Rookie Fisherman

For me its a gotta have. Typically I can tell if my speed is good by diver rod action & blowback on rigger cables. However repeating an exact speed after a bite or two the fish hawk will help you dial it in better. The down temp is only achievable with a probe. As mentioned earlier its a good way to get your baits in the preferred temp target zone and eliminate less productive water. That being said everyone does catch fish out of temp but during the warm summer months most are caught in the zone. $700 could be tough pill to swallow for only a few trips a year but it will put more fish in the boat.

Other consideration is alternator output. When I rigged me new boat last year I went with then 15HP Merc Pro kicker vs the 9.9 as the output was double. Although this does depend on RPM.

Im sure those are probably the ones you are after. Light enough to feel a small brown & strong enough for Kings. I have a few of these and we still use them. Great rigger rod! Unfortunately they do not make this model anymore. At the Niagara show it was told that Shimano is working on duplicating this exact rod. I'll bet if they do it won't have an Ugly Stick price though

Exactly what he said! Plus I always have extra leaders made up ahead of time daisy chained on a spool

Keatings books are very good! Another good resource is Captain Ernie Lantiegne. He has a blog page on his website fishdoctorcharters.com He has written many articles over the years that are accessible on his web site.

Good advice. We do slow the boat when bringing them in and turn towards the board we are retrieving. Don't usually put it in neutral as typically my riggers are the last lines to get pulled in.