On March 3, 2007, I picked up my new ride:  a Lund Pro-V 1800 SE (in the classic Lund red) pushed by a Mercury Opti-Max 115 and a MinnKota 80# Power Drive Auto Pilot with Universal Sonar on the bow, all trailered by a Karavan galvanized swivel-tongue with power brakes.  I put a Lowrance X135 on the front and a Lowrance LCX-25C/LGC-2000 on the console.  With an Apelco marine radio, Sony CD stereo system, Lakemasters chip, enough storage for rods and tackle for every possible Minnesota game fish, a few sandwiches, a bag of seeds, and a few bottles of water, I can stay on the open water for days.

In case you hadn’t noticed, this is my dream boat!  I traded in the ol’ Fightin’ Jack Blue Fin Super Hawk, that had been in the family for 25 years, and returned to a Lund, the boat in which my dad first taught me to fish, but then it was a 14′ open bottom with a 9.9 Johnson on the back.

Year I with the Pro-V proved to be an excellent season.  Spike christened her with a hard hitting rainbow trout on Bad Medicine.  Then Paul and I went back to the walleye well that was Big Turtle this spring.  The walleyes of Bemidji produced all season long and this fall John and I and Kevin, Josh and I found the frenzied walleyes, perch, and pike on Leech.

Some nights I just sit in the boat in the garage playing the stereo and tinkering with tackle dreaming of open water and picture fish…..