InfantryMP

Beeping three times typically means you have lost GPS signal. There are two calibrations that must occur with the Ghost, the heading, and I think the GPS calibration. I would ensure the Ghost is updated to the most recent software, and then try to do both calibrations again. The heading is easy, you can do it in the garage. The 2nd will be your rotations on the water. Cabelas will not really be able to do much in the shop if it has lost calibration for GPS, because you need to be on the water to calibrate.

If I was a pro, I think I would buy all the licenses for the states that the tournaments would be in. That is definitely something to do, and keep in the truck at the start of the year. Maybe that is not the smartest thing to do, with year long licenses when you may only need a week or so, but dang such a silly and costly mistake.

SE GA here. I have had more encounters bank fishing with gators than boating. It seems like to me even in a small boat, they spook off, or stay away all together. It may be a size thing. I have literally had two gators patiently staring at me for hours while I was bank fishing for catfish. My buddy did not help any by throwing marshmallows at them. Gators love them things.

I haven't seen anyone use scent yet, but I have seen some tail dipping yesterday.

Try the mini, I have used it before and it works well when it is tough. I also like to slow up and yo yo a bit and it usually will trigger an actual bite instead of a nip at it.

I think a few different things Lowrance will tell you to look at if it is not working. 1. Power- The LEDs on the black box will flash in a certain series to show it is working on that end. 2. Connection to the unit 3. Unit updates to current software version If this was the first time trying to use it after install, I would look for the wake up wire (yellow wire) and ensure it is installed properly to ensure a wake up, or if you have it wire with the power, make sure whatever fuse or switch you have active target on also is also working. On my boat, I installed the wake up wire with the power to the fuse box that my "sonar" switch uses. So when I turn on my "sonar" switch it activates active target on my graph.

It is separate as it uses its own transducer to give signal.

I agree with getting a dual setup. I would also consider the waters you will be fishing. Do you need 8's or 10's?

I am going to watch that one this afternoon! It would make sense for him to wait to 33 until being financially secure. I also think the better he got with FFS and graphing the more confident he became more willing to take the plunge.

Yea I like a lot of folks on the tube when it relates to fishing. Tactical Bassin is a good example, those guys do pretty well on the socials, but I bet would do very well in tournaments if the time was dedicated. I find the shift in bass fishing funny. You hear about it all the time, the current pros had to step their game up with socials etc to please sponsors because that is where the sales and branding come in. Now there are social guys that are coming out already with a great online presence, laying the smack down in the pro level. I bet if Ben did not own part of 6th sense, he would have sponsors knocking at the door. He already does probably with boats and other not tackle related equipment.

I am not mad at you. I wont be fishing for a couple months due to a move, but I wish you luck with it!

The only time I have used a C-rig was smallmouth in Indiana lakes. It works well for smallies from what I have witnessed.

Absolutely, even on fish the moment, they pulled up lake maps, and he even mentioned he was fishing some of those points. That is crazy to see an angler share that. Yea In my opinion, does it really matter where you came from or where people think you came from? I think it is a better story anyway from the doubt etc that he was a "youtuber". The praise is huge. The real professionals will recognize real skills regardless. I like how he also mentioned his ego dozens of times.

He is for sure...I also believe slightly that he is in a slump right now. Which happens often in professional sports. The maturity already is kind of what I am alluding to when it comes to the pro level tournaments. He talked about his adjustments, and switching from an 8" glide to a Carolina rig etc to land the fish needed. I think it is a bit tougher to do all that when you do not have a score tracker going off on every catch too.

100% agree with what you said initially except I hold Wheeler up there for his recent success to include FFS and of course the winning. I also believe Ben will have to build another house just for trophies if he keeps up his hard work. Keep in mind, not to take anything away from Ben, he has over a decade of tournament fishing experience, just local and club type of fashion.

He did get some praise from some high level guys at Toledo Bend! The most impressive is may be a little stretch for me. I think Wheeler has secured that with his #1 ranking being the longest ever. Multiple pro level wins, back to back AOYs. Now, if Ben, and Jacob started at the same time on the pro level, we may have a good battle on our hands for #1. It could though if you think about it. Ben fishes lot to make content maybe even more than pro anglers do a year, experience is experience at that point. He is just using that experience at a high level now, a little later in the game than a Wheeler or Connell, or even a KVD. I think he only goes up from here.

Does the Ben Milliken recent Open Championship change the way you look at the tubers vs the pros? If you didn't think the tubers could fish before, I think watching some of his recent podcasts since the win may help change your mind. I love to see people succeed at things in life or their career, and I think this is one of those things that has gone against the grain for so long, but now we are seeing some great talent out here coming from the tuber side of things. All the talk about Pros needing to get on socials to sell or stay a bit more relevant for sponsors just goes to show that it is extremely important and the way competitive bass fishing is going in the digital age. I believe it to be even more awesome to see someone who everyone dubbed a "Youtuber" and an expert social phenomenon come out and dominate the 2nd open, and doing very well in the 1st open. He is leading points obviously right now. Is it sustainable? I believe it to be... A couple cool things he mentioned on the podcasts were that he had 4.5 days of practice and he also pre-practiced before the cut off time. That is the same prep that Wheeler put in the last couple of years to be a 2-time AOY on the BPT/ MLF. He changed up techniques, adjusted to conditions, everything that seasoned pros have to do, but yet with little actual pro level experience. Not taking away from any of his previous tournament experience at all (10 years or so on clubs/ local derbs). The pressure though at the pro level....money, clout, personal mental health, goals and everything that goes along with it, and he is at the top so quickly. Is he going to be the big bass hammer every time? Probably not, but he has shown great composure and consistency thus far, and for those reasons alone he may be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. All eyes will be on him this year, and also the 2024 Classic. What are your thoughts on his performance to include the Open Championship on Toledo Bend?

I think the anglers are allowed to go back and look at previous events and do research from there. I think that helps a lot. Also I think for Murray in particular the fluke made sense with the herring stuff going on. However there are still guys like KVD will crank em or jerk em to a decent finish.

Absolutely...its weird not to see Connell and Wheeler in the Championship round. However it will be cool to see someone else win finally.

The hammers are coming out now! 8-8 and a 6-0 just got caught!

I fish a series of 5 very large ponds, that are "pay lakes". There is no membership, it is a pay everyday type of approach. These ponds we can only use trolling motors, but house some very large southern bass. They have ramps and everything. They are man made, but are very well taken care of. I caught a 6 just a month or so ago in one of them. I have been to a few others around different areas, and they are no good. Always stocking things like catfish, but are horrible for anything else. I think it really depends on the area, and who is maintaining it. You can tell once you see the ones that are crappy vs a well taken care of pay lake.

The group he is looking for is still active though. They have a club that fishes the Altamaha River on FB. I am sure it is the one he is looking for.

Better than the Red Label? That is what I have always used with great success.

I think I have seen some that are offset, that may help out depending on your pitching hand. I think I would just take a half step back from the units to pitch and keep the height tall so I do not have to bend over so much to mark stuff.

Looks good, I like the tall mounts, If I ever upgrade my screen sizes, I will be raising mine up as well. Alot easier to manage waypoints when you do not have to bend all the way over lol.