FISHSTALKER

Many thanks to all for the valued information. Don - The price sure sounds right but the time of year and circumstances aren't. I live in Calif.

Has he added a section to the arm? Thank you for the info Bob.

Some time ago I was reading posts about planer masts and trying to figure out what would work for me. I stumbled across a photo someone posted where he had used a modified version of a what I think is Big John. When searching the Big John website I didn't see this set up. Can anyone share some information? Here's the photo I found on these forums.

I have a 22' with a honda 8hp for trolling. For some time now I have thought I should replacce it with a 20hp. The reason is, in the wind, my boat is like a sale. (It can blow around in circles) It will lose control easily unless I use my Minn Kota on the bow for control. I'm wondering if any of you have gone through this? Does the larger 30" shaft 20hp kicker maintain control? My main motor is a 225 hp and the lowest idle troll speed I can reach is 3mph.

Stan - You can read my reply in the X-Mass card I will be sending you. Darlene made me set up the tree and the outdoor lights yesterday. My legs are cramping up and my back is broke. In the back of my mind I know that someday, when I'm gone, she will use my money to hire some kid to do this crap.

Stan - Nice try! You think I don't recognize my own work? .... I know you were fishing for a different kind of response.

Hey Stan - That Cisco Kid on the bottom should have at least hooked a green carp for you.

I thought I would share this with you guys. I live in the foothills in northern Calif. and this is one of the Black Tails that has showed up here for the last couple of years. I'm surprised he's lasted this long. My property and our neighbors is the local hangout for a small Herd. I'm not a hunter and over the years the Deer have become used to us. It's not uncommon to walk out of the house and find them within 10 feet. They just stand there or gradually saunter away. This youngster is here daily.

Hey Stan if there is no interest I'm happy to keep it in the bag.

Big Diamond Rings...........

I you plan on keeping the boat for some time you might want to checkand see if there is a shop that does powder coating. It is the toughest finish I know of that will stand up to dock rash and all around abuse. I have a 2003 22' that looks like brand new even after backing over and knocking down my corral fencing twice. Mcquires boat wax and polish keeps it clean and makes it sparkle.

Stan - Are you still keeping the hard to find Abu Tormentors a secret?

Apples and Oranges - Ford and Mercedes I've owned Scottys and I now own Cannons. Over and above the Scottys the Cannon DT20's or Digi trolls can all be controlled from the sonar/fishfinder unit. From one downrigger up /down individually to all downriggers up/down. Sure beats a lot of running around. They can also be set up to jig. That is continuously moving the ball and lure up and down at a prescribed distance. The other feature is the bottom contour following control. If money is a handicap and working a little harder is okay, then Scotty may fit the bill. You will find that the majority of fishermen are loyal to the brand that they currently own. Warranties are a definite plus. (But they just don't solve the issues when you are out on the water. I had a plastic brake handle on a Scotty break off. That put that rigger out of commission for the day. Then the next trip out while that one was in the shop, the handle snapped off of the other one. Okay, Scotty fixed both of them for me but they replaced with the same part. This is when I decided to basically give the Scottys away and buy something else. It was two different people who were operating the riggers. Since then possibly Scotty has made a change? I don't know? Today it seems that the manufacturers are going more beefy with metal supports, spools, arms, etc. Probably because of the greater ball weights being used along with the faster speed of retrieve.

It's another Ray joke.

Ever had a downrigger go overboard? ..........I have. Caught it by the power cable. The Cannon Mag 10 was completely submerged. I refastened it to the mount and it was right back in service. It is totally water proof. I doubt a Scotty could survive that much water. Now I do fish in the rain now and again or soupy wash but don't make it a practice of throwing my riggers overboard. Ever had a belt jump off of a Scotty? ...........I have. Real funnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn! especially when the cable takes the express to the bottom. Why is it that all downrigger manufacturers except Scotty use a direct gear drive? Why does Scotty have such a great Warranty? Because they need it. How many of you Scotty guys have to carry replacement belts and parts with you? It's a pain in the butt to reset the footage counter on the Scotty and it looks like a toy lawnmower. All in fun guys!

In any group of people there will be horror stories dealing with this or that. If it's man made its due to fail at some point of its life. I sent in a Lawrance unit years ago and was very pleased to receive a brand new unit back from them. A 2nd experience taught me that because of the amount of power fishfinders require, check the battery first. What is frustrating is we buy some very expensive equipment and require it to be 100% all of the time. Our lives could depend on it. I run a Raymarine system in my current boat and it has the hs2b integrated system. Sonar Radar, and GPS overlays. It's 6 years old now and not one flick of trouble. KNock on wood. I use a Lawrance unit at the stern and have high praise for it too! My questions to both companies from time to time have been responded to within an hour. So I have good faith in both companies. I figured someone should say something positive.

Stan - Looks like you backed up to the planter truck again. You know the Derby needs a special division for you,.................... Green Carp King. .... How many Bass? You know I'm joking. Nice to see so many fish. I can't believe you couldn't entice into a couple of the bigger Browns. Guys, Stan knows his Lake and is very knowledgeable. Every year the Shasta Derby is won with a 2 fish weigh in of around ten pounds. Stan - From the photos it looks like the houseboats will be high and dry soon. Dale

Ray - I told you so! http://www.ehow.com/how_2318402_set-drag-fishing-reel.html

Whatever works for you guys ............ I stated the method prescribed by factory line reps. Drag pound ratings are hard to evaluate other wise. But I would also figure that if the line doesn't break or stretch when pulling it straight from the reel, you would be good to go. I think most of us would probably do that. Ray kinda drifted off the subject to include all kinds of line information that wasn't in the original inquiry but good information none the less. We could divest into sticky drags as well.

Normally the preferred drag set is 20% of the line test you are using. This is the rule of thumb that most of us left coasters use. Now tournament fishing or structure or the type of fish you are fishing for may dictate something different.

Throw it overboard and buy a new one.

With some help you can adjust your drag by using a fish weight scale. With rod and reel, hook up to the anchored scale and adjust your drag to the desired setting. The crew helper can take your reading for you. Note: Your line rubbing on the rod eyes produces a light drag and is factored in with this process. Dale

You guys may laugh at this but when searching the programs offered by Iphone I came across a GPS tracking program and Navionics gold addition. The phone is excellent for a backup system that has become a multipurpose tool. The total cost of the two programs is around $50 each. This helps to defer the big price I paid for this 16 gig model phone. It will actually store charts and way points and can download and upload from my desktop computer. http://www.inavx.net/ http://x-traverse.com/product/TD-NAV-12XG-2 These are the other available down loadable programs with charts. NOAA CHS Maptech Navionics NV. Verlag Solteknik TRAK Canada

Ray - You've caught some nice stripers there. Care to share what you used? Dale

Ask Stan about Mrs." blowboater" that soaked him when he was standing on the back of his houseboat.