contium

If he isn't sponsored by any electronics companies, than he can pick what he thinks is the best for each task. Hummingbird is generally considered to have the best SI and Lowrance the best 2D and DI. And a lot of people seem to like Lowrance's mapping but then most are using Navionics which should be the same on other units so I don't get that.

What does a Hummingbird Helix have to do with what I said? Garmin blocked Navionics chips from working on Garmin units.

If you want good DI, make sure they don't have the CV transducer. They don't have a dedicated DI crystal. The "fake it" from the SI crystals. Garmin recently won a lawsuit and their GT transducer has a dedicated DI crystal.

What's funny is that several years ago, you could use Navionics in Garmins. They they locked out Navionics with a software update.

I've never turned mine off. I don't even know how to lol.

I've only replaced my once after 1 year of use. Still worked. Replaced them just because.

By all means use what works for you. Gary currently recommends the Owner TwistLock Light Hook that he helped design. From Gary's website linked above: "With *** from bass fishing professional and lure designer Gary Yamamoto, the TwistLOCKT Light was created as the ideal hook for rigging Senko-style baits and other thinner profile plastics." https://store.baits.com/product.php?productid=111&cat=42&page=1

Gary designed these hooks for Senkos. And yes, they are light wire. https://store.baits.com/product.php?productid=111&cat=42&page=1

Older and lower end trolling motors are pretty basic. A motor and resistors to control speed. Newer units are digitally controlled and are easier to fry. My boat has master breaker switches for both the starting/house batteries and the trolling motor batteries. I always switch them off before charging.

0 or 1/4oz when casting. Pitching T-Rig obviously more weight.

Tournament fished for years. Took all the fun out of it for me. Didn't particularly care for most tournament anglers. Got burnt out. Didn't fish for almost a decade. When I got back into it it was just for fun and still is. I avoid crowds and fishing weekends where our lakes are hammered by local clubs.

Southern California's highly pressured, tiny public lakes are definitely a tough place to fish.

Lowrance HDS-9 Gen 2 on the bow and two HDS-9 Gen 3's at the console. Just for fun. Never tournaments (anymore).

Tournaments. I only fish during the week to avoid them and crowds in general. Our lakes are tiny around here.

I'm with WRB on San Vicenete. Pass on Hodges. It has been dead all year.

Gen 2 is EOL and no more updates. Gen 3 should still be getting updates for a while. I have 1 HDS-9 Gen 2 Touch and 2 HDS-9 Gen 3 Touches. I don't notice much difference in daily use. Gen 3 is a little faster. Some like the screen better on the Gen 3. Built in WiFi on the Gen 3 is nice. Navionics Sonar Charts Live on the Gen 3 is awesome. I got my Gen 3's for under $1K each. Look for sales. With the Carbons out, there should be more.

I mainly just maintain now. My boat is my tackle box and it is at capacity. Anything new means something goes to make room.

Sunscreens are a scam. Cover up if your concerned about sun exposure.

I've done pretty good pitching the El Grande Lures Gila Monster. Nothing like Bamabass but it looks like he fishes a lot of private lakes.

+1 on not liking center rod storage. I guess it depends on if you go into your rod locker or tackle storage more. I am constantly going into tackle storage and its a pain if you have it stored in side compartments with rods laying on them.

Why is it low? It's a selling point. Do some research on the issue. Lowrance claims have been backed up on various other forums. More than a few ticked off Garmin owners.

I would avoid Garmin if downscan is important to you: http://www.lowrance.com/true-downscan

Odd thing is that the Quagga would almost seem to benefit the drinking water quality. I fished Perris last Wednesday and they told me further testing shows them to be free of Quagga.

I crimp barbs down on all soft baits. I haven't lost any fish that I would attribute to it.

I only fish weekdays. I own my business so I can do that. Here in SoCal, we have tiny lakes and tons of fisherman/clubs. You will have 60 boats on a 250 acre lake on weekends. If I had to deal with that, I would quit bass fishing.