popperpitcher

Welcome! Ever fish Sodus Bay or Port Bay?

Wayne, Yes I asked on a different thread but don't remember getting any replies. Being new to this, I can read the specs and have seen both in a local store BUT since I have no experience with a sonar unit I don't have a clue as to which is more desireable. I have no consumer experience with either brand so don't know if either brand has "issues". All the reviews I have found are just listing of specs. I am leaning toward the 561 due to screen size. Jack

The topic of fish finders (sonar) is entirely a new topic to me. I've been looking at a lot of material on the web and have pretty much narrowed it down to wanting a budget fishfinder that has a nice display and dual beam. The two that interest me most are the Garmin Echo200 and the Humminbird 561. They look pretty much equal to me but maybe I am missing something? Any thoughts on which is better? Differences? Any insight would be appreciated!

I've been reading this thread with interest. I'm interested in making my own unique soft baits on an experimental basis. I have professional experience and capabilities for making small cast parts (metal and rigid plastic) but have never tried casting soft plastics. Making aluminum molds via the scan/cnc route is a MAJOR learning curve. I have used laser scans in business and they are expensive and difficult to convert to a good CAD model. Once you have the CAD model you still have to use CAM to write the tool path program. Probably not a reasonable way to go unless for profit. Eventually this will change and there are other methods. I am thinking of trying to make baits using RTV silicone rubber molds. RTV (room temperature vulcanizing) silicone rubber is a common mold material for casting polyurethane plastic parts. This would involve making a bait in rigid plastic or metal to use as a pattern. The pattern is used to make the RTV rubber mold which is used to mold the bait. What temperature does the soft plastic turn liquid? What is the upper reasonable temperature to cast? At the typical casting temperature, how long dies it take to solidify? Is the mold heated? Is a mold release used in casting soft plastic? It would be great to come up with a method for making small numbers of unique soft baits w/o breaking the bank.

Thanks Glenn! Great web site that I found through Lamar Underwood's book. Jack

I have a spincasting machine and am capable of casting pewter parts and resin parts. I am wondering if anyone on these forums has experience spincasting jigs and/or soft plastic baits in rubber molds?

You need to tell your son about the fact that fish don't bite when they hear talking! I remember Dad and Granddad telling me that and that fish are very sinsitive to noise back in the mid 1950s. But then, be thankful that he wants to fish and will talk with you! I am trying to decide on an inexpensive fish finder to use on my 12' tin boat for next year. Was thinking of the Garmin Echo 200 or the Humminbird 561. Will have to look at the Garmin 150 and see what the difference is. I have never fished with electronics so it is all new to me. I do want a screen that my old eyes can see.

Your question leaves a lot to the imagination! To choose a boat there are a lot of questions to be answered! Where will you be fishing? What tow vehicle? What species will you be fishing for? Budget? Saltwater? Etc.? Etc.? Etc.? In Florida I would think there would be a variety of fishing possibilities. For recreational fishing, I'm not keen on a big high power bass boat from the standpoint of cost to buy and operate/maintain. Might be something to consider for a graduate. Would a used Gheenoe be a good boat for down there?

Thanks for the heads up! Don't laugh but, at 62 I have never fished for or caught a crappie! How big and are they edible? I assume both lakes are reletively clean since DEC has no health advisories.

Thanks, interesting site that I was unaware of.

SW Orygun is my where my wife is from!

Is Lake Alice physically seperated from the lower Oak Orchard Creek? I's like to find some edible perch and sunnys! I won't eat anything from Lake Ontario west of Sodus Bay or it's estuaries. Fun to go pester bass though!

Please post pictures of your small fishing boat so I can see how others have set up small boats for fishing. I just bought a used 1999 12' Lund with a 6 HP Yamaha. I want to have a sonar unit and a trolling motor. I'm not sure if the trolling motor will end up on the bow or stern of the boat and am wondering how others mount motors on the bow of small boats. I want to have the sonar on a swivel base so that it can be viewed from either the center seat or the stern seat. All seems like a lot to fit in such a tiny boat!

Are there any free launching sites on Oak? or I one cheaper than others?

Clayton, Thanks! One place I am interested in is Hemlock Lake but I am also interested in some fishing closer to home in the Charlotte neighborhood of Rochester. Oak Orchard is one place I want to check out.