Current occupation: Mechanical Engineer, Project Manager
Discipline: Bass Fishing
Current Xpress Boat: 2006 X-21LE
Why I like the Xpress Boats:
All aluminum construction, toughness, Go anywhere, and not having to worry about hurting my boat while fishing.
Pro Staff Tip:
Shoot transducer thru hull (works on aluminum)
I put mine on the bottom step on one side of the center weld. First you need to make a flat area where you are going to mount the transducer. Sand all the paint, weld splatter, etc… down so you have a nice clean flat surface.
Finish with a sanding of 400 or 600 grit paper. Wash the area and vacuum out. Degrease the area a couple of times. Wipe the area down with some acetone and finally wipe it down with some alcohol. The area has to be as clean as you can get it if you haven’t already got the picture with the above instructions.
Now you need to make a ring around where the transducer is going to go to keep the epoxy in place while it sets up. Plumbers putty works well for this. Just place the transducer in the cleaned area and make a ring with the putty that’s about ½” away from the entire perimeter of the transducer so when you pour the epoxy in it doesn’t run all over the place.
Now for the epoxy which is the tricky part. You need a 2 part epoxy that has a long cure time “working time”. Get the longest working time you can find, I think mine was a half hour but if I could of found two hour I would of used it. When you mix the epoxy you can’t get any air bubbles in it. I squirt the epoxy in the bottom corner of a zip lock or sandwich bag then twist the bag so there is just a ball of epoxy in on corner. Then squeeze and roll the ball to mix the epoxy. Once it is all mixed cut a little corner of the bag off and squeeze the epoxy into the ring you made out of the putty. Then push the transducer into the puddle of epoxy and put a weight on top of the transducer to keep it in place while the epoxy cures.
SID HAVARD
Sid Havard
Home: Simsboro, LA
Discipline: Bass Fishing
Current Xpress Boat: X21
Best Tip:
My best tip is to run an Xpress Boat! It may sound quite scripted and commercial to make a statement as broad as that yet it is the truth and I can explain why. As a tournament fisherman I seek out shallow, stump-infested areas that are inaccessible for glass boats and most of my competitors.
Does it run great, absolutely and I am averaging in the mid 70’s with sports car performance. The Hyper-Lift hull is the key to allow me to get there faster, run untouchable water where most fear to go.
Finally, I highly recommend to run the largest trolling motor you can handle, afford etc. I am in an environment of stumps, stobs, blow-downs or anything else that is in my way, I am more apt to power over them then try to push pole through them…I suppose I have gotten wiser, not older!
BRETT MEYN
Brett Meyn
Home: Mechanicsville, VA
Occupation: Student
Discipline: Bass Fishing
Current Xpress Boats: 2002 X19
What Do you like best about your X19:
The ruggedness and versatility of my Xpress is no doubt my favorite feature. I fish a lot of shallow, treacherous tidal water areas so I can’t afford to be worrying about hurting my hull while I’m shooting across stump-filled flats. I also enjoy the jealous looks I get from the fiberglass guys when I motor across shallow creek mouths that they can only dream of getting to on low tide.
Also, with me being in college I don’t have the luxury of storing my boat in a garage or under a canopy so it is exposed to the elements 365 days a year. Upon hearing that most boat owners would cringe, however I have peace of mind because unlike fiberglass boats, my Xpress bass boat doesn’t have a fragile gel-coat that is vulnerable to the sun and other elements so I do not have to worry about expensive repairs to my hull over time.
Overall, I believe that my Xpress boat is the best platform that not only fits my needs as a college angler but also performs above and beyond my expectations as a tournament angler.
CAPTAIN ELTON RODRIGUE
Captain Elton Rodrigue
Home: Bayou Dularge, LA
Name of Guide Service: CATCHDAT! Charters
Discipline: Speckled Trout, Flounder, Drum, Bass
Current Xpress Boats: HD20CC
Capt. Elton Rodrigue (Capt. E for short) has spent almost his entire life fishing the Cocodrie area and now the Bayou Dularge area. He loves fishing almost as much as he enjoys having his clients catch fish. When it comes to fishing for Redfish and Speckled Trout, Capt. E won't quit until the box is full!
What Do you like best about your Xpress Boat:
Able to travel deep into the shallow marsh and still able to fish the bays and barrier islands. Fishes 4 comfortable. Easy on fuel.
Pro Staff Tip:
Mounting a tool caddy on the side of your center console will keep your plyers and other fishing tools organized and easily accessible.
Daryl owns and operates the Wrecking Crew Guide Service here in both SC & NC where we offer guided duck & goose hunts. Daryl has over 35 years of waterfowl hunting experience and have 6 top five finishes in the SC State Duck Calling Contest in addition to being named 2010 Drake Waterfowl Field Expert of the year and 2011 Drake Waterfowl Southern Flyway Field Expert Manager.
Blake Hodge:
Blake has over 13 years of waterfowl hunting experience and has been guiding for the last 3 years. Blake over 65 top five finishes with 20 wins and 1 world championship. He has won the SC State JR Duck Calling Championship 3 times and has won other state titles in NC, VA and TX.
Daryl & Blake Hodge are sponsored by:
Drake Waterfowl Competition Calling Team
RNT Pro-Staff
Yeti Coolers
Marshall's Marine
Mountain Khakis
Decoy Outdoors
WinnTuck Waterfowl Lanyards
Wehuntsc.com
Schofield's Hardware
PAUL SIMS
Paul Sims
Home: Haughton, LA
Discipline: Tournament Bass Angler
Current Xpress Boat: H51
Paul contributes his success to his Xpress Hyper-lift hull being able to navigate around, or over any stump or log jam that others would be afraid to attempt. Paul states that Xpress is the only boat he will own and has his sights on an X19 or X21 powered of course by Yamaha.
