Tennessee Boy

None of it alone is that heavy. According to Amazon, 360 weights 13 lbs. (I'm sure that's the box and everything in it) and target lock weights 20 lbs. Then there is a separate mounting bracket that you have to buy if you have 360 and Live. The trolling motor is pretty heavy to start with so it all adds up. It's nothing I can't handle but it's heavy. You can't just reach down a grab the cord with two fingers. You have to work at it a little. Breaking news: I just checked the web and Minn Kota does sell a mount to help with the weight problem. It's an entirely new mount, not just a gas spring and cost $450. https://minnkotamotors.johnsonoutdoors.com/accessories/trolling-motor/mega-live-targetlock-and-mega-360-ultrex-accessory-mount-80lb-45

In November, I installed the Humminbird Target Lock on my Ultrex trolling motor. This allows me to control Mega Live using a foot pedal remote, a hand remote, or my fish finder. It also has a setting where it will point in the same direction as the trolling motor. It has some great features, such as the ability to aim it separately from the trolling motor and use spot lock and FFS at the same time. It also has some disadvantages. It turns a little slower than the trolling motor and is a little harder to control with the remotes. Another issue I have encountered is that when I point it straight out to the left side, the trolling motor partially blocks the FFS beam, causing a lot of interference. I have found a partial work around to this problem and I’m looking at some possible solutions. The Target Lock is attached to my Ultrex trolling motor along with a Mega 360 transducer, making the trolling motor very heavy. I estimate it takes about 25 lbs of force to pull it out of the water. I hope MinnKota will sell a replacement lift assist gas spring that will account for the extra weight. Overall, I like the Target Lock, but I can’t say I love it.

A gallon of water weighs about 8 pounds. Tie your line to a full gallon jug and lift it off the ground with your rod and reel. After doing this I think you’ll understand why you don’t need 25 pounds of drag. Do this soon so you’ll have time to replace the broken rod before spring. ?

That's a lot of folks!

I will say that ChatGPT probably knows more about fishing (and everything else) than any human. Just for fun I've been asking it questions that others have asked on the forum. I have not posted the results. It answers most of the questions better than I can answer them. Someone ask a question about throwing a whopper plopper on a specific model of Dobyn's rod. ChatGPT understood the question. It knew the weight range of whopper plopper and the specs on the specific rod. It gave a correct answer based on that information. Anyone can look that up on the Internet. I suspect that the person who ask the question just wanted some confirmation from other anglers. What ChatGPT doesn't have is wisdom, judgement and the human touch. It answers the age old question about what type of line is best by saying they all have their place. We all know that's true but it's still fun to argue about it weekly (if not daily) on this forum and we learn other things in the process. I don't think we're going to be replaced by a chatbot anytime soon.

I’ve thrown a lot of stuff at it on a lot of different subjects. It’s amazing. I have found some limits to it’s ability but people also have limits. What amazes me the most is its ability to understand context. I posted earlier its response to “What is your personal best largemouth”. It said basically it can’t fish so it doesn’t have a personal best. What’s amazing is it’s ability to understand the question. If you ask a bunch of random strangers on the street that question, think about the responses you would get. If you ask an avid angler they would tell you about the biggest largemouth they have caught. Most people would have no idea what you’re asking. We use the term personal best to mean the biggest fish you have personally caught. Not the prettiest fish or the smartest fish or the endless other ways you can judge a fish. The same term “personal best” means countless other things in other contexts. ChatGPT was able to understand that the word largemouth refers to a species of fish. From that it figured out that I was asking the question in the context of fishing. It had learned from its training that fishermen refer to the biggest fish they have caught as their personal best. So it understood that the question “What is your personal best largemouth?” means “What is the biggest largemouth bass you have ever caught while fishing?” That may seem simple to you but it is not as simple as you think. It could mean anything. It could mean what is your best painting of a large human mouth. People understand context easily most of the time. Teaching computers to do it is extremely hard.

