jimalbert

I just picked up a Garmin EchoMap 73dv and wanted to know your opinion on where to mount the Down VU transducer. I have read the instructions and personally think it should be more toward the center of the boat but the current Humminbird transducer is mounted slightly to the right and I would like to know your thoughts on if I should move it or leave it where it is. I would like to keep it where its located because I dont want to put any more holes in the transom but I am open for suggestions. Here is a pic. Notice the transducer is just to the left of the ratchet strap on the right side. Do you think it would be suitable to mount the Down Vu in the same location? Thanks in advance for the help! Jim

I need to purchase some line releases and downrigger weights. What do you guys suggest? I have heard that the Chamberlains and Blacks releases are some of the more popular. I am also looking for suggestions on rigger weights. What weight do you think I should buy (I will be fishing fairly deep water [80-200] and should I buy ball or torpedo style weights? Thanks in advance, Jim

Its good to hear this because I just bought a 73dv for my console and one of the reasons I purchased a Garmin is because I heard their customer service was outstanding. Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks everyone... I appreciate all of the great advice. Its great to know there are experienced guys out there willing to help someone learn the ropes. You have a PM King Me.

By the way, I looked at some of the equipment I was given from a friend and there are 2 penn reels (leveline and some other) and a big diawa spinning reel. Does anyone use spinning reels on their rods? Its a shame because the spinning rod is like an 8'6 Kunan. There is also a really short rod that was apparently bought in Canada that has a roller on the end. If the rod is 5' long i would be surprised.

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the advice. I am not cheap when it comes to equipment by any means, but before i go spending a ton of cash, i need to know that my son and i will enjoy it. Thanks again.

OK.. I am a virgin lake trout/land locked salmon fisherman and need to pick up a few rods on the cheap as I dont want to spend a ton of cash until I find out if I will really enjoy fishing with downriggers etc... I have 2 cannon downriggers (Cannon unitroll and cannon mag) and would like to purchase 4 rod/reel combos as inexpensively as possible. I have been looking at the Shimano TDR rods and was thinking about buying 2 8'6" MH rods for the riggers and 2 9'6 rods for dipsy's. I also thought about pairing them with Okuma Magdas. Will this setup be OK for the time being? I dont expect them to last forever but I thought they would be suitable enough to find out if I enjoy it. I also have 2 other line counter reels (one cabelas digital and I dont know the other one off hand) as well as two rods. The cabelas reel was paired on a cabelas rod that the line ran through the interior of the rod. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jim

Hello everyone. My name is Jim and I am from Lehighton, PA. I have always been an avid fisherman of all species but have primarily targeted bass, panfish and trout. I have always had a bass boat and fished tournaments every weekend but kids came along as well as the fact that I got extremely burned out running from the Thousand Islands one weekend to Kerr Resevoir the next with only being concerned with putting fish in the boat to make some of the cash back i spent. Bottom line, it wasn't fun anymore and fishing should be fun and quite honestly relaxing. Anyway, I started spending a lot of time on Seneca Lake with a friend that has a house there and decided I wanted to start fishing again but not for bass. Lakers, Land Locked Salmon, Walleye, Perch etc.... My father in law is a marine mechanic locally and I told him to keep an eye out for a boat that would suit this application. So long story short, I purchased a 2001 Starcraft Fishmaster 1961 with the 3.0L Mercruiser. I love the boat and it is in extremely good contion. It made a trip to Lake Okachobee once a year, and a few occasional trips to Canada since it was new. The best part yet, the boat was always stored at the Marina my father in law works at and he has done all of the maintenance. As a matter of fact there is a 1 year old Galvanized trailer under it, it is outfitted for downriggers and rod holders. I just purchased a Powerdrive V2 for the bow (because I will still bass fish occasionally). My next purchase will be a good GPS/Sonar combo and I am leaning toward the Humminbird 859ci HD because unless you guys tell me otherwise, i see no need for down or side imaging on a boat that I am primarily going to use for trolling. Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself as I will be asking a lot of questions over the next few weeks to get acquainted with this process. Thanks Guys! Jim