rbradley

I picked up a spool cheap at the swap meet, anyone used it? I'm somewhat cautious about spooling it up as I'm having trouble finding very much info on it.

Do you have a half table left? I found some stuff I could part with

We would fish it if available as well.

I wonder if the new one will interface with my Lowrance plotter without the convertor. I was bummed to find out one of the reasons I bought it would not work with my current setup. Esp after NEMA was touted as the universal answer so all marine gear could talk under the same language. The when you actually try and do it you need to spend way more money.

What problems are you having? I'm hoping that my bird unit talks to the older spx series without the $200 converter, because at that point I would have ordered the new series autopilot.

I will be installing mine this spring as well, finishing up the interior upgrade right now (recovered cuddy cushions and rub rail) overall looks like an easy install, just deciding where to place the controller (p70r)

anyone interface a raymarine unit with a humminbird 900 series via nmea0187? the autopliot does have nmea0187 inputs but I hear that doesn't always mean that they work.

We are talking about entering the big red this year, I understand what you are saying about say cutting the entry in half (like 250 to 125) and trying to double the number of boats. I think the reason you don't see that comes down to logistics, if they can pay the same amount out with 50 boats instead of 100, and thus only need to have volunteers to weigh 50 coolers or pay for 50 teams meals.

To set up a tourney I think you would decide how many boats you can support, then max out the entry fee until you only have 10% extra entries on a waiting list

Rigging up my first wire diver, any brands that are better than others?

I lost 300' 45lb copper and the 11" paddle and fly, another 11" paddle and fly, a spoon, all when a boat cut across the back of me and ran his downriggers through my gear. Just recently lost my boat when it got crushed when my barn collapsed. I haven't been able to dig out my rod/reels and tackle yet, so I'm sure some of those are crushed as well.

Sorry about your boat, I doubt yours will be the only one lost to all this snow.

We lost a couple spoons and a flasher/fly combo. been fishing on lake michigan since I can remember, and have never lost a cannonball. I also don't bounce them off the bottom for lakers.

Great info guys, anybody ever used the chamberlain stacker releases? I saw them at the Grand Rapids show last year but hadn't heard any reviews.

Guys running the blacks, I've fished with guys that twist the line 7 times and others that use them in tandem with bands, how do you attach the line to them? I'm thinking of either going with blacks or the chamberlains, as I like the idea of the light bite release when walleye fishing, but thought about adding rubber bands to the blacks when I'm targeting the smaller fish.

I started with Walker in the 1970's switched to Rubber bands in 1980 and have never gone back. I never have problems with shakers and after some experimenting I never have false releases. I start early with #16 bands and until we start fishing deep they work well. when we get to fishing 50'or more of cable out we go to #33 rubberbands.

how are you rigging up the rubber bands?

I think it's finally time to update from my old walker releases, they've caught a lot of fish but I've heard good things about some others.

what do you like and why?

OH ok. I have an hds and it has both the 0183 and 2000. What gps do you have that it only has the 0183.

I have a huminbird 957C, similar to the sportpilot I got it when they were discontinuing them and went to the side imaging and down imaging models.

We have our first baby arriving in 7 weeks so I was pushing it as it was budget wise to sneak in the spx

Man thats a really tempting price but from what i understand that evolution is supposed to learn the way your boat handles and auto adjust the sensitivity and you dont have to do any calibration. Just mount it connect it and go. Anchor Express has it for 1800.00 http://www.anchorexpress.com/raymarine-ev-200-sport-pilot-t70159

I am thinking of going for the eveloution model.

I was thinking about doing the same, until I realized that the evolution doesn't have nmea0183 inputs so I would have to buy the $200 converter to nmea2000. According to west marine they aren't expecting the evolutions for 3-5 months yet. Raymarine hasn't shipped any production units yet.

Will the spx-5r work with the steering on my 1999 22ft. Trophy? I think it is rack and pinion and has the 4.3 i/o.

My girlfriend loses focus every now and again, which causes some friction!!

Thanks!

They are rated to 4400 pounds for mechanical steering, I'd think your boat would be under that.

7000 lb rating with hydraulic.

just ordered the spx-5r with p70 controller from west marine for 1199.00 sounded like there were still a few left out of state.

this makes since, I put the spx-5 on the boat last fall. price dropped from 1800 to 1399 from May to September.

Where are you finding them for 1399

I saw that one on eBay, it doesn't have the sport drive unit, just for sail boats

If anyone sees the spx-5 going on closeout because of the new model let me know, I'm keeping my eyes open as well.

the new setup looks sweet, but if I could get an spx-5 in my price range I would be happy.

Anyone see this yet? looks like raymarine has improved the sportpilot again, the evolution series doesn't use a compass, just a 9 axis gyro and then feeds back the direction from the GPS. they are saying no tuning required and sensor can be mounted anywhere. you can pair the system with all of their drive systems, including sportpilot

Really wish I had a couple grand to drop on an AP for my GLS220...

example from amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Raymarine-RAYMARINE-EV-200-SPORT-PILOT/dp/B00EUMTJK6

I don't have any problems with my 22' sea nymph great lakes special (similar to islander)

just stay to the center when going out/coming in until you get to the main body of pigeon lake, the edges are very shallow.

we will be out saturday evening, expect the launch to be very busy, not as much pleasure boaters though, so it usually go's pretty smooth.

I've been talking about trying for perch out of Port sheldon for a long time now, actually giving it a try on saturday. any advise? I have some of the perch rigs with skirted hooks that I've used other places for perch.

do I need minnows or will mousies work?

recent depths?

how big of a sinker do I need?

certain rig that works better than others?

thanks for any info, feel free to PM if you'd rather, I know a lot of guys are pretty tight lipped about the little buggers.

Took some guys from work out of port sheldon last night, ended 5 for 7 with 3 kings, biggest a little over 19, and 2 lakers. 4 fish on flashers fly combos. both lakers on a big white paddle and bw poofster fly just off the bottom, 2 nice kings on a green and yellow spinny with pickle fly dipsey back 190 and other king on 200 CU blueberry muffin.

southeast troll in 100-110 was best, had the first triple of the year.

there were a bunch of spin n glows in my boat when I bought it, how do you run them? I've been at this a long time, but have never targeted lakers.

looks like the adult full is the full derby ticket, or you can go by the day.

I think the whole boat ticket is pretty cool, charter for 200...seems like a little low

In need of a nicer low mileage truck, my explorer is officially toast.

Wife trying to keep me under 12 k budget, prefer fords with the 5.4 , trying to keep mileage in the 125k or under range, not set on ford though. Considering 2wd as they are much less and I can get by without 4 wheel.

If you've seen anything on the side of the road feel free to let me know as I've almost exhausted all online sources.

Thanks!

Rob