IndianaOutdoors

Line choice is very much a personal preference for most techniques. I prefer to use braid with a leader in most of my setups. That being said monofilament works well, is cheap, and was the only choice for several decades so it is a good choice as well. I'm not big on fluorocarbon but many here prefer it.

Guess I'll hang it up til spring. I simply do not have the patience for 6 casts an hour. I only fish for fun and that's no fun for me.

What power rod and what lures/techniques are you using? It makes a difference for me. I use 10lb power pro for ml rods that I use for light jigs, drop shot, light rapalas, ned, finesse etc. I use 20lb on medium spinning rods that I use for weightless plastics, finesse jigs, small spinners, etc. To me the hook, line and rod power should be somewhat matched. Ymmv

I'm right there with ya. Haven't had a bite in the small lakes I fish. Went to the spillway yesterday and caught 3 lmb a smallmouth and a crappie. Maybe the current or warmer water coming through the spillway is keeping them more active. I'll be staying tuned for other replies. Would like to get out again before ice up.

Height looks ok to me. As long as you can get it trimmed out appropriately without cavitation. If it will get up on plane keep an eye on the pee hole just to make sure it's getting water. Just out of curiosity what does it currently have for throttle control?

Sorry for my ignorance but what is a regrind?

No I don't have any experience with the reel that comes on that combo. It should be perfectly usable but it might only last a season or two. I would definitely at least use it before I replaced it.

What are you really after here? If the reel works use it. If you don't like it get something else. If it dies that means it quit working. I can't tell from the listing what reel that is. It's probably pretty cheap but could last you a couple seasons depending on what use it sees.

You may consider doing a stick steer setup if you don't find a tiller handle

@haggard maybe I missed it but what was wrong with the StarCraft? Or what is it that you like better about the 1448?

Decide what techniques and presentations you will use in the areas you fish. Go from there to decide what rods, reels, tackle you want to use. You can make alot of presentations work on the rods you have. In my opinion only you can answer your question and only after you decide how you will be fishing. Or if you have a bunch of money to burn just go buy a bunch of stuff and have fun. I think that's what most of us do.

Howdy from another northern Hoosier. How far north are ya?

Ditch the snaps. Better sensitivity, one thing less to break and collect weeds. Knots wear out and should be retied anyway. I used to use snap swivels before I knew any better.

I use a 7ft M ugly stik for lightweight rapalas and other small cranks. I just set it up for bottom bouncing for walleye. We'll see how it works.

I believe some of the second generation Helix units have autochart capabilities. Mine is a first gen and does not. I would buy a echomap 9sv with quickdraw but I might opt for another hummingbird just for ipilot link capabilities.

You can go on the navionics website and see the maps for free. That would be the best way to see if they have the lakes you want. I have a Helix 7SI with navionics that I bought this spring. I'm pretty disappointed in the accuracy of navionics on the lakes I fish. I'll be looking to get something with autochart or quickdraw in the near future. Also I would recommend the largest screen you can afford if you want to be able to see any level of detail from side Imaging. 7in is ok but i will be going bigger.

Quick update. Gave jigging mode another shot yesterday. I definitely noticed a difference this time. Just have to fine tune the sensitivity to be able to see the jig without cluttering up the screen with returns from weeds and bait fish. Made it easy to track quick depth changes of the jig. I'll be giving this another try with jigging spoons when I can get out again.

From what I have read jigging mode is only available on the SI units.

@Bucky205 when you say you fix it do you mean you tighten up the bolts our are you just rolling the bunk back into place and loading the boat? If you can roll the bunk by hand then it is too loose. You need to tighten the bolts on the brackets.

I think I understand now. Thanks @Team9nine

This is what I read. Don't understand what effect it should have on what I see on screen. Iv tried it and don't notice a difference.

The jigging mode is an option on the regular 2d sonar screen. I'm not on the flasher screen. Does jigging mode only apply to the flasher?

I have a Helix 7si. Can someone explain what jigging mode in 2d sonar is for? I did a search and everything I found was saying that it effects the priority of the ping. Can someone explain how this effects what I see on the screen and how it would be preferable when jigging?

Was out on Friday. Wind wasn't too bad. Surface temp was 50°F. The weed beds are mostly gone. Thermocline wasn't showing on sonar at all. Marked allot of fish at 30 ft in several spots either on bottom or suspended. Couldn't buy a bite. Tried jigging spoons and dragging jigs. I have no confidence fishing that deep. Tried pitching a paddletail around docks and what was left of weed beds. No bites. Still enjoyed being on the water though. There were allot of muskie guys on the water too.

I save the keitech for days when they're more finicky. On the days when the smallmouth are tearing it up I use some cheap Zoom Fat Albert's or havoc/powerbait paddle tails.