Since the purchase of my 08 Cougar in July I have yet to have a real fair chance to test it against another boat of its calliber. This past weekend a test came, and it passed to say the least. I fished an event on Pool 5 of the Mississippi River here in Wisconsin. As some of you may know any tournement in Wisconsin will have be composed of alteast 70% Rangers, 10% Stratos/ Hydorsports, and the rest being Tritons with a few Champions in the mix. The closer to get the the Rochester, and/or Twin Cities areas the more the 70% increases. This weekend, fishing an event sponsored by Minnesotas pirmere Ranger Dealer, it had to have been 85% Rangers! I drew boat 17 with 1-15 Rangers and a Triton, and Champion follwing up to me. All 17 of us were the fist to make it to the lock to move into pool 4, Lake Peppin. Boat one was a Z22 300 Hpdi combo, the others were a combo of Z20, 21, and 19s, with a few 520s. the Champion was a 203 Limited, and the Triton was a 21 X3 250 Pro Xs. I picked out the 300 hpdi going into the lock – he had prefished the same areas I had the day I had pre fished. He actually had the guts to tell me at registration that he was going to my spots – a guy from my club had told him where I fished on 4. (Darn co-anglers). To make a long story short, we passed the 300 around 75 (gps) and left him at 78 (smart craft). I didnt care to look at down. It was a blast. To be the only Cat there, and the enter the lock at 17, and arrive at the lake 1 speaks for itself. These Cats can flat out fly. The guy with me had an older 520 and says he is sold on the Cat. Took a 7th out of 60 fshing rocks…. when I should have drug the beach! O well!
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