GANGGREEN

Are those rates for new boats or used though? I'm also over 800 credit score and even with that,I was looking at 8% on a used loan the last time I went shopping. That's not a cheap way to use someone else's money. I'm purchasing my new rig on a home-equity line at 2.99%, plus I can write off the interest since I use the long form on my taxes. Not too shabby, but as I said previously, I've worked my whole life for that privilege.

this economy and these rates dont support the savers, it supports the borrowers!   nothing wrong with using somebody else's money when its cheap but all depends on the lender and rates.

Unfortunately, that's part of the problem.  Even though prime is fairly low, boat loan interest rates, particularly on used boats, are NOT low.  Credit card rates, particularly for young guys with un-established credit, are NOT low.  I was fortunate to pay off my home mortgage and purchase a new boat with cash by taking out a home-equity line of credit at a very low rate but the OP doesn't have that option.

Heading back to Erie for a long weekend this coming Friday morning. I'll try to improve on my picture taking this trip.. providing there's something worthy of shooting. Anyone else going out there this weekend? Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Why yes Chris, yes, I am.    I'm picking up the new rig on Monday and, weather and waves permitting, I'll be fishing Erie on Tuesday, though I'll probably go out of North East.  Post a report or shoot me a PM when you get back if you don't mind.  I don't mind experimenting a bit but if you have them dialed in and don't mind sharing, I probably wouldn't refuse the offer. 

Believe me, I can appreciate working hard and feeling like you want a boat but I have to agree with the guys that suggest being patient and saving your money and working on your credit history at the same time.  I'm in my (very) late 40s and it's only now that I can really spend money on things that I want after many years of raising kids and making sacrifices but now I'm intending to live life the way I choose to live it.  I've recently purchased a new truck, just purchased a new boat and may eventually be able to manage a lake/vacation home and I could never afford these things at this stage in life if I didn't make sacrifices as a young man. 

I really hope to have a very long retirement when that time comes (hopefully within the next 5 years) and it's nice knowing that I've saved enough and been fiscally responsible enough to have a thoroughly enjoyable retirement doing the things that I want to do. 

Good luck to you either way.

This isn't directed at anyone in particular, but I think that sometimes we go overboard with our electronics.  If you don't need the mapping features, don't need side-scan or down-scan, etc. and you only want to see the fish (or structure) that are under the boat, it doesn't really take much and fishing electronics have come a LONG way in the last decade or two.  In fact, the $100 and $150 units are far more accurate and powerful than anything that was out there a number of years ago.

I have an Elite 7HDI (no down-scan) and a cheaper Eagle 320 on the bow and I've been perfectly content with them for 99% of my fishing and I do know how to use electronics, I use them a lot and they catch me a lot of fish that I'd otherwise miss. Now if fishing and boating are your only hobby and you don't mind paying good money to have the best that's out there, I agree that some of the new stuff is just mind-numbing in what it can do, but for most of us and most situations, the really expensive stuff is NOT necessary. 

Just my two cents.

Your opinion's valid jigstick.  I can't disagree with you and also appreciate the fact that Field and Stream seems to carry all the big names.

F&s has been sold at dicks for years.

Right but that still doesn't answer who makes them.  I suspect Shakespeare or Okuma but who knows.

Down here by Pittsburgh a Cabelas was built just across the border in WV.  At first, I loved it.  No more going to Dicks or Gander.  But over the past 5 years what I have noticed is that Cabelas selection as gradually widdled away.  They used to sell many good brands of gear, but gradually they have copied these other companies designs, and marketed their knock off products instead….often selling them for like $2 less than the original company's products.  In my book, that is bull ****.  Now when I go into a Cabelas, everything is "Cabelas" brand.  Sure they may have a small selection of MS Spoons, and then a massive selection of "Cabelas" knock off spoons.  Its like this with clothes, fishing rods, rifle scopes, etc…..I DONT WANT A Cabelas brand rod…I want an Okuma GLT !  Good luck finding it.  It really is sad. 

 

Last year, Dicks Sporting Goods opened up their version of "Cabelas" called Field and Stream.  F and S has ALL of the major brands.  Huge selection.  Since they opened, I won't be caught dead in Cabelas.  

 

I agree with prior posts.  Support your local tackle shops.  Don't get sucked into corporate marketing and glamour of a big store like Cabelas.  Customer service sucks.  Id rather pay $2 more for my Spindoctor and buy it from the guy at the local tackle shop….who actually is in tune with what is working out on the water.

I hit the Field and Stream store in Erie shortly after it opened.  It seemed like a nice store but I didn't really have a ton of time to shop.  That said, they also make their own store brand (or more likely label some other manufacturer's products with their brand).  I found a nice Field and Stream brand spinning reel that seemed to be nice for the money.  I asked a representative who made Field and Stream brand rods and reels and at first he just looked at me like I had a third eye growing in the middle of my forehead.  After thinking about it for a second, he quizzically said, "Field and Stream".  I'm sure it was made by Okuma, Shakespeare or someone else.  My point is that F&S is doing the same thing that Cabelas and BPS have been doing.

Good luck jigstick, that's got to be frustrating if you've really put in that sort of time.  I hope you get one this weekend.

