J-Doc

This isn't the Ranger I mentioned above but something like this could be a great find. Here is the link. If you're primarily a "bass guy"....you probably wouldn't line the deep V due to the small front deck. If you turned into a troller more than bass angling, this could be a great setup. (I caught more bass trolling than angling last summer with one being a personal best) If you plan on hunting from one, forget the deep V. Look at the big Bass Tracker. Good overall fit.

kjackson, Have you looked at a walleye boat? That's a big jump but a great rig. There's a forum member here who was selling a Ranger walleye rig. Really nice boat and around your range I think. Garage kept, top quality. Super clean.

Most smaller glass boats like Triton, Nitro, Stratos, with a150 are starting around $25k range. By the time you get really good graphs your are at $30. Regardless of glass or tin, it's about what fits your needs. Most glass boats are not suited for trolling (especially a 150.....too much power and needs a kicker motor for trolling). I'd love a glass boat with a 150. It still will beat me to death on rough water where a deep V will ride better and cut wakes because of hull shape and ability to cut (think knife blade). A 90hp outboard is max size for trolling on any boat under 18ft unless it's something crazy like a big center console rig of some type. Like a Mako.

Oh and me and F&F in his ride will do about 45-47 with an alum. prop. I think he could get a quicker home shot (which is already darn quick) and maybe 1moh with a Fury prop. Love his 90hp Merc. A quiet powerhouse!!

I looked at the new Ranger this weekend in Ft Smith. I like the quality. Ranger has an eye for detail and wants to always make a better product. Good sized front deck, up to 8'-6" rods in middle rod locker, storage is good, had a 115 4-stroke Yamaha, (I prefer Merc) and price range was around $25k. I'm in the same shoes and looking at a boat but not really near future. I have found that my needs have changed dramatically. I no longer have the Tom Cruise Syndrome (feel the need for speed like my head is on fire and my a$# is catching). I used to want a Skeeter with a 200hp outboard SO bad. But mounting downriggers on it.......that's just wrong!! Lol!! She wasn't made for that. Here's where the Ranger has lost my vote.... Hull design. Plain and simple. It sucks. (My opinion). Granted I have NOT ridden in one so that completely discredits my opinion. I simply cannot see how it will not ride very similar to a flat bottom Jon boat. There is little to no V in the hull (barely at bow). This is MY opinion and personal preference. I want a boat I can run to Cliffty in from Prairie Creek in 20mph winds and not feel beat up or in danger. After doing this in a 18ft catfish flat bottom, lets just say I never want to again. Compare a Tracker and Ranger on the front hull and you will see what I mean. I rode in Feathers&Fins with him and was quite surprised my first trip out. It cuts through waves better than my heavy glass tri-hull. Granted, my tri hull is not a performance boat and it IS a tri-hull! They never ride good on rough water or cutting wakes. F&Fs boat surprised me. It can cut through big wakes pretty well for an aluminum ride and you stay dry about 90-95% of the time. I would bet my shorts the Ranger alum. rig is as wet as a ducks butt. Just my initial opinion mind you. I haven't test drove one. My advice, research research research and then take a test ride in any contending models. If you're not hunting from it or worried about shallow draft, a deep V is hard to beat for trollingand multi species on a big water lime Beaver. A Tracker or other rig is hard to beat for all around use. You can fish all day in the summer and keep up with the ski boat traffic and fee safe and comfortable. That Ranger will have you going home and glad to be on dry land once its rough. Rough as in 3-4ft rollers due to traffic. Crestliner. Everything I've heard read and investigated says top notch fit for me. Lund......well if you can afford it. Lol! Look for details on fit and finish of any manufacturer. That's where you will have your first problems. Things breaking, coming apart, etc. If it's visible or can be visible, it had better be top quality and long lasting. If they pay attention to small details, they care and want a top quality product. That's where Ranger will ALWAYS shine in my opinion after TONS of research and touring their plant. Forest wants to build a legacy and a safe product. As long as he is around, you will get that. He's a terrific guy. I know F&F is mire than willing to talk boats and show you his. He's trying to get me in one as soon as the wife lets me off the leash. Lol!!! (Okay, that's not funny)

Interesting article today http://www.wired2fish.com/choosing-the-best-jig-trailer/

Lol!! That's a good one!

