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Thanks Tom. I will look for those RAM pieces. I picked up a Terrova a couple of years ago with spot lock and it has been a life saver, especially this last trip. Completely unfishable for my 1542 jon boat without it.

Thanks for the info. I will check out the book. I did watch quite a few videos just before going out and after my original post, which were helpful in understanding the old and new tech. I just got back from a trip and didn't have a mount for the display and set it on the floor. It was really windy and I was standing up. I got a little bit of use out of it but need a tall mount to be able to see it better. Impossible to keep the boat straight in the wind which was pretty bad most of the time. I plan on taking a longer trip in early July and mapping out the lake and putting in markers. The good news is despite the wind we landed over 60 SMB and several decent size for the lake. Tough to find a mount at a decent price that's 12" or more and I would like it removable if possible. I saw some recommendations on using the RAM ball mounts but still looking into it. Seems almost cheaper to get the attwood quick lock stuff, like I have for my seats and just mount it to the top of one of those pedestals.

It starts with a C and ends in Abelas.

Ok! Hit the jackpot. I went to a major store 35 minutes away tonight. Saw they had the striker vivid 7sv in stock. I had a couple of questions before purchasing. Got there and the one guy working there said the other guy on his break is the expert. But told me they have some of last years models in the back. The echo map uhd 73sv. Price was $20 below the striker one. Has maps (not very important) , touch screen, better screen, better transducer, and is compatible with the live view transducers. A nice upgrade for sure and less money. The expert guy came out and said this is the Father’s Day special price - not meant to be sold now. But he honored it today because the other guy told me a price and wasn’t aware. The entire situation was luck. And I am heading to the lake this Friday for the weekend. I basically got close to $300 off the normal price. Reading up on installation and watching videos to make sure I get it functioning properly and quickly. Thanks everyone for all the insight/input. Pretty stoked to use it in a couple of days. I will mount it to my bow mount terrova.

Thanks. Now I am looking at the 7" echomap uhd because in the future livescope will work on it....Getting way too pricey though. I think the Garmin 7sv will be fantastic compared to what I have for sure. Hey my birthday is not too far away... ?

Thanks. I will probably use the side view quite a bit but do plan on isolating some bigger fish 20-25 ft. using the down view. Those elusive 3-4lbers! I do plan on plotting the lake out which should be helpful and nice to have too.

Thanks for the pic. It looks like it could be big enough. I will probably have 2 people who would want to see it - front and back of my 1542. Mostly would be me in the front casting deck. Thanks. I think I would probably use both side view and down view at the same time if possible. I may use the sv first and then circle back with the down view if the screen isn't big enough. The lake is only about a mile so I can go over it all pretty quickly, even with the trolling motor.

My current fish finder isn't quite that old but not too far from it. Guess it might be worth it...since it's a small upgrade ? Is the 7 plenty big or do wish you would have gone with the 9? Just curious because I am trying to decide between the 2 sizes and looking at it from a budget standpoint too.

Thanks. I just watched a bunch of videos on how the side imaging works etc...Yes - I can change the settings and it will be fine. Or I can just troll the lake a little faster and get the better images I need. I didn't realize the down imaging is more for fish and the side imaging is mostly just structure. I do want the side imagining so I can find the deep pockets of rocks/logs etc... I am thinking of getting the Garmin 9sv to make sure I can see well enough without being on top of it. I looked at the liveview stuff but that costs more than my boat. Yikes.

Thanks. I don't need maps but it would be cool to create one for the lake. Sounds like a really good option. I am assuming this would be incredibly different/improved than my $129 fish finder from 12 years or more ago? And it would work better for actually locating the fish. There are tons of fish in the lake and I can grab 100 in mid summer (mostly smaller SMB) but I am looking for the 3-4 lbers hiding under some deeper structure, as one example. I get some 2lbers pre-spawn/spawn but the bigger ones have eluded me for the most part. A relative has snagged a few though, so I know there are some in there. So is it easy to use? I just read that it is. Also - would the 5" screen be big enough? Nearly 1/2 the price. I would be just a few feet from where I would install it. I see that doesn't have the side imaging. Disregard.

