days ago. I didn't know in Alabama u had to have a boating license just for a trolling motor, so I have to get the boat registered, get license and find a trolling motor lol it looks like it will be fun once I get it legally water ready. I tend to have a way to keep rods from falling off the sides and maybe some other stuff from this forum on it before I take it out too. What's the first things I should add? I'm thinking about a 40lb trolling motor, and that's about as far as I have got so far. Thanks in advance 

In Virginia anything under a 10hp is not required a licensed operator. I would definitely go with a 55lb TM. I have the Minn Kota enduramax and can fish all day with a single battery with using only 3/4 of its capacity.

29 minutes ago, racedad said:

In Virginia anything under a 10hp is not required a licensed operator. I would definitely go with a 55lb TM. I have the Minn Kota enduramax and can fish all day with a single battery with using only 3/4 of its capacity.

I've got a 50lb thrust Minnkota on my 2 man and with 2 people and gear and 2 batteries it pushes us at almost 3.5mph. Haven't checked yet at how fast it'll go with just me and my gear and batteries yet but would guess it'd go close to 5mph. Only thing that drives me crazy is it's hand control and know I've missed a few fish messing with it while fighting the wind. Soon as I can I'm going to get Motorguide's Bulldog 54. It's a 54lb thrust transom mount with foot control. That'll be sweet! 

6 minutes ago, Advantage said:

I've got a 50lb thrust Minnkota on my 2 man and with 2 people and gear and 2 batteries it pushes us at almost 3.5mph. Haven't checked yet at how fast it'll go with just me and my gear and batteries yet but would guess it'd go close to 5mph. Only thing that drives me crazy is it's hand control and know I've missed a few fish messing with it while fighting the wind. Soon as I can I'm going to get Motorguide's Bulldog 54. It's a 54lb thrust transom mount with foot control. That'll be sweet! 

And in KS (correct me if I'm wrong Clayton Westgate, lol) if a boat is under 16 ft  and not powered by a gas engine it doesn't have to be registered.

Kansas even electric have to be registered

5 hours ago, Advantage said:

 And in KS (correct me if I'm wrong Clayton, lol) if a boat is under 16 ft  and not powered by a gas engine it doesn't have to be registered.

@Advantage it still has to be registered. I think kayaks, canoes, and rafts are the only exceptions and they still have to have stickers at some of our lakes (JOCO, Wabaunsee, Wyco). 

Unfortunately in Alabama it's worded "powered by motor" it does not specify gas or electric so I am assuming you have to havea license with any motor. I will check into it a little more bc it would be awesome if I didn't have to. I'd be one step closer to getting out on it. Thanks for the comments, I am now looking for a bigger trolling motor then what I had found.

On 4/25/2016 at 11:11 AM, therivermonster said:

I have been trying to figure out how to make launching my Bass Raider easier. It's not tough to unload it from the pickup when I have another person with me, but it can be a pain to rig it all up on the shore. The primary drive for figuring out a better launch solution has been to make it possible to launch without dragging the boat when I fish alone, or with one of my kids. 

I have a 10' utility trailer with a fold down ramp style tailgate, so I figured i'd give that a shot. I backed it down into the water, but then I had to deploy the ramp while in the water. Needless to say it worked well, but I got quite wet. To resolve this issue I added a 4' length of chain to both sides of the tailgate in order to suspend it off the ground. This way I'm able to pull into the launch area, drop the tailgate (just shy of being level with the deck of the trailer), pull the boat out a bit, rig it all up in the trailer, then back it into the water. It works like a dream, and I don't get wet at all. Just do the reverse for the take out. 

Testing at home

At the lake

Now that that problem is finally solved, back to fishing.

I tried top water for a few hours with no success so I switched it up to a Ned Rig for the first time. I had a lot of bites, one LM spit it on a jump close to the boat, but I was able to land this monster. After trying this rig for the first time, I'm sold. Ned Rig when the bite is tough. 

 

Happy and safe fishing, everyone.

Say, I have a trailer like that. Did you have to do anything with the wheel hubs, or change them out to Buddy bearings or such? Do you submerge the wheels and not worry?

On 3/30/2016 at 10:01 AM, Tommy X said:

The rod holder is mainly for transport. I'll lay them down in front of me while fishing.

I devised a rope and hook to hold the boat in place for when I bring the boat up onto the tailgate so it doesn't roll backwards while I get behind it to lift it up. I'll post a pic if it works.

The worst part of using the truck bed, is the various inclines you find near the water at different lakes. At some lakes the tailgate is 2 ft higher then it is in my flat driveway. Sometimes its just easier to face the lake with the cab and walk the boat around to the back for loading. I definitely want a GD trailer..lol

Can you post a pic of the rope/hook or did it not work?

On 4/4/2016 at 10:56 AM, livemusic said:

Motorguide makes a portable, foot-controlled trolling motor called Bulldog 54, it has 54 lbs thrust. I note that it has 5 speeds, so, does that mean it is not one of the new technology digital motors that provides much long run times due to a more efficient use of the battery? I think those are variable speed with infinite 'settings?'

