J-Doc

I've been contipmplating selling my 80lb Fortrex and getting a 80lb Xi5 wireless trolling motor. For several reason. I wanted it originally when I bought my boat last year but they did not offer an 80lb Minn Kota at the time. I've been a Minn Kota man but based on the Lowrance units I have and the reviews I have read, the Xi5 keeps the boat in a 5ft circle and the Ipilot is more like 15ft circle and strugggles to stay in a pinpoint location. Plus I can connect Xi5 to my Lowrance and Ipilot is for Bird units, not Lowrance. Questions: - Is the electronic steering noisy? I've seen a MG trolling motor (non Xi5) that is VERY noisy everytime the steering is engaged. Annoyingly noisy and can spook fish in shallow water - Will the pedal fit in most recessed pedal trays? - How easy is it to use the pedal vs. a traditional pedal? How does it know to do subtle adjustments vs. large adjustments? - Do you regret going from a cable steer to a digital steer model? I mainly crappie fish and live bait fish for stripers more than I do bass fish anymore but I would like the best of both worlds. The advantages of spot lock and trolling in a set course and speed while sitting at the helm is a major plus. And for spider rigging for crappie. Thoughts? I'm thinking of asking half the cost of a new Fortrex. Its a great trolling motor. (24v 80lb) But I'm tired of going back and forth between the helm and the trolling motor for adjustments when drifting live bait. I am forced to stand and fish from the bow vs. relaxing at the helm drinking coffee waiting on my rods to bend.

I got a vacuum sealer to freeze fish (without having to double bag in water like I've been doing) for half price and a new auto PFD for almost half price at Cabelas. All without having to leave the house. Now if I can sell my Fortrex trolling motor and buy a new Xi5, I'll be set.

I'm still a newbie myself but enjoying the chase. Got a 10lb yesterday. He will eat good with thanksgiving meal.

10 is fine. Loose drag. Play the fish. Chase it with motor and help steer it into the open water and out of trees and keep it there.

7/0 problem solved. Chase the fish with trolling motor or even big motor.

I was starting to think all the bigger walleye packed their bags and left town. Way to stick in there!

Yes I saw the same info. BassX jigs and McStick jerkbaits. No magic baits. Just good fishing execution. The guys are good too.

Funny thing about local tournaments on Beaver...... The top 5 are usually far out in front of everyone else. The top 10 have about 10-12lbs at least and after that it falls sharply to 8lbs, 6lbs, and then the remaining 100+ or so boats get less than 5lbs. The guys that win are no doubt, good and find a pattern that was very productive for them. For me, I could go with those guys, that same day, use their rods and their baits and STILL not catch that kind of weight. Some guys just have a knack for certain baits and can feel or see bites better than the next guy. Some guys excel on spoons, some on jigs, some on cranks. Me? I have not found mine yet. LOL I will say the bite has seen peaks lately. Up and down. I lost a 3-4lb bass at the boat yesterday. Not sure if it was a smallmouth or largemouth. I saw it a few times and when it jumped and spit the hook when I tried to lift it in. Don't know what I was thinking lifting it.........complete moment of stupidity.

That's too bad because the fishing can be pretty good right now. Weird year and it's harder to pattern but some days the fish just seem to be biting good. More important issue is taking care of your hand. Get it healed and healed well and it won't bother you later. Rush it and it will ache every time the weather changes they say.

I believe there is still a thermo at 50. Most of the big arches I saw yesterday were around 40-50ft. And all lock jaw. Only one bite all day for my target species and size.

First it was Ranger, now this. Lol!

Ain't that the truth. They've seen as many Flickers as they have Wiggle Warts now.

IF I had a special trolling bait, I'd rather give someone my bank account number than what it is. And on this lake, a hot bait today is a dead bait tomorrow. Some out perform othersome some days. Some colors outperform others. No idea why but, that's been my observation.

I was at work and forgot all about it. Oops

I see. That sounds interesting. Nice work Mitch.

Is it like the 3D scanned craw that Savage gear makes? There's is hollow bodied and supposed to help "float" the bait. Only you have to pierce the body to get a hook in it......which defeats the purpose of the air pocket. http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Savage_Gear_3D_Craw/descpage-SG3DC.html

What craw?

I heard the Swepco tournaments start next weekend. There goes that. Would have to fish it during the week for crappie.

I heard they were still near rocky branch and coppermine.

Nice work!!! Those would be killer on Beaver and Table Rock. Especially with small blue and purple flakes.

How is this working? Meeting somewhere or simply posting in this thread? The chat feature on this website? I did not know we had it until I just looked up to see if there was an option for it. :-)

Using himself as bait huh... Hope he had sexy shad colored swim attire. With a splash of chartreuse on his feet. Lol!!

Yeah, some of the craziness in that lake still amazes me. Just when I thought I had already seen it all.....it surprises me again.

That's the way I read it originally. I did get a bit lost on the boats swamping you part. Figured it was a sign of other boaters flying around and potentially running over the guy because they did not see him.....nor expect to see him. I know I wouldn't expect to see that and as fast as some boats run, it would be very hard to see him.

I'm game. But I have to wipe the stripers out of my eyes first. I'm seeing seeing stripers like dollar signs. It's that time of year. And I've got a score to settle.