CaptainJoe

I have been asked to provide photos of my Lowrance HDS transducer installation using the Transducer Shield & Saver product that has just been introduced (go to company's link under my logo). I personally worked with the company to design this product, so I am alittle biased. I want to be upfront with everybody. I am on the company's ProStaff. But, the pictures should tell the story. You can see from the scratches on my trolling motor, I need something to protect the transducer. There is a jackplate bracket also, and I should have that installed this week. I will post photos of that installation as soon as that project is complete.

For a good rod and reel combo that would fit your situation, I would go with the BPS Extreme combo. These are great combos. The reel I would go with would be the 6.4:1 with the Flippin Switch (you can learn to use in future). This reel has 7 bearings and an 11-position magnetic braking system. If you are over 6' tall, I would go for a 7' MH rod. If you are shorter that 6' tall, I would go with a 6'6" rod. The combo is around your $160 price target. I have quite a few of these reels (Super high speed, high speed, low speed, flippin reels, wide spool for carolina rigs) and never have had a problem. They cast easy and far and backlash little.

Sam, Your mailbox may be full. I tried to send a message and it denied my request. I would appreciate a copy of the word doc you received. Thanks in advance. Joe Hreha joe@captainjoesguideservice.com

I am still in the evaluation stage, as well. I did have my first McStick sink on contact with the water, but Tackle Warehouse replaced it with just a simple phone call. Still can't find out what is wrong with the bait. Can't see, feel, or hear any water inside or cracks in the bait. The rattles don't consistently move from the front of the bait to the rear, but the bait sinks horizonally. Oh well!

Bill, Ulrich Marine in Branson West is a Princecraft dealer. Their number is 272-1841. Their website is: Ulrich Marine link

Nice shots redbud. Love the ship....still looking for it myself and would like to get a waypoint on it and a good screen shot.

That is good advice...I need to try that. Thanks!

Sam....I know you use the Fish N Fool knot for mostly braid, but have you had any problems using it with mono, floro, or a hybrid line? thanks in advance....

I use the Palomar and loop the eye twice, but I am still having problems. I also use the co-polymer Yozuri or P-Line Floroclear. The second link that I provided in my original post shows an easy way to tie the Fish N Fool knot. I will take a look at the Tackle Tour site. Thanks. For a line to line knot, I have been using the uni-to-unit knot and that knot is very good.

With all the snow outside, I wanted to start a new topic and get some good comments and opinions. I typically use a Palomar Knot for most of my knot tying. The other knot I use is a common loop knot for topwater baits. I have been trying to find new knots that may be better than the knots that I am using now. I have become a little disappointed in the Palomar knot. I have been breaking off a few jigs on the hookset. After losing a few big fish and jigs, the search for a new knot was on. I have completed my research and I wanted to share my findings to see if Ozark Anglers have tried these knots. I HAVE NOT used these knots on the water, yet. The North American Fishing Club just completed their KNOT WARS 2009 where a knot called the Fish N Fool knot beat knots like the Palomar, Miller, NoName, San Diego, etc. The loop knot finalist was the King Sling Loop. These tests were conducted with braid, mono, and florocarbon. Here is a link to the knot war videos if you are interested: Click Here The Fish N Fool knot is hard to follow from the link above, so here is a better link on how to tie this knot. Click Here What knots do you use? How effective are they? I welcome all opinions, comments, and experiences.

Thanks, Guys....that's good stuff. I always say: "An organized fisherman is a better fisherman." Flippin....thanks for the thread.

Just to clarify. Not my idea. I got from the Nov 2009 Bassmaster magazine under the "Here's How To Save Bassin' Bucks" by Don Wirth.

Thanks for the clarification and I agree on the new rod and reel.

It is the plastic corner board and the hooks are inserted into the holes of the corner board. Here are some pictures showing leftover corner board that I just nailed to the wall. I keep extra baits here. Notice that I am using the S-hooks in the picture holding some of Wiggle Wart boxes. These pictures show it better.

Flippin, No bending. You want the 90 degree angle. The corner board has the holes already drilled into it, so you hang the baits in the predrilled holes. Since the corner board is all plastic, no rust, its lightweight, and really easy to glue to the back of the compartment lid. I had to trim the edges to allow for the watertight plastic seal around the compartments. Let me know if you need a better picture......

Phil, How in the world are you going to get Bill done by 9 pm? Just kidding!!!!!

GETFISHED, Bags of plastics can be added by using S-hooks, but I did not do it for two reasons: 1. the bags are not consistent (size differences and Chompers does not provide a hole after the package is opened) and the bigger bags hit the tackle storage boxes in the storage area. 2. I use a tackle storage bag for most of my plastics, especially the scented ones. I put the worm bag into the storage bag and they stay fresher under a double seal. I looked at the Cooks system, but lots of bucks to do multiple cabinets. My entire system cost me under $4.00. Your setup sounds great, too. Can you provide a picture of your setup?

I wanted a way to store my baits on my tackle box lids. When I would switch baits, I was putting the wet bait back into the bait box. Soon, the hooks would begin to rust. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, buzzbaits, and jigs were really bad since the skirts retained more water and would cause hook rusting and the shirts would stick. Well, I found a cheap and very effective way to store your baits. This idea was featured in Bassmaster Magazine. I installed one over the Winter and it works. You can get to your baits easy, they dry out, skirts don't stick, and don't rust. I bought the drywall plastic corner board at Lowes. Marine silicone holds it to the lid. Works great. Here are some photos. Sorry for the out-of-focus crankbait picture.

bobby and redbud, That is some great info guys, thanks. I had one of the first co-pilots years ago, but hated the foot pedal. The co-pilot was great. The I-pilot was the feature that I was most interested in. It has the co-pilot built into it. I agree redbud, it does stick out from the bow. But, if Bobby says there have been problems with the spot control, I need to research this more. While I am taking off a fish, taking a client picture, re-baiting the hook, and the boat stays within 5 feet of a GPS coordinate. That is some neat stuff, if it works. I am also concerned by your comment, redbud, that the Minn Kota is noiser than the MotorGuide. I would like to see MinnKota include the Lowrance StructureScan transducer into the built in head, but that will not happen since MinnKota (Johnson) is suing Lowrance over their SructureScan technology. Thanks again for the info.

No, it is not the flat pedal. They made it like a normal trolling motor pedal, except it is electric. Instead of having to keep pressing down to continue to turn the head, you just have to make contact and the head turns.

I really like the new Minn Kota Terrova Trolling Motor. I played with the foot pedal at BPS and it is quite responsive. I really like the new I-Pilot, especially the built in GPS head that will alow you to retrace a route and stay withing 5 feet of a spot automatically. As anyone else looked at these? Better yet, does anyone have it and can post their review? I also see that it is advertising on this site. Thanks...

With the weather the way it is here, it is so hard to predict anything. The spawn usually occurs between mid-April to mid-May. So I would split the difference and say during the last few days of April and the first few days of May. Should be able to get on pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn fish. Good luck!

Way to go denjac and Donna.

Great job, Gary, especially your friend that saw them in the act. Will go far in court. Again, congrats!

You are very welcome...