FishingFool34

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.

https://www.tackledirect.com/shimano-tdr-trolling-rods.html says 6 in stock right now.

Slim to no chance he misses next week's game IMO. He's basically the face of the NFL at this point. The NFL won't let their poster boy miss his most important game of the season (to this point), due to something they are trying downplay as a league-wide issue (concussions). As a Bills fan I would love to see him miss the game as odds of Bills win will dramatically increase if he doesn't play. I just don't see him missing the game.

https://www.fishusa.com/Shimano-TDR-Downrigger-C-Trolling-Rod idk how much you're gonna save buying used when new ones are only $30... if they aren't local and you need them shipped buying used will likely cost more than buying new.

Same here, 300' WS is the max I run (On a Convector 55LS). I C&R majority of the time and anything longer than 300' seems to result in completely exhausted/dead fish.

Easy with a battery switch... you start the main on #1 and the switch to #2 for everything else. That way your starting battery will always be charged. Does your kicker have charging capabilities? If so you will be fine, I run same AP, fishawk, sonar, radio, electric riggers, stereo and washdown all with no problems and can still start the main with the #2 battery if I wanted to.