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My Confidence Products
Like
any tournament angler, I prefer to use products I have confidence in. I
believe they make me more successful due to their design, quality and my
confidence level when I use them. I'm not sponsored by all of them. Some are
just products I've used for years and would feel reduced without them. If you
are looking for a product for yourself or someone, I hope the info here helps
your search.
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Links
-New Ranger Z19 & Combat Fishing
Downloads Click Icons on the left to jump to specific product
information. |
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Ranger Boats Releases the Z19 Comanche for the 2005-06 Season!
Capacities and specifications for the Z19 include: Overall Hull Length................................. 19' 6" Beam............................................................ 95" Max. Horsepower....................................... 225 Transom Height........................................ 23" Fuel Capacity............................................. (2) 24 gal.
each Inside Depth............................................... 20" Total Persons, Motor, Gear..................... 1,500 lbs. Approximate Deck/Hull
Weight............ 1,650 lbs. – dual Approximate Deck/Hull
Weight............ 1,625 lbs. – single Trailer Capacities/Specifications Trailer GVWR.......................................... 5,000 lbs. Length on Trailer with
Motor Down...... 24' 7" Width on Trailer....................................... 99" Length on Trailer with
Motor Down & Swing-Away Tongue Open................ 22'
7" |
When would Ranger make a Z19 may have been the number one question I
was asked last year. I guess Ranger Boats was asked the same question enough
that they made one. The Z19 should be a
great bass boat for a lot of anglers. Here’s the news releaseà |
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Technical Information on Lake St. ClairAvailable for download fromCombat Fishing and Electronic Guide Service |
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Now,
you can purchase downloads of Combat Fishing reports, individual No Secrets
on Lake St. Clair book chapters, detailed lake section reports and other
technical information from the Electronic Guide Service. Maybe
you want to try out a few weekly reports. Maybe you need specific detailed
information – including GPS waypoints – on a favorite or new part of Lake St.
Clair. Maybe a particular chapter of the No Secrets on Lake St. Clair
contains details that could help you catch that huge smallie or win the next
tournament you fish. 2005
Michigan BASS federation state champion Dan Posey says the No Secrets book
one was a key to his win on Lake St. Clair. This information will
help you too. |
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Ask me questions about my confidence products
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Information |
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My boat I use to 'survive' brutal Great Lakes bass tournament fishing is a Ranger 492VS - a great rough water hull that always gets me there and back. The new 520 and 522 hulls, and now the |
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awesome 521, and revolutionary Z
Comanche Series are even faster and drier. I'll upgrade eventually, but I
really love my 492VS. It'll be a tough move. It's brought me safely through
waves taller than I am many times. Ranger Boats are manufactured at their huge facilities in Flippin, Arkansas using many unique processes such as |
their patented pultruded fiberglass. Ranger creates and manufactures many of their own machines and boat parts onsite (often out of necessity since they've originated many processes). Check out my boat-manufacturing pages updated with photos from the 2004 factory tour. I’ve learned a lot about the making of bass boats thanks to all the folks at Ranger Boats –Click here. |
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Where to Buy Ranger Boats in Michigan South Michigan |
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110
Cabela Blvd. East (NW corner of
US-23 and M-50) Dundee,
MI 48131 734-529-4700 800-581-4420 Boat
Sales/Service: 800-888-8888 P.O
Box 266 7285
S. State Rd (M-15 Hwy) Goodrich,
Mi. 48438 810-636-2241 800-589-PLAY Fax
Sales 810-636-2074 |
Matteson Marine on
Gun Lake 12001
Marsh Rd Shelbyville,
MI 49344 269-672-5292 Fax: 269-672-9448 5796
E. Grand River Howell
, MI 48843 517-548-5122 800-226-3050 |
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North Michigan |
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US-31
North Brutus,
MI 49716 231-529-6155 Fax:
231-529-6922 |
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speeds.
The design was specifically engineered for high performance bass boat hulls. Stronger,
forges pistons made from aluminum alloys compressed in molds under extreme
pressure. High
output alternator that delivers 37 amps at 1,000 rpm up to 50 amps at speed. A vapor
separator that increases engine stability and reliability by removing fuel
vapors. Yamaha has an
extensive and informative website with tons of great information. I really
like the Pro Angler section containing video and audio tips. I
really like the new Newsdrive
page with extensive up-to-date fishing and tournament new Yamaha
has awesome products AND great people behind them. You can check out one of
their most recognizable employees, my friend David
Simmons, winner of the first BassFan.com 6th Man award in
2002. Yamaha has also taken the JD Power & Associates Customer Satisfaction award 3
years in a row now. With
award-winning products, high performance and innovation, Yamaha should be
your power of choice for a lifetime. |
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Every high performance bass rig needs a
matching outboard. I’m really excited about my new 225 HP Yamaha HPDI |
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that’ll be
powering my boat to the hot spots and everywhere in between for the 2004
season and beyond. It’s loaded with great standard features that include many
innovations – the kinds of special touches any bass angler or boater expects
from a major investment that is critical to the enjoyment of the outdoors. Some
of the great features include: Six
sophisticated sensors allow the microcomputer to optimize ignition timing and
air/fuel mixtures while the special twin high-speed fuel pumps distribute
fuel at 1,000psi to each proven and reliable internal-opening fuel injector
enhancing fuel distribution to each cylinder for better power and fuel
economy. Water
intakes are now front-mounted and lowered on the big Sixes for better cooling
and setup options. The
air intake crankcase is water-cooled – a unique feature that increase air
density for more horsepower. A new
concave-shaped skeg that greatly reduces steering torque enabling straight
lower unit tracking at all |
