RLinNH

Thanks for the replies everyone. I placed an order from moodeals a couple nights ago for a 597 ci HD di unit. First time ordering from moodeals, so I'm a little anxious to get the unit in my hands. Just don't have faith in moodeals as I have never ordered from them before. But I saved $100.00 because I did order from them. So, doing the pee pee dance in anticipation here in MA. :-)

Zonker strips work well also.

Does the unit come with a helm mount, or is that a seperate purchase?

Just seeing this thread for the first time. I'll read the entire thread tonight, but I am very interested and I have a boat. A 16 foot Sylvan explorer with a 40 Merc. This is just the thing I need to rekindle my fishing.

Looking for some help here. I have had my 16 foot Sylvan for a little over 12 years. I bought a Raytheon L365 Fishfinder about 10 yeasrs ago and installed it onto my boat with a hull mounted transducer. This fishfinder has been very good to me and I have never had an issue with it. But, I want to upgrade to something newer. I have started to research the units currently on the market. Wow, have things changed. Down Imaging, GPS, sonar, etc... To say I am confused would be an under statement. So, I am turning to this community for some guidance. Here are some features that I want. Down Imaging, Fish Finder, I would like a "broad band" from the transducer, weather proof, hull mounted transducer, color monitor, and possibly GPS (if the right unit does not have GPS, it wouldn't be a deal breaker).. I would like to stay under $800.00 for the unit and the transducer. So far I am leaning towards a Lowrance Elite5 DSI, or a Humminbird597ci HD DI Combo. ANy remarks on these 2 units, or any others that you think would fill the bill for me?

What's Icast?

Sounds like I have the exact same metal cross brace. Only issue I have is that this new "Rule-Mate 500 GPH Fully Automated Bilge Pump" onl,y comes with screw holes in the bottom of the mounting bracket. Hence, I don't want to screw through my hull and have to play with Marine sealant every year to address a possible leak. I can not mount this pump to that Cross brace, unless I use a piece of 2x2 angle. Hmmmmmm... Now you have me thinking.

My 12 year old Sylvan Explorer's Bilge pump has been working fine. My only issue is that it's not automatic and I need that function as I now have an opportunity to leave my boat on my dock at my camp site. I just looked at my old bilge pump, and it's screwed to the inside of my hull, but not directly to the hull. It's screwed to a piece of metal in the hull. I don't see me getting into that spot with a cordless to put a new bilge pump on. So, I was thinking that there must be some sort of Aqua Glue for this purpose. If I could glue the base of my new bilge pump to the hull in the place of my old bilge pump, that would be the best. I was thinking maybe 5 minute epoxy? I have used this epoxy in the past for fly tieing reasons, and the stuff hardens up like a rock. But, is there a secific Aqua Glue that would hold the base of my new Bilge Pump to the hull in the wet and hot conditions that it will be exposed to? As always, thanks for taking a minute to check out this thread and I look forward to your responses. Tight lines!!!

The water temp was at 48 degrees today here in MA.

Great thread. Keep the recommendations coming.

I have had my Sylvan Explorer now for going on 12 years. To say I am emotionally attatched to her would be an understatement. The only rain that she has ever seen is if I am fishing on her. Other then that, she has a cover on her. At my old campground, I had a mooring. So, when I wasn't at the campground, I would wade in and place the cover on her. The straps for the cover are attatched from one side to the other by going around her hull. Here's my question. I have been fortunate enough to get a dock side spot. I still want to keep my boat covered, but wading into the water to put it on is getting old. Think I could have a custom cover made for her? She is a 16 ft. Side Console Aluminum Boat. Anyone here have a boat on a dock? If so, what do you do? I know the first thing I am going to do is to install an automatic Bilge pump. But when it comes to the cover, I think it's either a custom cover (which will coast an arm and a leg) or to wade into the water every Sunday afternoon to place the cover on. Ideas?

On the Weekends when I am at the Camper with the Family, I am up at 0415, and on the Water for 0445. If the Fishing is Outstanding, I'll be out until 1300ish. If the Fishing is so so, I'll be back by 0830 to cook Bacon and Eggs for the Family on the Grill.

Awesome advice and a timely thread. One more note to all. Don't neglect your Hubs this Spring. Not a pretty sight to have one let go on the highway.

