Eyefull

Thanks John, I'll look into that system. He said that it was installed by a boat owner on a boat way too large for the unit. And said that the boat was a twin screw boat without enough rudder to effectively steer the boat at slow RPM's??? Anyways, the system was in brand new condition last year when my buddy had the simrad system installed on his boat.

Yeah that:thumb:

Thanks for all the information. I may need some recommendations on a place to install it, or if someone knows how and wants to earn some coin on the side? My local dealership doesn't think much of them, but says if it is something that I really want they will do it. That doesn't instill much confidence for me. They did give my buddy a great deal on a used one year old Simrad system for his 23' striper wa last year (1500 installed). So far it worked great all season long. They have another one that is used for one season, I believe it is a Furuno? Similar deal possible, but again, not really all that warm and fuzzy with their begrudging willingness to install one.

Thanks guys. It was a really good find. As near as I can tell, it had to be one of the last ones to roll off the line. I can't even find another 97 240 for sale anywheres, and no owners replied back on several boards when asked about. The boat will first spend some time with Jeff at Traxstech. She will come home a fishing machine. Looking at a full set array of tracks, holders, rocket launcher, and trees, maybe a pair of the new vector riggers if budget holds on course. Possibly some upgrades to the planer board reels, will have to evaluate that further when I get her in the shop. If memory serves me, they are manuals (which is fine), but are located in an awkward spot on the hardtop. Autopilot is first and formost on the electronics upgrade list, then a new 900 series Hbird, then the rigging. It was a very good Christmas for Tony this year. It all sounds like a lot, but I got a very good deal on this gem. I'll post some photos when I get her home. Then some before/after stuff later.

I just picked up a 1997 Thompson 240 Fishermen HT. It has a fresh (130 hours) 5.7 merc under the hood. I want to have autopilot installed. The boat does have hydraulic steering, which I am told is half the battle. A local dealership recommends the Raymarine ST70 Smartpilot. What are some opinions on that unit, as well as others. I know very little about the different units. I am looking at value. I don't need lots of bells and whistles, something simple, reliable, and generally affordable. Some estimates on what should be reasonable for total cost including installation?

Pete, what are you doing with your Grady? I'm looking.

Great non biased article written by someone obviously from Chicago. Funny how they spin the "Sanitary Sewers" as floodwater control measures, and not flushing sewer down the Mississippi. Illinois and a could care less Indiana don't amount to a split Great Lakes Region. Maybe its time that Chicago figured out how to safely and responsibly handled their sewage and floodwater, like every other munincipality in the US? Just sayin. Almost gagged reading it, sorry.

Two years ago I caught a nice mid-day king off Ludingtion with a Wonder Bread bag wrapped around my Undertaker flasher. Left it on there, put it back down, but no luck. Heck, you never know. Maybe should have swapped out the flasher for a wonderbread:eek:

Welcome to the site, you will like it here. Great people, great discussion.

Heres a couple bound for my annual video:

There you go, customer service:D

Not cool about the $25 minimum. I can say that I just threw away my credit card machine and closed my merchant account. The transaction fees, service fees, and other BS makes you end up eating your margin on small sales. If you don't do tons of transactions, or operate with huge margins, CC machines are a waste of money for a small business, or at least one "Micro Small" in my case.

The DNR biologist confirmed that it is in fact a "Pinook" like many said. Never seen one of them things before, or even heard of them. I told him either way, it should go on the wall.

Here's a photo of a fish my buddy caught last week on the St. Marys River. Any guess as to what it was? I'll post what the DNR said it was after everyone chimes in. I never heard of such a fish. Sorry, that is the best photo I recieved.

Big Weenie brand rigs are by far the best out there. Going with a black mamba, green frog, or any of the krystal or white flashers is a can't miss on your deep rigger.

I never play favorites, my favorite lure is the one that caught the last fish.

Seems like a lot of full moons down in that neck of the woods:eek:

Another vote for Amish Outfitters. I had a pair with my boat, very tough built, oversized double stitched seams.

I had a chance to fish with Captain Chris this past spring with my oldest son. Just like in the video, constant shots at huge redfish. Too bad I suck at sight casting:lol:! We got three or four nice fish each for literally hundreds of opportunities.

I normally take quads or snow machines in trade for wire rods:lol:. Just kidding, but they are expensive. A good set of Fuji Silicon Nitride guides runs about $60. Build a bullet proof handle and reel seat and before you know it, the rods price out at $200 or so depending on the blank used and other options. I have built a couple of them using the Torpedo Tip with great results. Here is one of them built for Jay D. http://youtu.be/M-nzeLMF57s

Downrigger rod length and actions are very much dependent on the individual boats setups. 7' one piece rigger rods are most common around Lake Michigan boat docks. It is mainly due to the fact that most salmon boats run lots of lines. Shorter rods are easier to get other rods over and around at the back of the boat. That also means that the lines point of entry into the water is closer to the back of the boat, again, the angler is more able to fight a fish around the rigger rods lines easier than if it were farther away from the transom. Shorter rods also have more power when compared to a longer rod of equal spine. Longer downrigger rods, even as long as 9' are also common to a lesser extent. Longer rods distribute load and shock more evenly. Longer rods are more forgiving for less experienced anglers due to having less power, resulting in fewer lost fish due to overpowering. Choose a rod length and power that suits your own fishing style and boat layout. There are no right or wrong answers for the most part, just what works for you. Speaking of downriggers, I stopped in at the Traxstech shop today to pick up a few things for customers. The old Vector downriggers have gotten a complete makeover. Complete billet construction, large beefy motor capable of pulling 24# rigger weights at light speed, and an autostop system that is by far the most impressive thing I have seen in rigger technology. This thing is smart, fast, and most important, easy to operate. If you have ever seen the quality construction of Traxstech equipment, you can imagine what they have done with the new riggers. Not sure when they will be available, but at the very latest, they will be at the winter/spring shows in full force. There will definetly be a pair on my new boat for 2012, and I work for the company that owns Cannon! Sorry about the infomercial, I just was very impressed and thats not easy as anyone that knows me can attest to.

They got up late, then got delayed further when they weren't able to get around the blocked off roads for that marathon!

I so missed you guys at the dock when you came back. I was pooped out and sawing logs in the vbirth when you came back. Wanted to catch you guys and kick the sand for a while, but fell asleep.

Don A. let me mate for him on Saturday morning. Our guests showed up at 10:00, just a bit late. We set lines and had a miss and two kings in the boat before our third line hit the water. One on a deep rigger pulling a big white paddle and fly. The second came on a SD and green fly off the wire diver, stayed stuck the second time. Afte that we drove for a half hour, no bites and lots of phone calls asking who turned off the switch? We picked away until 2:00 and had our guests back in time to catch the football game like promised. I think we ended up 7 for 9 in very unprime time fishing. As always it was a great weekend, seeing everyone again. Holland is fast becoming my favorite port, lots of nice folks and consistant great fishing. Hopefully can do some more of that mate thing, was a blast.