I had been jonesin' for a bigger boat ever since I bought my first one. I am a big guy and not as young as I was, and wanted something with more space and more stability in the cockpit. I bought a lightly used Tracker Pro Guide V16 'WT' (walk through) windshield.

I love it!

I had an iPilot and a new bigger fish finder fitted, and today was launch day out at Lake Lavon, my local lake.



A bit of a foggy start to the day.



Fresh bait was snagged in the Marina, but slim pickings.



And off we go. The boat runs well and sips gas.

It's not everyday you spot fish stacked up like this!



A nice 5-10mph breeze from the south, so baits were hooked and rods were cast, and I drifted 4 rods with great expectations.

I couldn't get a bite... Two drifts and 90 minutes later and I upped to go fish another spot. I started getting bit but could tell they were dink bites. Aaaaand I'm on!

A huge bluecat monster, that must have weighed at least 3 pounds lol!



I caught a few more fish but all small 'box fish' as CFT likes to call them.

No matter, a good day on the water and the new boat was great.

Those big cats will just have to wait for another day...

For those interested, here were the conditions on the water today.

Air temp at 7am - 58F
Air temp at 3pm - 74F
Water temp 66F
Started out in thick(ish) fog, but cleared to sunny skies.
South wind (170 degrees) 5-10mph
Drifting planer boards at 0.8mph (no drift sock) and 0.5mph (with sock)
All drifts in depths of between 25-35 feet.

Nice boat !!!!

Nice ride! north of tickey is loaded with big gizzards!

Thanks for the tip.

I struggled yesterday.

I know you've been itchin to get that new ride out! That graph looks great. What a load of fish! My expectations would've been over the moon. It's frustrating when you see that and then can't hardly get a bite. That's ok though, you got your first slime in the boat! Now, if you can handle it, you need to leave at least a smidge of that slime on the boat! It's kind of an attractant of sorts. See, Catfish Tim, me and many others on here can attest to that. Very few of the great catter's have a clean boat Bob! I mean, at least leave a couple of shad scales in there!

^ too late Geno, I already cleaned the boat (you knew I would...).

Always nice to get a new ride. Congrats

Nice trip!

I would say it's on... Now you have actually had her off the trailer and actually caught one of those nasty slimy fish. Most would probably clean the heck out of her once back and at the house, but the most important thing is to make sure you just don't leave any shad in the boat lol...

Nothing smells like a dead shad, probably why they are such good bait. If you ever have to repair somebody's livewell on their boat and they have dead shad in it, you know what I am talking about lol. Nice looking rig Bob. Here is to the best fishing has to offer, with you and her!

Nice job!! Congrats on the new rig!

Nice post. Also awesome post.

BCB, I sure hope when the new wears off you spend more time fishing than cleaning your boat. But I don't see that happening...

Nice rig - I have the super guide v16 - older boat with no windshield.
I just installed a 55lb Minn Kota Terrova with spot lock and it is awesome.

Bob,

Nice post and nice work. I think you will really like that boat.

Maybe you need to take Tim out in her, and let him get it a little bloody? LOL

Tight lines
Ken