Long time fisherman

10 minutes ago, Long time fisherman said:

Thanks for sharing! I'm curious about the dual spectrum Chirp.  But it sounds like from what you're saying the MEGA down/side image will do both types of fishing. 

Thanks for sharing! I'm curious about the dual spectrum Chirp.  But it sounds like from what you're saying the MEGA down/side image will do both types of fishing. 

What Hummingbird-Minn Kota Helix 9 transducer do you guys recommend for trolling, perch fishing and jigging for lake trout?  The choices are, 
Dual Spectrum Chirp or MEGA down/side imaging..

3 hours ago, Shakemsam said:

A pontoon with canvas on a windy day will eat those batts up. 36v will help but still...,IMO

Your Merc will probably not be enough... it still has to charge the cranking battery as well.

An onboard charger if you have shore power will work and will keep you fishing everyday, but still your run time will still suffer depending on all the variables being use and wind.

A troll bridge unit is another possibility. you can google it for information.

 

 

 Thanks Shakemsam!! I've spent hours trying to figure this out. My altinator only is rated at 18 amps. I'm thinking the safest way to go is with 22 lb lithium battery's wired 24v solely for the trolling moter and have them taken home to charge as needed... 🤷‍♂️

My 60 hp Mercury puts out 18 amps max would that even be enough to change 2 100 amp AGM deep cycle batteries? 🤷‍♂️

Than

53 minutes ago, Gator said:

IMHO, it's going to matter what kind of conditions you're fishing. Calm to slight breeze, spot lock....sure. Easily. Twenty mile an hour in-your-face stiff breeze, trolling using the motor...maybe, maybe not. That's where the boat you're fishing will kick in. I'd bet good money that you'd have power to spare with a 16' Lund. But try the same with a 21' Ranger and it might be a different story.

 

Also, although there are significant weight savings to Lithium and, unlike alkaline batteries that provide less top end power as they discharge, lithiums give their all right down to being completely depleted. Still, at the end of the day, 100 Ah is 100 Ah. 

Thanks gator! We only go out when conditions are good. But our boat's a 20 ft Bass buggy pontoon with a canvas cabin. The Ulterra Quest is capable of 36 volts as well. Is there any advantages to go with 3 batteries to get more time? 

I want to get a new Ulterra Quest and have no easy way to charge Lithium battery's at our dockage. I'm rarely on the lake more than 4 hours. Can I get 4 hours from 2 100 amp AGM batteries wired for 24 volts useing spot lock or ipilot?? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated 🙂 Thanks!! 

2 hours ago, Frogger said:

I think you’ll get some charge, I’m just not sure if you’ll break even if your at a 3-4 setting while trolling.  I’m sure guys that are using there electrics like your going to do can chime in on how much charge they see while trolling. You’ll also have to be careful wiring as you don’t want your crank battery also used for your trolling motor battery. You would want to keep the system separate for prolonged life. 

Thanks again Frogger!🙂 I don't plan on doing anything till I find someone that can with confidence put a system together for me that works.

I hope others chime in with a system that works well for them under the same circumstances. 

19 minutes ago, Frogger said:

Mmm yea that’s a tough one.  With the amp draw and the need to recharge those quickly you won’t have enough mmmmf to get the recharged with motoring around with your big motor.  Someone on here might have an alternative solution for you. 

Frogger, I can get a small light weight generator to top it off occasionally... Won't useing the 18 Amp altinator prolong battery life when used ipilot while trolling?

1 hour ago, Frogger said:

I had to swap out my existing on board chargers as it wasn’t set up for lithium. I went with a three bank Noco 10amp charger that can do all three types lead acid AGM and lithium. Has worked great.  I do suggest an on board though. 

Ok I get what you're saying but don't you need a 120 volt power supply? I don't have power at my dockage...  I'm looking for a way to charge my lithium battery's from the 18 volt altinator output without causing any problems.....

7 hours ago, Frogger said:

So to your question. I would go with Lithiums for your electric trolling motor if you can afford it.  Too many positive’s over lead acid in my book.  My particular setup has 2 lithiums (50 amphr) for my electric trolling motor and a separate lithium (125amphr) for my starter main motor 115 hp  / 8hp merc and everything  else on the boat (electronics / downriggers etc).  This battery also has my main motor charging it.  It’s not connected to the electric motor battery system. Completely separate.  I was just saying that when my gas kicker was trolling, also charging the main battery, it would kick out if it was fully charged. This was due to a safety system on the lithium battery’s.  I since took of the coil on the 8hp merc so it wasn’t charging while trolling.  Hasn’t been an issue.  You’ll never have any issues with your electric minnkota because it would be separate if that makes sense.

Frogger,  thanks for the detailed response I definitely appreciate it! I still have no easy way to charge the trolling moter battery's... Any suggestions?

On 3/8/2023 at 9:19 AM, Frogger said:

Just to add with my limited knowledge on these, take the time to ask or find out about the battery / needs etc you need for your application. Meaning if your looking for a trolling motor batteries  only, the charger requirements are different than AGM or Acid etc.  if your looking to use lithium for a starter battery make sure it has the CCA needed or bad things can happen. Also need to make sure the lithium system is isolated from the lead acid or AGM system if you have both kinds on the boat. I switched over to all lithium for not only the performance but the weight savings as well. One other thing that I don’t think anyone has mentioned. Charging from your motors. I had to remove my charging coil from my merc 8hp. If my main is fully charged and I start to troll my BMS on the lithium kicks the battery of line due to being fully charged. I decided to do this rather than not fully charge the battery. Not sure if anyone else had this.  No concern though with the battery not charging from fishing as it will last days of fishing if I’m using everything on the boat. 

Is Frogger saying that you cannot charge lithium battery's from the altinator on whatever powers your boat? I have a 60 hp Mercury on my pontoon boat that I troll with, it puts out 18 amps.

I'm considering going with lithium battery's but have no easy way to charge battery's where I dock my boat.  I've not had any problems with the altinator on the Mercury charging my starting and deep cycle lead core battery's. I want to upgrade my trolling motor to a Minn Kota Ulterra Quest 24-36 volts. Would I be better off sticking with lead cell Battery's???

I live near Auburn.  You're not that far away. I'll call you a bit later.... 

58 minutes ago, Yankee Troller said:

One of my distributors has the dual spectrum in stock. I can drop ship it to you. They list for $3900. I can sell it for $3800+tax if you'd like. If interested give me a call at Krenzer Marine.

I need a package that works together and an installation...

1 hour ago, Yankee Troller said:

I installed a new one on a 27' Robalo two weeks ago. They have definitely made some improvements. Which model are you looking for? I can check availability, and drop ship it.

That's what I'm trying to figure out.  What transducer is best. I'm thinking the guest model in 24 volts,  80-90 lbs thrust and a 60 inch shaft. It's going on a 20 ft bass buggy pontoon boat....

Also would like any thoughts on what's the best battery's to use to run the trolling moter and power my Canon electric downriggers at the same time. I'm hoping to be able to use the ipilot to steer the boat?? Is this possible? I'm going to need a different Hummingbird for following contours....

Anyone have an opinion on the 

new Minn Kota Ulterra Quest? Are they available yet?

Because lack of physical ability I need the self deploy and retrieve system. 

Also what transducer is best for all around fishing.  I mostly troll but do like to fish for perch and would like to try jigging for lake trout with the spot lock.  Thanks!!

16 hours ago, Sk8man said:

 

Thanks Sk8man! It'll be interesting to try it both ways and see if there's a difference.... If I get to try it I'll post the difference... 

18 hours ago, GAMBLER said:

I run stealth core from FISHUSA.  I ran suffix for a couple weeks and threw it out after having issues with the sheath fraying and breaking.  

Yes, I've had the same problem with the core coming through the sheath but the line has held up.  I just fish the finger lakes....

On 11/5/2023 at 1:09 PM, Sk8man said:

I'd leave the spoon on if light one and attach the TD at the swivel on the leader where it meets the leadcore. Even with the spoon the depth should be within 5 ft or so

SK8man thanks for the reply.  I don’t get the reason to attach to the core? 

I do have one but I thought it would be different than with a spoon.  🤷‍♂️ Would i just hook it on like a spoon and let out 10 colors?

On 10/25/2023 at 7:52 AM, Yankee Troller said:

 

I don't know

Thanks! I guess it's mostly guess work....🤷‍♂️

8 hours ago, Yankee Troller said:

 

I figure 40-45', but I'm sure it is more or less depending on currents and thermoclines.

Thanks! Do you think the Suffix advanced would tend to go any deeper?

46 minutes ago, Yankee Troller said:

We've been running the FishUSA Stealthcore for a while now. We used to use the Suffix stuff it wasn't bad, but it was really bright. 

Thanks Yankee Troller! What do you figure is your depth with a scorpion size spoon out 10 colors at approximately 2.5 GPS?

I've had good luck with suffix advanced but it kinks and breaks the core very often.  Is there any better line that gets as deep and holds up better?

"Well over a thousand spoons" LOL!!🤣 I would say you're pritty much sold on single hooks!! 💯