stinger

I like Big Jon's. Used a couple other brands on other peoples boats but went with 2 big Jon's back in 1991 and stayed with them ever since. Added 2 more in 2002 because they fit my new boat well and other than replacing a motor on one (warranty) they have been pretty trouble free. I’m still using all four with the `91 pair being my inboard riggers are the primary ones meaning they go in first. I really don't have problems with the speed. I only run 10# & 12# balls an rarely go beyond 100' so speed isn't a issue with me. Just got used to retrieving while fighting fish or bring in lines. I see that some don’t like the tilt up booms but to each his own. I don’t use the tilt up feature to set lines. I don’t like that either but I do use 2 riggers as power planers board masts in the spring & fall by moving a set forward on the gunnels and raising the boom up like so:.....> I'm sure owners of other brands have similar stories but BJ’s ( ) have been good to me and after 19 years of reliable continued service why wouldn’t I stay with them? BTW, I drive & own Fords since the `70's

You should do well with the same 8" flashers, dodgers & flies as used on lake Ontario. I've run the smaller dodger/peanut flies with out much success but to be honest I really haven't run them much. You should get all the current info you want about size & color by just reading the posts in the Finger Lakes section.

OS,.....your problem could be a trim tab adjustment on your main engine. That is easy enough to check out and correct if that is the problem. Also here is a link to a autopilot topic that touches a little bit on what could be a cause of your problem if it turns out to be a worn steering cable. I went into some detail of my thoughts of autopilot use and cable steering systems in the second paragraph. I just pulled my boat out of storage yesterday and having a new Telflex BayStar steering system installed by my dealer on Monday. viewtopic.php?f=12&t=15167&start=15

Dave is going to be mad if he catches you using those spoons you have out on the rigger board.

I definitely like the bill as submitted by Senator Libous. This bill shows no favoritism to any one group or location. Here is a summary: Hope this moves along quickly.

Be carefull rubbing perperation-H on your 11" flashers,.... they may end up 8"ers. . Sorry, I couldn't help myself

Thanks for your field report Matt. I still haven't made a purchase yet but will need to by mid March. Boat will be coming out of storage and into the shop for a new steering system and autopilot.

Bill, Just curious, seen as you already had the Sharks why did you switch? Was it a performance issue?

Well you got my attention with that Topic gumba. I thought that you were selling lottery tickets to the Italian Power Ball so I opened this up. Looks like you already have a winner there with that drawing. Nice job.

Congratulations Shade'. Good luck with your new-to-you boat. Having a little sweat equity in him will make your first boat that much more enjoyable. Maybe you could have a little “Name the Boat†contest with your family & friends and the winner could get a day out on the lake with you. Could be a lot of fun. Maybe your dad could give you a few tips on jigging up some lake trout. Don’t need to spend much money on equipment and you can catch some mighty nice fish on Cayuga doing that. If you do a search here for jigging lake trout you'll get a pretty good heads up on what to do. Again, congratulations. Be safe and take your dad fishing every now & then if he behaves himself.

I don't know. Pretty porky for a LL that short.

I know I haven't been out fishing for a while but those fish look like browns to me?

Ditto what J.D. says. Customer service is tops. Vary important!

I used a product called PlastiDip with good results a few years ago. Got it at Home Depot or Lowes. I used the brush on method because they only had the 7.5 oz cans. 2-3 coats held up pretty good. You can always re-do them after a few years if needed. http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip I sure you'll find a use for any left over dip.

Here is a screen shot from my old Garmin 250 duel Freq. from about 5 years ago. You'll see 4 riggers, bait ball and some fish looking for a easy meal. The two lower streaks are thicker lines because those weights are 10LB fish weighs with the fins on the sides, = more reflected signal = thicker lines. The thiner upperstreaks are 10lb TrueTrac balls with a less reflected signal because of the shape.

If you think your coated rigger cable may be the reason for the hits then put a coated cable on the other rigger. At least it will cut down on the noise.

