GonFishin

I have actually found something very similar to this in Lee Creek. Smaller muddy creek flowing into a larger one. There is a major drop in depth at that point. And the sonar shows fish there but haven't been able to get a bite. The difference is the bait fish are holding to the opposite side and there is no major cover in this area. So we are in the same boat just different streams.

So you were in Clear Creek? I fished several times down there last year. If I looked at the coordinates correctly I am not positive that is a creek outlet. I have taken my little scamp up that way and pretty sure it just comes out around the bend in the creek. I did have pretty good luck in that general area last year. However it was on the south side of the creek. There is a sort of "cliff"/rock face drop off and there is a single stump that barely breaks the top of the water. I've had some really good luck using a wacky rigged worm around that stump. Again this was last year.

I have an 8 ft boat and without the trolling motor attached or the battery in, it is incredibly light and you would have no issues putting it in and out of the bed of your truck by yourself. This is how I started out. I just found it a little time consuming waiting until I got to the water to put everything in, so I went ahead and bought a trailer.

I have one of these trailers and really like it. The one I got is 4 foot wide and 8 foot long and works great for my boat. I believe my boat is right at 4 foot wide on the top side but it seems to narrow towards the bottom of the "pontoons". However, my boat is older so the dimensions may not be the same as yours. The trailer pulls really well and is extremely light weight. It is a little tricky to back up since it is so short. I have considered putting a carpeted floor on it but if I'm using it strictly to haul my boat I figured what's the point. The boat sits on the cross rails just fine and I use ratchet straps to hold it down. I even mounted a Rubbermaid type box to the tongue area that holds my anchor and some other odds and ends.

Another question I feel dumb to ask, but here goes.... As I state in my original post, this is on a small scamp boat. I have the transducer mounted on the trolling motor which in turn is mounted to the front of the small boat. From what I can understand what I am seeing on the screen is what I am currently passing over correct? So would it make since to cast out of the back of the boat? I know that it does help to know bottom structure and at what depth the fish are holding, just not sure if I am getting the full potential from this unit. Thanks again.

I've got even better news. You can get a HDI transducer from Lowrance for half the price, roughly $66. I recently purchased a elite 4x chirp and it came with the 83/200 transducer just like you. Was ticked until I called customer service and they gave me a code to put in and gave me half off the total. This is what they told me... Go to store.navico.com search - 10976-001 this is the HDI transducer that works for my unit and I'm pretty positive it is the exact same for you put it in you cart and when you go to check out it will have a spot for a code and put in TDXTRADE Has to be all caps. It took them like a week to ship it out, but can't beat the price, plus you can still sell your current transducer and get some money back. Hope this helps! (Also hope it's ok I posted this. It didn't seem to be a big secret when customer service told me.)

I know exactly how you feel Bass Justice. I started bass fishing roughly 2 years ago and I have not figured out what to do and when to do it. I have several different set ups and a tackle bag full of stuff and I never seem to find the right combination. And just like you I feel like I change baits and tactics to quickly. I will say being a part of this forum has helped me learn way more then I would have ever on my own. Above everything else, I won't give up because there is nothing better than being on the water with the possibility of a giant about to grab my line.

Do you have a boat or looking for creeks to walk? With a boat there is Clear Creek in Alma, Lee Creek in Van Buren, there is Massard Creek which is accessible from Tremble Park (Lock & Dam 13) If you are walking creeks I was told about Vache Grass down towards Lavaca.

This is what I'm looking for. A solid starting point. Thank you.

I recently purchased a lowrance elite 4 chirp for my little scamp. I went ahead and purchased the HDI transducer so I could use the down scan. I have taken it out twice and have been struggling with the settings. One second it seems like the sonar is to sensitive so I adjust it and then it doesn't pick up hardly anything although the downscan shows multiple objects in the water. I'm not sure about noise rejection or surface clarity. Seems like everything changes when you adjust these. Plus the downscan does not produce the clear pictures I really thought it would. I will say that I am in farely shallow water. Roughly 10-20 feet. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

What did you use for the blade part? (Or whatever you call it) looks like wood. I used a piece of plexiglass and shattered most of it off today. Needing something more durable.

Thanks to everyone! This has been very helpful. I have often tried to read articles or watch a video and then try to implement what I just took in. Of course it never seems as productive as I think it should be but I also think I have been doubting myself and not allowing enough time and practice. I have a tendency to switch lures to quickly when I think one is not working. From what I'm seeing it's more then likely I'm doing something wrong rather then having the wrong tools. I have begun to read the thread Catt posted "demystifying structure" which has opened my eyes that I have been misjudging what to consider as structure and what is cover and how the fish relate to it. I have felt that if I could find a stump or lay down that was my best bet, but there is so much more going on other than simple cover. This is the direction I was looking for. Or at least a start point. Thanks again!

I have fished my whole life. Had always used minnows or worms with a bobber. Hey, it worked for my dad. Then about 2 years ago I bought a Hula Popper for $1 at a local Walmart, tied it on, and BAM!! a bass hit it hard, and so did the bass fishing bug hit me just as hard. I'm not a tourney guy nor do I have a bass boat. I do have a small scamp and a couple of decent rods and a tackle bag stuffed with different lures and plastics. For the most part I can catch one or two fish per outing....maybe. My question boils down to what did it take for you to become better then average? Was it being a part of this site? Was it reading books and studying patterns? Was it a new depth finder? Was it spending hours upon hours on the water? I buy new tackle and try new techniques and I feel I'm no better then I was with a minnow and a bobber. There is so much information out there it is overwhelming. I'm willing to do the work, just need a direction to follow. Thanks!!

Ok, so I contacted Lawrence and eddallen is right. They gave me a code to get half off the transducer. I ordered it off their site last Monday. And now I have heard nothing... I did get a confirmation email, but it has not shipped the last time I checked. I say the last time because I have not been able to log into their site the past few times to see if there is anything updated on my account. Pretty sad that a major corporation like that can't even ship a product from their site in a decent amount of time.

I recently bought the Lowrance elite 4 chirp for a little scamp I fish out of. I took it out for the first time yesterday and am extremely disappointed with the down scan imaging. I looked on the box and discovered it came with just a 83/200 transducer not a HDI transducer. Is this the issue or is it just the model in general? After reading a few other posts I'm thinking I should have went with something else if I was wanting a clear downscan image. Thanks

In from Van Buren. Just joined as well.

I live in Van Buren/Fort Smith

Hello. Found this forum when I was searching for ways to improve a little Pelican boat I purchased last year and really enjoyed the threads. I mostly like that there is no drama or bad mouthing you get in other places. Anyhow, I fish for anything that will bite but I've really had the bug for bass for the past year or so. I had never fished with artificial bait before then. Glad I found y'all!

When I am heading to wherever I want to fish I am usually in the middle of the boat. The handle on my tm extends out, but I still have to make small corrections to keep it traveling in a straight path. I will say that it doesn't extend as far as the picture above shows but I am relatively centered I feel. Maybe I do need to try a different position. When I first got the boat I had the tm on the back and did not like it at all.

I have my boat fairly well balanced with my and the tm up front and the deep cycle battery in the back. I would think an outboard would add a little to much weight. I believe I am going to build the rudder out of pvc as was pictured a few pages back. My only concern is how well it will stay on the boat or if it will come off easily.

I have read this thread from page 1 and finally decided I needed to join. Lots of great ideas. I've already decided my next project is a rudder. Glad to have found this site.