I’m actually running a 518 Ranger and love it to say the least. The 518 is actually classified as 18’9″ boat. Naturally a 520 would be a better ride in big waters but I am very happy with the ride the 518 offers. I was in 4 – 5 foot rollers on lake of the woods this spring and I was impressed how dry the ride was.
I think I will be in a 520 in the future to gain alittle more fishing platform room. You have to look at the waters you’ll be in most I guess to help with your decesion. Either way I don’t think you will be dissapointed. Good luck!

I’d have to agree with the topwater myself, it seams I can’t fish early and late in the day without giving chug baits a good shot. Its surprising the large fish that take shots at these baits. Second would have to be working the weed edge with a jig & pig making repetetive short casts letting it fall to the bottom. One thump on the way down will keep you going all day.

No actually he gave up hunting years ago and just spends time in the boat fishing. After all the lakes freeze up solid he heads to the river where ever he can get the boat in the water.
I like to spend some time in the fall Pheasant and duck hunting in between fishing. Looking to pick up the fishing sticks again this weekend.
Good luck this weekend hunting. What area will you be hunting?

No actually he gave up hunting years ago and just spends time in the boat fishing. After all the lakes freeze up solid he heads to the river where ever he can get the boat in the water.
I like to spend some time in the fall Pheasant and duck hunting in between fishing. Looking to pick up the fishing sticks again this weekend.
Good luck this weekend hunting. What area will you be hunting?

Mike I just do the skin mounts on fish. Hopefully that works for you. John I’ll keep in mind about the fishing reports from the Avon area. Bass is usually the main topic. Kid2 you can wrap the fish good in newspaper and ship in a sealed box and ship it early in the week next day shipping. Let me know its comming the day before so I can plan to take special care if needed when it arrives. 320-746-2124.

Scott

Sure not a problem. Somtimes people even ship them to me. Just let me know.

Scott

Like any mount the skinning is the toughest and most important part. If you don’t get all the flesh out you’ll have shrinkage and smell. Head and tail juctures along with cheek areas are the most critical to flesh. These areas are also the most critical to repack properly when mounting. Painting takes a little practice but comes with time. Use good reference charts. Good luck and have fun.

Scott

Jason there is a ton of information out there to get started. Yes it does cut into your hunting and fishing quite abit. Come on John I still get parts of the weekends for my outings,as long as the family is still asleep its o.k.(sometimes requires some creative planning,my brothers hate me for this). I’ve been doing taxidermy for 11 years for other people and a few years before that for myself. Taxidermy Today and Breakthrough are exellent magazines for keeping up with the latest products and techniques. VanDykes and McKenzie offer excellent videos also that can give you a insight on just about everything if your not able to attend a school. Lots of practice and patience are kind of up to you.

Scott