Great video. I currently fish out of a 1993 ProCraft with a 150 and while I don't compete at the Open level I have never had an issue competing with my boat at every other level. It isn't fast but it is reliable. With the cost of new boats I won't own one unless I win the lottery. As far as being concerned about the Co anglers, most of the one's I've fished with are just happy to be on the water competing.
Great video Todd. Like your idea and would love you to do a video about your prior boats, breakdowns etc. I admire your progression in your career. Amazing and fascinating brother. Thank you.
I qualified for the 2005 Classic with a 1993 Ranger 361V. I owned it from new, it was reliable and I’m mechanical. I have a 2006 boat now and I wouldn’t hesitate to use it. Unless you’re trying to be a full time angler it’s hard to justify the cost of a new boat.
I have a 2004 ranger 521 vx with all the newest electronics . My boat is completely foam filled and runs big water better than the newer boats . I absolutely have zero disadvantage in my boat .
I love my old 99 ranger and keep it in mint shape and it’s got all the new electronics and stuff. She’s let me down only a couple times, but I love looking around at the boat ramp knowing I’m not a meme with the 100k bass boat hoping to win $250.
I love my 97 hydro sport with a 200hp Yamaha an my very own that I bought myself for a beginner boater yeah she been in an out of the shop for electrical problem an she is a 3rd hand owner but if I need her to crank she will crank
Sounds like those texas lakes are similar to mead as far as the wind blown waves go. Won't take long to know if u have a bad hull !! Champions back in the day held up the best.
Totally agreed. It’s not about the age of the boat, but reliability. If it’s a beat up pos with a 50/50 chance of starting, don’t use it. But who cares if it’s old. To be honest bass boat hulls really haven’t made all that much progress in the last 20-25 years anyways.
I don’t fish proams, but I do fish out of an aluminum rig with a tiller in decent size tournaments and people always talking trash. I really don’t give a crap
Sounds like conflating "old" vs. "reliable". I've been around older boats that were very well maintained and really reliable. I've also been around 1-2 year old boats that it was 50/50 on whether it was going to work on any given day. And if you're beating the hell out of the boat, old or new, bets are off. Smaller vs. larger is a different discussion and there are 18 and 19 foot brand new boats being made right now.
I have seen a guy win a 75 boat registered tournament from a john boat with a 75hp on the back. He took home $3,500 bucks. $80 bucks to get in. It doesn't matter if you're boat 1800 bucks or 100 grand. Its who bring in the fish and weights. I have never seen anyone catch a bass going 70 mph. If you have the funds to upgrade then do it. Just my opinion.🤷🏿♂️
I’ll second Ed Cowan’s comment. Unless you’re full time there is no justification for a new boat. I see these guys pull up to the ramp with brand new diesel pickup and boat. Either rich or in debt up to their neck. I’m betting the latter for most. If you want to spend that type of money buy some land or a rental house. In the end you’ll have something. An older hull with a new or rebuilt engine will do everything the weekend guy needs without going into deep debt.
Fishing mlf gator and bulldog in a 2006 triton with a mint 1989 mariner as a back up motor. She runs better then the 2006 merc. Ready for regional and all American. I will represent the he'll out of my old boat
Agreed! I feel if the boat is reliable then who cares. Don't let people's opinion of what you have or what you're trying to do get in the way of your goal. To many people in this world today care more about what people think instead of just doing their thing and achieving their goal whatever it may be. Tight Lines and Be Safe yall!!
Love this format. You weren't born a fishing stud. You didn't start with a boat like you have now. It's all a process. It's nice to hear how you had some tough times but found a way to persevere. Keep up the Q and A
I win lots of tournaments in my 1994 18ft vision with an old 150 yamaha. Sure I might get beat to a spot but thats the only downside. The age of the boat is irrelevant to whether you can catch em, as long as you arent having breakdowns. Its still reliable, just old and slow.
Some people worry about how they look at the boat ramp, catch the fish and them worry about how your boat looks then. A john boat with 5 fish 20 lbs looks real nice at the ramp.
