Crankhead

Jig Man...my routine after fishing is to charge the batteries & unplug the charger when they've got a full charge. With all the batteries I've had in the past 12-15 yrs...I've never had to add as much water every time I use them like I did last season.

Thanks for all of the info...now I just have to pick one!

I've got 2 Crown deep cycle batteries in my Lund boat that I'm looking to replace. They are connected to the trolling motor. All last fishing season I'd check the water levels before charging & I had to add alot of water every time I used the boat (about 2-3 times a week). So I'm trying to find the best battery that won't break the bank. I know I can't afford Optima...so I need some suggestions. I did read jdw174's post but it sounds like he's replacing only the battery that is used for starting & his electronics..

Marty...our annual trip to Ontario is always the opening weekend in May (21st for 2011)...where we get a fair amount of rain & some snow...it's always changing. I've have used insulated boots the past few trips & my feet get too warm. For this next pair, I want to get uninsulated Gore-Tex boots to go with the wide variety of Under Armour boot socks that I have. So when the weather changes...I'll just use a different pair of socks. I will be in the boat for a week from 6/7am till about 5/6pm everyday. So the acrtivity is more or less just movement in the boat.

I've got a Humminbird 798 CI SI with the XTM-9-SI-180T transducer that came with the unit. I've been reading about another transducer to upgrade the 798 unit...XTM-9-HDSI-180T. I'd like to hear if anyone else has:1)upgraded to the HDSI transducer. & 2)if they recommend the new HDSI.

I also had the 334 but unlike others, I kept having problems with the unit. So when it came to totally upgrading my boat...I went with a 798 in front & a 997 at the console. They are both fantastic units. I did have one reoccurring problem with the 798. I sent it in to Humminbird for service. Once they received it, they made some adjustments & got it back to me 5 days later. Man was I surprised.

Thanks for all of the replies...I've got plenty to compare & see which one fits the best. That's what I love about Bass Resource...if you're looking for advice on a product...this is the place to come. Thanks guys.

I'm looking to buy boots and see what everyone recommends. They would be for spring trip to Ontario and also to use in the fall. I think I'm better off with non insulated boots as where I can always put on heavier socks. But I do want boots with Gore-Tex.

I fish strictly at night due to the heavy pleasure boat, jet skiers, water skiers, etc. I see boats with the black lights and would like to get info on the good & bad of using them. I fish for bass using plastics & some cranks (no live bait). Is the black light useful for this type of fishing? What are the dos & don'ts when using these lights. Is it a heavy drain on the boat battery? Thanks for any help and/or suggestions.

I just got the response back from Humminbird on if the KVD conditioner should be used on their screens. The response was not a no. But they suggest windex vinegar multi surface cleaner as what I should be using.

buzzcatcher...your answer is what I'm hoping to hear. I've tried windex, dish soap & even saliva but still get the smears. I have the 778c & 997c & just want to be sure before I try the conditioner. I did send humminbird a note & expect a response back in a few days. Thanks for the info.

I've been looking for a product I can use on to clean the screen on my humminbird sonar/gps locators. I asked at bass pro & the guy takes me to watch a video playing about KVD's line conditioner. KVD explains how the conditioner works on your line & then Bill Dance comes on & says that you can use the conditioner to clean the screens of your sonar/gps units. Has anyone else heard of this and/or used this conditioner on their units?

Fyi...with the new colors that Lucky Craft came out with, the baby blugill has been awesome. I've got the Fat CB BDS2 and the Sammy 100 both in the baby bluegill colors and have had great results the 1st time out.

I've been trying out the Sufix castable fluro and think it's pretty good. I'v been using the KVD line conditioner and haven't had line twist problems..

I'm getting ready for my Canada trip to Sioux Lookout on the 15th. I'm trying to find a braid that works in clear water lakes. I was watching a fishing show on Sturgeon Bay, Wisc (whish is really clear water) and the guide was using Fireline Tracer catching smallies. I'm looking to get advice from those who use braid on clear water lakes...any suggestions?

I'd like to throw topwater but bass season just opened in wisconsin & the water temp on saturday was 49. For those fishing in the north, what temp is preferable before you start throwing topwater?

Thanks for all of the input. I think I'll also give the Alberto knot a try.

St Croix Legend & Tournament Bass rods I think are great rods.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've been working on tying the 2 lines w/uni knot...gonna have to keep practicing. How many of you put a drop of glue on the knot? Do you think it would help strengthen the knot or is it something that's not needed?

I want to tie fluro line to braid. I need some suggestions on what knots I should try, which one is the easiest to learn and which one is the strongest. Also If I've got say power pro braid, does thediameter of one need to be matched to a certain fluro diameter?

I just got the Interlink today. Where's the best place to mount it in the boat?

I have the 997c SI on the console & a 788c on the trolling motor. The one thing I would suggest is to find any Humminbird seminars (I went to one at the BassPro Classic) and attend as many as you can. The seminars made it much easier to understand what I'm actually looking at. Godd luck...they are awesome units.

I went to a Humminbird seminar at the BassPro Classic last weekend. During the presentatation it was suggested that if you have 2 Humminbirds, you should connect them up with the Interlink Network Module. I have a Humminbird 997c SI & a 788c SI and fish about 3 times a week. I always thought that only the guys fishing tournaments use an accessorie like the Interlink. I'd like to hear what other non tournament fisherman think. And is the Interlink difficult to install?

Here's what I went through. I've got a Lund 18 1/2' on a Lund trailer. The bearings are sealed. I bought the rig in 2006. I had a trailer place grease and repack the bearings in the fall of 08. Last summer I was heading to the lake when I heard an explosion...the left side wheel flew off the trailer and hit a mini van head on. Thank God nobody was hurt...the mini van was totaled and the boat trailer needed a new axle & wheel. But no damage to my boat. I guess I'll be getting the bearings repacked every spring...actually wish I had buddy bearings instead of sealed bearings.

I saw a add for a mount for a trolling motor...not sure if it's what your looking for. Go to: www.procontroll.com