Sk8man

Gathering data and understanding what you are looking for by any means available and then interpreting it based on experience is the bottom line. Putting as much information as possible into the situation leads to increased chances of makng a good decision or conclusion. Paying close attention to detail while you're doing this out there is also very important as is visually assessing the situation and knowing what you are looking at. For example, looking for color lines or color differences in the water, birds congregating in an area etc. can sometimes be more important in locating bait or fish than specific water temperatures compared against preferd temperature charts at some points in the season. That is basically what I was saying above. It in no way diminishes the power of using termperature devices including the Fishhawk series. They are great devices made and serviced by a quality company

garrymny - There are various temperature preference charts out there and they sometimes serve as a good starting point as far as an estimation about where you might find the targeted species you seek but there are other factors at work guiding the fish locations such as the availability of bait or food sources and sometimes structure as well. Keep in mind that there are points in time during the season when water temperature plays little role in fish location and they may be found way outside of the preferred temperature range usually in search of food. There are times during the summer when chinooks for example may be found at the depths inhabited by lake trout (e.g.42 or 43 degrees) yet the preferred temperature charts may indicate temps in the low 50's. Differences even slight ones may be a very important at certain pints in the season as in early Spring when browns seek the warmest water they can find and this is often the nearest spots to the shoreline and the water may be only 2 degrees higher than the outer water but in the warmer weather when the thermocline forms they are often found at that 58 degree water temp where it meets the bottom - especially where it may be close to drop-offs or rapid changes of depth. What I'm getting at with these basic examples is that water temperature is only one aspect of the equation and some of the more complicated water temperature relationships (e.g. thermal breaks, thermal bars, vertical and horizontal stratifications etc. you ask about have a whole bunch of "what ifs" associated with them as well. That is why I offered my above suggestion about getting direct experience seeing this stuff in action. Some of these things can be visually observed even without a temperature device sometimes.

garry - choked up makes some excellent points. Too often folks on here seem to think that reliance on electronics is the main way to catch fish and that unless you have the latest greatest technological improvement you might be doomed for all eternity from catching trout or salmon. There is no "silver bullet" out there no matter how sophisticated the electronics or how good the marketing ploy is that will guarantee that you catch fish when you turn on the "gizmo". Another American myth is that "if something is more expensive it is better than other things or more effective than they are" etc. We have in fact become more "scientific" in our approach to fishing over the last few decades and relatedly more reliant on the technology but like many things in life direct experience, close observation and attention to detail coupled with curiosity and openness to learning are far more important in gaining competence than reliance on any device or particular opinion for that matter. One way to combine both aspects is to seek out a capable charter guy who uses the Fishawk X4 series routinely and go for a half day charter focusing on the use of the instrument and have potential questions written down to go over withthe person and let them demonstrate. You will not only pick up the technical information you are seeking but possibly much more in the way of how to fish using that particular tool (and perhaps a whole lot more). Learning requires active participation at some level not just the "spoon feeding" of information or the "instant gratification" response so common in today's world. YouTube can be helpful sometimes but usually doesn't substitute for actual hands on experience out on the water. You already have put together a good start in terms of great questions so seek out the experience to go with it and I think you will be a happy camper. P.S. The new Bluetooth capable model also allows the use of your phone or tablet to use as an additional display and seeing this set upand in use may be good to know as well.

Geez Mike you're dangerous enough for the derby without the Evil Eyes

I think maybe a main point is being missed here. The Asian Carp can wipe out the entire lower levels of the food chain that other species depend on for theeir existence.

Just as a point of reference a regular Daiwa 47H will hold 280 yds of 30 lb Sea Flee andd a fluoro leader and although it isn't as fast on the retrieve as the 57SGL3B it has a smaller profile and is very suitable for riggers

If anyone can properly assess the problem and competently fix reels it is Andy Coperhaver at Tuna's