I remember saying a prayer on Rayburn that we would make it back in the ole red skeeter. The ole Yamaha 0X66 got us back though. No cushions in the seats so it was pretty rough ride. You have come a long ways since then
I fish from a 17' 98 ranger with a 115. I compete and I also win and cash checks. Am I held back? Absolutely! But I practice differently than others and I REALLY have to make the right decisions on where I fish. I can't run around. I don't have the speed or the fuel to do it. But fish with what you have if the tournament allows it. And fish more buddy tournaments, your friends will not be upset over the boat and how you fish. Just my 2 cents
I've fished the Missouri B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Tournament as a Co-Angler for the past Two years. Last October the Tournament was at Lake of the Ozarks. On the first day I drew a fellow with a 2022 Z-20 Nitro. That was roughest ride I have ever experienced. I'm pretty sure I chocked on both of my nuts at least three times that day. The next day I drew a younger guy with a 2000 Javelin powered by a 200 h.p. Johnson. It was the smoothest riding bass boat I have ever been in. Newer doesn't always mean better.
I fish out of a 95 17’ basstracker. Reliable is key. Knock on wood. Ive not had major issues. When I fished as a co angler I preferred drawing boaters that was known for not catching them. I did much better fishing with them than fishing with a hammer. Fishing behind someone who can catch them is tough.
I run a 96" Stratos 201 pro xl and I will put it up against any new boat on the market for ride and comfort fishing, any day anywhere. Speed is not important to me or my partners. Fish what you have and are comfortable with. The fish do not care!!!!
Nice message. Maybe you can speak to about how to focus/deal w/Coanglers as a boater. I seem at times to struggle w/ co's as I try to make sure I'm not that "bad" boater, or I focus on trying to protect my water. I also fish by myself a lot except in tournaments. Thanks!
I'm in the same position. I want to fish as a boater in the MLF but worried my livewell is not big enough for 2 bags. 2005 ranger 165vs. I would hate to have my co anglers or my fish die because of a small livewell. I'm not positive on the size but I feel as if it's around 18-22 gallons. I fish local team all day and its fine. Anyone have thoughts on this. I'm also in florida and we know bags can be 20+ easily..
My boat is now 25 years old and I can't fish tournaments. Its not the age but the capabilities. Its small (17') and has a terrible ride, the motor is quirky bordering on unreliable, the gas tank is tiny, livewell space isn't adequate and the front one is used for tackle storage or there would be none forward. There's not enough storage for anything, the cooler is small and poorly insulated. The boat is too slow to have the range needed. No power poles, no spot lock, no ffs or even adequate sonar of any type on the bow. Console unit doesn't have side scan. It's just not the bare minimum to be a tournament vessel
I fish out of a 1990 16'9 foxcraft with a 90 hp mercury its been an excellent boat for last 10 years ever week end... boats cost waaaaaay too much now espeically new ill stick with what my old boat just saying
New boat for sure makes a difference,I have a 96 javelin 379te and I wouldn't even try a big tourney but small local stuff I fish all the time,great topic it just all boils down to make what you have work and you'll have fun
Back in March I bought a 1990 stratos 201 that was well taken care of. I couldn't care less what a co-angler thought. Let the co-angler go buy his own boat.
Not so much old vs new but reliable vs junk...new ones break down to but maybe not as much...name of the game is catch fish...fish what you can afford and take care of it.. and upgrade when you can..
Watched the video on the way to work the other day and didn't get a chance to comment until today. As a co-angler I would rather fish out of an older boat that is maintained with a safe and respectable boater, then a new boat with all the bells and whistles and a boater who doesn't know how to operate it safely and disrespectful not just to me but to other anglers and boaters on the lake.
Todd You said something in your Deep Waters Episode 6. You ask the question why can you go practically for 2 or 4 days and catch fish in a certain area or certain way, and then when tournament day comes you go back and the fish either seem to be gone. Have you learned how to practice for those situations? Can you do a video on how you have learned to practice for those days?