I Lip Bass that are caught with a Soft Plastic or any other Lure that has a Single Hook. Only when it looks like I can do it SAFELY Though. When it comes to Crank Baits (my favorite way to fish), or any other bait with 2 or more hooks, I always use a Boga Grip. I Boga Grip the fish, then lip it to remove the hooks with Hemostats. Sometimes, when it looks like a Single Hook is in a spot that could stick me, I'll use the Boga. Ya see, just last year, I had a situation with a Rapala DT6 series Crank Bait. One of the Hooks on the treble in the fish, the other hook, on the same treble, firmly planted in my finger. Fish was thrashing about. Rod in other hand. So, I released the fish by cutting my line, then promptly made my way to the Hospital. The hook was that burried in me. So, when landing a fish, safety is always option 1 for this guy. That whole lift the fish from the water to the boat thing works for me. But I ony use it on a RARE Occasion when the fish is less then a lb.

Don't know whether I should go with a Spinning Reel or a Closed Face Reel for my 7 yr. old. He shows a lot of Promise a far as wanting to go fishing, and I want to buy him a Rod/Reel Combo for his B-Day (April 7th) that he can grow with for a couple of seasons. Yes he has been fishing with me in the past, but I am thinking/hoping that this is the year that I can take him away from the worm and bobber fishing into some more focused Bass Fishing. Anywho, any insight as to which Reel you would recommend would be great. Thanks in advance!!!

Wow. What a great Video. Great job Glenn. As far as Ike is comcerned, I now see him in a different light. He was very composed. I like that. He reminds me a lot of me. Gets very excited when fishing, yet very reserved when he needs to be.

I am currently in the market for a Spinning Rod combo that I will be using 4-6 lb Fluro on to be used in relatively shallow water with weightless plastics. I have been looking long and hard at a lot of different Rod Manufacturers. The G-Loomks GLX sticks out in my mind. I have casted a G-Loomis GLX 5 weight Fly Rod, and I was amazed at how the rod loaded in close, yet could still boom out a 90 ft. cast. It was by far, the best 5 weight I had ever casted. But, is the $400ish price tag really justified in the GLX Spinning Rods? Having never casted a GLX Spinng rod I want to be sure before I go spending my money on one becasue everything else that competes against the Rod is in the 250ish price range. Just wondering if anyone here had casted one or beter yet, fished a GLX. Was it the most sensitive Rod you ever Picked up? Was it worth the Money? Or is a St. Croix Tournament or a Kistler just as good?

Thanks to everyone for the input. I will be going with the Stradic FgFB. For a rod, I am going to be going with an Avid Tournament series XF Action Drop Shot.

One of my favorite ways to fish a Crank is in 6-8ft. of water when there is submerged grass that is no longer then 3-4 ft. Crank the bait over the grass and hold on for Tons of Fun!!!

Great thread as I am currently in the Market for a Soft Plastic Rod fore fishing weightless lures. I also was wondering what the difference is between F and XF...

I am an Avid Fly Rodder here in the North East. I usually travel to Northern NY to the Salmon river fron Nov. to March to get my Steel Head Fix. Also, I always go out here in NH on Jan 1st. for opening day. Today was the first time in years that I didn't go out due to the high winds and horribly cold weather.

...and with that, I need to go outside and Snow Blow the Fugging Driveway in 6 degree weather. I need to move to Florida...

I DO!!! Every Winter I get edgy, grumpy, and jut plain old ticked Off at the world. I think if has a direct relation to me being Housed up for 4-5 Months. I miss Camping, Fishing, and Riding. Fishing is the one that I miss the most. Hanging out on my Boat, just casting the day away. Yuh, that's the Life. :-[

Here's the deal. I am looking for a Spinning reel that I can rig up with 8 lb. Mono Test for use with weightless rubber lures. 7 inch lizards,Rubber Worms, and such. All I really know about Spinning reels is that I am partial to Quantum as far as my Casting reels go. I wanted to get a concensus here before I went spending my Money on Any reel. What Spinning reel are you using right now and are you happy with it?

SOLD!!! Thanks to all for the replies. Looks like I am going to go with this route, I'll just make sure that the batteries are topped off with Distilled Water before I have her Shrink Wrapped. :'(