FishingFool34

So im looking at buying a larger boat This year. A couple boats I have come across have autopilot systems in them (raymarine ev100 has shown up on 2 of them). I don’t know much about auto pilot systems but I do know big carbed V8 I/O motors aren’t good on fuel. If I wanted to install a kicker on a boat with autopilot is it as simple as connecting the kicker to the main via tie-bar system and the autopilot will basically steer the kicker? If the boat has hydraulic steering will the AP even work with the main motor off?

For browns a decent M or ML 8' will work fine, size 20 LC reels will be more than enough. If you want decent cheap combo, Daiwa Wilderness rod and Okuma Magda Reel with catch browns all day and should cost you under $80 per combo (Under $70 on Fishusa.com). Keep an eye out in the classifieds here for rods and reels, Daiwa Accudepths or Okuma Convectors are a step up from Magdas. I spool my reels with 12lb Berkley Big Game mono and 10lb flouro leaders (6-7').

I use the offshore inlines for pulling coppers for kings. They will pull the boat under but haven't had it cause a mess yet. I use the Sams Pro release on the front clip which releases and keeps the board from diving.

Yup, I used 27lb leadcore and 30lb braid backing. I fit enough backing to be able to run it on in-line planers and land fish. It’s prolly a better fit on a 45 size reel but I didn’t have one at the time.

Might be tough to find adjustables in that range. If you decide to go fixed you should check these guys out. Best price on a fixed triples I have found. I have a pair on my boat and they work great. http://www.madsdocks.com/shop/Item/pmpoletree

I have 6 of the 30 size and 2 of the 45 size, the 30 size is prolly the most versatile imo. I have 30s spooled with mono, wire and leadcore on them, they all work great.

make me a reasonable offer and if I cant find a trade soon, my only other option is to sell it and buy what I want.

I have a good condition Okuma Coldwater 453D that I would like to trade for a Convector 55LS. Anyone interested PM me.

Unit is 1.5 years old and has 272 hours on it, it is a Helix 7 G2N (networkable) with CHIRP, Side and Down imaging. Comes with gimble bracket, knobs, transducer, soft screen cover and an anti-glare screen protector that was installed as soon as it was removed from the box. DOES NOT come with a power cord (less than $20 for a new one). Unit works flawless, just upgrading to a larger unit. Can get pictures upon request. $500+shipping or pickup in Utica-Rome area.

I've heard good things about the new G3N Humminbird and their MEGA+ units. Seems like every company is focusing alot more on the side/down imagining aspects of their units now. Not sure how useful that is to us deep water trollers but it seems like the future is heading in that direction.

Why didn't you post this info in my thread? People acted like I was trying to invent a totally new way of fishing lol. That's basically the exact info I was looking for. The only real question left is does the steel+wire setups reach the same depths as an equal amount of copper? Well that's why I kept my fishawk TD after I bought an X4D, looks like I'll be doing some experimenting this spring.

I agree, maybe because I fish out of Mexico as well. It's a 3hr round trip drive for me and I also usually only get one weekend day to fish. Throw in the wind, current, weather and a week of time... it's basically like starting over every single time I go out. Something like a FH that can tell me that where I caught fish last week is no longer a good spot, saves me a lot of frustration trolling in bad water. Fishing marks is a good way to catch fish so sonar is important, but I have gone out and had good days fishing and not marked a fish all day. I wouldn't give up either my sonar or my Fishawk.

They won't read the same. It's the reason that knowing downspeed is so important. GPS measures speed over ground with no thought to lake currents. I've seen 2.5mph on my FH while my gps is reading anything between 1.5-3.5mph. A paddlewheel will give you your speed through the water which is what the fish will see.