I have an old fish finder from about 12 or more years ago. It works for depth and seems eh for locating fish (shows a fish on the screen). Very basic. Old sonar method. Wondering if it is worth it to upgrade....The lake I fish in is crystal clear and when I get shallow it shows fish where there definitely aren't, but just a down tree. It's just not that accurate. I can see some big rocks about 10-12ft down with my eyes, but the lake gets to 40' and would like to figure out what's down there at those depths. All SMB in this lake. I read the CHIRP is better than the technology I have, and side imaging has been out there for a while now but can be a little confusing to interpret. Looking to spend under $600 (way under if I can get a vast improvement for fish location and structure imaging). I want simple if possible. I fish from my modded 1542 Jon Boat and typically about 30' to 40' out from shore. It drops off quickly in spots and shallow in others. I don't need anything over 100' or more in depth, so I guess the higher frequencies is what I would need for the most part. NOTE: I see the arches on videos and not really a fan of that. I guess I could get used to that if that's what is displayed. Any suggestions on something that won't break the bank but will meet my needs with a set it and forget it type of unit. Thanks!

My opinion is it could be the xf tip. Fast is probably better suited for the larger smalleys. I have the 6' 6" axid-x ML F (2 of them) and I haven't had any issues with tiny to larger SM, although nothing over 4lbs in the lake I fish. And a little longer rod maybe. I have been using the ned on the bullet z finesse hook and it's been great. I also use straight-mono. Sorry for your frustration on the monsters. A bigger net with a longer handle? Like 10 ft ?

How does the reel seat tighten on these? Top down or bottom up? For me I have better luck top down. Stays tight in that configuration for me and bottom not so much (victory line). Been looking for another comparable ML F rod. I don’t need another rod….yet but having trouble finding a good split grip like the avid-x.

I have 2 axid-x 6’6” mlf rods that are awesome. They stopped making them now but the regular avid might do the trick.

The 6"10" MLXF. Maybe the medium would have been better, but the xfast may have been the culprit.

I tried the victory line but returned it. The xf was a bit too soft and lost some fish. I went with the avid-x 6' 6" MLF and it's perfect for me. Of course they stopped making them! C'mon...

Yes- Spinning ML F 6' 6". Amazing rod IMHO. I have them on a Vanford 3k and a Procyon 2500. Perfect balance with those light but powerful reels. Great for tons of small mouths and I rarely miss even the smaller ones. I may look for another now they are out of production. The reel seat is great too. I use spinners and lately the smaller ned on a bulletz finesse jig 1/10. Rod is great for both of those applications.

I have 2 St. Croix Avid-X's 6'6" medium-light fast and love them. They stopped making them now. Argh. Replaced with the Victory which I didn't like as much but it was xfast and the reel seat tightened from the bottom and wouldn't stay tight for me after several casts.

Appreciate the insight. That happened to mine a couple of times. More info - My trailer was too short for the boat, so I added some bunk length and when it flips up it puts pressure on them. With this method I would still have to drag the boat several feet over sand/small rocks though and that's what I want to avoid moving forward. Getting the boat on the trailer in the water is going to be super nice if it works with the dolly I listed.

I actually never heard of that. I got my boat a few years ago and I was sold a smaller than needed trailer and I had to add longer bunks. It's a lighter boat so it works fine.

