I'm confused. How fast do I need to go to catch bass? I understand wanting to run at optimum performance but running WFO @ redline doesn't do much for the life of my engine. Spending big money for aftermarket parts that add only 1-2 mph at topend doesn't seem like a good payback. I'd rather drop money on good electronics or quality tackle to help me catch more fish.

You don't sound that confused to me and probably 50% of the rest of the forum would agree with you. But since you know about WFO, you must know that bass boat speed and performance has become a part of the bass fishing experience. Some place more emphasis on it than the actual act of catching fish. Optimum performance and efficiency can be good things, if engine life and boat handling safety are included in the equation. Some people put headers and racing tires on Honda Civic's. Personally, I don't see the point there. But hey, to each his own I guess. Someone once said "Can you imagine how long our cars and trucks would last if we drove them like we do our boats?". Bob

Hey I'm with you My old boat runs about 32
mph tops but it generally gets me there
I used to like to hot rod em but now I can't
even imagine running 60 MPH plus on some
of the rough water That I encounter.

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As a general rule, When you step into your boat you are no longer governed by general rules---You are governed
by Murphy's Law

Dennis----Slabshad

You are not confused...You just realize you can't catch fish going 60 miles an hour...No one else can either.. High performance is part of the bass fishing scene these days and the prop makers and after market dealers are loving it and getting rich..All factory high performance engines are tweeked to the max and still be reliable..You can spend a lot of money and only gain 4 or 5 mph. Water temp alone can affect a props performance..Air temp and humidity can affect an engines performance..Like the man said spend your money on good tackle and spend more time fishing.. You might learn something....

Another thing to think about is the life of your motor and Bassboat. If it is running to maximum performance it will last longer. However, if something is not right with the performance, it will end up costing a lot of money that could be used to go and fish different lakes.

Bassnfool, They can all cost you a lot of
money, some just more than others

------------------
As a general rule, When you step into your boat you are no longer governed by general rules---You are governed
by Murphy's Law

Dennis----Slabshad