Some real advice Needed

I am looking for a really good umbrella for the boat. I have young kids and I need to keep the sun off them while trolling and pulling cranks this summer.

Truth is if one of them gets too much sun I will be looking for a new place to live and you do not want to take a chance on me moving into your neighborhood.

Here is the one I am looking at.
Mantis Original Pro Plus - Mantis Catalog


Anybody got one of these?
Anybody got another one that they really like?
Anybody had one they hated?
(not talking about ex's let's keep it umbrellas)

Thanks in advance.

I put one of these on my boat a couple of years ago for pulling cranks in the summer. LOVE IT!!!
Cabela's 3-Bow/4-Bow Bimini Tops

Darn sure a life saver in the August heat

my uncle has one that he likes I will get in touch with him and find out

Heck Ray, you can have mine. It's in about 13 foot of water 74' from the main landing at Enid. You'd be surprise how well them dang things will sink. Might want to fish it first before you pull it.

Wannabe...

BTW, that Mantis looks cool, but kind of high. Prolly do just as good witht he seat back model or the floor post model.

Wannabe...

I would get a big beach umbrella for $10 at Freds. They are giant. All you have to do is secure it or make a holder for it.

You might look at Sam's. They have a 8 1/2' beech umbrarella for $24.95. I have one but haven't used it yet.

'nuff said.

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Originally Posted by speckhunter

I put one of these on my boat a couple of years ago for pulling cranks in the summer. LOVE IT!!!
Cabela's 3-Bow/4-Bow Bimini Tops

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Speck, that looks good but wouldn't it get in the way especially with the rods on the starboard side?

I've got a seatback umbrella, works great when the sun is directly overhead or behind you. The Mantis looks cool, but for what they cost, I would put a little more with it and get a bimini. Seriously thinking about getting me one for this summer.

Do those bimini tops not get in the way using long poles and long handled nets etc?

Yep!

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Originally Posted by satdoc1

Yep!

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Thats kinda what I thought. I have enough trouble now just trying to get used all the long poles and the net. I don't need anything else to try to get used to for awhile, LOL. :D

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Originally Posted by majflyboy

Speck, that looks good but wouldn't it get in the way especially with the rods on the starboard side?

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It dosent get in the way that bad Maj! When I hook a fish, I either walk the the front or back deck and bring the fish in. The bimini doesnt affect it too bad. You kinda work around it. The benefits outweigh the inconvience.

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Originally Posted by speckhunter

It dosent get in the way that bad Maj! When I hook a fish, I either walk the the front or back deck and bring the fish in. The bimini doesnt affect it too bad. You kinda work around it. The benefits outweigh the inconvience.

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i would just hook the top on one side when trolling if need to just unhook the the one side and let it down fast and easy

I like the idea of a bimini top but I am really concerned with how much it will get in the way when fishing. When slow trolling I can see working around it but I pull my cranks out the side and this would seem to be a problem with the bimini top. Hummmm.
Maybe I will get 2 of the seat back umbrellas and then consider a bimini for other uses....

Thanks for the input..
Mantis is out... Everyone thought is was too expensive which was my first thought..
Hey that may be the first consensus I have seen on here.

It's no good for slow trolling jigs, just doesn't cover the seats, least not in my boat. On Cranks though, it's perfect and doesn't get in the way that much. If I get a bite on a pole that's the furthest to the front, I just stick my arms through the poles on the top and hand in to another hand that's to the back of the boat. The poles to the top are in the way just abit but it's worth it for sure to be in total shade and be able to walk around the boat and not have to worry bout getting out from under an umbrella

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Originally Posted by Bobby J

Bimini Tops (New) - $100 (Lewisville 27023)
Date: 2010-05-11, 10:56AM EDT
Reply to: [email protected] [Errors when replying to ads?]

I have several sizes and colors , just measure you boat width and call, need to know style boat you have?
thanks to you that have called and i didn't have your size , i may have it now
i have several 3 bow pontoon tops starting at $300 , $350 with boot and a couple 4 bow also $400, specify pontoon when calling.
tops will be priced accordingly at a discount below dealer price per size needed, 60" wide runabout starting at $100
serious only call Rick 336-416-8805 NO SPAMMERS

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I don't know how this guy compares, but it might be worth a call if the shipping doesn't KILL a person.

Well.....I am not gonna buy any umbrellas or a bimini top untill I see what the Maj comes up with. :D

Can not compete with Maj.. He will have a girl in a grass skirt holding a umbrella and fanning him.

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Originally Posted by DonDon

It's no good for slow trolling jigs, just doesn't cover the seats, least not in my boat. On Cranks though, it's perfect and doesn't get in the way that much. If I get a bite on a pole that's the furthest to the front, I just stick my arms through the poles on the top and hand in to another hand that's to the back of the boat. The poles to the top are in the way just abit but it's worth it for sure to be in total shade and be able to walk around the boat and not have to worry bout getting out from under an umbrella

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Awww heck, DD, you're doing it wrong. Just move the TM to the back when you're spider rigging and back into 'em.

Wannabe...

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Originally Posted by CRAPPIEHUNTER68

Can not compete with Maj.. He will have a girl in a grass skirt holding a umbrella and fanning him.

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Don't forget the drink with the little umbrella!

if you come rig it up

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Originally Posted by Crappie Novice

Don't forget the drink with the little umbrella!

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a pina colada!

build 1 of these real easy
http://i40.tinypic.com/2pyq91g.jpg

another pic
http://i40.tinypic.com/30m0ll4.jpg

I'm working on a modified bimini with bikini clearance. Will advise of progress. Kitten, we got anymore pineapple?

I wanna go for a test drive LOL. Then again, I already got the BIKINI top every time I go fishing in the summer :D:rolleyes: