I pulled the trigger. I bought a Fish hawk x4d

[magill270]

I just purchased a Fish Hawk X4D from Northwoods Wholesale Outlet for $725 delivered. The people there are extremely nice and helpful. This is the biggest single purchase that I have ever spent for fishing but I am hoping this will also be my most useful tool. If any members have any advice or tips please enlighten me. I am very receptive to advice from other members. Thank you

 

 

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[Zinger11]

Great piece of equipment just make sure you have no kink's in your downrigger cable[emoji5]I've replaced a probe and it's expensive

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[magill270]

How often should I changed my downrigging cables? Or do I just inspect annually?


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[Smoke-N-Finn]

Inspect the first 10 ft. Frequently, it is where most damage happens. Don't use crimps, use KLINCHER or similar and you should be golden.

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[magill270]

Thanks guys


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[sears82]

I also bought one recently from Northwoods as well, Quick shipping, best price..


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[Fishbowl836]

I also am considering buying a fishhawk this year. Last year I switched my riggers from wire to the downrigger braid made by Scotty. Did not see a big change in the number of fish caught so I'm going to stay with it this year. Any suggestions or things I should be looking out for in regards to running a fishhawk using braid?


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[Smoke-N-Finn]

No way I'm putting a $200 probe on braid. Just way too many horror stories about ease to break and good by probe. Just way too many negatives that definitely don't outweigh any positives.

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[alex1young]

I just bought myself one too.  Can't to start playing with in once the water stratifies.  

[Iron Duke]

One unseen kink in cable and she's bye bye too.. I run cable and have lost a probe it's the worst feeling in the world especially when your on fish and go back over the spot you broke off and it starts to read again lol.. I know many guys that run probes on braid and have no problems... Best bet is to constantly pay attention to braid or cable for any possible sign of weakness..

Mike

Mike

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[Frogger]

One unseen kink in cable and she's bye bye too.. I run cable and have lost a probe it's the worst feeling in the world especially when your on fish and go back over the spot you broke off and it starts to read again lol.. I know many guys that run probes on braid and have no problems... Best bet is to constantly pay attention to braid or cable for any possible sign of weakness..

Mike

Mike

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Yep, lost mine on cable. The funniest part of it was my brother telling me to hurry up and mark the spot on the depth-finder so we could go back and find it. It was in 300 ft of water near Sampson. And yes, I started to press the buttons until I realized.......


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[magill270]

Very good information guys. So what type of material should I be using on my riggers? Cable, I assume stainless? Or braid? And what pound material?


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[dgfidler]

I bought a x4d prior to my first trip to Lake O. On that first trip, my sonar would not work over 100 fow. We went 4 for 6 on kings by just running our spread between 42 and 50 degree water with no idea how deep the water was and whether there were marks. The depth feature let us exactly know the upper and lower boundaries. Never had fished for salmon before or been on Lake O and pick up four kings with a broken sonar using just the FishHawk. Now I also read all three of Dan Keating's books and ran a seven line spread so it wasn't just dumb luck but I think it's impressive how well it worked just running the gear in a temperature zone. It's a useful tool for sure


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[baitballin]

I just bought one myself. Just make sure you use wire at 150lb test. Don't hit the bottom and you'll be good. Always have riggers checked for bottom bounce.

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[magill270]

I guess I need to buy these Dan Keating's books


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[alex1young]

I have to give a shoutout to Trevor at FishHawk. Great customer service and it's worth the money!


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[Down Deep]

Used 150Lb. Power Pro for years , Dragged bottom a few times with no problems. Finally lost Probe and 12lb. ball fishing in 5 footers trying to set line into release . Ball swung up into air and came down " Snap " .   Ouch-$$$$$$$$ . Switched back to wire on probe rigger , and always keep ball and probe under water in rough seas  , just use stacker releases . Yes , always checked Super line , even cut a few ft. back every few trips .

[baitrigger]

You will love it. Remember the batteries. Ours starts to blink the second week of August every year.

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