• looking to make some upgrades to my aluminum triton vt19 this summer.
• I want to add an ultrex and a 12" graph up front, along with one at the console, and eventually 360 imaging.
• I am leaning towards ultrex first, then 12" at the bow, 360, then console graph.
• I fish a lot of electric lakes as well as big lakes.
• Going to be upping the tournament count this year as well.
• Current plan is to keep this boat for a while. It will become my shallow water rig once I buy a glass boat.
• I am considering the tracker lithium batteries and a 36v system for the trolling motor

 

My questions:

• ultrex 80 w/ tracker lithium vs ultrex 80 w/ lead acid vs. ultrex 112 w/ lithium
• 12" graph at bow -> then console -> then 360 vs bow, 360, console?

 

I also need to redo the carpet and gauges along with a bit of normal maintenance

Which gps/sonar are you planning to buy?

The 80 Ultrex on your aluminum boat would be plenty. If you can swing the Lithium’s they are the way to go. As for the 360 if I understand your question, definitely at the bow. The 360 is mainly for when your stationary to barely moving. If your getting new graphs Then SI on the console and DI on the bow or combo with both.

4 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

Which gps/sonar are you planning to buy?

I was assuming “my bad” that with the Ultrex and the 360 he was going Humminbird 

Ultrex, or equivalent, first.  Most valuable tool you can buy.  Deep, or shallow, you need this type TM.  Get the biggest one you can afford.  The 80 should be more than adequate, but I never anyone cry "My trolling motor is too powerful". Make a rational decision regarding batteries.  Lithiums have lots of advantages over wet cells, or AGM, but very expensive.  If you are not a serious fisherman (very serious) IMHO just too costly right now.  Get some good wet cells, or AGM's if you want to spend more.  Just remember prior to 2019, that was all we had, and we caught a lot of fish.  Part of that decision is what you plan to buy for electronics.  The more powerful electronics you choose, the more you need to be concerned about batteries.

 

If I was rigging the boat for my use, the way I fish, I'd get an Ultrex, either size, 2 - Helix 10's or 12's, depending on the budget, and whether or not they would physically fit my boat.  Both SI.  I like SI on the front.  Get some good wet cell batteries.  Lot's of discussion on the web regarding wet cells.  Plenty of good ones to choose from.  I like Helix's rather than Solix.  Personal comfort.  Same principal if you go with other than MK and HB.

 

Next would be a Mega 360.  You  could change the front Helix from SI to DI if you go with Mega 360 now.  I'm not a fan (yet) of forward looking sonar, so not in my equation.  I would think some good wet cells or AGM's should handle power needs.  If you get much more electronics, then I would consider Lithiums, especially if the cost drops to more manageable levels.

 

My advice as a 75 year old fisherman, that still seriously, and successfully, fishes tournaments, is to look honestly at how you fish, how you intend to fish now, and in the future, and your real needs.  Just because Jacob Wheeler has 5 depth finders, and ever how many batteries he uses, doesn't mean you or I should.  Buy what suits you.

1 hour ago, Jig Man said:

Which gps/sonar are you planning to buy?

hummingbird helix 12, whatever the nicest version of that model is

1 hour ago, GaryH said:

The 80 Ultrex on your aluminum boat would be plenty. If you can swing the Lithium’s they are the way to go. As for the 360 if I understand your question, definitely at the bow.

I meant to ask if I should upgrade the electronics up front all the way to 360 imaging before a graph at the console. I think the 80lb is plenty too and I will try and make the lithiums swing. Is the 24v enough?

51 minutes ago, mcipinkie said:

Ultrex, or equivalent, first.  Most valuable tool you can buy.  Deep, or shallow, you need this type TM.  Get the biggest one you can afford.  The 80 should be more than adequate, but I never anyone cry "My trolling motor is too powerful". Make a rational decision regarding batteries.  Lithiums have lots of advantages over wet cells, or AGM, but very expensive.  If you are not a serious fisherman (very serious) IMHO just too costly right now.  Get some good wet cells, or AGM's if you want to spend more.  Just remember prior to 2019, that was all we had, and we caught a lot of fish.  Part of that decision is what you plan to buy for electronics.  The more powerful electronics you choose, the more you need to be concerned about batteries.

