FishingFool34

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Lowrance elite 7 hdi, comes with headunit, mount, transducer, power cable... it is missing 1 knob to attach the headunit to the mount (you can get replacement knobs for $15 on Amazon). This comes with the standard 2d transom mount transducer but has capability for down imaging if you purchase the proper transducer. It does have GPS built in, everything worked fine when I removed it. Can get pics for anyone interested, pick up in Utica/Rome area or Mexico. $300 + shipping

I have an extra Yamaha bracket kit if you're interested. I bought the wrong one initially for my kicker and couldn't return it because I opened it. Its the 120-1080-00 kit and it was never used, could be a good starting point to build your own from. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.

I ran 8hp Tohatsu for 5yrs no issues. Tohatsu makes all Nissan and merc motors 15hp and under I believe.

I use blacks and like to replace them every year. With a $300 probe hanging off a $10 release, seemed like a small price to pay for a little extra confidence of it being a new release.

I had an ipilot link TM connected to a Helix on my last boat. You will need a Link compatible Lakemaster map card for your Helix as well, if you want the Link features. I enjoyed the heading arrow displayed on my maps when in AP mode and the follow a contour feature with my link. If you're gonna have a Link TM and looking for a new sonar, you may as well go with a Helix unit.

I can't help you with April fishing up there, as I've only been up there fishing in the fall. But the trench is basically the area between the mainland (R.W. State park area) and Stoney island.

I have almost all coldwater reels at this point minus a couple convectors for setups I don't use regularly... had some accudepths at one point and would compare them closer to the convector model from Okuma rather than the Coldwaters. I would say CW are more comparable to the sealine model from Diawa imo. I used to have trouble with adjusting the drag on my CW reels, that issue was solved by a reel repair guy out of Rochester/Buffalo area (I can't remember his name). You had to flip some washers and replace another plastic washer (theres a big post on here someplace about it). But since then my CW reels have worked flawless and I believe the issue has been resolved by Okuma in newer CW reels. That said I would buy CW over the accudepths personally.

No, I have the TR1 gold without the throttle actuator and it works perfect.

Depending on what brand of rigger you have, switching from wire to braid can affect some functions of your downrigger. Specifically Cannon down riggers with the auto/short stop feature. Changing to braid will disable this feature, just something to keep in mind.

Airbnb... I have always had good luck finding places to stay near where I wanna go with them. Their fees are a bit high, so I always check a couple other sites (trip advisor, etc) before I go with Airbnb.

How long is the track?

Teams will occasionally post on here and FB looking for observers... some even offer to pay you for doing it. Not much usually like $100 but can't argue with getting paid to go fishing!

I have 2 Plano spoon storage boxes, 1 standard size and 1 magnum size. The standard size has been used but the magnum is brand new. I don't want to ship these so pickup only in the Rome area now or Mexico area come spring time. $35 https://www.fishusa.com/Plano-Spoon-Boxes

Lot of ppl hate on the Magdas. I ran them for years and sure I had some issues with a couple of them. The counters would get stuck, drags weren't great, they have a bit of a gap between the edge of the spool and the case of the reel, that sometimes the line would fall into. Ones I had were the previous versions and some of those problems could have been addressed in the latest design. They are great starter reels and with a $8 drag upgrade are a really good value imo. I have since upgraded and sold all mine but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to someone looking for a good budget reel.