Thanks for the input guys. Cabela’s isn’t really at fault for anything other than taking three weeks to get me a call tag for the first broken motor. Other than that I can’t complain and took care of the problem. I am just fed up. As far as Minnkota goes maybe I just talked to the wrong person, but I worked customer service for 7 years and now work in IT and that is not how you treat your clients. I wasn’t asking for anything than a working motor so I could fish before the season is over and I didn’t feel like I should have to use my warranty after 4 times on the water. Anyways any suggestions as far as a different motor goes. It will be on a 17′ Nitro 170DC

Yeah thanks for the heads up. What made me mad is they told me I could drive up and pick it up instead of waiting to be shipped and when I got there they said they never stock that motor. The box was in perfect shape to and unless you would pull the prop off you would never notice the shaft was bent. When the tech at Minnkota blew me off that pretty much did it though. All he kept saying was “we have very few problems with our motors you must have done something to them”. Yeah I really like to bend the shaft and break the tension cables on my trolling motor so I can miss the rest of the season.

Don’t even get me started on my minnkota 65lb thrust motor. I have went through 2 motors in a month. Right now it is a $600 anchor to me. I had a Motor Guide that was a 42lb thrust and was 10 years old that pushed my boat around better than this new 65lb minnkota. And now the wind is about the only thing that pushes my bass boat around.

Alright guys I went out again today cause I played with it at home and I could run it for hours no problem. Got out to the water today and after 5 minutes it was broke again. It runs fine for 15 seconds or so then it stops and I wait 30 seconds or so and it will go for another 15 seconds and stop. When it goes it has full power and then it stops dead. I have no idea. All wires look good and the batteries are brand new. Any other ideas cause I am about to snap and break out the credit card to get a new one cause I am missing some good fishing.

Hey Haywood sounds like you had a good day to start the season off. If you don’t mind me asking where did you put the boat in and how was the landing? Also what structure seemed to be holding the fish? Congrats on the big largemouth.

I also would suggest the Quantum Energy PTi’s. I bought one last year and it has been a great reel. They are fairly light and I also like the titanium bail.

They were all largemouth. Yeah I definetely took note of the conditions and what I was using. I wish everyday could be like that minus everything breaking. Thanks Guys

Yeah sorry about that. I have a 24 volt system. It sounds like the Maxxum is highly recommended. I have been talking to a lot of people and have heard nothing but good things. Next thing is where is the best place to buy one. Could someone tell me a little more about the autopilot? Thanks

What do you think of your stradic 1000?

Thanks again to all of you. It means a lot. Everyone has been very helpful and it is appreciated. Jaosn

Hey Thanks a lot reel guy you have been very helpful. Now if I can only find some time to get out there and fish that would be great. I have a 17′ Nitro 170DC if your ever in the area fishing stop and say hi. Jason

Thanks for the help. Don’t mean to sound stupid, but what is Tremp. Mountain? I have never heard of that. Also when you are talking about the campground are you talking about the Pla-more campground or am I missing another one. Thanks again.

When you guys are talking about shallow water are you talking about the Wisconsin side or the Minnesota side. I tried fishing the Minnesota side for a little while and had some decent luck. Is there any wingdams that I should watch out for going across the channel to the Wisconsin side if I want to try those rocks over there. THanks again guys.

So do you think I should give them a call with my problem or am I just better off saving my time and buying another scale and net.

Yeah there is some decent fishing around Prairie Island. If you are going to be fishing with live bait there are always plenty of people catching fish right by the landing around the spillway. If you put in and go towards the interstate bridge on the right you will see some barges and there is a decent sized backwater area with plenty of bass and northern. I will usually fish back there with buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, and plastics. Let me know if you need anymore help. I am sure there are a few other guys with more knowledge of the river that can help also. Good luck.

If anyone gets a chance I would like to see a picture of your brush hogs texas rigged. I have tried them with a 3,4,and 5/0 hook and it seems like the plastic is too heave and the hook always pulls out. I don’t know it just doesn’t look right, but I am new to fishing with these so any help is appreciated. Thanks

Yeah we were out there from about 5-8 or so. We were working the shoreline closest to the highway pretty heavy. We managed the same thing. We had one 3lbs and a real small one. It was tough out there with the wind. Oh Well maybe see you out there next time.

Thanks guys your advice was right. I shoved a little thin piece of metal in there and it was plugged with sand and a rock. After about 1 minute it was shooting water just perfect. Thanks again.

Hey Jake the girlfriend and I will be out there about 5 or so. I have a blue and silver nitro with a 115 merc on it. I will look for you. Hopefully the weather holds off. Thanks for the info.

Man I didn’t realize they were that aggressive. I will definetely pay more attention to them when they come near the boat though. Usually I just ignore them and they go away, but not this one. They are pretty brave snakes it looks like. I also didn’t know that they would bite repeatedly and could cause some damage. Where are the big toothy critters when you want them to eat something.

Any idea how much an impellar would cost for a mercury 115 hp motor. I will check online also. Thanks guys

Yeah it looked just like that. Someone told me that they are not dangerous, but will bite and can leave a nasty infection. Oh well I will be a little more prepared next time instead of trying to hit it with the oar.

This is only the begining of the second season that I have owned this boat. The original owner kept all the records and it looks like he had it done 3 times since he owned it. Should I just change the impeller anyway or wait until next year if it just happens to be plugged. THanks again for all the help.

Yeah it looked exactly like that. Is that just considered a water snake or is it some other species of snake. Thanks for the info. Great pics by the way.

The primer bulb gets hard so does that mean it is working properly or doesn’t that prove it is working. I will contact mercury, but I doubt that it is covered under warranty because it is a 1995 motor. Thanks again for the help.

I was working all of my lures very slowly. The buzzbaits especially, but they were blowing up on it when they would hit it. It is such a blast when a fish hits on a topwater lure.

If you don’t mind me asking how much was it to replace one of those ignition boxes. Just like to get an idea of what I am looking at for a repair. Thanks again for the help.

Thanks Gary so you think I should make sure the motor is trimmed all the way down when I start it and make sure the ball is pumped full. I usually fill the ball, but I sometimes to trim the motor all the way down. I will try that. Thanks

Yeah I know you hold the key down to choke it, but it doesn’t seem to matter what I do. To start it I usually pump up the ball, then choke it and give it a little throttle and turn the key. It just doesn’t seem like it wants to start sometimes. It is really wierd because like I said once it is started and I am moving the motor runs great. Anyother suggestions?

Yeah Haywood the northerns have been out all over. Here is one of my bigger ones from my last trip out last year. She was caught on Bartlett Lake on a black buzzbait in the lily pads, photographed and released. I will be out looking this year again. Tons of fun! Haywood we will have to try and get out this year since we never made it last year. Oh well schools almost out. Two more weeks.