What is your favorite color? As an AI, I do not have the ability to have preferences or feelings, including a favorite color. I am designed to process and respond to information based on my programming.

And the response is: The airspeed velocity of an unladen European Swallow is approximately 11 meters per second, or roughly 25 miles per hour. However, it should be noted that this is a reference to a line from the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," and is not a scientifically accurate statement.

I was joking mostly with my last statement. I think AI is going to change the world in a major way. I have no idea what the new world will look like. The capacities of ChatGPT blows my mind.

Remember, AIs learn everything they know from humans so they are limited in how smart they can get. ?

That's very interesting. I would love to see that video. I've wondered if Humminbird would try to take Target Lock in that direction. It would be VERY hard to do with fish that are close to the bottom.

I don’t think you understand what Humminbird Target Lock is. You mount the Mega Live transducer on it and it turns so you can use it to control Mega Live instead of using your trolling motor. You can lock it on a spot and it will turn the transducer to keep it pointing at the spot as you move. If you lock on a stump that’s 30 ft north and then you move 60 feet to the north you want the transducer to be pointing to the south at the stump. If you only move 10 ft to the north then the transducer should still be pointing north. The direction and distance matters. Yes the stumps actual location is 3 dimensional but I don’t care in this case because Mega Live is live in two dimensions. I can see it if it’s 5 ft deep or 30 ft deep. You can select targets in different ways like waypoints or spots on the other sonar screens. I use Mega 360 a lot to select target to lock on. There is some error with these targets because there is no way to know the precise depth of the target on 360.

Many sonar users have a simplified understanding of what they are looking at on the screen. They think that a pixel on the screen represents a spot in the water behind them when in reality it represents all of the returns from an area equal distance from the transducer and the shape of that area is determined by the shape of the sonar beam. The electronics companies do very little to help users overcome this and I think they even encourage it. If their devices are perceived to be simpler than they are then they are less intimidating. I'll give you an example where Humminbird is over simplifying something. I have TargetLock. The idea is you point Mega Live at a target (like a stump), push the target lock button, and TargetLock will keep the Mega Live transducer pointed at the target. Being a math geek I knew this did not make since. A target has two dimension, a direction and a distance. Just saying the the stump is north of you is not enough. You have to say it's 30 feet to the north. When you watch the Humminbird videos, they show someone finding a stump on the screen and then pushing the target lock button. In the manual there is one sentence that says for best results the target should be two third of the total range shown on the screen. In other words, you pick the direction and we'll assume a distance. You can overcome this stupidity by actually selecting the target on the screen instead of using the target lock button. Still they should explain this so that everyone understands the limitations of using the button. They never say selecting a spot on the screen is more accurate that just pushing the button.

Thanks for sharing this. Good parents are a great blessing.

Not lost…just automated. ?

I disagree Glenn. Yes it gets information from the internet but it learns from it just like we do. If you search the internet for the poem I asked it to create about bass fishing you will not find it. It’s original and remarkably good. ChatGPT is not perfect. If you look at it’s description of a Texas rig it said to put the worm on the hook before you put the weight on the line.? ChatGPT is a serious problem for schools. It can write a 1000 word essay in less than a minute. Let’s have a contest to see who can create the best sonnet about bassresource.com. I’ll go first? Bassresource.com, a site of wonder, A place for anglers to come and share Their knowledge, tips, and tales asunder In hopes to catch the biggest bass out there With forums, articles, and videos too There's something for every fisherman's need A community that's kind and true With helpful advice and fishing seed From beginners to experts alike This site has something for all to gain A wealth of information, free to spike Your fishing game and bring you fame So come and join the Bassresource crew And reel in the biggest catch anew.

Me> What is your personal best largemouth? ChatGPT> As an AI, I do not have a physical form, so I am not able to catch fish or have personal experiences. It‘s honest about the fish it’s caught! That’s odd. Shows they still have some work to do on it.?