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D & R Sports Center - Kalamazoo,
MI on M-43 a few miles west of US-131 - The home of Kevin and Randy VanDam, D
& R has a huge selection of hunting, fishing and outdoor equipment
including one of the best selections and variety of bass tackle in the
Midwest. Whether you need live bait, guns, clothing, or ice fishing,
fly-fishing or boating supplies, D & R has it all. Of course, their excellent Service staff is
on hand to keep you on the water – major motor brands serviced. The D&R
Sports Service Department does all the work on my boat and motor. If you're looking for a good used boat, call the Sales Department at (800) 992-1520 or (616) 372-2277 and boat sales. |
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If you have any questions, you can email me or call me at (517) 882-8902. I'll be more than happy to help you find the right tackle, or get you in touch with the right person to answer any question you have. You can always call Service Manager Miles Hanley at the numbers above with your service questions too or email Miles at miles@dandrsports.com. |
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Some of you are probably familiar with Wayne Carpenter's L. St. Clair Combat Fishing Newsletter and the Special Reports, Pre-Fishing Edition and Series Marked Maps of L. St. Clair. The company is Fishing Information Services (F.I.S.H.) which includes the Combat Fishing products above and Wayne's Xtreme BASS TACKLE™. |
Wayne is
also the author of the book No Secrets on Lake St Clair 1999. It's a
great read of all the data collected in 1999 and more. His 2nd edition of No Secrets on Lake St Clair
is out, and it’s bigger and better. Also available now, Wayne has reprinted an
updated version of his No Secrets Volume 1. |
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Another of Wayne’s great specialty products
is the toughest underwater camera on the market. Seaviewer has been in the
business for a long time. Their customers include many major government
agencies and water-related organizations. The Kevlar cable has a 1,000 pound
test pull so you don’t have to worry about cable failure. Check out all the
other great features here. Through Xtreme BASS TACKLE, Wayne and staff
provide a great assortment of hot tackle including an impressive assortment
of salt tubes (size & color) and quality jig heads along with much more.
To order tackle or Combat Fishing products, call 248-280-2507. Now TOLL FREE:
877-485-2223. You can also email F.I.S.H. or snail-mail F.I.S.H., P.O. Box 275, CLAWSON MI
48017. |
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I've used all the Combat
Fishing products over the past four tournament seasons and found them
extremely helpful. I don't know enough people nor do I have enough time to
check out all the things that the Combat Fishing crew does for me. I don't
necessarily fish all the spots covered, but use all the information provided
to come up with my draft plan for each practice and tournament weekend. I'm able to skip sections
of the lake based on the information provided in the Pre-Fishing and Combat
Fishing Newletters, and concentrate on the most likely sections – very
valuable to my bottom line. |
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All Star Graphite
Rods are built one at a time by Americans in Houston Texas “and will continue
to be built there.” They have a large
selection of specialty rods designed by hardcore anglers – including many
tournament anglers – for specific techniques and fishing methods, making it
easy and simple for you to pick out the right rod for the right technique.
This is sure to make your valuable fishing time more productive and
enjoyable. Their products
include all the actions you’ll ever need whether you’re flipping pads for bruiser
largemouths or casting tubes on the Great Lakes for football smallies. They
also have models for everyone’s pocket book. Regardless of the
rod series you look at, from the Instinct to the Platinum Series, you’re
getting American-made quality with light, sensitive blanks and superior
components. I think they’ll improve your fishing. And you can count on their
great warranty
to protect your investment in their excellent fishing rods. |
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While
I don’t have experience with every single model and action – there’s so many of
them – between the extremely detailed action comparison charts at the All Star website and
the other All Star anglers I know, I can help recommend a rod that’s right
for you. You
can also contact the All Star Service Center directly with customer service
questions at (800) 347-3759 between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, EST, Monday-Friday; or
email them at service@allstarrods.com. All Star Graphite Rods are
available at many major tackle outlets including D & R Sports Center
in Kalamazoo. For other sources, check out their list of retail outlets. |
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Pflueger
and All Star are part of the Shakespeare / K2 family of companies. |
I really like the Trion
Machined baitcast reels with their smooth,
round side plate. I’ve always been partial to the simplified look and feel.
Pflueger produces a variety of line capacities, and left and right-hand
models.
The newest spinning reel for 2005 should really make some waves. The Medalist
has all the features of the President and more, along with an all-metal
frame. Watch for more on this reel soon. |
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“The Pflueger
name has been a part of the fishing industry since 1881” making their first
baitcast reel in 1916. Their first spinning reel hit the market in 1954.
While Pflueger stayed in the fly fishing market they stopped producing
baitcast and spinning reels for a while. Great news is
Pflueger is back in the baitcast and spinning reel markets with a vengeance.
“Dependability and innovation are the foundations of this new line of fishing
tackle. We have brought the attention to detail and pride in craftsmanship
back and combined it with new technology to create a product line that we are
proud to introduce to you. We invite you to get reacquainted with the name
that means excellence in fishing . . . Pflueger®” Quotes from Pflueger -
About Us |
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Also new this for 2005 is a
crankin’ version of the Trion LP baitcast reel with the
same line capacity, but a 5.2:1 retrieve ratio verses the normal 6.3:1 ratio
that works so well for many other applications. I like that ratio for my
crankbaitin’ that I do so much of. |
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Return to Top | Home | My Confidence Products
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©2005 Dan Kimmel All
Rights Reserved |
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The Trion Machined reel has 5 stainless steel
ball bearings
The 
Pflueger’s
premier baitcast reel is the