Like James said, if you turn up any flasher enough, you’ll have clutter on the screen. Happens on my LX-3, my buddies FL-20, and any other flasher I’ve seen or used.

I did not have clutter on my Ice-35 unit with the gain set properly for fishing, though. This was using various smaller presentations (slender spoons, diamond jigs, gill pills, etc), in 15-25 FOW. No problem marking the small lures, and no clutter on the screen. Unless my ‘bird is an anomaly, I’d say there is something wrong with your buddy’s flasher. If I were him, I’d be making a call to Humminbird customer service.

I received an Ice-35 for Christmas this year. Have only been able to use it on one day trip so far, but I definitely have no clutter whatsoever…in either wide or narrow beam.

Dang fish finder wouldn’t make the fish bite though…

47.8 on the main lake last night at 7:00 pm. 46.9 when we got off the water at 1:30. This was on the north end.

Fishing was ok for our group of 3. We ended the night with 12 walleyes…26″ was the biggest and we only had one under 20″. We fished primarily inside weedlines.

It was by no means fast and furious, but we had some luck this weekend trolling cranks in the basin. Averaged about 3-4 fish per hour. For what it’s worth, our best fishing was over a mile from the nearest flat or structure of any kind and…if your crankbait of choice wasn’t purple/chrome, it didn’t catch fish. Boards also produced 4:1 or so as compared to long-lining, all other things equal. In between bites, we had comic relief throughout the day as people would pull up to us, stare at their GPS/fishfinders, and take off with puzzled looks on their faces…like they were thinking “what are these idiots doing out here in the middle of nowhere?”.

I had Jay complete the hail damage repairs on my house last summer. New roof and new siding. His crew did a FANTASTIC job. Even without the free rod, I would highly recommend him. Getting a free St. Croix to boot??? Can’t beat that!

Unless you are specifically avoiding a larger boat, I’d also suggest watching for either a lightly used or demo TS202, if you’re looking at Crestliners. Two years ago, I bought a demo TS202 in the low $30k’s w/ very, very low hours. I received the same warranty as I would have on a new non-demo boat.

My boat came rigged w/ a Merc 225 ProXS and 9.9 Prokicker, 101 Maxxum (I picked the trolling motor), 4 seats, butt seat, and the best boat cover I’ve ever seen.

For what it’s worth, I fished out of a TS192 several times before buying my boat and there is no comparison b/t the two in terms of rough water performance. They might look similar (even on paper), but one ride in each and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

I’d gladly provide a test ride if you’re ever in the NW Metro area.

Considering they are brand new, I’d definitely go for it at that price! That’s a good deal!

Yup, as a former Aberdonian, I know exactly what you’re talking about. They’re made by Pro Tackle. A nice trolling rod, but I never bought any b/c I thought there were better choices for the money. Approx $100-$125, if I remember correctly.

They have a bit of a cult following among Lake Oahe guides/part-time pros.

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However, in my armchair biologist thinking, a 10 pounder released at another location is much better than one released in hot grease. I don’t have any data to back that up though.

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Definitely a true statement, and I agree. However, that’s like saying you’d rather have someone cut off a couple of your fingers than your whole arm. It’s true, but in reality, you don’t want them to cut your fingers off, either.

I think this is a good topic and I am also not trying to offend anyone. However, if there are multiple people in the boat (i.e. someone else to take pictures), why carry the fish around in the livewell before releasing it? I guess I have a more difficult time understanding that than understanding an angler wanting to keep the fish for a mount.

If you know your going to release the fish, being in a “secret” spot, to me, is no excuse. It’s extremely easy to take a picture of a fish w/out showing any “secrets”. Then, take a couple more for yourself w/ the scenery and don’t post them online. You can do all that in well under a minute, and get the fish back in the water.

Just my opinion…

I used Frenzy 7’s almost exclusively at a Lake Oahe tournament last month. They outfished every shad or minnow rap we tried during the two days pre-fishing, and outfished them by a mile. I’m now kicking myself for waiting this long to try these baits.

I had one bait that literally caught 30+ fish over three days w/out a single glitch. Not bad for $1.79. I also have not had to tune a single #7 coming out of the package.

5’s might be a completely different story, but those 7’s are a sweet lure at an awesome price.

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Plans for me this summer are to make fewer but longer fishing trips and try to pair up on more trips to help expenses.

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Good ideas here. My biggest expense isn’t the boat gas, it’s getting the boat to/from the lake. Doubt I’ll be taking many solo trips to Mille Lacs this summer.

I’ll also be staying at the resorts more often. I live about 60 mi from Mille Lacs so I’ve driven back/forth two days in a row many times. Not this year. I’d rather give my money to a resort than the coffers of Big Oil.

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To me I plan to keep doing what I do until I no longer can. I hate to let the oil companies and the government win.