If I stop misspelling words you’ll know that I’ve totally replaced myself with AI.

It might be best not to ask all these questions at once. We’ve debated these for years on this forum. Now we have the technology that can finally give us the ultimate answer. ? Let’s start with one. Both baitcasters and spinning reels have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice depends on the specific fishing situation and the angler's personal preferences. Baitcasters offer more control over the cast and the ability to handle heavier lures and lines, making them well-suited for casting long distances and for targeting larger fish species. However, they can be more challenging to learn to use and may be prone to backlash (tangles in the line). Spinning reels, on the other hand, are generally easier to use and less prone to backlash, making them a great choice for beginners or for fishing in tight quarters. They are also well-suited for lighter lures and lines and for casting shorter distances. In the end, it really depends on the type of fishing you'll be doing and your own skill level. A spinning reel is probably a better choice for a beginner, while a baitcaster may be more suitable for an experienced angler looking to target larger fish.

I'm a computer geek and retired software developer. I've seen a lot of changes since I wrote my first program in 1980. The new frontier is artifical intelligence and the latest rage is a system called ChatGPT. It's a system that will generate text on any subject you choose based on your input. It's the most amazing new technology I've seen in a long time. I sat down with ChatGPT to discuss bass fishing. Here are the results. Tell me what you think. Me> What is the best way for an angler to locate largemouth bass? ChatGPT> The best way for an angler to locate largemouth bass is to fish in areas where there is plenty of cover for the fish to hide, such as around logs, rocks, weed beds, and in the shade of overhanging trees or bushes. Bass are also commonly found near drop-offs or other changes in depth, as well as around structures such as boat docks, bridges, and dams. Additionally, anglers can look for signs of fish activity, such as surface disturbance or ripples, to help pinpoint the location of bass. Me> What is the best type of fishing line to used when bass fishing? ChatGPT>The best type of fishing line to use when bass fishing depends on the specific fishing scenario and the angler's personal preference. However, some of the most popular types of fishing line for bass fishing include: -Monofilament: Monofilament line is made from a single strand of nylon and is known for its flexibility and sensitivity. It is a good choice for beginners because it is easy to handle and is available in a wide range of strengths and diameters. -Fluorocarbon: Fluorocarbon line is made from a synthetic material that is virtually invisible underwater, which can be an advantage when fishing in clear water or around wary fish. It is also known for its high abrasion resistance, making it a good choice for fishing around heavy cover. -Braided: Braid fishing line is made from multiple strands of high-strength fibers, and is known for its high sensitivity, low stretch, and high abrasion resistance. Braid is a good choice when fishing in heavy cover, deep water or around large fish. -Co-polymer: Co-polymer line is a combination of monofilament and fluorocarbon, which offers the advantages of both materials. It is more sensitive than monofilament, more abrasion resistant than fluorocarbon and is less visible than fluorocarbon in water. Ultimately, the best type of fishing line for bass fishing will depend on the specific fishing scenario, the size and species of fish, and the angler's personal preference. It is always recommended to try different types of fishing line and see what works best for you in specific situations. Me> What is the best bass fishing lake in Tennessee? ChatGPT> There are many great bass fishing lakes in Tennessee, but some of the most popular and well-known include: Chickamauga Lake: This lake is located on the Tennessee River near Chattanooga and is known for its large population of largemouth and smallmouth bass. It is also home to many bass tournaments throughout the year. Douglas Lake: Located in the eastern part of the state, Douglas Lake is known for its excellent smallmouth bass fishing and it's also home to several bass fishing tournaments. Old Hickory Lake: This lake is located near Nashville and is known for its excellent largemouth bass fishing, as well as its convenient location close to the city. Nickajack Lake: This lake is located in the southern part of the state and is known for its excellent smallmouth bass fishing, as well as its scenic beauty. Norris Lake: This lake is located in the eastern part of the state and is known for its