 

If I was rigging the boat for my use, the way I fish, I'd get an Ultrex, either size, 2 - Helix 10's or 12's, depending on the budget, and whether or not they would physically fit my boat.  Both SI.  I like SI on the front.  Get some good wet cell batteries.  Lot's of discussion on the web regarding wet cells.  Plenty of good ones to choose from.  I like Helix's rather than Solix.  Personal comfort.  Same principal if you go with other than MK and HB.

 

Next would be a Mega 360.  You  could change the front Helix from SI to DI if you go with Mega 360 now.  I'm not a fan (yet) of forward looking sonar, so not in my equation.  I would think some good wet cells or AGM's should handle power needs.  If you get much more electronics, then I would consider Lithiums, especially if the cost drops to more manageable levels.

 

My advice as a 75 year old fisherman, that still seriously, and successfully, fishes tournaments, is to look honestly at how you fish, how you intend to fish now, and in the future, and your real needs.  Just because Jacob Wheeler has 5 depth finders, and ever how many batteries he uses, doesn't mean you or I should.  Buy what suits you.

excellent advice. I will agree that the trolling motor is first and foremost. I really like Garmin, but I feel like the 360 suits my fishing better. Im running an aluminum boat, so idont have an abundance of room. a 12" graph at the front and a 12" bird and garmin 93sv for mapping at the console. 

 

I do need to do more research into 360 and that stuff to make an educated buy. I think lithium is out oof the budget this season, but four batteries add a lot of weight.

Everything that you will do is a personal preference.  You will need to decide if you want si or di up front and select the proper trolling motor and gps unit.  If you don’t know about the differences you will need to do some research before you buy.

8 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

Everything that you will do is a personal preference.  You will need to decide if you want si or di up front and select the proper trolling motor and gps unit.  If you don’t know about the differences you will need to do some research before you buy.

I have mega is and mega di up front now, had garmin in my old boat. I feel that having both si and di would be beneficial. what im not familiar with is the specific models that work with 360.

I agree, everything you do is a personal preference.  I expounded mine for whatever use it might be.

 

The more you know, the capable you are of making a proper decision.

 

If money is no object, find a pro you thinks fishes somewhat like you do, and emulate his rig. 

 

As I said, I'm 75 years old, fished my first tournament in 1975, so some experience.  I am primarily a shallow water visual cover fisherman.  I don't need $15K in electronics.  A Helix 10 Mega SI + on the bow and another on the console suit my needs.  I stayed with 10" units because I thought the 12's were too big and took up too much room in my boat (Skeeter ZX200) If I decide to go Mega Live, if it ever comes out, then I may have to upgrade the bow 10 to a 12.

 

Humminbird has a good listing of what units work with Mega 360 on their web site.  Basically, if thinking of Helix's, they have to have SI+ or DI+ in the unit name.  Not concerned with the other HB's, so look at the site,  if you have Solix or some other unit.

 

Obviously, I'm a MK and HB guy.  Some of the other brands look pretty exciting.  Same general opinion, though.  Buy what YOU need.

2 hours ago, mcipinkie said:

I agree, everything you do is a personal preference.  I expounded mine for whatever use it might be.

 

The more you know, the capable you are of making a proper decision.

 

If money is no object, find a pro you thinks fishes somewhat like you do, and emulate his rig. 

 

As I said, I'm 75 years old, fished my first tournament in 1975, so some experience.  I am primarily a shallow water visual cover fisherman.  I don't need $15K in electronics.  A Helix 10 Mega SI + on the bow and another on the console suit my needs.  I stayed with 10" units because I thought the 12's were too big and took up too much room in my boat (Skeeter ZX200) If I decide to go Mega Live, if it ever comes out, then I may have to upgrade the bow 10 to a 12.

 

Humminbird has a good listing of what units work with Mega 360 on their web site.  Basically, if thinking of Helix's, they have to have SI+ or DI+ in the unit name.  Not concerned with the other HB's, so look at the site,  if you have Solix or some other unit.

 

Obviously, I'm a MK and HB guy.  Some of the other brands look pretty exciting.  Same general opinion, though.  Buy what YOU need.

I appreciate the help. Ill probably save my money up and get the ultrex with built in side imaging, then add the 12" and 360 as I go. The university/college deal will help out with costs and so will my willingness to sacrifice and save all my money for the boat monkey. It goes to show that bass resource is a great resource when people like you take the time to go that in depth. It really makes a difference