scrutch

@ Lund: New Rodney resident (whining): "I really need you to do my taxes! I haven't done them in twenty years!" You just CAN'T leave me and go fishing!!"

try these. they'll float your worm above the grass....carolina floater

When I'm wading in the river, I light a cigar. It repels a lot of mosquitoes. I try to avoid deet. I think there's something to the argument that it repels fish too.

Access 2deep water

I've always wanted to get to Falcon, and I can't think of a better group of guys to go there with. Mike, I think if you might be able to come up with a few possible dates would help me figure out if it is in the realm of possibilities. Great idea Mike!

I swear by the stuff.

If you are interested in buying used, here's a good example of the deals that can be had. 6 Hours run time. Bought in April '11. $399. see for yourself... 597 HD DI

Not just ANY donut... a JELLY donut

Look here for no tax + free shipping...google shopping

These guys have a pretty good reputation...597 DI HD I bought mine used from that forum's swap-n-sell.

Tom, I knew you had a lot of boating experience, but I had NO IDEA! Wow you're talented! I laughed til I was it tears!

I'll throw in my humble 2 cents here and place my vote for the Humminbird units. I'm not anywhere close to the expert level of knowledge that Wayne provides here, but I have been studying sonar units for going of 2 years, and have been an owner of an 1197c si for a few months. I could not be happier with Humminbird for several reasons. Not the least of which is their customer service. In a word... Excellent. The unit itself is very easy to use. There are some very good forums online to answer even the most technical questions. You can purchase a used unit, and upgrade the software to get the latest version...for free. Also, I (or Wayne) would need to see a pic of your transom to be sure, but I believe you can mount a transom Side Imaging transducer in a way that nearly eliminates the chance of ripping it off on a tree or stump. You might reconsider the Side Imaging option. It's definitely worth the money. Lightly used 798's have been selling online for around $700.

Need to add a better dropshot spinning rod to the arsenal. It'll also be used for lightweight or weightless plastics. I know already that it'll be a Dobyn's Champion Extreme. I'm leaning towards the DX783 SF. Probably end up buying a Stradic Ci4 to put on it. Probably have somewhere between 6 and 10 pound braid or fluoro on it. Are there any other DX's that you might recommend?

I agree with this setup (although if you have the money I'd suggest Dobyn's). It's an excellent choice for quality rods at a great price. The only thind you might want to add to it IMHO, would be another 50e on an AVC70MM for the lightweight cranks and such. The Avid AVC70MM is nearly as good as it gets for lightweight baits.

Jf said the key... thumb always incontact with the spool. Learn to "feather" the spool with your thumb while casting. This will help you cast into the wind better also.

I try not to do anything that might bring BAD JUJU into my boat. PERIOD. Just tell the truth, If the store rejects you, sell it here.

I just bought an 1197 and besides Bass Resource I have received a lot of great info here Humminbird SI Forums. They have an engineer from Humminbird that's available to answer any technical Q's you might have. I think the regulars there would qualify as experts in my book too.

Wrigley's a blast. I've been there more than a hundred times and each time it seems to be more fun than the last. Take the time to make the trip there, you won't be disappointed. Oh, and don't listen to bitter Cards fans. I'd be bitter too if I had a one-man team and his name started with "POO"

(groan)

It's the same crappy weather here too. I finally got tired of it and loaded up the boat and went to the lake. It was 45 degrees and raining with winds at 10-15mph. I had a great time! After my fingers went numb, I was fine.

I think if someday money becomes no object. I'll get a Skeeter with the SHO.

Don't forget to add a little dielectric grease after cleaning each connection before putting them back together. This will keep the corrosion from returning to that connection. Permatex makes a good grease. I think they call it "Dielectric Tune Up Grease". You should be able to find it at your auto parts store.

Distressed commuter: "Can you tell me what the problem is?" Hillbilly mechanic: "Yep, lessee here, HMMM, Amma thaynkin' she's broke! Yep, she's broke!"

Lund I admire your perspective. Glenn's got it right too. Just like guns, cellphones aren't the problem, people are. The cellphone affords me certain luxuries that I didn't have twenty years ago. The most important of which is the ability to call for help when you or your family are in a jam. My issue lies with the inconsiderate user. Too many people do not realize that they just DO NOT HAVE TO ANSWER the cellphone when it rings! If you're engaged with someone face to face, LET IT RING! The person in front of you deserves that respect. Obviously business is a little different. Many times phone calls are money in many cases. But that's still no cause to be disrespectful to those you are with. Everyone that calls my cellphone regularly knows that if I don't answer, I either can't answer, or I DON'T WANT to answer. No cause for concern, I'll call back.

Mine stays in all the time unless I take it out to download images into my computer. Then it goes right back in.