Lape0019

Even with the new Powerdrive, if it is equipped with I-pilot, you cannot use the pedal. Having used the previous two Powerdrives (original and V2) and owning a 2nd gen Terrova with I-Pilot, get the Terrova. The only feature missing on mine that the redesigned Terrova has that I would love to have is the spot lock button on the pedal. Otherwise, they both will both work great . If you feel like installing a recessed foot pedal tray, I would look at the Ultrex as the best of both worlds between a cable driven and electric steer. Good luck on your search. If I was in your shoes though and I could swing it, the Ultrex is where I would be looking the closest at.

As stated in the article, if Cougars are listed on the OMNRF as an endangered species, isn't that proof all along that they are in fact in Ontario? I was actually surprised to read that part of the article since every post I have ever read stated the MNR wanted nothing to do with stating outright there were these big cats in Ontario.

Humminbird just released a 15" units a few weeks before this 16" Lowrance was released? I don't see how hummingbird needs to "move over" over a 1" bigger screen LOL. Either way, this is definitely getting ridiculous. I watched Edwin Evers standing beside the 16 carbon for an hour yesterday online and that fishfinder looks massive. he also did a video on it and said it was like having 4 seven inch units lol. So if you are one to run multiple units on the bow or at the helm, I guess it could be cheaper...

Absolutely love my MK charger but I would be hard pressed to buy another over the Noco for the price difference. It looks like you are planning on it but absolutely go with at minimum a 10 amp per bank charger. I've had a 4amp per bank and it wasn't enough to charge the battery overnight.

Everything I have read here is accurate to what I have experienced in the past. I started shipping to a company in the US to take advantage of free shipping within the states and just go and pick it up myself but I live close to the border. The nice thing is you get free shipping there and you don't have to worry about EPS charging you a ridiculous brokerage fee. But yes, I have always tried to order stuff from places that ship USPS is it is under $100 and if I am delivering to my door. And as a side note, assume you will be hit with customs. 9/10 times I find even when an item is on sale, once you add is duties, HST and shipping, I can get it cheaper here by shopping around.

If you look your Powerdrive, you will love a Terrova. It is leaps and bounds better than either Powerdrive (original or V2). I say this from experience using all three. Stow, deploy is easier on the Terrova, the 80lb had a bigger housing and offers a few more features. Now, there is the Terrova with I pilot and a terrova with I pilot link. The link can be attached to a hummingbird fishfinder. I say this because you asked. IMO, we do not yet have the support (lakemaster charts) to use the link Properly. You can make your own maps using autochart live but that takes a lot of time. IMO, until Lakemaster charts are available for our lakes or you are willing to spend hours charting a river, the link is not a good value for us Canadians. I would suggest buying the Terrova with I pilot and US2. I use the US2 once in a while but it is nice to have.

Polarkraft and Alumacraft are both really good boats as well. Alumacraft really do not get the respectthey deserve. I've checked them out up close a few times and have been impressed every time.

I made the Drive down from just outside of Ottawa. Left at 4:45 AM and we made it in time for the morning seminars from JP De rose, Kevin Short, Gord Pyzer and a few others. We then spent the rest of our time walking around the booths talking to reps and checking out some sweet boats. If Ottawa had a show even half as good as that was, I would be happy. Sadly, we don't have anything that casts a shadow to this. What we do have is a lot of stores doing in store promotions where they bring pro staff in which is nice but not the same. I would definitely go to this show again.

It's been touched on but I think you will need to sacrifice something on your want list for your budget. Although it was mentioned that people base their boat price off of what they paid, I am now beginning to see that is not the case. With the exchange rate inflating the prices of new boats (well, everything for that matter), people are now starting to realize that their used boats have gone up in value as well. Contrary to what some here believe, Tracker isn't a terrible name. I'll agree that you would be better off in a Lund, Crestliner or Princecraft but a tracker setup properly will get you on the water no problems. I've had my 06 for 7 years now and it has served me well. It's in need of some TLC which I plan on taking care of soon but I can't complain at all.

I know quite a few other manufacturers offer a flip down rear seat. I do not on the other hand know the price ranges. The boat that offers this that has always caught my eye is the Crestliner fish hawk. I don't know why but I have always loved that boat. I'd still buy a Lund before the crestliner though.

Craig_Ritchie, I sir learned something today. Thank you for the detailed post.

Craig, Every V boat has a keel. I believe what you meant to write was strake. The Keel is the centerline of the boat. under the Bow where the hull comes to a V is the keel. Any other ribs on the bottom of the boat is a strake.

I'll stick with the boats you mentioned. Everyone will have their preference but to me, you essentially listed the boats in the order I would look at or consider buying. 1. Lund 2.Lowe 3. Legend. Now, Lowe and Legend have come a long way but Lind to me is king of the list. It's a better build. If you don't want a merc, there are dealers that will rig it anyway you want. It will cost a little more though. I don't know why everyone knocks a Merc though. They have the largest dealer network around (easy to find a mechanic) and I haven't had a lick of problems with mine. If you are looking at an HP size if 60, I don't really think the make of motor really matters, yes, it'll break down but the bigger the motor, the bigger the chance of blowing no matter what brand you buy. In the end, treat them right and they will last a long time.

