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Bobby and others, thanks for the updates. I ordered the Garmin 106SV ultra units for bow and console; panoptics livescope and the Force trolling motor. All are in except for the Force. My guy who ordered and doing the installation called me today and said Garmin informed him there will be a delay in shipment to the end of July. They have discovered an issue with the "key" or fitting connected to the compass in the head of the unit. If the motor has impact with something, it could cause the key to pop out of place and affect the anchor lock ability to control the motor. They said it is a very small percentage of cases they know about and don't plan on a recall, but will offer full refunds, etc. if you have this occur. They are putting in a more robust bracket for the key apparently. This has happened only when the TM is in Anchor lock. Just wanted to share that with you all. Bummer that my set-up is delayed now, but glad they discovered the issue.

Bill, thanks for the information on your Garmin set-up. Sounds awesome! I went ahead and ordered the Garmin gear from the guy doing my installation: Force TM; (2) of the Echomap Ultra 106SV's for bow and console; and the livescope transducer/box. I also decided to get a custom shaft to mount the Livescope transducer to. I ordered one from an outfit near St. Louis-All aboard Marine. They make custom shafts for Force; Minnkota and Lowrance TM's also. The shaft attaches to the Force TM and doesn't move when the TM is moving and comes with a handle to adjust the position. Also, didn't need to get the Perspective mount, as their hardware allows movement of the Transducer to the perspective mode as well as forward view and down view. He charges $385, which includes shipping. A guy I work with got this set-up a couple of months ago and he said it works well. He has the Minnkota TM. I plan to retire end of next year, which will allow more time on the water and makes this investment easier!

Bill, I was also interested in how you mounted the Livescope transducer-on the trolling motor shaft, or separate custom shaft that could attach to the TM. I'm looking into investing in Garmin units and the Force TM. Thanks for all the information you always generously share!

Thanks for the information, Bobby/Hughesy!

I'm considering Garmin including Force TM and Livescope and was curious if those who have one have the transducer mounted on the trolling motor or on separate bracket/pole. I would think if you are running the livescope and have the trolling motor on spot lock, the constant movement would mess up the livescope picture? Appreciate any input. Thanks.

Thanks, Bill. He popped it hard once, then came back and nailed it again and I had him hooked good. I was disappointed we didn't do better on the topwater. thought it was an ideal day for it. Was thankful to catch the others on the swimmer though. Take care and be safe this weekend. Weather could be a bit rough at times.

Tried to add this picture of a nice 18 inch smallmouth my friend caught on swimbait in Cow Creek.

My Friend and I started at about 6:45 this morning putting in at Indian Point Marina. Went toward Cow Creek and stopped off at a cove just above Point 5. Caught a nice keep smallie on a red fin on 3rd cast. But no more action on top water. Went on down to Cow Creek and caught a few decent keepers on swim baits, mostly just off secondary points, sitting in about 20 feet. On the way back to the Marina, stopped at the pocket by Point 5 and got 3 more good smallmouth (17-18.5 inches) all on swimbait. Didn't catch numbers today, but had 7 good keepers. Got off water about 1:00 PM. Water temp 65 degrees.

Ok, thanks for the update, Neb! Appreciate you sharing information on your trip.

Nice pictures! How was launching out of Indian Point? I'm thinking about putting in there tomorrow. thanks.

Guys, thank for your inputs. Just looking for less crowded options to get the boat on the water.

Does anyone know if you can launch from Joe Bald campground? i know its been closed for sometime, but I was able to launch from there after it closed, but that's been quite a while. Haven't been there in along while. Just looking for other launch options. Thanks for any info.

On Sunday, it was a little dingy between Cape Fair marina and virgin bluff.

Will certainly keep Aaron and his family in our prayers.

Glad to hear your wife is doing good. Well have her and your family in our prayers.

We will have you in our prayers, Bill, and wish you a speedy recovery. Always enjoy your posts and tremendous insights and information. I will be getting a new knee, also in December. Everyone I have talked to that has had it done said it is great!

Took my 82 year old Dad out Saturday and put in at Aunt's Creek about 9:00. Fished till about 1:00 and we caught 6 total- 4 keepers. My Dad caught 5 of them and had 3 nice keepers- 2 largemouth and 1 Kentucky- I had 1 keeper LM. Used smoke grubs mostly and were fishing out deep in 40-50 fow, mostly vertical fishing trying to locate trees and fish on the graph. We caught a couple near the mouth of Aunts Creek, went up to Jackson Hollow and finished up near point 11. Great day to be out and my Dad had a good time. I tried the jerk bait some but got nothing. Dropped a spoon also, fished the ned rig some- just couldn't get bit. Water temp. was 43 when we started and 48 when we left. All in all, still a good day to be outdoors with my Dad.

We will also be praying for Stacey and his family-the power of prayer is real!

Does anyone know if you can still put in at the old Joe Bald park?

Would like information on identifying structure, such as channel swings, long points, bluff ends, etc. and how to best identify them on a lake map. Also, a refresher on best places to fish jerk baits.

Can't beat smoke with red flake on the single tail grubs.

My brother and I fished Saturday with no luck. Caught 1 crappie from about 8:00 to 1:00. We fished mostly above Marsh Cove. The 1 I caught was on the steep bank just above Marsh Cove. We went on up as far as the flats on the left at the turn before the bridge. We use pearl swimming minnows, mostly 1/16 head, but used some 1/8 head. I use red jig heads with white eyes and some chartruese heads. Went back towards Bear Den Cove and fished some for bass also-jerkbaits, jigs, wiggle wart, but had not luck. Just wasn't our day I guess. We probably should have went on up towards the Flat Creek bridge to find the crappie? Did find the underwater point Josh referred to! Luckily, I was idling slow and was in less than 1 foot of water all of a sudden! We will try it again and better luck next time. I do appreciate all the great information on this site and enjoy everyone's input.

We had a tough day also Saturday. Fished from Aunts Creek to just past Baxter. Between me, my brother and my Dad, we had about a dozen (all smallmouth and spots) and only 1 keeper smallie, which my brother caught on a wiggle wart (green craw) between point 9 and wolfpen in a small cove with rocky bank. I caught 3 on a smoke with red flake tube and my Dad always likes to throw a grub and he caught 4 (BPS smoke with copper and red flake). I really thought it would be much better with the cloudy skies, but it was sure slow. Water temp. about 55.

You, your wife and family will be in our prayers,Don.

Does anyone ever use the Joe Bald park ramp to put in? Is it accessible now? Thanks for the info.