Traveler2586

I agree, save your good stuff, IMHO, Snakehead will hit anything that moves near them, you could tie a hook to a stick of driftwood and get one. I got a 3 lb one on a black and white jitterbug one evening. As quoted, use common Bass patterns and baits; very shallow, still or slow moving water, along the weed-line and in the pockets. I think they get deeper in the weeds during the stronger current. Once I watched a SH come up from behind my frog like it was sniffing it, I twitched the bait and the SN got interested, I twitched again and it took the bait. I don't see much action from them until they see my boat. Cheers, Eric

If your interested, you can download historical topo maps of the area from USGS at http://nationalmap.gov/historical/ They show the area before it was flooded. If you need more info or help with the USGS site just pm me. Cheers, Eric

Thanks for the heads up, where were you fishing??

Yes, protect yourself the best way possible. You spend a lot of money on fishing equipment, winter gear, and so on, spend some on warm weather protective clothing too. I have tested positive several times, and undergone several surgeries, for skin cancer. I'm lucky in the fact that my wife works in the medical field and will push me to the doctor if she sees something wrong. I now undergo routine checkups with the skin doctor. Tip: "A BASEBALL CAP IS NO PROTECTION FOR YOU HEAD" (I get this from the Doc almost every visit). Cheers, Eric

Kuwait?? I did some work there years ago. Stay safe Cheers, Eric

Kuwait?? Stay safe Cheers, Eric

Driving up to Thurmont, MD in the morning to drop the trolling motor off at Mare Inc. They are an authorized repair center for Motor Guide. Thanks for the info Jig Man. Cheers, Eric

Clayton, Try one of these, http://www.amazon.com/PUR-Dispenser-Pitcher-Filter-DS-1800Z/dp/B0006MQCA4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1331692724&sr=8-3 I think you'll like it. Cheers, Eric

Question, how does the side imaging react on the trolling motor when you change directions?

I try not to have soda at home, if I don't bring it into the house I can't drink it. I opt for room temp filtered water at home, or bottled water on the boat. If I hit a fast food drive through I'll go for a Dr. Pepper if they have it. Ya, I'm a pepper But, when it comes to the occasional beer, I go for the old fashion dark, smooth, creamy, full body beers from western Europe. With a few exceptions, I think the US has forgotten how to make a good beer. If you can read a news paper through it, it's not a beer. IMHO Cheers, Eric (that's an old Commo sign off, not a pub toast) P.S. I don't use ice....

So, I'm interested to understand why are so many of you have given' up soda's? I think your doing a good thing for your body, but what prompted you to make the change??? Cheers, Eric

Wayne, Nice setup. LOL, No I don't think a fish could hide from you So, are these all connected to each other with the Ethernet cable; how many transducers do you have and where?? Lastly, did you power them off of an accessory switch and the boats fuse block, or did you power them directly from the battery? I'm still reading Nice Hummer's, Eric

I agree, soda then ice cubes (not crushed) As far as beer goes - 1. layer of ice cubes, 2. layer of beer bottles, 3. repeat items 1 and 2 until the cooler is full. Cheers, Eric

Congratulations Megastrike, The forum works! I don't know if I've ever encountered this problem, maybe I have and didn't know what was going on, but now I know what to look for. Never give up.... Good fishin' Eric

So guy's, Any selection, installation tips, or first hand experences on these units that you can pass on to boydn1 and I ??? I'm trying to do my homework on-line and anything you can offer on these units would be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Eric

Do you have to pay some kind of extra tax for that convenience Good Fishin', Eric

Thanks Siebert, I currently have a bow mount Lowrance X96, and a in-dash Lowrance LMS-320 E/W GPS & Temperature sensor; I think they're from 2003. I'm looking to upgrade to something with side-scan, color, and better maps. I would like to do an in-dash replacement of the 320 on my 2003 Ranger DVS-185 but don't know what will fit at this point, I'm looking at features and technology first, then I'll look at installation spec's. Wane P. helped me start my homework with some good on-line info. It's a lot for my grey matter to absorb, gives me a headache or eye strain or something. Back in the day, when I got my first HB flasher on my 14' Jon I road around for days with my nose glued to the screen - I hit the bank a few times, blow-downs, even turned into the path of another boat. I wonder what I'll do when I get something new. Good fishin', Eric

Hello Siebert, Questions: 1. What prompted you to go with the HDS-7. I'm am currently trying to decide between Lowrance and Hummingbird. 2. How did the installation go? What equipment did you get? Any tips? Cheers, Eric

Very nice catch

Oh ya, she's going to be a heart breaker <3 "Just do your best and teach them how to respect themselves. She will be fine." from Nick76 Good Fishin' Cheers, Eric

Thanks Wayne, I've been using a Transducer Shield since they hit the main market, and it's great; and my rear trans is a standard inside install. But I just can't seem to wrap my mind around this subject of new electronics. I agree with boydn1 and his selections, the HB ethernet network connectivity looks clean, I'm not so sure about Lowrance at this minute; but none really show what a trolling motor puck looks like or mounts; and is there a inside mount style side imaging trans? In talking with the sales floor staff at BPS and GM, no one can get into details and they don't want to start opening box's. For the $$$ involved I feel I have to get it right the first time, and not go back for add-ons to patch a system together. I'm hoping one day I'll meet someone at the ramp that has time to talk about their system. Thanks for the feedback Wayne. Cheers, Eric

I went to the BPS, an hour away in Balt. MD, with cash in hand to buy a HDS-8 for the bow of my boat. The salesman gave me a good demo and we had it at the register; then I thought about what I needed to mount the trans on the TM; good thing I did and started asking questions. I was very dissatisfied with the mounting arrangement I was told was called for, it did not look adequate and something that was an afterthought by the factory. The sale stopped there and I drove home empty handed to see if I could get a better answer on the Internet - nothing. I'm a river rat, and you name it and I've probably hit it with one or both of my motors So a solid mounting for the trolling motor transducer is a must. I also believe I want to see what is under me when fishing from the bow, not what's behind me. And I really do not like the idea of dragging a transducer hanging off the butt on my boat. So the bottom line for now has been no new electronics. I also would like to know the best way to proceed with selecting and installing something new. Suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Eric

Very nice.

Hello Vinny, I find working with Spinnerbaits is a balancing act where speed (or lack of it) is a big factor. You can use small blades and go fast, or use large blades and go slower. What you don't want is to roll (twist) the bait as it is retrieved, that's indicating to much speed for the combination of weight, blade mass, skirt and trailer mass. While on the fall the same is true for the rate of decent of any given weight of lure, say for a 3/8 oz lure, a smaller blade will allow it to drop (helicopter) faster than a larger blade; and blade type comes into play as well. Similarly, a large skirt and trailer can cause a Spinnerbait to become unbalanced and flip over on the fall. This is something you can experiment with in a swimming pool or a clear lake, use a face mask and get in the water so you can see how the "machine" and all of it's parts operates as it swims or falls (it's a fun thing to do). Now the question is long arm or short arm? Good fishin' Eric

IMHO I seem to do better with something that produces a "low frequency and strong" vibration in muddy water rather than a "high frequency quick" vibe; think thump, thump, not tic,tic. and go slower than you normally would for the water temp. I usually go straight to my spinner baits with the largest (number 5 or 6) Colorado or Willow leaf blades and a large trailer to add bulk then slow-roll it through the area. Good fishing' Cheers,Eric