Chautauqua does suck, how much for the cottage?  Send pics. 

Just kidding.  I can't really help you with the weeds because I'm not a hardcore musky guy and haven't fished Chautauqua seriously for quite a few years but I've always really liked the lake and used to do quite well on bass, walleye and even caught a few musky when I was fishing it frequently. 

Welcome back Bill.. we must be about due for another get-together! Sounds like a sweet rig you're putting together. You'll have to drag it out and join us on one of our Erie trips! Good Fishing, Sluggo (Chris)

Hey Chris, yep, getting back into the swing of it and ready to fish.  Let me know where and when you'll be out and maybe we can find you on the water or for a beer afterwards.  Work's still a **** but I'm always anxious to go. 

Check out this map.  Mine is the Hot Spots Premium East map and it appears to cover Lake Ontario but I'll confirm with Navionics.

http://www.navionics.com/en/hotmaps-premium

Yeah, I confirmed with Navionics that it was an early enough chip that it didn't have the micro attached.  Shame too because it's brand new.  Apparently the store where I purchased it was trying to clear out the old stuff and didn't tell me that it wouldn't be compatible with my unit. 

I've worked out a deal here on the board and will be trading my premium chip for another members gold chip.  Good deal for both of us.

Someone had a pair of the low-profile swivel bases for sale on the classified, though I'm not sure if they're still there or if you'd be interested.  Just thought you should know.

Ok thanks. Does it actually show detail of depths like the normal cards. Would it cover Lake Ontario. If so I would do the trade no problem. Thanks

Yes, it shows depth details and everything else.  I have the Elite 7HDI so I'm sure that your card will fit my unit but what is the card? Who makes it?  You can send a private message to me and we'll discuss it.  Thanks.

By the way, mine is actually the premium card.  It reads "Hot Maps Premium East 1GB".  I think it sells for $149 and the Navionics map on their website claims that in includes all of NY state so I'm presuming that would include Ontario.  Shoot me a PM and let me know what your card is. 

The Hot Spots card is just a Navionics SD card that goes in the unit to give you hydrographic information, tips and hot spots, etc..

This is probably a real long shot but I've got the Navionics Hot Spots card and found that I needed the mini-card, this one won't fit.  Does anybody have the smaller card to fit a Lowrance Elite 7 that would like to trade for the larger card that I have? 

Hi, my name is Dave Griswold and I do most of my fishing on Lake Champlain for Salmonoids. I have been to Lake O 3 times before for the Browns in the spring and will be making a first time trip for the Kings Aug. 18th -the 21st and was hoping for some tips.I will be fishing out of mexico bay in a smokercraft phantom new this year. Thanks

Can't help you on info for Mexico but I just posted as a new guy too and I'm also in a new Smokercraft (Pro Mag 182).  Good luck on your trip.

If you'll be in Erie, go to FISH USA. 

Thanks for the info, I'll check it out.

Maybe we can both get out there with our rigs one of these days Fred and exchange info.  I've done a lot more casting on inland lakes and even a lot more trolling for 'eyes in Erie but I have foul-hooked the odd salmon on Ontario, Georgian Bay or even on Erie back in the day.  Like you, I'm anxious to spread my wings and leave my comfort zone a bit.

You guys are making me feel bad.  I just traded in my 1986 Lund Tyee (with much difficulty, weeping and gnashing of teeth) because I figured it was time for an upgrade and something slightly more reliable.  Strangely, that Lund never gave me any issues, it was always the outboard, electronics or trailer that left something to be desired.  I hope I don't miss the old Lund.

I went to  Gander Mountain in Williamsport PA to buy a dual bank charger, a front seat pedestal for my boat and some various assorted equipment for trolling, like Dipsey snubbers, maybe some Tadpoles and Snapweights.  I left without anything because they didn't have anything.  The only thing even remotely related to trolling was a decent supply of Rapala cranks.  I figured the lack of trolling gear was because they were so far from big water but there can be no excuse for how poorly that store was stocked.

My eldest son will be attending university in Erie, starting this fall.  Does anyone know if the new Field and Stream there carries much boating or trolling gear?

By the way, only my second post.  Can anyone tell me why there's a line running through all of the text in my post? 

I've been fishing Ontario and the Finger Lakes at least occasionally for 20 years or more, since I purchased my first fishing boat, a 16' StarCraft Fishmaster with a 40HP Merc.  Since then I've upgraded rigs a few times but while I still fish the Finger Lakes a good bit, I haven't been on Ontario in a number of years.  I hope to change that some in the near future as I'm in the process of purchasing and rigging a new Smokercraft 182 Pro Mag with a 115 Yamaha 4-stroke, 24 volt MinnKota, Lowrance Elite 7HDI sonar/GPS and Humminbird 718 sonar on the bow.  I'll also be adding 2 48" track systems, one to each gunnel, along with 2 Bert's swivel downrigger mounts, two Cannon electric riggers (Mag 5), 2 Bert's ratchet buff-brite rod holders and 2 stainless adjustable rod holders which I already had. 

I'm rejoining the forum because I recall it being a great place to learn about boats, gear, rigging and general fishing technique and I know that I'll surely benefit from some refreshers and some new ideas.