CaptainJoe

Yea, I recently got a leaking one, but since I had some on backorder with Tackle Warehouse, they covered me and sent me a new one (without sending the old one back) with my backorder. I am really concerned about these baits, but I am really appreciative of the service rendered by Tackle Warehouse.

I agree with Dennis....great talk, but need to put a face with the screen names. Met a few, but not enough. But it was a pleasure meeting the one's I did meet.

Doug, Why don't you start a new topic and repost your pictures of your HB installation. There are lots of HB people that would enjoy seeing your photos, but won't see them under a Lowrance thread. Yea, Scap is good.

I plan to be there....

Nice report Eric. Sure glad you found someone to hold your fish for you while you took the picture.

Nice fish Jessary, congrats!

Come on guys and gals.....we need to fill these tables. Let's get the word out and keep this thread at the top of the list.

I have had other baits do it, but never a Wiggle Wart. What I would do is to try the bait out and see if it runs true. If it does, I would use it. Reason: Sometimes bass prefer baits that do not rattle. Look at the new Switchback Bomber crankbait. You can turn the rattle off and on. If your Wiggle Wart runs true, you may have a fish catcher. If it does not run true, I would try the hot water idea.

Phil, Thanks for making all of the arrangements. What a great idea to meet and greet the pros. But, MORE IMPORTANTLY, to meet and greet the Ozark Anglers. As I stated in the PM, I will be there.

Yea, the 37 is a nice unit. I had two 25's, but sold them and bought the HDS-8 and HDS-10. Hats....great. Don and I are planning to attend. I am getting the twitch. It as been awhile since I was on the lake. Have a tournament on Stockton on the 20th, but don't know if it will be a on the water or through the ice.

I heard a rumor that everyone that attends will get a hat and some will get a free Megabass jerkbait during the raffle.

Bill/Don, The jackplate installation is perfect. It is away from the transom and all of the boat steps. It has a clear view of the bottom and side to side. Yes, Don, on the trailer, it looks a little off, but it is not. When in the water, it is level. The bracket conforms to the pitch of the transom, which levels the transducer. I have not heard of jackplate vibrations or problems. Mine has been on the jackplate for quite awhile and I have had no problems. Most of the pictures that I posted on this forum are from the transducer on the jackplate. The "fish" pictures were taken using the unit on my bow and the transducers are mounted on my trolling motor. I just switched brackets from the one that came from Lowrance to the Transducer Shield & Saver (TS&S) bracket. The TS&S bracket is much better and protects the transducer where the Lowrance bracket did not. As you can see in the pictures, the bracket is held to the jackplate with three bolts. They do not come loose and there is no adjustment. There are neither problems with this mount nor its location. The StructureScan and DownScan works up to 30mph. Of course, the optimium speed is 10mph or less. I do not like shoot thru the hull transducers. I have one in my boat hooked up to a transducer switch. The other connection goes to the 2D Skimmer transducer that you can see in the pictures. I can switch back and forth between the two and I can personally attest to the fact that you lose signal strength, clarity, and functionality with the shoot thru the hull transducer. The only thing it is good for is keeping in contact with the bottom and providing depth when travelling at high speed.

Finished the installation of the Lowrance LSS Transducer on my boat transom. Actually, I selected the Jackplate model. This bracket is solid medal and should protect my transducer. You can see in the photos that the 2D Skimmer Transducer is mounted within 12" of the LSS Transducer for excellent DownScan performance. Here is the company's website: Transducer Shield & Saver

For me, it does not matter. I usually have about 18" between my hook and sinker all throughout the year.

California just sent you an Earthquake to shake things up a bit. Anything else you need?

The Revo is a very good reel. I hope to get to try out your new rod and reel on the Rock. Tight lines!

getfished, Let me add one more thing to check out and that is the unit's software version. Currently, all HDS units need the "Application" version to be 2.5.31.56 and "Platform" version 56.13-3. Hit "MENU" twice, select "SYSTEM", then select "ABOUT" to check the versions. If his versions do not match these versions, go to Lowrance.com and update the unit's software. The latest software update came out 2/1/10, so it is very recent.

I am not having that problem. When I lower the trolling motor, both transducers lock on almost immediately. What is not locking in, the 2D sonar, the StructureScan, or both? I would assume from your post that it is the 2D transducer that is not locking in. If this is the case, here are a few suggestions: 1)make sure that the transducer is pointing straight down. Look at it when you are on the bow, since your weight will affect the level of the transducer in the water. 2) The new transducer may be defective, as well. I would call Marine Repair Center in Springfield 417.833.9191 as ask them if they have a transducer tester and have his tranducers tested. Not many places have these anymore, but if there is one out there, they would have it. 3) With the sonar screen activated, hit the stop sonar button before you raise the trolling motor, then reverse the process when you put the trolling motor back into the water. 4) Make sure that the correct transducer is selected in the sonar, installation menu. Would appreciate some feedback on what worked or did not work just in case others ask me the same question. Good luck,

No, they were not. All of the photos were taken with the HDS-10, which is mounted on the bow and the transducers are mounted on the trolling motor. Shots 6 and 7 are quad screen views. I like this view, because you have everything in front of you, including your waypoints. Tried to send you a PM, but it did not work, so I posted the info here.

Jason, I was typing while you were posting. Good post and info. Thanks for going out of your way to help a fellow angler.

There are deals at the Spring Festival that are not available on line or in the catalog. The reel trade-in is also very good. I would suggest contacting BPS or go to their website and get all of the information. As far as the left vs. right handed comments. If I had it to do all over again, I would teach myself to use a left handed reel just because of the comments posted here. Switching hands is a pain and I hate losing contact with the rod during the process, especially when I am flipping in close. But, I have too many right hand reels to make the change. But, if I was like you starting out fresh, I would go with a left hand baitcaster and force myself to use it. Good luck

I agree....I hope this year they are even lower. If not, I will wait until the Fall when they want to get rid of last years model and get ready to introduce the new model. As a side note, I also like and use the Extreme Spinning Reel. The wide spool is such a plus. It significantly reduces line twist and it is just as smooth as the baitcaster. My clients use nothing else, except for the little Wally Marshall spinning reel when we go after crappie.

It is a shame that you have to do that to a bait that costs so much.

Sam, I agree, since you are under 6' tall, the 6'6" rod would be the best length. For what you are going to use the rod for, the medium heavy rod would be the best overall rod for you. I have not used the Pro Qualifer, but have extensive experience with the Extreme reels. But, here are some comparables from the BPS catalog: Pro Qualifer and the Extreme both have 7-bearings. Drag is the same. Pro Qualifer is a dual brake system, which requires magnetic adjustment and pin-release sideplate centrifugal adjustments. Extreme is a 11-position magnetic braking system only. Pro Qualifer does not have a flipping switch (I like the flipping switch). Pro Qualifer is $20 more than the Extreme. Bottom Line (my opinion): Pro Qualifer has great features that a "tournament angler" would like/prefer. The Extreme is a weekend angler reel that has similar features and is more affordable. One thing that convinced me to go with the Extreme: Go to BPS. Line up a couple reels that you like and include the Extreme. Now disengage the reel on the Extreme and spin the spool with our finger has hard as you can. Now, do the same with the other two reels. The other reels will stop and the Extreme will still be going, even though it was the first reel spun. The spool justs keeps going and going and going. I liked that. Good luck,

$189.00.