Rick Howard

I have been looking hard at depth finders for months. Planned to buy one in the spring. So I can't really comment on features I like but, from all the reading and all the videos I've watched, 360 degree scanning seems the most intuitive. Especially mounted I the front of the boat. If I could fish and see everything around me, that feels like a huge help. Viewing from multiple angles would be nice also. A birds eye view is very telling but being able to rotate your view point be incredible.

I like your style. I just moved out of the Buffalo area after 10 years of living there. I actually found a place that snows more... So I moved there lol.

No bother. It does well enough for me. Better options may exist but I have no issues with breaking this line or losing bass due to the line. Granted I'm not hauling whoppers. Big bass for me are in the 5lb category. I do not carry many setups and change my bait over Rod and reel. For me the 12lb tri line xt does it all except flipping.

12Lb tri line xt

I fish mono for everything but flipping.

Rappala original minnow or a spinner. I didn't count but they both caught a lot.

Lol winner goes to the person who gets bit.

Got about 2' here. I left buffalo in October. Two feet is 5' better than the worst we saw there.

Tying your own is easy too. It gives you a lot of control over the final product. You just have to donate your time.

Hahahahah nice.

I like this topic. I fish without electronics but I only fish one body of water. My success comes from my knowledge of fish and of the body of water. My knowledge of the body of water comes from previous experience (mine and others). So so long as a fella goes about gathering information within the rules I think it's good practice. Information is knowledge and knowledge is how we fish. Knowledge on the biology of fish. Knowledge of fish behavior. Knowledge of the body of water. Knowledge of baits and tackle. We all use information to be better anglers and catch more fish. Gathering information is extending ones knowledge and therefore, in my mind, part of fishing. if I am fishing a tournament than you can bet I will be seeking information on that body of water. Maps, Google earth, locals, previous years tournament records, anything available and within the rules. I would not miss a practice day either. However, I think it is poor ethics to ask an individual to only share information with me and not with others who come seeking it. I would not however ask only the most obvious locals. I propose a hypothetical scenario. Myself and Roland Martin make a friendly wager to fish lake okachobee. Give all things equal except for his knowledge based on years of fishing this lake and me never fishing it before. Who has the advantage? Clearly he does. Would it not serve good purpose for me to try an level the playing field by talking to locals? Please do not confuse my words. I am not proposing that myself an Roland Martin are truly equals when it comes to fishing. I proposed a hypothetical scenario which that was true.

The 20 is just what I have. Although with the scarcity of # 4 buck in 20ga I may have to get a 12.

I attempted some humor on the title of this post But my lack of typing skills on iPad made it translate to text poorly. In all seriousness I would look into your local laws regarding the use of force to defend your home. If for nothing else but peice of mind. Also classes from reputable teachers of using a firearm as protection. Former law enforcement officers are often good instructors. My my choice remains my 20ga. Rem 870 with #4 buck.

Okay I am all for guns but, if you don't know which hand pulls the trigger than a gun is not your answer. You should be asking for classes from qualified persons. Learn how to operate a firearm. Then learn to use one. Also you should look into your states laws. I would opt for a shotgun. With #4 buck shot. Three a plenty of models specific to this application and they are more practical in my opinion.

5/16oz spinner. White

Holy smokes! do they swim or waddle along the bottom?

I would have a hard time trusting information I recieved from someone else to begin with. I suppose that a practice day would allow testing for validity of that information given. But then again maybe you waste practice time tracking down what they gave you instead of finding your own information. Do we erase the moemory of a angler who has fished that lake in previous tournaments? They have an advantage over a rookie. How about watching previous years tournaments on a particular lake? If only information committed to memory is allowable, Then is it a memory contest or a fishing contest? Would you ban maps and compasses? Plenty of fisherman used those long long before the advent of gps. A bit more time consuming but you could mark spots that way. I think a depth finder and a few practice days help negate an outside knowledge gained. Ultimatly part of fishing is information gathering, at least in my opinion.

I have a neighbor whos boat cover ripped by an angler snagging the canvas. We all need do our part to make sure something like this does not happen. It gives the unreasonable a reasonable argument. Granted accidents happen. But leave them a message or knock on the door to confess your sins and pay for your mistake. Maybe I live in a different place but most folks around here are very friendly to me while fishing. Most property owners like to chalk up some small talk. Comments about the nice weather and question on how the fishing is. It often makes them happy to see you catch and release a fish from under their dock. I see lots of good people fishing and I see knuckle heads too. As a property owner and angler I like to see folks fishing the river in my front yard. It is a pleasure to see people enjoying the water in general. Skiing, boating, wave runners, tubes, kayaks, canoes, row boats, paddle boats I like it all so long as they are being safe and considerate. I get annoyed with people who do no consider safety or their wake. Go slow or get up on plane. I should not have to repair my property due to someones lack of responsibility, however, I live on the water and repairs for my shoreline rocks come with the territory.

Why did it have to be snake...

It has bun unseasonably warm here. I'm not complaining though. The last two winters were tough and we can use a reprieve. Maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself... Hopefully we have a dry spring too.

Wayne coming through Big again. I like the 9 and will gladly move it around the boat with me. I will look into this option.

I may have posted this prematurely. In at least one unit I want to take advantage of GPS and Mapping features. In both units I want Down Scanning and Side Scanning. I would never shell out $2000 for 2 Helix 9's. I really doubt I would spend $1500 for a 9 and a 5. I barely paid that for the boat.

Buy two Helix 5 SI (one front one back) or one Helix 9 SI? If just one Helix 9 then the question is where on the boat to put it...

Hey it is certainly a step in the right direction. Less is better for sure. I hope to hear back soon that you are free of the addiction.

That is very helpful! Thank you Wayne.