Wayne P.

Most of the time when I use a leader it is fluorocarbon and in 20# test. I use it for weight to make the braid sink for finesse presentations. Most of my braids are the 8# mono equivelent diameters. My light setups have 6# mono equivelent diameter braids and I still use the 20# fluorocarbon if I need the weight. Otherwise I don't use a leader. One of the most visible non-fluorescent line colors is black and I see lots of recommendations for coloring braids with a black magic marker- just more fishermen's superstitions.

Side Imaging was marketed by Humminbird in 2004 and Lowrance copied it a few years later. That technology opens up a whole new world of underwater information. When operated correctly it will show just about a picture like image of what is below the surface and the water clairty has no effect. It is sonar used differently. It is used not only by fishermen, but it is used by those that hunt for shipwrecks/artifacts and for search and rescue. With that technology you are not limited to what is directly under the transducer and can observe what is on the bottom and in the water column up to 360' on each side of the boat (for a transom mounted transducer). Stuff looks like stuff rather than a blob on the 2D sonar display. This is an example of a stump/log pile with regular sonar and Down Imaging: I didn't have the unit set up for "stuff", I had it set to find fish so the image clairty is not as sharp as it could be. I have posted a screen shot before that has the image clarity of a photograph of the lake bottom. I have seen images for shipwrecks with Lowrance and Humminbird equipment that shows very good detail. The Pros use that technology to make them more efficient in catching and making a living.

Basically I check to see where the fish are before I start fishing, I don't waste my time blindly casting and hoping to catch one "somewhere". Once I determine a pattern based on the fish's position that is all I do. You don't have to know were all of them are exactly, just were some are at different parts of the lake. That method works quite well--I have caught 2,426 bass so far this year. Sometimes I will save a waypoint for a particular feature, but mostly I don't. I know the lakes I fish very well and can return to an area easily. When I am fishing an electric only lake like in the pictures, I turn the bow unit on when I launch and it stays on until I put the boat back on the trailer. When I fish outboard lakes, I leave the bow unit on all the time and only run the console units when at the console. That saves battery power and prevents cross-talk. As far as the sonar pings bothering the fish, that is just another fishing myth that makes a difference if you think it does, and makes no difference if you think it doesn't. Kind of like lure color and line color.

Getting back to the 587ci capabilities, this screen shot gave me the pattern for the first two I posted. I do a search across the lake to see what the fish's positions are and base my tactics on that for summertime to early Fall. All of the images are with a bow mounted unit and a trolling motor mounted transducer on an electic-only lake.

You are correct. Copy the picture to your computer and open the file with a picture viewer so you can enlarge it. The bass will be very apparent. I am used to using that technology so I have no problem seeing them.

Jig Man, that is a good example of the Down Scan showing fish. Here is a Down Imaging/2D screen shot of bass feeding on shad next to a bush. I caught two of those bass-one was 4# and other was 3 1/2#

In the previous screen shot, the bass (arch) at the number 20 was caught. The position of the arches in relation to breaklines will help you determine if they catchable. The other ones suspended above the thermocline and to the left in the image are not as easily caught. I caught a couple of these bass on the left side of the screen shot where the thermocline intersects the bottom (under the temperature box). Same senario as the first image. "It's so easy a cave man can do it"

Any sonor unit can be used on any craft including a tube. All you need is a way to hold the display and transducer plus a 12V power supply. The X-4 would work find, just get a flat faced tranducer like the type used on trolling motors for ease of use.

A sonar unit will show everything in the water column including fish if you have the correct settings and boat movement. Your unit will show fish as an arch shape. Turn on the unit Simulator and you will see lots of examples of fish arches. This is an example of some fish just above the thermocline:

Side Imaging on the trolling motor is a very useful tool. For the bow, a larger display is better since you are farther away from it than when at the console. The larger display makes returns larger in size with the same settings on both a smaller and larger model. There is only one 700 series Side Imaging unit for 2011 so that is the same as the 800 series. For the 2012 model year, the 858c DI was introduced which is basically the equivelent of the 788ci HD DI in the 700 series. There are other 700 series DI units with lesser features, but SI is way more useful than DI due to the coverage it has. I use Side Imaging on both ends of my boat, but use the bow unit probably 95% more than the console unit. I'm on the water for fishing so the bow is where I spend most of my time. Since I have learned how to use SI, I rarely even use DI or 2D sonar any more. I have the 798ci SI and the 1198c SI units. I prefer those models over the 898 or 998 due to the digital data boxes taking up the left side of the display on the 898 and 998. I want a full width display for SI and multi-views.

http://store.humminbird.com/products/356206/385ci_Combo_Kayak

Lowrance does not have a unit that is an equivelent down imaging and 2D sonar in any price range. To get the same functions with Lowrance equipment you would need two units. They have the DSI series that is Down Scan only. The Mark 5X DSI is the same price as the Humminbird 570 DI.

Any model that has the blades on the inside of the handle when in the pliers position. The Leatherman has those on the outside of the handle and gripping something with force or cutting heavy wire (hooks) is painful to the hand. I have several multi-tools and use the Gerber the most for heavy work and carry a Leatherman Micra with scissors all the time. I don't carry the regular Leatherman any more since getting the Gerber.

Forget what pound test a superline is, get the one that has a diameter that is suitable for the presentations. 4# or 6# mono equivelent diameters don't have much shock strength so it is not good for baits that may cause backlashes (spinnerbaits, some cranks, Chatterbaits, buzzbaits, etc). A minumum of 10# diameter is best for those presentations with baitcasters. For hooksets with plastics, the 4# diameter and under sizes will snap also, Use 6# diameter or larger for those on spinning gear or baitcasters. I use 8# diameter superlines for most light presentations and 10# diameter and larger for heavy duty work (frogging, flipping, the before mentioned presentations). deep's advice is right on.

I use a video camera that has a remote control. I turn the view screen towards me, compose the picture and push the photo button. I put the camera on a pole in the seat pedistal socket on my back deck.

Today, I had 9 rigged with plastics. Sometimes more sometimes less.

Really easy and cheap. A 1/8 aluminum ferrule and some 1/16" aluminum ferrules used to make loops in cable ends. A bundle of marker flags used to mark utilites or sprinkler heads. Some snap swivels. A hammer and pliers. About 5 minutes. Contrary to Tom's video, you do not want a weighted head. It will create more tangles with your line than you want to fool with.

I use a Troll Perfect with my TE 109.

Lowrance has the Safari series that reads Navionics mapping software. Delorme has mapping with their units, don't know about the detail for waters though. Some prefer the mapping software that Garmin has. It all depends on what products have the coverage and detail you want.

Tom did a good job with his version. No way am I buying that crimping tool though. I use a hammer.

Seafoam for me. It does what Stabil Marine Formula does plus it de-carbons. It preserves for a longer period of time also.

2,353 so far this year. Yes, I keep count, been doing it for over 35 years.

I used the A-rig knock-off today and only caught two with it. I didn't find any situation where it would be a standout presentation. I only used it for about an hour.

No, its been used in various forms for years.

The A-rig was responsible for the win (Dan Moorehead) at the Everstart event today. Most of the top ten were using it.