excellent smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing. It is also known for its clear waters, which can make it ideal for sight-fishing. Ultimately, the best bass fishing lake in Tennessee will depend on the angler's personal preference and the time of year. Each of these lakes and many others have different characteristics, fishing conditions and different sizes of fish, it's always a good idea to check with the local fishing reports and talk to local guides or the park rangers for their recommendations. Me> How do you fish a Texas rig? ChatGPT> The Texas rig is a popular and versatile rigging method for fishing soft plastic baits, such as worms, lizards, and crawfish, for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Here is a general overview of how to fish a Texas rig: Start by selecting a soft plastic bait, such as a worm or lizard, that is appropriate for the size and species of fish you are targeting. Thread the plastic bait onto a hook that is appropriate for the size of the bait, such as a 4/0 or 5/0 wide gap hook. The hook should have a "wide gap" so that it can accommodate the size of the soft plastic bait. Insert the hook point into the head of the bait, and then push the hook through the body of the bait until the point emerges out the other end. Next, take a small sinker, such as a bullet weight, and thread it onto the fishing line, above the hook. This will help to keep the bait on the bottom, where the bass are likely to be holding. Once the sinker is in place, tie a knot in the fishing line to secure it to the hook. Finally, cast the rig out into the water and allow it to sink to the bottom. Once the rig is on the bottom, you can retrieve it by slowly reeling in the slack line, with occasional twitches of the rod tip to make the bait appear more lifelike. When fishing with a Texas rig, it's important to pay attention to the feel of the line and to be alert for any sudden changes in tension, as these can indicate a bite. It's also important to experiment with different retrieves, such as slow, steady retrieves or faster, jerky retrieves, to see what the fish are responding to. It's also important to note that a Texas rig can be fished in a variety of ways. Some anglers like to rig it weightless and fish it on top of the water or under the surface, while others like to rig it with a weight to fish it on the bottom or near the bottom. The weightless rig is great for fishing in clear water or around fish that are suspended in the water column, while the weighted rig is better for fishing in murky water or around fish that are holding close to the bottom. Me> Write a poem about bass fishing. ChatGPT> Beneath the surface of the lake, Lies a creature fierce and great, With a tug upon the line, You'll feel the power of its weight. The bass, a fish so strong and sly, A challenge for the angler's skill, But when you feel its strength on high, You'll know the thrill of the kill. The early morning mist still lingers, As you cast your line with care, The gentle ripples on the water, A symphony of nature's air. The patience needed for the wait, As you watch your bobber sway, The excitement in your heart, As the bass comes into play. The fight is long and hard, But the reward is sweet, A trophy for the wall, A memory to keep. So come and cast your line, And join the bass fishing crowd, For the thrill of the catch, Is a feeling that's never allowed to fade away.

All of the things mentioned here are pretty basic stuff. Anyone that doesn't know how to wire two batteries in series to get 24 volts should not be working at a boat dealership and certainly shouldn't be installing batteries and electronics. If they don't have 24 volts to the trolling motor it will not work. If that happens I would take the boat to someone that knows what they're doing to make sure it is right and there are no fire hazards.

An accurate map. I’m a dreamer.

I believe I’m suppose to love everybody. I’m not always successful at doing this. I’ve learned over time that when you learn to love someone you used to hate, life gets easier.

I have a different strategy for each body of water I fish. This is my first winter with live sonar and that has made it easier to see fish and baitfish so I’m looking for them more than I used to.

I have a Ultrex which is kind of a hybrid. You can use the cable steer or remote and I do a lot of both. It’s fantastic for off shore fishing. On my first boat I replaced my cable steer with a hand controlled TM and it was great for pitching and flipping cover close to the bank. My current set up is terrible for that because it has a slower response and it has to be deeper in the water to make room above it for the 360 imaging and mega live transducers. I often wish I had two boat just so I could have two trolling motors. Like others have said it depends on how you fish.