Fat Trout

Do some youtube searches. Pretty sure i saw some videos of guys demonstrating the TR-1 in snottier than 1'. Keep in mind you have to manage your expectations and the wind and waves increase. Sent from my Pixel 2 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

You are correct....up until and ending with the 115hp. Up through that size they have the VTS switch which you can do with the switch they sell or cobble together the same thing. For the 150 you can get the functionality but only through command link gauges. I had a 2014 115 Yamaha that i installed and used the VTS switch on. I sold that boat and bought one with a 150 and researched this which is how i know about the need for the command link gauges on the 150 and larger. One of the reasons the 115 has the simple switch while the 150 doesnt is because Yamaha offers a tiller version up to the 115 size. The tillers all have the switch. Non tiller models inheretly have the hookup under the cowling. I hope this helps. Sent from my Pixel 2 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I think you need the command link digital gauges though so if you expected that then your all set Sent from my Pixel 2 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I will only throw out there that the OP didn't present himself as a total newbie. He noted he has been doing this a couple of years and was looking to improve his game (more or less). All posted points are still valid. I'm just saying if he started out with , "hey this season is going to be my first, do I need a fishhawk" my answer would be different. The FH is nothing more than a tool. If you invest in this game enough to come up more than once in while AND start to question why others may tend to do better, is it worth it, well I think it is. Lots of opinions out there though and there are still people that think fluorocarbon and lighter line doesn't matter in clear water. I don't try to correct them. To each his own. Full disclosure, I went so far as to choke down the cost of a smart troll. Jury is still out on that one but prelim data made it fantastic to me IF it keeps operating right (had some operational issues). I'm not suggesting anyone other than charters or the mentally insane (like me) should buy that one....but yeah, that's how bad I want to know the what and where's in this lake.

I dont necessarily fish temp but i like to know where it is. Realistically there is no way im going without fish finder anyway, i was just playing along with the prior commentary [emoji6] Sent from my Pixel 2 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I would say its highly situational. I fish out if mexico. Deep water off of mexico bay (around the point) can have wicked currents deep and very scattered marks. FH over fish finder here. Inside the bay fishing < 100 ft sure I would want the fish finder over the FH. With the lake clearer than the old days you really need to have things firing on all cylinders at times to get bites. As a weekend guy my data is limited coming into a Saturday am compared to those who fish daily or at least more frequently than me. I fished a lot of lean years where bites were hard to come by. For that reason I won't live without my FH. Last year was easy compared to past years. Some people know what its like to fish in tough currents down 120+ all summer, some aren't use to it. Relying on cable angle just doesn't cut it (IMO) Sent from my Pixel 2 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Totally worth it. Sent from my Pixel 2 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

As an out of state user of the lake i wish they would have meetings at a time other that early evening mid week. They never will...but thats why I'll never feel bad for not showing up even though id like to. Sent from my Pixel 2 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Mounted. Sent from my Pixel 2 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I did it myself so it was just engine oil, oil filter, lower unit oil, lower unit drain screw gaskets and i changed the external fuel filter annually but the one under the cowling just once. I used yamaha 4m oil and other yam products. $50-60 or so annually. I bought some other stuff i use to winterize but ill have that for a while before using it up...perhaps add $5 / yr. I also used the ringfree additive in the fuel. Personally i dont buy into this etec "no maintenance" concept. Plus indexing plugs is funky to me and even if there is no maintenance you still having to dump 2 cycle oil into the fuel so you pay either way. Sent from my Pixel 2 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I had a new 115 yamaha for 4 seasons. Fantastic motor. I put 300hours on it. I have a 150 on my new boat for this season. Out of state so i cant help you on a close dealer, just the brand Sent from my Pixel 2 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

If the boat wasnt stripped of parts i might agree with you. Sent from my Pixel 2 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Odds are your bow will be too high off the water. I say this as a guy who runs a 72" shaft trolling motor for autopilot help (when its calm enough). Sent from my Pixel 2 using Lake Ontario United mobile app