I was a co-angler with a guy in a BFL at KY Lake. His boat was just too small to handle the big water / weather. We got so beat up running to his first spot that he didn't want to run any of his other water. I caught them pretty good where we spent the day, but he had a rough go of it. Another time on Logan Martin, I drew a boater whose transducer had gone out. So, we fished blind most of the day. I caught several nice keepers, but I feel like we were held back by his inability to get around the river/lake. As long as the boat works and is safe for the body of water, I say go for it.
all that shine don't put them in the boat but but break down is more likely with a boat older than 8 to 10 years old boat if you stay within 6 year boat u should be ok electronic is more key on the base of new
I agree with everything that you said for a touring tournament fisherman but have seen local old timers that have hundreds of brush piles hid rip you a new ass out of a 1976 ranger😂
I am going to put a spin on this…. Is it the older boat or older motor that matters? Everything else is bolt on equipment that I know can make and advantage ie power poles, spot lock trolling motors, FFS
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 76 | คู่เอก "ผึ้งหลวง vs สมิงดำ"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9SBshmGQOIM/mqdefault.jpg)
Great video. I currently fish out of a 1993 ProCraft with a 150 and while I don't compete at the Open level I have never had an issue competing with my boat at every other level. It isn't fast but it is reliable. With the cost of new boats I won't own one unless I win the lottery. As far as being concerned about the Co anglers, most of the one's I've fished with are just happy to be on the water competing.
Great video Todd. Like your idea and would love you to do a video about your prior boats, breakdowns etc. I admire your progression in your career. Amazing and fascinating brother. Thank you.
I qualified for the 2005 Classic with a 1993 Ranger 361V. I owned it from new, it was reliable and I’m mechanical. I have a 2006 boat now and I wouldn’t hesitate to use it. Unless you’re trying to be a full time angler it’s hard to justify the cost of a new boat.
Couldn’t have said it better. 100k plus for a new one. Unless you’re full time or rich it’s just a dumb financial move.
I have a 2004 ranger 521 vx with all the newest electronics . My boat is completely foam filled and runs big water better than the newer boats . I absolutely have zero disadvantage in my boat .
I love my old 99 ranger and keep it in mint shape and it’s got all the new electronics and stuff. She’s let me down only a couple times, but I love looking around at the boat ramp knowing I’m not a meme with the 100k bass boat hoping to win $250.
I love my 97 hydro sport with a 200hp Yamaha an my very own that I bought myself for a beginner boater yeah she been in an out of the shop for electrical problem an she is a 3rd hand owner but if I need her to crank she will crank
Sounds like those texas lakes are similar to mead as far as the wind blown waves go. Won't take long to know if u have a bad hull !! Champions back in the day held up the best.
If a co angler complains about fishing out of a smaller or older boat all you need are 3 words GET A BOAT
Older boat doesn’t have to mean unreliable. Repowered my 01 Triton and have no reliability concerns. Cost a LOT less than a new hull.
Totally agreed. It’s not about the age of the boat, but reliability. If it’s a beat up pos with a 50/50 chance of starting, don’t use it. But who cares if it’s old. To be honest bass boat hulls really haven’t made all that much progress in the last 20-25 years anyways.
I don’t fish proams, but I do fish out of an aluminum rig with a tiller in decent size tournaments and people always talking trash. I really don’t give a crap
Sounds like conflating "old" vs. "reliable". I've been around older boats that were very well maintained and really reliable. I've also been around 1-2 year old boats that it was 50/50 on whether it was going to work on any given day. And if you're beating the hell out of the boat, old or new, bets are off.
Smaller vs. larger is a different discussion and there are 18 and 19 foot brand new boats being made right now.
I have been fishing for many years for fun and competition .I don't know a boat that catch fish...
I have seen a guy win a 75 boat registered tournament from a john boat with a 75hp on the back. He took home $3,500 bucks. $80 bucks to get in. It doesn't matter if you're boat 1800 bucks or 100 grand. Its who bring in the fish and weights. I have never seen anyone catch a bass going 70 mph. If you have the funds to upgrade then do it. Just my opinion.🤷🏿♂️
I’ll second Ed Cowan’s comment. Unless you’re full time there is no justification for a new boat. I see these guys pull up to the ramp with brand new diesel pickup and boat. Either rich or in debt up to their neck. I’m betting the latter for most. If you want to spend that type of money buy some land or a rental house. In the end you’ll have something. An older hull with a new or rebuilt engine will do everything the weekend guy needs without going into deep debt.
