chuck527

Use the wind to your advantage. You will cover alot more water on a drift. Just time it and toss out ahead so your just about to pass over when you hit bottom. I usually run slowly and mark a bunch of fish and then set up a drift on that line. There is plenty of threads on here with much more specific info if you search it.

X2 I use the 8' 3" with convector 20's on my riggers. Makes fighting small fish a little more fun but no problems pulling in big ones either. Not to mention the rods have so much give i'm sure it helps with pulling hooks.

I'm pretty sure thats an Okuma reel.

Everyone has their preferances but there are a lot of models that work well depending on how much you want to spend. If you want to spend the money, most units with chirp technology would work great. If you want an ecomical unit you could go with a Humminbird 859. If you get it without DI it would run about 499.00 w/GPS. Really not worth the extra money for DI imo. Most of the compact units putting out 2k peak watts are going to be a lil shy on your jig detail in deep 100+ fow. Minimally you would probably want at least 4k peak watts and more is better. If you get into the Lowrance, the HDS5 is quite a bit of power and will work well. I run Humminbird and have never had a problem marking fish and jigs.

I've had Boat U.S. for several years. Equipment coverage and 500k liability. Cost is $400 per yr plus the membership fee. Never had to file a claim so can't speak to that. Easy installments. This is part of their guide program and covers everything. I searched everywhere and this policy seemed quite simple and this is what they specialize in. I also think my deductibles have been reduced significantly as there has been no claims.

Got out on the water to once again strong south winds and headed about halfway down the lake. Set up jigging on the east side and gave it about an hour and a half with only one short grab to show for it. Decided to switch over to trolling and started heading North with the waves in about 80 fow. Got one rigger down 65 with a sliding cheater, one 6color out off a board and one 7 color down the shoot set up and I was working on the next rigger when the 7 color takes off. I grabbed the rod and handed it to one of the three i had out and boom the sliding cheater is released and takes off. Doubled up on two nice bows. Make it almost up to Pelican and get re set and decide to turn and head back south into the waves. Wind has really picked up now and the waves are cresting right on my nose. Notice a soft strike on the rigger so I pop it and sure enough a 4lb laker comes up but decides to let the hook go right at the net. Get just about back to where we doubled and I notice one of the guys is really lookin green. Decide to turn and start heading back with the waves and as soon as i make the turn the 6color on the inline takes off. Nice 6+ male bow and as soon as he hits the deck the one guy looks at me and says it's time to go!!! Rough ride back up but didn't take him long to recover once we hit the dock almost 2 hours early.