Hoosier_Steelheader

if you want to go out and mess around with it let me know i'd be willing to take you out and show you how to manage it. I should be in benton harbor fishing some time in mid april.

I just might have to do that. I am still trying to figure the copper thing out, haven't got any yet, but am considering it.

Thanks!

JC

In spring in tight I like 2.2-2.7mph on GPS. I like using pearl and green, or pearl and blue thundersticks. I like fishing 25 FOW top ten feet.

From The st Joe north pier I head south to the chalets, and turn inside and run back north repeat as necessary

Congrats, and welcome Eli...

I am so there.. Just went out and looked Ol Blue over, told her it wont be long now..

This may be a strange question, but I have never fished with wire. what is the difference between lead & copper?

I have two lead rigs on my boat and have fished them with decent success. I also rigged up a lead leader system for my long lines when the fish are down 10 - 15 feet in the spring, and they seem to produce very well.

My question is;

What are the advantages of using copper wire vs lead? Has anyone switched out because one was better than the other?

Thanks,

JC

In the spirit of "The Deadliest catch" and fishing rite's the world over, greenhorns on 'Ol Blue' must wear the 'Pink hat' until they have the smell of skunk off of them.

We hook them up & tell them to keep the line tight and their rod tips up. and sing the great lakes hymn as sung on every boat, 'reel down and pull up!'

Most lose their hats on the first, or second try...

Very Nice Indeed! Thanks for sharing & Keep them coming!

My Signinture picture was taken by Nailer this past Aug - it was a great trip.

and from underneath you feel very small...

I love that pic. That's what made me think about pulling up there and getting mine taken.

I'd have to hook up with someone though or put my brother out in an inner tube...

Sweet pics.

We went over to St Ignace last July it was cool & damp but the Mighty Mac was still awesome!

I need to get a picture of my boat with the Mac in view, I'd have it made into a poster!

Sweet! Those look great!

This may not be the same situation, but I was having similar problems and cleaned the electrical contacts on the auto pilot compass and that took care of the problem. It takes very little dust to corrupt the connection. You can also call the manufacturer and find out the compass settings for your area of fishing. If the person you bought the unit from was far enough away you may have to change those settings. Also, there should be a gain adustment to fine tune the autopilot compass to keep it from overcorrecting, you have to be on the water to perform this adjustment.

I may pull the connectors and give them a going over. I called raymarine, and this unit is no longer suppoerted by them, they were less than helpful.

The majority of my information (aside from the manual) has been from other guys who have owned & used them.

I do have a gain setting and tried that but once she started Zig Zagging nothing we tried would make her stop.

I'll clean the contacts and try that. and wait for open water....

Thanks!

Do you have a rudder reference? I think that the Sportpilot uses a rudder reference in order to avoid the over compensation. I am just working from memory so I could be incorrect.

It has the option for it (plug)but this unit doesn't have the rudder unit.

It also has the WAAS so I can cable it to my Garmin, but I wanted to get comfortable with it before I did that.

Thanks!

Welcome Aboard!

Kinda new here myself.

I make those titanium screws and plates for a living, and 'I appreciate your business'

JC

I have a situation and hopefully you all can help.

Late last summer I got a used Sportpilot plus and installed it on my boat (24ft Crestliner Sabre G/L Mercruiser I/O) powered it on no problem, took the boat out and calibrated it no problem, came back in to the "trough" and set my course it took the wheel, and was going fine, started to go to the back of the boat to help set lines, and a slight breeze sent us about 10 degrees to the east, the Sportpilot started turning the wheel to compensate (I thought) then it over corrrected, and sent us back the other way hard. then it realised it had overcorrected and sent us back to the other side.

We were doing 'Crazy Ivans' for about 25 minutes, and I just powered off the thing so we could troll.

I have asked around and the common responses are:

1. that I might need to relocate the Compass which is on the beam in my forward floor storage compartment (a regular compass reads and holds its reading there) or,

2. that I might need a new compass

And then there was the suggestion that I throw it overboard and get a Simrad unit...

It was great for about 20 minutes or so untill the wind pushed the bow over, after that:angry2:!

Anyone ever had that happen?

Thanks,

JC

Necessity is the mother of invention to be sure...

I saw an ad for something similar to this in a New Zealand fishing magazine, and took it to my Amish canvas guy, he said, "yah I think we can do dis" I got the rod tubes in the Bargain Cave at Cabella's and "Bam!"

It is hinged so it folds down into the boat for the road trip home, (Sorry for Big Pic)

Welcome! Kinda new here myself.

Sweet!

We normally Troll until ice on then we'll hit Trail Creek for Browns, and steelies.

Welcome aboard JC. Whats your favorite port in Indiana to fish?

I put out of Michigan City early for Coho's. Actually I have put in at New Buffalo, and trolled down to Michigan City when Trail Creek is iced up. As the weather warms we move around to the East and head North.

Hello, I'm new to the site, love fishing Lake Michigan, come on early thaw...

JC