J-Doc

Low oxygen pockets could explain it I guess. Definitely going to have a big winter crop of bait with all the high water last few years. I know some have been caught and pretty good weight but a lot of the pics I've seen have shown really lean fish. I just found it rather ironic that most of the bass species I've seen, caught personally, or heard of being caught do not seem to be affected by any competition and they of all species........are flourishing well in the lake this year when the "hated species" are quite "homely". Not poking fun, starting anything, or creating yet another argument. Just found it a little humorous and ironic. Especially with all of the controversy between the AGFC and MDC acting like kids over the whole striper issue. They are embarrassing themselves......and this part of the nation. But THAT is a different topic entirely and already discussed in another thread. Not here. Thanks for the responses guys. Guess I'm not the only one seeing some skinny fish this year. Like I said.......pretty odd year weather wise and the fishing has reflected that. I still enjoy getting out there. If other lakes were as close, I'm sure I'd try them but Beaver is a 12-15min drive for me and I enjoy the challenge. I keep telling myself, "If you can learn to master Beaver Lake, you can learn anywhere".

No I mean like no fat on them at all. No belly. Long and abnormally lean compared to previous years catches. Most of the ones caught had threadfin in their bellies.

Been a very weird year for many this year. Walleye were few and harder to find. Also most were 15"-17" and super skinny. Crappie were tough this year also. Now the stripers are super skinny and lean also. Only thing that I've seen fat (besides me) have been bass. I've caught some good ones this year and almost every one has a big belly. I lost a 4-5lb smallmouth at the boat while striper fishing about a month ago. Darn things keep stealing my gizards. :-) THE ONLY time I am disappointed catching big bass is when I'm targeting a food source (my food source). Anyone else noticed lean and skinny fish? All the pics I'm seeing look like stripers are being starved to death.

Extremely ridiculous. I watched a few vids on the Ulterra. Seemed a bit too much and just something else to brake. Also, I don't like having to use an electronic motor to deploy the trolling motor every time. A lot of wear and tear if you deploy the TM multiple times in a trip. That adds up fast. Again, I don't have HB graphs and MK will only connect to HB graphs, not Lowrance. I prefer Lowrance graphs over HB. It's what I'm used to and I can read them better. My ultimate reason for this post was to see who had one and who was willing to meet me at a ramp/dock for a demo. But my mind is made up so I'll be listing the Fortrex soon. Some bass jockey will get a great buy on a great 1yr old trolling motor. :-)

One of the main reasons I want it....windy conditions. Cabelas is taking care of me. They always have. I'll have them do the install. I know they will do it right and do a top notch job. Their prices are typically as good as anyone else on large items. Sure, you can find a cheaper spinnerbait or hunting gear and whatnot from the store but on marine stuff, I find they are competative. When I bought my boat, they had the cheapest price around on Lowrance graphs. I shopped that hard.

There in lies some of my concerns also. I've read on other forums online where the Terrova is tried and true and pretty reliable and the Xi5 motors have died straight out of the box or soon after. One guy was on his 4th one before calling it quits altogether. All products and all manufacturers will have a few duds. No surprise and understandable. But it seems Xi5 still has a few bugs they are working out even 3yrs after they were introduced. Most people have had great luck with theirs and they love them. And I hope they continue to live them. In the end, I'm a Minn Kota guy. Can't break the chain of loyalty. Even though I tried very hard. :-) I was very close to buying an Xi5. But my gut tells me get the Terrova and live with the few flaws it may or maynot have. Either way, still better than my Fortrex for what I want in a trolling motor. And the Fortrex is awesome. I beat a 105lb thrust Fortrex with my 80lb Fortrex in a race. Granted his boat was 21st glass and mine is a 19ft aluminum with less keel depth. But I still won at 3.1mph. Lol!!

Oh I've looked into it. It was one of the first things I considered. At the end of the day, I'd rather have a Minn Kota and not connect to Lowrance than anot MG connected to Lowrance. And the large cost of connecting (roughly $300-400), would allow me to follow contours that are not very accurate (lake bottom changes every few years....and I have used Genesis Insight to confirm this) and I could tell the TM to "go to this waypoint". That's about the gist of it without further details. Not really something I want or need. Following contours could be nice I guess but I prefer to be in control to a point. I need to stay focused on what I'm doing and not let the boat do all of the work.

Thanks Dan. I fish crappie, bass, and striper. I figure with a lake like Beaver, this is an essential tool. I love my Fortrex but the spot lock and autopilot feature is head and shoulders above the Fortrex. Although I can hit 3.1 and 3.2mph (gps) with my Fortrex. Lol! How's the noise level? Is it as bad as an older Power Drive?

Thinking about selling my 80lb Fortrex and getting a NEW Xi5 or Terrova. I've seen lots of videos, read reviews, heard opinions. What I need is to see one in action in person. Not asking to go fishing with anyone. Just maybe meet you at the dock, watch how you use it for a few minutes and ask you a few questions such as likes/dislikes. What I've heard/learned so far: - Terrova is a bit noisier than Xi5 with the transmission motor (motor that turns shaft) - Xi5 holds a tighter spot than Terrova on spot lock feature - Xi5 can be a bit easier to deploy than Terrova -Terrova appears overall to be a bit more durable (thicker plastic) Like I said. Looking for a NEW model. The older models from a few years back are not quite the same. Some are noisy, do not have Ipilot or Xi5 features. Can anyone help? If I do get one, I'll post an asking price for my 1yr old Fortrex. I was thinking $700. They are $1,200ish new.

That just gave me a flashback to my first Polar Bear tournament with you. Not like you haven't done that before. "He gone.." Lol!

Lol!!!! That's funny right there!!

Not I. Would be quite interesting yet scary for people down river in Eastern AR when the spring rains come.

I meant the smaller bridge out way past Sonora. Where the Kings River and other branches cross. Not the one way up in the air. That would be Noah's bridge level.

Hahahahahaha............ (Extreme sarcasm laugh above....totally fake)

Was this the 412 bridge?

I just want one 40lb+ striper. I can't afford to hang a 90-100lb tarpon on the wall, but a 40-50lb striper.....I can do that. ;-)

I've thrown anot 8ft net in only 2-30ft of water and STILL had those slippery boogers get out from beneath the net before it hits bottom! Cast in front of them if you can. Chances of a full net increase. Only lately, they are so fast, it's all you can do to reach them. OnCe you see them, you're too late so be ready. Silent slow movements and trolling motor as slow as you can. Stay off of it if possible.

I have to agree. In a pond prowler, you don't need to be too far out anyway or where someone can wake you. No sense in spending $100 on a self inflating unit. You should have a PFD on all the time if you're over deeper water in the winter. If you fall out, it's 10 times harder to swim in 35-55 degree water. The pain is terrible and clothes weigh you down. Which is why I snagged a self inflating one on Black Friday special. But I fish offshore structure almost exclusively now and in winter especially. And I'm in a 19ft boat. Any decent life jacket for $20-30 is more than enough.

I recognize the area and the Bass Tracker in the background. LOL! Did you get a regailia of fishing tales from your neighbor? :-)

I've got an 8ft net and they scatter before the net hits the bottom. They have not been grouped up that tight.

Yes it was. There wasn't any bait there anyway. They were all on the bottom and scattered out in the deeper water. Once the fog cleared and sun came up, they moved into small groups. I think everyone has pressured that area so much, it's depleting now. I was in the red Ranger.

PC

Was out today for stripers. No luck today. Eliminated a lot of water for next trip. :-/

That must have been you in the back of PC this morning. I was in red boat.

Probably. I eat them.