EastMarkME

Wow. That is great info WRB. I knew temp mattered but wasnt sure what the surface temp told me. How do you determine where the thermocline is and is it something you use often as a locating tactic ? Mark

I'll tell you the 'rest of the story' as Paul Harvey would say. I recently got a seperate Humminbird that reads temp among other things in the front of boat finally. The tranducer cable on this wireless MG trolling motor I have is a PIA due to the way the motor stores. The cables in the way all the time or getting pinched. They make a built in transducer option I can add but the transducer is Lowrance and I will loose my temp capibility cuz mines a Humminbird. The cable runs inside the tube on that setup which is awesome. I will still have the fishfinder/GPS which is what I use most anyway. So I guess Im wondering if I'll be hindering my fishing much to loose the temp. I still have the handheld digital probe I can check with when I first get out to get an idea of general temp. Some good responses so far. Thanks for them. Im learnin.... Mark

So I know that water temp matters. I check it when I go out and as most have general rules of thumb where to start lure and presentation type/speed based on temp/season. My question is does it matter in general to keep in contact continually with specific temps throughout the lake as you fish ? Does it always or ever payoff to pay attention to the varying temp in terms of figuring out patterns ? Is it more theory or rarely a help or is it a practical daily practice for you guys that really helps ? Its 68 here and next spot 70...do I need to care? Thanks for any insight guys. Mark

Should work just fine for smallies ! Enjoy it. Mark

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=200711&ac=PHnws Something to think about. Had a guy get struck and killed while in his boat with a friend up here a few years ago. Not a good day. Mark

I dont know much about them but did pick up the 595C GPS/Fishfinder color combo for $349 at Dicks. Its being discontinued. It was around 5 bills a short time ago. I will leave it to others as to whats best. It works for me as an recreational fisherman who doesnt do tourneys or get too serious. Mark

How bout an iTouch (ipod) so you can get the GPS app and your tunes to listen to and no one can call you. ;-) Much better than the iPhone. lol Mark

Cart I am coming to the conclusion that is the case. The way the motor slides up to stow nothing can be cable tied to the shaft. ;( Mark

I love the W55 wireless Motorguide on the boat. Adding a transducer puck to it now and damned if I can figure a reasonable way to route the cable so its not getting pinched or in the way. Worst part is a few months after I got it I see they have a model with the transducer built in. Only now do I realize how cool that feature is. Any tips on routing for this wireless style troller? Mark

Only 2 things I'd make payments on is my home and if I had to a car. The boat is cash or it doesnt come home with me. Ive had some of my best times fishing from my $100 float tube and still would be using it all the time if I had to do payments on the boat. Not saying thats right or wrong...just the way I need to do things for me so I sleep good at night. Im pretty conservative I guess. I fish from my 18' Sweetwater Pontoon Boat with a wireless Motorguide trolling motor and Humminbird Fishfinder/GPS. Works great for me. Mark

That is why I posted the question. I wondered that myself. At the same time Ive caught 2 large bass over the years that regurgitated bluegill when I got them to the boat. That may have been pure coincidence too though. Usually if that happens it a crawfish or something else smaller. Mark

Worming a 2'-3' rocky area I general catch some good bass and the bluegill were driving me crazy pecking at the Senko even dragging it around.I knew it wasnt bass hits and actually caught one of the little rats. What should I do ? Change location ? Change lures ? Mark

Let us know how you do ! Mark

I think so too. Some great thoughts about a critical part of converting bites to landing fish. I am a intense line/tip watcher but never put a finger on the line. I may try it next time out. I want/need badly to increase my hookup percentage and love to learn and improve. I miss too many. Mark

Ain't that the truth? ;D Id like the opinion of the seasoned guys if a finger on the line is needed or recommended or a good sensitive rod is all you need...or if both is neccesary while worm/jig fishing ? RoadWarrior ? Catt ? Others ? Thanks Mark

Ive caught a few alewives recently while jerk baiting this season Bass1. Also caught some nice LM recently. Them smallies are tougher for me...but I will figure them out. Im determined. I have a little better feel for them then I did. It takes some getting used to fishing 15+ feet of water compared to LM shallows. Mark

Spent an hour on youtube and fishing sites learning about dropshotting just this AM. I am starting to 'get' the deeper water thing although its unnatural to me. I am going to set up for it and try it next time out. Mark

Just did alot of research and agree on the 565. Of course when I went in to buy it I got the 595C GPS/Combo that was on sale $349. ;-) BTW,Cabelas has the 565 for $179 on sale now. Mark

Went to buy a 565 Fishfinder at Dicks...was gonna have them match the Cabela's $179 price and saw this other unit....Dicks has the Humminbird 595C Color GPS/Fishfinder for $349. I read a few bad reviews and less good ones. Anyone here have one ?? Mark

Thanks. I wondered about abrasion but this helps. Lets face it...abrasion only matters if you get a fish on...and Im thinking more fish with the lighter line. I'll try it and gladly take my chances. These new 6-8 lines are so different than the old line. I love it. Mark

I HAVE A QUESTION? WHY WOULD IT MATTER WHAT TYPE OF RIG YOUR USING? REALLY. YOU DONT THINK IT WOULDNT BE SOMETHING THAT YOU ARE DOING, SAY LIKE MAYBE NOT OBSERVING YOUR SURROUNDING AND CONDITIONS. I am not trying to be an ***, just trying to understand where your coming from. Thing is, I have no problem landing Bass on any type of rig. I land Bass every time I go out. Not to boast, but its just expected of me and myself. GOOD LUCKS TO YOU IN CATCHING THE "BIG KAHUNA." FishKiller, No need for caps here really. We hear ya. His response is actually exactly they type answer I was looking for. I wanted 'What would you do?" replies and appreciate his reply as well as yours. Its all good. No right or wrong answers on this one. Anyways, You keep catching them, I'll keep learning , and everyones happy here. :-X Mark

Big Zara Spook and Slapstick fan here. Its fun for sure. OK...5 setups. ;-) Mark

The wealth of fishing information on this site is amazing. Impossible to absorb it all. Its a beautiful thing. Mark

Thanks guys. The lakes over 3K acres. I am changing my line to 8 lb Yuri from 10 lb Stren on most of my reels hoping it helps a little. Hope the 8 holds up in the rocks. I will check the last few feet frequently. I decided Im going to tie on a Senko setup,a Fat Ika setup,a Spinnerbait setup, and a LC jerk bait setup and focus on unseen structure. Leaving the other rods and most tackle home. Keeping it simple might help me get back on track. Mark