Ace....I love ya...but if you ever write that much on one of my post again I will kick you square in the family jewels at the next tourney I see you at.
Thanks Jeff. That's a knot I have never tied, so I will look into it.
I am not worried about getting into the backing. Aint nobody got time to reel all that in! I'd rather lock the drag down and take my chances! LOL Like I mentioned above I'm doing it to gain counter accuracy and to get true 6.1:1 gear ratio on those 30 Saltist.
For the guys who do use a backing on their wire reels are you using Mono or Dacron? I'm re-spooling up all our wires and I'd like to take advantage of the full retrieve rate as well as an accurate line counter. Both of which you lose just putting your 1000' of wire on the reel and leaving 1/3 of the spool empty. Not that it's a huge deal, but just something I want to do. Bulk Dacron is hard to find and/or expensive. I can get by with Mono much cheaper.
Most Pro teams I know do pay their observers. Although, if you can get one for free all the more better. We pay $75/day for 2 day events, and $100 during shootout events.
Re-setting the bow rail, adding 2 more bilge pumps, possibly more lights, and upkeep on the teak are all in the works on the Yank. She will see the light of day next Monday.
Don't make it harder than it needs to be. Start off with 150/140/130 and just keep shortening them by 10' each time you get a release. When you get to 60 or 70' clear the side and start again. I buy sticks in 3's. If a stick gets hot you load up a side. So, in your scenario if that stick is hot load it up and then you'll have one at each position (inside/middle/outside)
Listen to Gambler about the PP too.
We run the DT10s. Yes we do use it on occasion, but not enough to warrant buying a rigger that does it. You can do it manually if you want to save a few bucks. However, bottom tracking, short stop with braided lines, and a programming depths to send your lure to is great on them.
Either will work. I don't think you'll get much use out of the side scan on Lake O, but if it's a lund and if you are using it for multi-species the side imaging might come in handy for Bass or Walleye.
Use the clippers mentioned above! You can adjust them enough to use for anything. Even your coppers if you have some. One release will do it all. Not saying there isn't better out there, but to get you rolling they will work.
Stop by a tourney and check out all of the models mentioned above. You will get supporters of each brand on here for one reason or another. WHht matters is what YOU like.
We run Cannons, and I can get you on a boat with the exact model you are looking at if you want to play with them. Tall Tails has the new Scotty's, and for Big Johns they haven't changed much other than a newer motor than our used to. Decide what looks better to you and roll with it. They all work great, and they all go up and down.