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That’s been my philosophy all along. But, I think the oil companies are already winning when it takes me $240 to fill the boat.

The question for me is do I sell the boat now and try to get rid of it before the situation gets worse, or wait it out? A couple years from now, if this trend continues, my $35K boat might be worth a half-pound of jumbo leaches. I’ll have to trade UP to get a 14 footer w/ a 25 hp!

Like already mentioned, there are many variables. But, generally speaking, three blades are faster than five and five blades have better hole shot. Four blades, perform somewhere in between. You’ll have to blend that with correct pitch and diameter to find the ideal setup. But, if top end speed is the primary thing you’re looking for, chances are you’ll find your answer in a three blade prop.

On my last two boats, Mercury’s Tempest props (three blades) have been the fastest.

Crestliner 202 Tournament Series w/ Merc 225 ProXS 59 gps w/ a standard load and a light chop. Tourney load w/ full tank (60 gallons) 56 gps.

Low 60’s is about as fast as you’ll get in a deep-V w/in the parameters you listed. If there’s one between 19 to 21 foot that can hit 70 w/ a 225 or 250, I’d love to see it.

70-80+ mph is certainly obtainable w/ a bass boat.

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What about a split shot and hook?

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Like I said…I’m not a scientist. So, I haven’t even considered trying this one. WAY too many variables. Boat speed, current, wave action, line diameter, split shot weight and diameter, hook size and weight, bait size and weight…the list is endless…you’d need a PHD to fish a split shot and hook correctly.

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I was below petenwell, when I got there it said thirty and after a while it said 33. Like I said it could be my finder…

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I’m certainly not a scientist, either. And, sorry, I was just poking fun…not trying to get the post off-topic.

I wouldn’t hesitate to pull three ways in mid 30 degree water. In fact, some of my best luck w/ them has come on days when I was the only person “dumb enough” to be pulling three-ways when the water was “too cold”. Good luck!

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Is 30 to 35 degree water temp to cold for pulling stickbaits on a three way rig?

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The water might be a bit hard at 30 degrees…

I’ve certainly had luck w/ water temps in the 35+ range, though.

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Someone must still be fishing up there at night.

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I am!!! But I will say I don’t mind the lack of competition!

Last Sat we had a great night and saw very few boats. Even with deer opener being Sat, I was surprised at how quiet it was. It’s just too bad having a mile-long trolling run to yourself, catching fish every pass. Especially when they’re the best fish of the fall!

Also, I found a surprise when I got home and looked at the pictures (see below). My first tagged walleye and I somehow missed it in the boat…

Happy Birthday!

Assuming (since this is in the bass forum) that we’re talking bass boats, I don’t think we’re comparing 620’s to Pro-V’s. To my knowledge, Xpress is the only mainstream manufacturer that makes 19-21′ aluminum bass boats that will compete toe-to-toe w/ a fiberglass bass boat. In a 17′ boat, your Xpress is definitely top dog of the aluminum models and will do ANYTHING a 17′ glass bass boat will do. Neither are going to be extremely fast or extremely smooth, but that’s not what they’re meant for. I think the difference in fishability is minimal.

For the record, I own a 19′ glass walleye boat. In that category, I believe the aluminum hulls have gotten so good that you can no longer just say that fiberglass rides better than aluminum. Some aluminum models definitely ride better than some glass models. And weight is very comparable b/t the two.
Pick the one you like the best and, if it happens to be aluminum, don’t let the fiberglass guys “convert” you.

I second Todd’s response. There is nothing wrong with using what you already have. A side benefit of that is becoming more familiar w/ your deer rifle. And it is not the caliber that matters, it is the bullet. Most bonded deer bullets will do very little damage, regardless of caliber.
However, my personal favorite for calling situations is the .223. Not because of less pelt damage, but because the gun is generally lighter, has less recoil, and makes less noise. Plus, you can shoot it cheaply w/out handloading. If you hunt coyotes a lot, those things matter.

I second Todd’s response. There is nothing wrong with using what you already have. A side benefit of that is becoming more familiar w/ your deer rifle. And it is not the caliber that matters, it is the bullet. Most bonded deer bullets will do very little damage, regardless of caliber.
However, my personal favorite for calling situations is the .223. Not because of less pelt damage, but because the gun is generally lighter, has less recoil, and makes less noise. Plus, you can shoot it cheaply w/out handloading. If you hunt coyotes a lot, those things matter.

BIRDDOG, a sugguestion not too far from home would be below Big Bend Dam near Fort Thompson, SD (Missiouri River). From Buffalo, MN it is about a 6.5 hr drive. I recently moved to MN from Aberdeen, SD and used to fish there a lot. Walleye action starts picking up the 2nd or 3rd weekend in Feb. By Mar 1 it is usually very good. Most of the time you’ll get a 50 degree weekend by then. Good luck!