Fishing mlf gator and bulldog in a 2006 triton with a mint 1989 mariner as a back up motor. She runs better then the 2006 merc. Ready for regional and all American. I will represent the he'll out of my old boat
Agreed! I feel if the boat is reliable then who cares. Don't let people's opinion of what you have or what you're trying to do get in the way of your goal. To many people in this world today care more about what people think instead of just doing their thing and achieving their goal whatever it may be. Tight Lines and Be Safe yall!!
Agree some people like keeping up with the jones
@@slabbusterrtr7690 Some do. Some dont.
Engine in good running condition and livewells/pumps in good working order....go get em!!
Great advice thanks Todd I have a really nice champion 187 with a 175 Yamaha wanting a ultrex for it I just fish little tournaments
Love this format. You weren't born a fishing stud. You didn't start with a boat like you have now. It's all a process. It's nice to hear how you had some tough times but found a way to persevere. Keep up the Q and A
Fish can't see your rod, reel or boat. As long as you maintain it, it will look after you.
repowered my 210 champ with a 250 vmax sho...wouldnt trade it for anything.
HA! I have an 18 year old Gambler that looks like new but most importantly will beat anyone to the spot.
I win lots of tournaments in my 1994 18ft vision with an old 150 yamaha. Sure I might get beat to a spot but thats the only downside. The age of the boat is irrelevant to whether you can catch em, as long as you arent having breakdowns. Its still reliable, just old and slow.
C'mon guys. If you're catching fish out of an older boat, do you really think fishing out of a newer boat gonna make a difference???
He was just worried about whether or not guys would care in pro am events
Some people worry about how they look at the boat ramp, catch the fish and them worry about how your boat looks then. A john boat with 5 fish 20 lbs looks real nice at the ramp.
I remember saying a prayer on Rayburn that we would make it back in the ole red skeeter. The ole Yamaha 0X66 got us back though. No cushions in the seats so it was pretty rough ride. You have come a long ways since then
And f what the co-angler thinks as long as the rig is safe. He can buy his own boat
I fish from a 17' 98 ranger with a 115. I compete and I also win and cash checks. Am I held back? Absolutely! But I practice differently than others and I REALLY have to make the right decisions on where I fish. I can't run around. I don't have the speed or the fuel to do it. But fish with what you have if the tournament allows it. And fish more buddy tournaments, your friends will not be upset over the boat and how you fish. Just my 2 cents
I've fished the Missouri B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Tournament as a Co-Angler for the past Two years. Last October the Tournament was at Lake of the Ozarks. On the first day I drew a fellow with a 2022 Z-20 Nitro. That was roughest ride I have ever experienced. I'm pretty sure I chocked on both of my nuts at least three times that day. The next day I drew a younger guy with a 2000 Javelin powered by a 200 h.p. Johnson. It was the smoothest riding bass boat I have ever been in. Newer doesn't always mean better.
I fish out of a 95 17’ basstracker. Reliable is key. Knock on wood. Ive not had major issues. When I fished as a co angler I preferred drawing boaters that was known for not catching them. I did much better fishing with them than fishing with a hammer. Fishing behind someone who can catch them is tough.
I run a 96" Stratos 201 pro xl and I will put it up against any new boat on the market for ride and comfort fishing, any day anywhere. Speed is not important to me or my partners. Fish what you have and are comfortable with. The fish do not care!!!!
Nice message. Maybe you can speak to about how to focus/deal w/Coanglers as a boater. I seem at times to struggle w/ co's as I try to make sure I'm not that "bad" boater, or I focus on trying to protect my water. I also fish by myself a lot except in tournaments. Thanks!
Thanks Todd, this old man with an old boat can't compete but enjoys your videos.
I'm in the same position. I want to fish as a boater in the MLF but worried my livewell is not big enough for 2 bags. 2005 ranger 165vs. I would hate to have my co anglers or my fish die because of a small livewell. I'm not positive on the size but I feel as if it's around 18-22 gallons. I fish local team all day and its fine. Anyone have thoughts on this. I'm also in florida and we know bags can be 20+ easily..