Ban Me Thout `68-`69

I sent a email to Raymarine this morning and in true form their response was quick. Names were X'ed out but available if need be. Customer (XXX stingerXXX)01/28/2010 10:11 AM I'm getting ready to purchase a SmartPilot X-5 Sport Pilot and in a fishing forum that I participate in a member mentioned that your company is going bankrupt. My question is are you in fact going bankrupt and will Raymarine be going out of business. My fear is that once I buy your products there will be no customer support if I have problems with your products. Thanks, Discussion Thread Response (XXXXXXXX)01/28/2010 11:50 AM Raymarine is not going bankrupt, and although I can't guarantee anything (like any other company in this economy) our company is as strong as any company in the marine industry, and I don't foresee our company going out of business and we at Raymarine are looking for a great upcoming year!

This is from their web site,...> http://www.raymarine.com/Default.aspx?s ... &page=1323

Just thought I’d join in on the topic because I’m also in the process of replacing both my steering and autopilot and want to share some of my thoughts. A little background first. I bought a King AP2000 Autopilot helm mounted unit back in 1991 and installed it in my then 19' Thundercraft runabout. It had a rack cable system in it. After a few years of use I have to replace the steering because it was starting to wear and get sloppy. Put in a new Telflex rack and used that boat `till I bought a new boat (19' Arima Hardtop) in Feb of 2002. Took the King out of the Thundercraft, sent it to the repair center in Florida to have it overhauled and installed it in the new boat before it ever hit the water. Steering system in the new boat was a Telflex no-feedback rack. The “no-feedback†feature was worn out two seasons ago and my trusty old King got tired at the end of Sept this past season so that is why I’m replacing both now. From what I’ve experienced I have this to offer. The cable type steering systems are on a limited life cycle with autopilot because of the amount of correction the autopilot puts on the boat to hold course. The heavier the seas the more the correction to a point were there is almost constant movement in the steering head & cable. A lot more movement than if being steered my a human. So because I’ve already worn out a couple cable systems my new steering will be hydraulic, probably a Telflex Baystar for my size boat. So now what Autopilot do I get? I’ll be doing my own install so I would like something that doesn’t require a machine shop to custom fabricate hoses & parts to make the unit work. Simrad gets a pretty nod for most of the guys here and most of the satisfied users have the Helm or cable steering type. Those with the hydraulic versions are getting mixed reviews form the guys here on LOU. My biggest concern is getting tech support if needed also known as customer service. Simrad gets failing grades in that department (sort of like Lorwance ). If you get a good unit great, if not your in for a nightmare so I’m kind of shying away from them. The Raymarine Sport Pilot X5 has caught my attention even though it had some design/engineering problems when it first cane out in spring of 2009. Only heard about a couple guys that have it and no negative comments yet. The main reason that I’m leaning toward the Raymarine products is because of their customer support. From my experience they are absolutely tops. The last thing any of us want is to tear apart our boat once fishing season starts and tech support leaves you hanging( or is it high & dry) but things do happen. So I guess the bottom line is go with whomever you have confidence.

Bill, not looking for more reels at the moment but was wondering how much Diawa charges to recondition a reel. My reels are only used on the fingers so reel screaming fish are not a problem as you know. Other than me changing a clicker spring every now & then they don't get much maintaince so a little overhaul is probably in order. Thanks

Thanks Dewey. I guess I'll just keep on treating the gas in my boat the same way. Gas with out ethanol in it is getting harder & harder to find now. The one local station that I was using just had their tanks replaced so I imagine they will also have the blended gas. I've been adding the Sta-Bil Marine treatment every time I fill up since the `08 season. I haven't had any engine issues with my main or kicker and the last two times I changed my fuel/water separator it didn't have any water in it so maybe I'm just lucky or maybe that stuff does work.

OH....I feel a ......about to start!

Here is another option for a kicker mount that I went with after I played with the manual lift type brackets. Had it a couple season now with good performance. A little pricy but built like a battle ship. Also use the TrollMaster for throttle control. Setup works good for my style boat. http://www.jrmarineproducts.com/ Pics show rear and side shots with the kicker in both the up & down positions. Unit raises the kicker high enough so that its completly out of the water when the boat is on plane.

Well it's about time you saw that. Look at the date of my post............your slipping Z'