Wayne P.

There are no new 500 series, the 600 series has replaced the 500 and 700 series except for the 718.

" They said it showed the fish clearly and structure clearly." That means IF you know how to interpret sonar and how to operate the unit. I would suggest you do some research about sonar units such as this article: http://support.lowrance.com/system/selfservice.controller?CONFIGURATION=1001&PARTITION_ID=1&secureFlag=false&TIMEZONE_OFFSET=&CMD=VIEW_ARTICLE&ARTICLE_ID=2967

Depending on the material the hull is made of, you could lose some sensitivity doing a shoot-thru installation of the transducer. The Humminibird DI units do very well with that type installation. It is not recommended for Lowrance DSI units though.

I have over a dozen brands and some customs--not going to check them all for a listing since I have somewhere around 50. I purchase based on use and features. The brand is of no concequence and I would not recommend any particular brand. Occasionally I give some away and purchase more--it's just the way I roll.

Comparison images. This is a brush pile before full pool: This is the same one a few years later with Side Imaging-- Humminbird 1198c SI Combo

Weedless wacky rigged finesse worm: Same presentation---- different fish and worm color:

Humminbird 1198c SI Combo Very large bass getting lunch in a creek channel:

Humminbird 1198c SI Combo Using FishID to see a bass feeding on a school of shad

Humminbird 1198c SI Combo Crappie on the rocks

Humminbird 1198c SI Combo Using FIshID to indicate bass in tree limbs

Humminbird 1198c SI Combo DI view of tree with algae on it and a school of bass nearby

Humminbird 798ci SI Combo with HDSI transducer Creek channel with vehicle tracks made during lake construction

I hold the fish as close to my body as I can and centered without touching my cloths. I use a remote control camera to take the snapshot.

Unless the boat is made out of lead, you won't have any issues towing that little boat with that truck.

I do somewhat the same with the weighted EWG style hook--I use the Falcon brand 3/32 weight. I use a #10 crochet needle, push it from the belly slot through the nose, hook the line and pull the line through, then tie on the hook, and pull the hook eye into the nose--less plastic damage. I also open the hook bend to have the point parallel with the line of pull for more positive hookups. Sometimes I use the Owner swimbait hooks with the spring lock on the eye, faster rigging when the bass are schooling. I add weight if needed using the rubber core sinkers without the rubber core.

This will save you some search time. Look on the right side of the page updated two days ago. http://www.orvis.com/fishing_report.aspx?locationid=7304

Yes, I have heard of that case. It is the Jackson River below Lake Moomaw-Gathright Dam (called Lower Jackson River) and it is still a trespassing issue. The State stopped stocking trout in that section in 1993.

Add this to your research files: http://www.adventuresports.com/river/nors/us-law-menu.htm

I would check the weather forecast and not go fishing when there is a high wind warning, severe thunderstorm watch, and tornado watch for the entire state.

Marine grade plywood

For the DSI to produce the images, you have to be moving since the sonar pulses have to scan as the unit records.

One thing about the Hummibird 5" models with the 640 x 640 pixel dislays, they have the highest resolution in the industry. 31,170.5 pixels per square inch. You will get the sharpest images with those, smaller than a larger display unit with the same settings,,but sharper. This is a creek channel screen shot with my 798ci SI with a trolling motor mounted transducer. The lines on the right side are vehicle tracks made during lake construction.

Any SIde Imaging is better than no Side Imaging regardless of the display size.

You can make the blunt end more pointy for weed use by using the Yamamoto Grub Guards. It is shaped like a bullet slip sinker and made out of soft plastic.

I don't think I have ever heard of or seen a straight shank EWG hook. I agree with Scott F about the barb.