M_Taylor

I appreciate all the feedback. I have been doing a lot of research as well as a lot of asking questions. Seems that I need to consider the Ranger alum boats as well. I know the mark up is high on a new one vs a few year older boat, but I guess I get caught up on the uncertainty of maintenance needed. No doubt doing some maintenance is still cheaper than a new boat, I realize that. The other hang up is just not having everything just how you want it. And then there's the decision of what brand motor. That could start a whole new string of dilemmas in the decision process. Whew.

Thanks so much everyone. Appreciate the insight. Anyone else is welcome to chime in still. So far it sounds like I'm at least on the right path. I have been very happy with the panfish tracker, and may be looking for help on a new owner from you all. I'm not one to blame my boat on not catching fish, but I do know a bigger fishing platform and a recessed foot pedal would make fishing more comfortable. Not to mention getting around the lake a little quicker would be nice.

Hey guys, wanted to post this here since this forum is always so helpful and free with advice. I'm in the market to replace my 16' Panfish Tracker and its 4 stroke 25hp motor on it. I fish Beaver Lake predominately and I'm looking for a more comfortable and better fishing boat. Fly fishing from my current rig is a pain due to too much clutter in the bow. I am looking at a brand new Bass Tracker 175 TXW with a 75hp Mercury 4stroke. The cost is around $18,500 all in. I have never been in one(walked around them numerous times at Bass Pro) but from what I can see it's a nice boat. That price range is top of the budget. Any other options would be appreciated. Pros or cons of what I'm looking at would be great. I have made up my mind on buying something and lastly I want it before April. Maybe cabin fever and the office is making me a bit itchy. Final question, if you could only afford one GPS/sonar in the $600 range plus a cheapie sonar(from current boat), what would you put on the console and the bow? Thanks so much for any help and advice offered.

Yes I do. My 2013 spring season was blown due to much more than a fuse. Glad thats a cheap and easy fix. We need you out on the water so you can tell us where all the fish are!

Boat trouble and still a pig of a fish! Nicely done but can't help but be envious.

Sorry for the rotation issues. Must be an iPhone thing? Anyone know how I can fix that?

Only two years of experience on Beaver. All three of my PBs were last year within a couple weeks. The striper was 35 pounds and 40" long caught a jerkbait. The large mouth was just shy of five pounds. Not huge but my best. Caught on a shakey head. The smallie was caught on the fly rod on a baitfish pattern I tied. It was 18".

Had the same luck as basically everyone else yesterday in the same area. Makes me feel a little better about myself.

They do! ate some out of a 35 pounder and were so good.

Great fishing and excellent sounding recipe. I hope you ate the cheeks out of those bad boys. I just had some from one of mine and it was excellent.

Fished 2-8-15 from 1-5pm. Went south out of Hwy 12 bridge and fished between the bridge and Blackburn Arm. Water temp: 41 degrees. So I have swallowed my pride and have to put my report out there in hopes of learning some things. I am not a bass fisherman (but I am an experienced fisherman) and I want to learn and therefore only looked for bass yesterday. I like a challenge but yesterday was more than that. I don't have a fast boat or high end electronics so I just tried to fish the "right type" of water real slow, and not too far from the ramp. I used 4 baits. Jerkbait, crawfish type jig with trailer, wiggle wart, and shaky head worm. I worked secondary point and even in farther into coves. I also tried some main lake points and shoreline. I worked around docks and standing timber as well. I worked from the shore out to 30ft over the course of the day, trying to fish fairly steep chunky rock banks and a few bluffs. To summarize: I didn't catch squat! I know there are a lot of variables, but anything obvious that sticks out that I did right or wrong would be appreciated. I'm not looking for someone's honey hole, just a direction on technique or strategy for winter fishing. Much appreciated. If I ever do have a good day I will be sure to post with photos to somewhat redeem my self confidence.

Nice fish. Thanks for the report.

What he said.

Beautiful fish. Well done.

We're all fisherman so we all have had something different work for us. Here's my two cents. I found myself in a similar situation. Fish crashing shad as clear as day, it was maddening. I could see what size shad they were hitting and tried matching(and did a good job in my opinion). It wasn't until I tied on a giant popper and ripped that thing across the water did the fish key in on my bait. By standing out, instead of blending in, I stayed in constant action for hours. Went back to subtle stuff and nothing once again. So don't be afraid to cause some commotion.

That last sentence will fix that if it were me saying it. Haha never fails when I'm on a streak.

This one is from Beaver this spring. 40 by 26 and was 35lbs. It's hard to say from a pic, but I'll side with everyone else. Wish I knew how to scuba, seeing one of those bad boys up close would be awesome.

I'm stealing that idea! I could use it.

Great job. Anything in particular that you were looking for besides 30ft of water that helped in the catch?

Quick report on my first try with the worm harness. Thank you to all who answered a lot of questions to help get me started. Conditions: south breeze, cloudy, water temp 80 Fished nothing but live crawlers on various harness'. Caught a mixed bag of Kentucky, crappie, and catfish but no walleye. Specifically fished water near PC and hwy 12 bridge that was 20-30ft deep. Bites came on various color blades so no real pattern. Used one ounce weight and speed of appx. 1mph. Wish I could give more info but it was my first time out so I must be missing something on the walleye bite.

Thanks! I haven't used a shaky head since May but its good to know what weight to start with if I get back out there soon.

Haha too funny.

Care to share what weight on the shaky head? I have only used it when the fish were in shallow. Thanks!

I understand your point completely and value our rights and privacy just as much as the next person. My point was more directed towards the fact that I haven't seen an opportunity where a boat would check me since you don't see the patrols out watching. I was on a guide trip in NC two weeks ago and I had a big fish on, a LE boat drove up and watched me fight it from a distance, saw we were all legal in our rigs and size limits and took off without interrupting us. Thats more what I was making a point of for Beaver. As much as F&F has been on the water in 10 years, I think that's pretty sad that he hasn't been checked at least once while fishing.

I have fished enough at different times of the week and have yet to be checked in over a year of being in town. I won't say I want them crawling over my boat each weekend, but how many other boats have went years without being checked on? Lack of presence leads to lack of responsibility in my opinion.