Ah! Yes, the Septon grips can get a little sticky. Try the alcohol but if that doesn't work, go back to changing the knobs.

I don't blame you there. Local dealer used to send all reels to that place. Any Shimanos he gets in for cleanings are now sent directly to Shimano for a specific reason. It's more costly but the work is great. If the knob is the actual issue, Bare foot wader is 100% correct. There really isn't much you can screw up underneath a know. If you want to get a bearing for it, you can again order through Shimano or go check out the Boca bearings site. Knob bearings are super cheap. 3rd option would be to send the whole reel in for a cleaning and mention that the knob is not as free moving as it used to be.

Not here but look around, you'll find some decent prices if you're willing to buy international.

I've never had any lips break. I know a few guys who have had a few break but they were replaced free of charge. The first one I bought sat in the tackle box for 2 years before I used it. After I figured there was no sense in buying them if you're not going to use them, I started throwing it and started buying more. I've got 9 or 10 right now and will be buying 6-8 more this off season. They just give me confidence and I've caught a ton of bass on them.

I don't know if the handle will fit but the knob itself should. And yeah, you should be able to order it online or through the Peterborough warranty centre. If you want, there are many aftermarket brands as well. Check out hedgehog studios for aftermarket ones

Although I am not in the Kawarthas, stick to forage colours to begin with. I have a few different ones but use Deadly Black illusion and Deadly black shad a lot. I started off with deadly black illusion and deadly black shad originally and had pretty good success. The started buying different ones. My favourite right now are the perch and gill colours. If you want a little bigger profile, check out the Shiner. I had (damn pike!) a perch pattern one of those and it worked great. The RC stix are a direct rip off of the 110 body. The differences will be in the quality of paint, o rings and hooks. The Megabass 110's use Katsuage hooks made specifically for them by Gamakatsu. They are light wire hooks that will bend easily but the reverse barbs do not pop out often at all as they are stupid sharp. You just need to learn to back off the on the drag.

Seen pictures of it so yes, it'll be coming out around icast I would assume. It looks like the same form as the Curado 200i but bigger. Rumour is it'll replace both the Tranx and the Curado 300e and both right and left hand models will be available. They have a bunch of new JDM reels coming out as well. The only one if the JDM reels I would assume will make it over here is the bean chronarch MGL.

Although an official release is not for a while, I have seen information slowly trickling out that a new Shimano Tranx is coming out and the price with come in around $300 USD. It will have both left and right hand retrieves available as well as high and low gear ratios.IMO, This will be a great Musky reel but may be out of your price range. The real reason I bring this up is that you may see some deals on the curado 300 or the older version Tranx. The new Tranx looks more like a Curado than the original Tranx but has a price point closer to the 300E. With that out there, my advice would be to wait a bit and see what comes out at the bassmaster classic or if you can, ICAST 2017.

I have not used the Calcutta D but have a Calcutta Conquest 100 and 200 which are amazing reels. The CQ is a little more refined than the Calcutta D but the body is essentially the same. Unfortunately, that is where the similarities end. The 400 will palm more like a 300 sized Calcutta B. The reason being is that the non handle sideplate is not the same size at the handle side. Shimano USA also thought that it would be a great idea to only have the brakes accessible on this model by removing a few screws. The reason being was that they believed most of the fisherman in our market are a "set it and forget it" user of these brakes (if you order a D from Japan, they have access to the brakes easier). The drag star is located on the outside of the handle making the reel once again feel smaller than it is. It also has x shipped which should provided a little more rigidity over the B. I know a few who have them and they are good reels. If I was to pick between the B or the D, especially in the size range you're looking at, I would probably go with the D but I doubt you can go wrong with either.

By All means, if you want the reel to be in tip top shape, go out and buy some new bearings. I just would not buy bocas for a spinning reel unless the factory ones are no longer offered. I would suggest a trip to the Shimano online parts store and buy the bearing you want to replace there. The price difference will be noticeable and you will have a like new spinning reel.

I will say Boca makes a good product as I have had a set of their Abec 7 bearings in a Gen 2 Revo S. From research, there is no need to go higher than Abec 5 bearings but the orange seals allow you to easily service the bearings as the seals are easily removable. Secondly, You are not going to see any distance gains on a spinning reel. unlike a baitcaster where the spool bearings have an impact on how fast the spool rotates, a spinning reel only has the weight of the bait and the shape of the spool to control how fast or smooth the lines roles off the spool. You may find the reel feels smoother during retrieve but you will not gain the same amount of performance by upgrading bearings on a spinning reel as you will on a baitcaster.

The Helix 7 is where I would look first only because of screen size. I personally have an older Elite 5DSI and don't have any issues with it. The elite 5 is what I would look at second on the list for sure.