KevO

I'm using a shimano cardiff 200a, its a 5.8:1. It's cheap, cast a mile, and has good line capacity.

Glad I held off on the LSS-1.

Got a Powell A-rig rod on the way. It's a great rod, my friend is a powell prostaffer so he let me use it for a while. It makes a good flippin' stick in a pinch too, it has a pretty soft tip.

Big Hammer swimbaits!

Bandit also just came out with a ledge 250 size that dives 12-14 I believe. I'm going to pick up a few next time I'm at BPS.

I have 2 crucial crankbait rods (previous model) a 7' MH and 6'6" M. IMO they are some of the best crankin rods made. I personally would not throw spinner/buzzbaits on them but thats because I like a stouter rod for that, like a 7' M/F. They just don't have the backbone I like for those type of baits. I can't speak for the new model, but I can say they are not the same as the Cumara. I have 7'11 Cumara crankbait rod and it is amazing.

Anyone been fishing Tims Ford lately? Haven't been there in a while. I heard its been pretty good this winter since its been real mild. Any suggestions? I'll probably throw a jerkbait most of the day but let me know what you got.

I would throw spooks and sammy's on it. It would probably make a good jerkbait rod also.

If it's your first time I recommend you get a guide. It can be a very tough lake to fish. Depending on what the weather does between now and then they could spawned out by that time. The water is still around 50* so it won't take much to get them going. I don't think you need 10 baits either, just something to cover the basics. If they are on bed you will want some kind of creature bait, shaky head, or c-rig. Post spawn smallies will crush a grub and swimbait, generally the water is clear to gin clear which makes it tough. If it rains look for where the run off comes in to the creeks and stains the water you can catch a bunch on a crankbait. It's a beautiful lake, I'll be there tomorrow.

I've thrown mann's baby -1 on spinning rods and caught a few, but the only crankbait I throw consistently is a shad rap #5 because you can't cast it on a baitcaster. My spinning rods stay in the rod box for the most part unless I'm finesse fishing.

It was bad I took it back to the dealer and he replaced it. No charge!

Well I had the battery tested and was told it was good but needed to charged. So I charged it yesterday, checked the volt meter on the boat it showed 12v. I thought everything was good, I checked it this morning before I left for the lake and it read 10-11 like it did before I charged it. I got to the lake turned the HDS on, and tried to start the motor. Completely dead... nothing worked. Volt meter didn't even move? I came home, put it on the charger and an hr later it was fully charged again. Volt meter read 12, I checked it again an hr later it only read 11. Some thing is running it down, or it just won't hold a charge.

Little John DD's are my favorite, but your day can turn quite expensive real quick cranking stump rows. LOL. I also like the 6xd's after I tune them and replace the hooks. My least favorite is the DD22, because they are much lighter than the other two and casting distance is much shorter. This year I plan on trying the Rapala DT 20's.

OK, thanks I am far from an electrician. LOL. Hopefully it's just a loose connection at the battery or something simple and cheap.

Wayne, Do you mean the power cable that came with the unit is not correct? That is if the wiring is the problem. What gauge wire should be used?

I will thanks

Thanks guys, I figured it was probably hooked up to the starting battery, since it turns off when i start the boat. I did notice some corrosion on the battery terminals. The dealer installed the unit for me so I guess I need to check his work... other than it restarting everything else works fine.

My HDS 5 restarts when I crank the motor, what could be causing this?

I agree with Hooligan go with a co-polymer. I throw my jerkbaits on 12 # yo-zuri hybrid, it;s a good all around diameter, if I need to fine tune them I will go up or down as needed. Try it out I think you will be surprised.

Thanks Jeff, yes it has tilt/trim.

I love Dale Hollow and fish there quite often. It is a tough lake to figure out though, but it should be on fire by that time of year. I recommend you get a guide if its your first time. Jim Duckworth is good, I've never fished with him though. I recommend Greg Brisendine from dusk to dawn guide service or Keith Palmeiro of Small chasers, you can learn more about them at www.smalljaw.com . I plan on going to Pickwick in search of a trophy that time of the year myself but my vote always goes to the Hollow.

Well since I just bought a boat and its only about a 2.5 hr drive I think I might just make the trip!

Ok so I bought this boat! It's my first boat now I have a couple questions. First, can I run regular 87 octane in the Yamaha HPDI? Should I only use Yamalube or will any TCW3 oil be ok (I was wrong about the warranty it has expired)? What about stabill ethanol treatments or quikleen, should I use these products or are there better choices? I bought a transom saver since one was not included, it extends from 24-36", how long do I need to set it? This boat does not have a jack plate installed, do I need one?

What are the differences between the base map, lake insight, and nautic insight units? If I bought a base map unit could I upgrade to the features of the others with a navionics chip? I'm buying my first boat tomorrow from a dealer, he has one gen 1 HDS 5 base map unit he will install if I want it. Cant decide if I should go with it, or buy one from cabelas or TW.

Thanks, I will check them out.