Thanks. I know what you are saying and I essentially do that after I have pulled the boat and trailer up. It's difficult for me to get the boat up on the trailer- on the bunks so I have to lift it up on the bunks to get it started. The spot where I try to get the boat up with the winch doesn't work even with the trailer lifted. The front of the boat is the heaviest with the mod (permanent). I don't want to drag the boat at all anymore over and over. And I can't get the trailer close enough to the water because my car would get stuck. The water is pretty shallow too. My current method for retrieval (a time consuming pain): 1. Back the trailer from my vehicle and get it back safely nearish the water but not in it. 2. Pull out all of the strap from the trailer winch. 3. Drag the boat out 5 feet or so and attach it to the trailer strap. I can't lift the boat up on the trailer bunks because of the slope and terrain there and the weight is too much on a slight incline. 4. Drive both up about 10 feet or so to a flatter spot (boat being dragged by my car over rough terrain) 5. Step inside the back part of the trailer and lift the front of the boat on the bunks (difficult- even on the flat spot). 6. Winch it up tight. (30 minutes plus and bad for the boat and my back ? ) New method: 1. Attach the dolly to my trailer (has a ball and 2 larger/wide wheels). 2. Roll it down to the water. 3. Get the boat on the trailer in the water and crank it up tight. 4. Pull it up the hill (boat and trailer) about 300lbs or so total. 4 good wheels (2 in front and 2 in back) instead of 2 in the back and 1 trailer jack garbage wheel in the front that gets stuck in the sand. (10 minutes tops and only 10 seconds of pulling). I will let you know how it goes later this Spring when I give it a shot. I do think I can pull it up - there is just one bumpy spot up hill. If I can easily manage that I am good to go. The lake is in upstate NY so I have a while to wait - stupid winter, but will post after my first trip in May sometime. Hey - I have to over analyze and plan while eagerly waiting to get on the lake. ? This year I already got a new bilge pump with pvc pipes to fit my boat and have it ready. And I built a car/portable rod holder so I can just grab my already rigged up poles and get out on the water. I try to make things easier each year and the dolly could be a huge help with frustration and time. Only about 50 days or so until showtime but who's counting ?

I have quite a bit invested in my 1542 - with a terrova bow mount motor and casting deck. I would definitely not do well in a canoe and I am getting a little older now. I have dealt with the issue of retrieval for a couple of years now and think I have the solution. Just ordered a dolly at harbor freight for $76 total with shipping. I am going to give that a shot and if it doesn't work well enough just strap the handle of that to my car hitch and pull 8 ft or so forward. This should do the trick. https://www.harborfreight.com/600-lb-trailer-dolly-60533.html

Yep - I am part owner. It's a beach area for the kids, so unfortunately can't do it. The dolly should do it. It's not far to pull it up to a flat area. No other good spots and there is a small dock there too. Thanks. Similar to what I am doing already - but dragging both up with the boat not on the trailer because it's a weird slope I don't want the car near the drop off/beach part. Dolly should do the trick. Thanks.

Lots of great ideas. I think I am going to go with this dolly. https://www.amazon.com/MaxxHaul-70225-Pneumatic-Tires-600-Capacity/dp/B008CE0TN4 It's under $100 and will serve a few purposes. Launching the boat was never a problem. I detach the trailer and walk the boat down and can easily pull the empty trailer up the hill/sand. Multi-solution with the dolly: 1. I should be able to retrieve the boat on the dolly with any kind of leverage - if not I will just strap (or 2 straps on the handles) to the dolly, then to my hitch (using an S clip to my hitch in the hole) and just drive 10ft straight ahead. 2. I store the front deck made of heavy aluminum in a small cabin that is about 50 to 75' away. I can use the dolly to take it over there and put the boat together and then launch. I may be able to do that on the retrieve too, depending on that weight and how well the dolly works. I may have to take those pieces out before retrieval. Anyway it will save me carrying them when launching for sure. 3. I lock the boat up in the woods down a path until I return every week or so in the summer. It will be much easier to maneuver to/from back there to lock it/retrieve it. No car involved at all. Appreciate all the input as always. I started with a trailer extension but this dolly with the ball on it and the nice big, wide wheels should do the trick. Easy, inexpensive and quick solution. I can even leave the dolly up there in the cabin so I don't have to haul it but 2 times - Spring and early Fall.

Thanks. Interesting idea. Not sure if I want to attach/detach a bed liner on my trailer though. Looking at a manual dolly with a ball - under $100. I might be able to just pull the boat and trailer up with that since it has 2 good split wheels and has a long handle in the front for leverage. I could use a strap or 2 on the handles and attach/hook the other end to my hitch and pull up about 10 ft. And/Or get an electronic hitch that was mentioned if I can't get that to work. Dolly I am looking into. https://www.amazon.com/MaxxHaul-70225-Pneumatic-Tires-600-Capacity/dp/B008CE0TN4