Also, does anyone use one of these on a Bass Raider type boat? Is there room to put it in front of you so that you are not too cramped up?

I also note that this model has a 30 inch shaft. I figured it was 36". I hope 30" fits the Bass Raider okay.

I don't see one like this from Minn Kota.

I posted the above three weeks ago but I don't recall seeing anyone answer. Anyone got any comments on the questions asked above about the Bulldog motor?

Lastly, a friend recently bought a Bass Raider 10e and bought a 30lb thrust motor along with it. I told him I would strongly recommend a 40-50lb thrust motor. The 30lb thrust motor he has is a Motor Guide, and it does have a nice exendable handle, but it has a 30" shaft... that worries me (versus 36") and also, the 30lb thrust worries me. If I were going to spend on a new boat and all that it requires to rig it up, I would rather have more thrust. Seems to me that when you are ready to head to a new area on the lake or back to the dock, the extra thrust equates to speed, and that's important. What do you guys think? However, I told him it will work, just not ideal IMO.

Also, I understand keeping costs down but one could buy a digital 50-55lb thrust motor for not a whole lot much more ($150 more?), and the battery life might be longer on a charge? Please let me know if you think it's a big mistake to buy a 30lb thrust, he might still be able to take it back?

Wow, just read all 88 pages of this awesome forum. 

Just picked up a new to me BassHound10.2(sundolphin)off of Facebook less than 30 days ago. I really love all the mods you all have done. 

Attached a pic of my steal, paid 200 including a trailer.!!

 

need some tips from those of you with trailers. How are you loading your boat on the trailer when you are by yourself? It took me over 40 minutes to get it positioned right on my trailer.  With my TM on the front, I can't seem to get enough speed to get it up on the trailer far enough to winch it down.  Obviously if I was with someone, they could just throw me a rope and pull me up. Any tips??

 

That is quite a steal

15 minutes ago, Okiefisher29 said:

Wow, just read all 88 pages of this awesome forum. 

Just picked up a new to me BassHound10.2(sundolphin)off of Facebook less than 30 days ago. I really love all the mods you all have done. 

Attached a pic of my steal, paid 200 including a trailer.!!

 

need some tips from those of you with trailers. How are you loading your boat on the trailer when you are by yourself? It took me over 40 minutes to get it positioned right on my trailer.  With my TM on the front, I can't seem to get enough speed to get it up on the trailer far enough to winch it down.  Obviously if I was with someone, they could just throw me a rope and pull me up. Any tips??

 

Buy some rubber boots/waders. If it's warm, no concern.

Beach the boat next to the trailer. Get out. Attach your winch line to the front of the boat. Then push the boat out, but hold a rope also attached to the front. When you push it out, aim it so that it will be going out into the lake but with the bow/stern axis generally lined up with your trailer. When it is as close to the trailer axis as possible, pull it onto the trailer straight as you can. Then winch it up.

Your purchase is amazingly good. Why can't I ever find boat deals that good!

38 minutes ago, livemusic said:

Buy some rubber boots/waders. If it's warm, no concern.

Beach the boat next to the trailer. Get out. Attach your winch line to the front of the boat. Then push the boat out, but hold a rope also attached to the front. When you push it out, aim it so that it will be going out into the lake but with the bow/stern axis generally lined up with your trailer. When it is as close to the trailer axis as possible, pull it onto the trailer straight as you can. Then winch it up.

Your purchase is amazingly good. Why can't I ever find boat deals that good!

Great tip, thank you!

yes, I almost felt bad for the deal I got...but they could've said No.  Got the boat, trailer, 28# thrust MK, battery, FF and battery charger!!!

 

Plan to add a rudder, some rod holders and eventually a MG bulldog trolling motor

33 minutes ago, Okiefisher29 said:

Great tip, thank you!

yes, I almost felt bad for the deal I got...but they could've said No.  Got the boat, trailer, 28# thrust MK, battery, FF and battery charger!!!

 

Plan to add a rudder, some rod holders and eventually a MG bulldog trolling motor

Well, the unbelievable deal just got more unbelievable.

You can actually skip the part about having another rope if your winch line is supple enough to use for both purposes.

Has anyone added a usb port to charge phones on their boat?  don't remember seeing any posts on that.  Do they make an adapter that plugs into the trolling motor receptacle? 

4 hours ago, Okiefisher29 said:

Has anyone added a usb port to charge phones on their boat?  don't remember seeing any posts on that.  Do they make an adapter that plugs into the trolling motor receptacle? 

I just make sure to fully charge my phone before I get on the water. And I'm usually to busy fishin to be on it much to drain the battery while on the water...with the exception of taking pics of big uns! Lol 

7 hours ago, Okiefisher29 said:

Wow, just read all 88 pages of this awesome forum. 

Just picked up a new to me BassHound10.2(sundolphin)off of Facebook less than 30 days ago. I really love all the mods you all have done. 

