DanC

Thanks for the replies. So it sounds like even the best fiberglass rods will not be as sensitive. That was the main thing. I wasn't sure if it was because I didn't buy a good one. I am going to check out the composite rods. Thanks.

I am using a fiberglass rod for all my crankbaits. It is not an expensive one. I think it was $60.00 to $80.00. It's an American Rodsmith's. I've been using it for a few years now. One thing I really like about it is that I don't lose as many fish on it. But One thing I really hate about it is that it is not very sensitive at all. I can't feel the vibration of the crankbait as much as I did with a graphite rod that I used to use and definitely don't feel the bites as good. Is this because of the quality of the rod or is it typical with all fiberglass rods? This is the only one I have ever owned. I am thinking about getting one of the blended rods. Like this one http://www.gloomis.com/content/g-loomis/us/en/home/conventional/rods/bass/CRANKBAITS.html. Does anyone use these? Does this still have the flexibility like a glass rod? I would love the one I'm using if it was just more sensitive.

Thanks a lot for all the responses! I really appreciate it. Very much. I was looking at the map and even inner Malletts Bay looks pretty big. I am going in mid July.

I was hoping I could go out of inner Malletts Bay into Outer Maletts Bay. I am fine with not going to the main lake. I would expect that to be like the ocean.

Tracker Pro ateam 175 with 75 HP optimax.

I am going on a trip to Mallets bay. Some people are making me nervous that my boat is too small and I wont be able to fish. If it is too rough I am wondering if there are any other lakes close by with public ramps. Also how many acres is inner malletts bay? I can't find this info anywhere. If it is big I might be able to just stay in the bay.

I just played with it in my driveway. It had nothing to do with the sun. The guy before me must have had the brightness turned all the way down. It has the adjustment right when you turn it on and I must not have seen it. Much better now. I still like the Humminbird better but going to stick with this for now to avoid having to patch screw holes from structurescan transducer and snaking wires. Thanks for the advice.

I have signed up to fish in the 2015 BBWC

I just got a 2010 tracker that has a Lowrance HDS-5 on it from I think 2010 because that's what year the boat is. My old boat has a Humminbird 798ci si. I finally got the new boat out and I can't see the screen at all in the sun. Is this normal? My Humminbird had this problem sometimes but nowhere near as bad. I was going to keep the Lowrance and try to figure out how to use it but if I can't even see the thing I am thinking maybe I should just switch everything over to Humminbird. Has anyone else had this issue? If yes how did you resolve it? I tried adjusting contradt which didn't help.

This was very helpful. Thank you.

I just bought a new (used) boat. I planned on switching the electronics because I thought what I had was better. I am not that familiar with Lowrance but after looking at the new boat I think the two fishfinders/gps may be equal. The new boat has a Lowrance HDS-5. It has two transducers. One of them looks like a structurescan transducer which I am assuming does side imaging. My old boat has a Humminbird 798ci si. As long as these two units are equal I would rather not go through the hassle of switching them. The Humminbird is from 2009 and the Lowrance is 2010. Does anyone know if these two units are equal? If the Lowrance has the structurescan transducer does that mean it has side imaging? Thanks for any help.