I went to a power plant lake today and tested the scent factor. Must have thrown the fish off. I used a cover scent on a plastic worm and drop shot to active fish. No bites. Later in a completely different spot, the fish bite the same worm with the cover scent. Those fish were highly active. More testing to come but I did t get a bite on the jig (again) using a craw cover scent. It's the KVD stick that you wipe on the baits, not a spray. Smells like leather conditioner to me, not a craw. Lol

That describes how I try to mimic a craw now. Quickblittle spurts to take off and defend itself. I've watched a fee videos on YouTube and MAN! Those little critters are bad to bone at defending themselves. One vid has several smallmouth attacking it slowly and they don't like getting pinched on the lip! Lol!! Took them several tries to get their meal. Little craw was violent and quick! Could move a lit more ground and fast than I thought originally.

That is a lot of bait. One less honker in the world is less goose poop that I step in at the ramp! Lol

Good tips! Thank you very much!! Can you describe how you work the jig? I've seen some guys use pretty hefty jerks vs slight subtle taps like most fish a Texas rigged worm. I know there are swim jigs, vertical fall like a jogging spoon, etc. I'm talking about once you have bottom contact, what do you have the most luck on most of the time type stuff.

I have a curse with Hula Poppers. Every one I've ever thrown was lost in some fashion. Popped line on a cast, snagged, etc. I gave up. I should give it another try. LOVE the sound they make (blOOp)

****PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE ABOVE!!**** I've fished bass jigs for several years now. It's never been my go-to bait although I have one in the boat about 90-95% of the year and use it often. I would say I've had a less success with it than I've had success overall. There were times when the jig was my go-to and I was having great luck. I've always worked the jig about the same, tried a multitude of color combinations, etc. I'm posting this poll in hopes of getting a broad-based series of opinions. Here's what "I do" when I fish a jig: - jig rattles (always) - usually a finesse jig (3/16oz up to 1oz football jigs) - always pitching, pretty good at it - fish docks, steep sloped banks with gravel, flats, trees, laydowns, you name it.....i've fished it - I typically have a short "hop-hop-hop" cadence when working the jig - I've tried dragging the jig only, little to no success although smallmouth seem to prefer the slow death drag - jig trailers I prefer are Strike King Rage Tail - typically i use a green pumpkin base on color I've recently been looking into matching my jig colors with specific craws found in the lake I'm fishing. I want to match the jig color with craws I am finding in the lake (browns, bright red during molt, green in late summer/early fall, etc) So what's your opinion on bass jigs???

If anyone is wanting to know more about their H20 rods or their H20 water suit (bibbs and jacket), shoot me a message. I've had terrific experiences with both. ESPECIALLY the rods. (I held a GLoomis in my left hand, my H20 Express rod in my right hand - $60 vs $300: I'll take $60 all day long. Mine was just as light and almost as sensitive).

There. I corrected to DOG. Smart a@#

I guess it's better to wake up to a DOG lick in the face than a dog fart.... Perspectives!!!

I was thinking.....it's not April 1st yet. Then I got to the bottom of the post. Dog lick......gotta hate that. Lol

I call it...... "The University of Alabama"

^^ Zoom Ole Monster Tequila Sunrise??

I don't know that I have a "go-to" lure. I use a variety of things depending on what I'm fishing for at the time. I do favor a Zoom centipede worm in the summer. I have a few colors that work well. Feathers&Fins go-to lure is WITHOUT A DOUBT the Flicker Shad (as if that was a surprise here)

No problem. Glad to help.

Lets just say that it's brightly colored with feminine colors and lots of glitter. Lol!! There... .you can keep your secret color a secret Joe. Sorry I let the cat out of the bag. Lol!

Wow......this spiraled out of control quickly!!! Lol!

Careful, he paints his own baits and one color is called "Pole Dancer". (Not joking)

Yep. That's pretty accurate. Lol