Attached a pic of my steal, paid 200 including a trailer.!!

 

need some tips from those of you with trailers. How are you loading your boat on the trailer when you are by yourself? It took me over 40 minutes to get it positioned right on my trailer.  With my TM on the front, I can't seem to get enough speed to get it up on the trailer far enough to winch it down.  Obviously if I was with someone, they could just throw me a rope and pull me up. Any tips??

 

I have a Basshound 9.4. Until I can get the MG Bulldog I've got a 50lb thrust Minnkota but I just put it on the back transom instead of the front one. With 50lbs of thrust I just get a good run at the ramp or bank and when I'm get close I raise it up/tilt it up so it doesn't drag bottom when I beach it. Then I get out from the front, drag it up a few more feet, unload everything so it's lighter, lift and pull front onto my trailer, then go around to the back and push it rest of the way in, lift up gate/ramp and lock it then strap it down. Also, I put a 4'x8' sheet of plywood on the deck of the trailer since it's the metal grate type of trailer and laid two 4"x4"x8' on the plywood so they lay longwise in between the 3 chines of the trihull for support when I strap it down. I'm also going to get some carpet and hammertack it to the plywood and 4x4's so that the boat will slide/glide on even easier and without much friction/wear on the bottom of the boat.

Edited April 28, 201610 yr by Advantage
typos and added some content

17 hours ago, Okiefisher29 said:

Has anyone added a usb port to charge phones on their boat?  don't remember seeing any posts on that.  Do they make an adapter that plugs into the trolling motor receptacle? 

Here ya go.........http://www.amazon.com/Newport-Vessels-Trolling-Battery-Center/dp/B01AE2TG7G?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&ref_=s9_acsd_al_bw_c_x_5

MInnkota also make one like this with 2 cigarette lighter type power sources. You can get usb adapters for those at any convenience store. Its on my list for next years mods so I can power a go pro from it all day

2 hours ago, Tommy X said:

Here ya go.........http://www.amazon.com/Newport-Vessels-Trolling-Battery-Center/dp/B01AE2TG7G?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&ref_=s9_acsd_al_bw_c_x_5

MInnkota also make one like this with 2 cigarette lighter type power sources. You can get usb adapters for those at any convenience store. Its on my list for next years mods so I can power a go pro from it all day

Do you think the Minn Kota one is the better unit? It would have one 12v female for whatever, and another 12v female you could stick in a male 12v thingy that has 2 USB ports?

On April 27, 2016 at 1:28 PM, Okiefisher29 said:

Wow, just read all 88 pages of this awesome forum. 

Just picked up a new to me BassHound10.2(sundolphin)off of Facebook less than 30 days ago. I really love all the mods you all have done. 

Attached a pic of my steal, paid 200 including a trailer.!!

 

need some tips from those of you with trailers. How are you loading your boat on the trailer when you are by yourself? It took me over 40 minutes to get it positioned right on my trailer.  With my TM on the front, I can't seem to get enough speed to get it up on the trailer far enough to winch it down.  Obviously if I was with someone, they could just throw me a rope and pull me up. Any tips??

 

 

Got the boat registered today, will probably get license in the morning and a trolling motor Saturday. If it all works out I will be in the water this weekend, if so I will take a few pics. Thanks everyone for awesome ideas 

On 4/27/2016 at 9:37 AM, livemusic said:

Say, I have a trailer like that. Did you have to do anything with the wheel hubs, or change them out to Buddy bearings or such? Do you submerge the wheels and not worry?

Can you post a pic of the rope/hook or did it not work?

It did not work, I am picking up my new load rite trailer next Wednesday. I was lucky the last time I took the boat out. Someone was there to give me a hand. the tailgate had to be close to 4 ft off the ground at the lake! That was it, I pleaded my case to the wife and started searching for a trailer. The owner of the trailer dealership was great. I gave him the dimensions of the bottom of the boat and a pic and they are configuring the trailer for the BR so it should be ready to fish when I pick it up. its the smallest jet ski trailer Load Rite makes. the 1,000 pound capacity PWC trailer

Camp Marine in Point Pleasant NJ

13 hours ago, livemusic said:

Do you think the Minn Kota one is the better unit? It would have one 12v female for whatever, and another 12v female you could stick in a male 12v thingy that has 2 USB ports?

I don't know which is better. I would just read some reviews and take the plunge, I guess

On 4/27/2016 at 6:37 AM, livemusic said:

Say, I have a trailer like that. Did you have to do anything with the wheel hubs, or change them out to Buddy bearings or such? Do you submerge the wheels and not worry?

Can you post a pic of the rope/hook or did it not work?

livemusic,

I didn't do anything with the wheel hubs, but now that you mention it, I should probably look into it. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

30 minutes ago, therivermonster said:

livemusic,

I didn't do anything with the wheel hubs, but now that you mention it, I should probably look into it. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

Look into 'buddy bearings.' That is what we always called them but I guess it should be 'bearing buddies,' lol.

http://www.bearingbuddy.com/