My boat is now 25 years old and I can't fish tournaments. Its not the age but the capabilities. Its small (17') and has a terrible ride, the motor is quirky bordering on unreliable, the gas tank is tiny, livewell space isn't adequate and the front one is used for tackle storage or there would be none forward. There's not enough storage for anything, the cooler is small and poorly insulated. The boat is too slow to have the range needed. No power poles, no spot lock, no ffs or even adequate sonar of any type on the bow. Console unit doesn't have side scan. It's just not the bare minimum to be a tournament vessel
I fish out of a 1990 16'9 foxcraft with a 90 hp mercury its been an excellent boat for last 10 years ever week end... boats cost waaaaaay too much now espeically new ill stick with what my old boat just saying
New boat for sure makes a difference,I have a 96 javelin 379te and I wouldn't even try a big tourney but small local stuff I fish all the time,great topic it just all boils down to make what you have work and you'll have fun
Back in March I bought a 1990 stratos 201 that was well taken care of. I couldn't care less what a co-angler thought. Let the co-angler go buy his own boat.
Not so much old vs new but reliable vs junk...new ones break down to but maybe not as much...name of the game is catch fish...fish what you can afford and take care of it.. and upgrade when you can..
Todd do you still do any guiding?
Watched the video on the way to work the other day and didn't get a chance to comment until today. As a co-angler I would rather fish out of an older boat that is maintained with a safe and respectable boater, then a new boat with all the bells and whistles and a boater who doesn't know how to operate it safely and disrespectful not just to me but to other anglers and boaters on the lake.
Todd
You said something in your Deep Waters Episode 6. You ask the question why can you go practically for 2 or 4 days and catch fish in a certain area or certain way, and then when tournament day comes you go back and the fish either seem to be gone. Have you learned how to practice for those situations? Can you do a video on how you have learned to practice for those days?
Agreed 100%
I was a co-angler with a guy in a BFL at KY Lake. His boat was just too small to handle the big water / weather. We got so beat up running to his first spot that he didn't want to run any of his other water. I caught them pretty good where we spent the day, but he had a rough go of it.
Another time on Logan Martin, I drew a boater whose transducer had gone out. So, we fished blind most of the day. I caught several nice keepers, but I feel like we were held back by his inability to get around the river/lake.
As long as the boat works and is safe for the body of water, I say go for it.
I fish out of my 2011 FX20. She still looks great.
all that shine don't put them in the boat but but
break down is more likely with a boat older than 8 to 10 years old boat
if you stay within 6 year boat u should be ok
electronic is more key on the base of new
short answer...yes.
I wanna see pictures of the boat. Probably better than my boat.
Todd in your opinion * what's the best boat towing insurance out their ? Like trailer break downs and then on the water break downs ? Thanks *
Tow Boat USA. Check to see if they cover the waters that you fish.
R u referring to an older boat or primarily older motors. With the price now. Alot are replacing motors and electronics.
if it doesn't leave you stranded you can fish and catch fish out of any boat! Boats don't catch fish the fishermen do! God Bless all
I agree 100%
Dont even worry about the co angler. If they dont like fishing out of an older boat they can go buy their own and fish as a boater🙄
I agree with everything that you said for a touring tournament fisherman but have seen local old timers that have hundreds of brush piles hid rip you a new ass out of a 1976 ranger😂
I am going to put a spin on this….
Is it the older boat or older motor that matters?
Everything else is bolt on equipment that I know can make and advantage ie power poles, spot lock trolling motors, FFS
Oh my champion is a 2003 187 forget to tell you the year
You have to remember back in the day bassmaster had 18’ max and 150hp max so do it
Boat is a boat....has long as it is safe, mechanically sound....it doesn't matter!!
Kool topic....and not clickbaity 👍😎
You don’t have writer’s block. You’re just sitting on spilling the “real” juice 😂
Have a 99 Ranger VX18 an yes it’s tricked out!So ya don’t need a new one!Ive WON ALOT OF MONEY!Beat several brand new boat guys….Just saying!
Guys got everything now even a underwater camera to watch the fish lol I don't even see the point anymore