BrianMRetter

Field & Stream. $470, with a mail-in-rebate for a $40 MasterCard gift card http://www.fieldandstreamshop.com/p/humminbird-helix-5-si-gps/15hmbuhlx5sgpsxxxfel

What about jerkbaits spinnerbaits crankbaits & topwaters?

I'm pretty excited, I scored the Helix 5 SI/GPS for $430, and a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Angler for $830 @ Field & Stream

Thanks Wayne, I appreciate it!

I'm kind of confused. Maybe their website is outdated, but when I go to purchase Navionics+ from their website, it asks for the make/model of my unit...then it tells me it is incompatible :/

Wayne, I have a question for you...I decided to go with the Helix 5 SI/GPS...problem is, I was really hoping it was compatible with Navionics SonarCharts (Great 1' increments on the small lakes I fish) but it appears it isn't...In fact, I don't see anything it is compatible with! Do you have any advice?

Nobody?

I searched and didn't find a whole lot of information about Cedar Creek Lake in Lincoln County, Kentucky. Maybe some of you Kentucky anglers can help me out. I'm driving down from Indiana for 3 days (March 23, 24, 25) and fishing from kayak. Does anyone have any good information/advice on this lake? I would really appreciate it!

Just put in my first order last week, excited to get them

Oh, I forgot to mention it's for a kayak :b

In a few days I'll be pulling out my wallet to get my first fishfinder. I've decided (99%) on a Humminbird Helix 5 SI/GPS. Does anyone know if this is compatible with the Navionics Plus Card? I'm referring to the card that I select exactly which lakes I want online, then load them to my card, not the pre-downloaded regions. I'm a bit confused with all of Navionics different offerings. What I'm mainly after is their Sonar Charts, because they have the best coverage of the small bodies of water that I fish. If anyone has any experience or could let me know I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks again for all the replies! This is a relatively clear lake for the area. I'm estimating 6ft visibility maybe.

Thats alot of good information! I really do appreciate it. This is the map of Lake Summit Reservoir in Indiana. Not sure why Navionics has two bridges listed, there are none (maybe submerged). According to the "Sportsman Connection Indiana Fishing Map Guide", there are no gizzard shad. It states that the bass feed on yellow perch and bluegill.

Okay so based on suggestions, I've decided on the following (spinning rods only): Medium Light/Extra Fast Medium/Fast Medium Heavy/Fast Now the question is...which do I use for which techniques? Sorry for the newb questions, I'm still learning the specifics :/

I've read a lot of articles here and on various other websites that say to search for pre-spawn bass in the northwest coves & bays of lakes/reservoirs, because the NW generally warms first and these areas are protected from cold winds coming out of the north. Does this mean to ignore the other coves and bays that may be on the south or east? I know from reading that it's also important to find structure running from deep to shallow. I've got maps of a few lakes I plan to fish this spring, and I like having somewhat of a gameplan before I ever hit the water.

Hello! My name is Brian, from East Central Indiana. Last spring I took up bass fishing as a new hobby and now I'm obsessed! I fish mostly small lakes & reservoirs from a kayak, but occasionally local ponds from the bank. I only recently joined Bass Resource, but I've already learned so much! It seems like every week (sometimes every day) I have a new question. I do my best to find the answer by searching, but hopefully I don't post too much! It's hard not to take advantage of all the good information & knowledgeable people here!

Thanks for all the great info! Exactly what I was looking for!

I do a lot of kayak fishing, and the way mine is set up it would be difficult to take more than 3 rods out. I'd like to accomplish as much as possible with a 3 rod setup. I don't need specific brands/rods, but more like if you could only choose 3 rods, what Length/Action/Power would they be and what line on each. Lures I'm currently familiar with and/or learning are Crankbaits, Jerkbaits, Spinnerbaits, Senkos & Jigs. I'll probably get crap for this ,and I know baitcaster reels are better for a lot of applications, but I really just prefer spinning reels for the time being. Thanks so much!

Thanks so much for all the replies!

How about side imaging? The Dragonfly 4 has DI and normal 2D I believe

Hello! I'm new to bass fishing as of last spring. I fish Indiana lakes & ponds from a kayak, and 85% of the time its 15-20ft deep or less (usually bays/coves/banks). I'm looking at a Raymarine Dragonfly 4 PRO to add to my toolbox...My question is, is down imaging (or a fish finder in general) even all that useful for my type of fishing? If I understand correctly, it basically will show me whats in a cone directly below me. In the shallow waters I fish, won't I pretty much be directly over the fish? Won't that spook it? I guess I don't fully understand the tactics used in this situation. Sorry for the very newbish question, I'm still learning. I really appreciate any insight!