markmonkey1

I'm about to pull the trigger on an HDS5. It comes with the 83/200 xducer. But I'm reading the 50/200 may be better for deep water Lake Ontario salmon trolling (200-600 fow). What are you using? Oh, I'll be using it on the shallower Lake Erie for walleye too (<100 fow).

I've had best luck with sampo! Hoping to buy bulk if possible. Small size to attach spoon. Option 2 for me are the dreamweavers, I found 10-pks on fishUSA, but I'm trolling for the sampos first! Sent from my iPad using Lake Ontario United

I have read the 50 kHz is better than the 83 khz for picking up the thermocline. Anyone have experience in that regard? Seems that the HDS5 units with inland lake mapping (I.e. Lake Ontario) have the 83/200, while the units with the coastal waters maps (nautical) have the 50/200. So I guess most of you have the 83 transducer...which is fine for Lake O? FYI - Gen1 vs Gen2: Gen2 has 2x the memory and processor speed as G1. The G2 is wifi capable (with the added $200 wifi-1 module), this permits you to display the lowrance screen on your mobile device (smartphone or tablet). Sent from my iPad using Lake Ontario United

My boat's 8'6" wide with 2 riggers. I usually start out with 7 rods - 2 dipsys each side, one on each rigger, and one down the middle. BUT--when it's slow and we're covering lots of water and I'm getting bored... I've been known to run 11 rods. I'll stack a second rod on each rigger, and add a 3rd dipsy to each side. Just don't try to make any sharp turns!!!!

Looking at GPS/sonar combo units and pretty much settled on an HDS5. The lake insight models come with 83/200khz transducer and the nautic models come with the 50/200 xducer. I'll be mainly trolling deep water in Lake Ontario. Think the 83/200 is sufficient? Also,are Lk Ontario contour maps on either of these?

Going to upgrade my sonar and looking at HDS5. Looking at a used Gen1 or a new Gen2. What improvements does the gen 2 give?

Moor subtrools are great and probably the most popular in Ontario area, but the readout takes up some space on your dash so be sure you have the room for it. I went with a depth raider (last year) mainly due to its smaller readout, takes up less space. I'm happy with it. Both use the coated rigger cable which tends to lose the coating--- but the coating can be repaired using liquid electrical tape. Cannon made a probe, but their speed sensor would not give accurate results at low speeds which we would be trolling at (read their manual for the details...I spoke with cannon last year and they confirmed this...maybe it's fixed in their newer models for 2013?) I've heard good reports on the fish hawks too and many charters use these, no coated cable but also the most expensive.

I have a walker strikevision electric rigger and camera combo (that I was actually thinking about selling... Seems like we make it out a couple of times per year, and rarely put the camera on anymore.) Anyhow, get info and videos at: www.walkerdownriggers.com When i researched these, strikevision was the best one available. It uses a special rigger cable to send the video signal up. My only complaint, it takes some trial and error to get the camera to point directly on the lure. Another less expensive option, some cameras will attach to your rigger, but you have to hand feed the camera cable down, and them you have a lot of blowback from the drag. If you get one, I recommend strikevision.

Thinking about upgrading my old sonar with a sonar/GPS unit. What do you folks have and how do you like it? (I was thinking about a Lowrance Elite-5 series.)

Thx for that info. Changes my game plan! I think the storm band did go over the lake so probably stirred it up some more. We have a depth raider now, so that will def. help!

Thx for that info. Changes my game plan! I think the storm band did go over the lake so probably stirred it up some more. We have a depth raider now, so that will def. help!

Heading up to Olcott this weekend for our annual trip. Hope to wet the lines Thur evening. Looking for advice on where to start fishing...where have you been having good luck? Starting out, we'd probably search in the 100-200 fow range, unless the action is elsewhere. Advice???!

i use mccoy on my noodle rod for stream fishing...really like it. how is it with the fleas? [ Post made via Mobile Device ]

I am going to respool my downrigger and non-stretch reels. I have 20 lb mono for the riggers, and ~20 lb dacron or ripcord (Cabelas) on the no-stretch/dipsey reels. In addition to Lake Ontario, I also fish Erie for walleye, so I prefer line that will work for both. I've had more breakoffs than usual this year...going out for opinions before I buy... What weight, type, and what brand lines do you like best? Would you use mono or a full spool of flurorcarbon on the dipsey rods? I think I've decided on Seaguar Premier fluorocarbon for the leaders. (20lb for salmon) mark

trolling for kings, i've had OK luck with caleblas brand fluorocarbon (20lb)...horrible luck with cabelas brand mono (20lb). whats your favorite line/brand for leaders? time to replentish and looking to try something different. [ Post made via Mobile Device ]

i've had best results with SPRO and sampo brands, coastal type... not cheap compared to the walmart eagle claws...but i've learned the hard way not to let the swivel be the weakest link! lotta $ attached behind it!!! [ Post made via Mobile Device ]

in addition to the big dipsys, can also try lead core fishing line (need a big reel for it) and torpedo divers. [ Post made via Mobile Device ]

do you run that spoon clean, or with a SD or flasher? (i might have a little less than 10 colors on it now...lost some with a bad tangle last time.) [ Post made via Mobile Device ]

i never had a lot of luck with lead core. whats your favorite rig on it? also, do you think 150ft of mono after the lead line is too much? (I normally use ~50ft but was going to try something different.) [ Post made via Mobile Device ]