Quick Shoutout to Phillip Stone {Stone's Guide Service}

[Bill Babler]

Big welcome to the Phoenix Family is extended to Phil Stone of Stones Guide Service out of Harrison Ark.

I know after a lot of deliberation and a lot of offers he is going to be the Capt. of a 2019 Phoenix PHX with the new  four stroke Merc. ProXs. 

These boats are Big Water eating machines and from what I'm hearing it will be set up to take care of his clients with the same great service he has provided for years on both Bull Shoals and the Rock.

Welcome aboard Capt. Phil

[eyedabassman]

I had fished with Mr. Stone and he is a class act gor sure!

[ozarksfishin]

Thanks guys, I'm excited for sure! I have checked out Bablers boats enough in the past, it was an easy decision. And Greg Wood has been awesome in helping me out!

[Hunter53]

I will be very interested to see how that new 4 stroke runs when you are showing us around Bull Shoals next spring.

Did you ditch the motor guide and go Ultrex? 

Since you are part of Bill's phoenix  family; you now have to come on here more often and post fishing reports! 

[Bill Babler]

Yes he put an Ultrex on.  It is a 2019 an in Minnkota's new advertisement says they completely redesigned and reinvented it for 2019.  Quicker response, better GPS lock with not as much searching to stay on target with better holding power in the wind.  

That will be really nice because that had been a problem with the 17's and 18's.

I'm a year off on a new rig and it will be interesting to see what all these companies do.  Garmin may be the biggest player yet

[slothman]

I’m interested to see what garmin has in store. I’ve heard they are going to make their own trolling motor. 

[Sore Thumbs]

You know the Ultrex is good when KVD switches to it after a life long relationship with motorguide. They are so good he had to so he could keep up with the competition. 

[Sore Thumbs]

That new Merc is sweet. Has a captains call option so to speak. Can be quite or with a little growl. Anxious to see one in person. 

[Bill Babler]

Sponsorship and advertising dollars have changed dramatically over the past 2 or 3 yrs.  Even with KVD, there is a bottom line.  His team has a figure for every advertiser and sponsor that garnish either his boat or his person.  If you want to make that obligation fine, if you don't there is another company right down the block that will.

I will tell you right now that Minn Kota is paying him more than Atwood was going to pay him to run a Motor Guide.

When asked why he runs a Nitro he always says he can run any boat he wants, but he likes the Nitro.  That statement is very true in the fact that he can run what he wants, weather it is for free or he has to pay for it.  The deal here is how much does BP and Nitro pay him for his endorsement?  I'll tell you the number.  More than any other company would.

The thing about this is as the boat companies dwindle the bargaining point on them will also, and we're just about there.

[Ranger Z22]

I put an ultrex on my boat the beginning of the year, for my use it has been great. Holds the spot, can change or retie without going over the fish. This motor has me really spoiled.