FishingFool34

Appreciate the input! That's pretty close to what I was thinking for a stripped price. Plus another $3k for it all rigged up? Quick math puts me over 3k if i pieced out the rigging, which is always an option too.

I have a HB helix with SI/DI, pretty much never use either... if I could do it again I would have passed on the SI/DI and gotten the next size larger unit. I fish same few lakes and have been for years, I know where the structure is and it doesn't change. No real need for the imaging especially if you troll alot imo.

Fishhawk does not need coated cable, the new X2 version actually doesn't technically require a downrigger either. I have seen 2.8mph gps speed be barely 1mph down speed. GPS speeds are better than nothing but depending on the conditions can be way off from what you want.

X2 on this^... you will be very surprised to see the difference between your GPS and the actual speed at depth. Depending on currents I have seen close to 2mph difference in the speeds.

This coming spring I plan on upgrading to a larger boat, but in order to finalize my budget for this new boat I need an idea of what my current boat is worth... just a ballpark idea is all I'm looking for. Any guess on an unrigged price? 1997 Alumacraft 175 Tournament Pro CS 1997 Mercury 150 (2 stroke, carb, oil injected) 2018 Tohatsu 8 (4 stroke, tiller) 1997 Eagle single axle trailer 60" 24v Terrova 80lb iPilot-Link Humminbird Helix 7 G2N DI/SI Humminbird Helix 5 G1 DI Fish Hawk X4d 24" Berts Track (each side) 2 Bert's Ratching Rod Holders 2 Double Tree Rod Holders 6 Cabelas Quickdraw Rod Holders 2 Cannon Mag 5 HS Downriggers

A screaming King will put your drags to the test... I would look into a better reel imo. I ran into a similar issue a few years ago when I was using Okuma Magda Reels for my wire setups, I upgraded the reels and haven't had a break off since. I run 9'6 MH Diawa Wilderness rods, Okuma Coldwater 303 reels, 12" DW snubber and 30lb Seaguar STS Flouro line. I run my drags as loose as I can, a click every minute or so is good imo, more when conditions are rougher.

I have a brand new Okuma SLV fly reel (size 8/9) and matching spare spool, both have never seen water. Only removed from the box to inspect them. $80+ shipping

You asked the question, sorry you don't like the responses you got. You said you fished from 4 til noon... How was I supposed to know you were counting your drive time as fishing time? If I say I started fishing at 6 I usually mean I was actually fishing at 6, not pulling out of my driveway to go fishing at 6. I guess it makes sense that you only saw 3 jump from 4 til noon, hard to see them jump when you're in the truck. I don't think anyone lectured you, but you came across as someone unfamiliar with fishing in the river/estuary, you even said yourself you hadn't fished it on over 30 yrs. It doesn't help your cause when you then make ambiguous statements that can be interpreted as breaking regulations. Your question was answered by me in the first response to this thread, you weren't happy with it so this continued downhill.

4am til noon? Just an fyi you can only fish the river from 1/2hr before sunrise to 1/2hr after sunset. Sunrise is like 6:40am so I hope you weren't actively fishing at 4am... If you're unsure of the regulations you really need to do some research and find out for sure. As others said the estuary falls under the river regulations.

I answered in your other thread, but most ppl are using floating egg sacs above a weight. I don't recommend trolling in the estuary, there are specific rules for lure types and number of hooks also.

While I do agree with this and do make a lot of purchases locally, it's hard to deny that website isn't very tempting... 25-28 days shipping time obviously ruins things a little bit. The 50% off over $500 sale right now is insane if it is a legit site! 4 Tekota 600s prespooled with wire for $280 after the discount... thats $70 a reel, $70 won't even get you a Magda reel spooled with wire!

Seeing they are affiliated with paypal I would prolly be ok with a purchase from them. You can always contact paypal and make sure they really are affiliated and see if they have had any issues dealing with them. I've had pretty good luck with paypal customer service.

After this first happened I actually bought a handheld VHF radio to have as a backup to my fixed radio just in case. Tested this radio out yesterday, Uniden MHS75... floating, JIS8 rating, 16/9 button, memory feature, channel scan, weather stations, 12hr battery life, rechargeable battery... I picked up chatter clear as day as well the CG broadcasts. All for $75, how can you justify not having one?

https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/niagara-co-sheriff-fatal-boating-accident-happened-in-the-orleans-co-waters-of-lake-ontario/1395425744

That's one incorrect fact... "many" would be the number of spelling errors in your response lol. Like I said I'm not 100% fluent on the rules, I prefer to just avoid any and all potentially dangerous situations by acting first and long before there is any concern. I appreciate you correcting my error though

Yup I agree with that, but this was Chesapeake Bay. That could have been a tuna fishing boat which I believe are considered commercial fishing vessels. We also don't know if that the boat was actively fishing at the time or just underway... that could possibly change things as well.