This will be my second year being obsessed with the idea of catching Lake Trout at the Gorge. I am a new member to the forum and have been reading a lot of interesting posts. One from last week said that the most important item on your boat is your electronics. There seems to be a lot of guys here that really know whats going on at the Gorge and it would be interesting to find out what kind of setups everyone else uses.
I upgraded my sonar from a Cuda 168 to a Fish Mark 480 because I felt like it did not effectively locate fish deeper that 65 feet. Especially near bottom or structure. The new 480 has 1500 watts of peak-to-peak power and the 168 only had like 800. Hopefully by increasing the power it will enable my ability to target those pigs. I cant wait to try it out to see if it was a good deal or not.
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Good to see ya on the message boards. I use a Lowrance x-135. It has plenty of power and gives very good detail. The higher pixle count gives you more detail. Also, if you set your upper and lower limits it will focus on a small section of water. This will give you even more detail.
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Thanks for your reply. I believe that the X-135 has 4000 watts of peak-to-peak power. Your sonar is almost two and a half times more powerful than the 480 I just bought. I am a little worried that my new sonar might not be powerful enough to reveal those fish suspended down deep.
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I have the Lowrance X125 which has 2400 watts peak-peak and it does just fine in the depths that I have fished at on the Gorge. I think you should be fine nust don't use the worthless features like "FishReveal".
Wyobraz
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[black][size 3]Most sonars will identify fish at 100 feet. There are some units that are better than others, but macks are not that hard to see.[/size][/black]
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[size 3]Even the old paper graphs would show them very well. I have a paper graph that I use sometimes, and if they weren't such a pain to maintain, I would use it all the time. [/size]
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[size 3]I have attached a piece of graph paper with a pod of macks on it. When you see this picture, stop and drop something for them to chew on. [/size]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]More importantly, whatever sonar unit you have, learn to use it effectively. As for my next purchase, the Humminbird with side imaging has my vote. Anyone interested in financing my research on just how cool it could be for macks? Anyone?[/size][/black][/font]
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Man, thanks for the paper graph stuff. That brings back good memories of trolling around the Gorge with my dad. I guess sometimes technology can make us forget how things used to be.
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that looks like linwood in december.
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I used the 480 for a few years and it worked alright. I could see the macks just fine, but I wanted to get a finder with gps capability, so I upgraded to a Lowrance lcx20c.
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Rich, just how much is this new gadget??
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I just replaced my x97 with a x510c. The x97 worked great but I wanted color, from what I've seen with the color, it looks like it may identify a better and the 510 has more bells and whistles. In my opinion its all about how you have your settings rigged, and knowing how and when to adjust them. On my bow sonar I have two transducers and a toggle switch to move back and forth. One transducer aims back for trolling and the other shoots straight down for jigging- thats my set up- still looking for the first trip with the new finder, but I have a 550$ bet that its better[
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]The Humminbird 987c SI is about $1800. Not chump change! LOL! I'm still waiting for investors! Check this out.[/size][/black][/font]
[url "http://humminbird.com/media/supportpdfs/newspdfs/pressreleases/SI_9.04_pr.pdf"]http://humminbird.com/media/supportpdfs/newspdfs/pressreleases/SI_9.04_pr.pdf[/url]
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I guess if I were going to spend that much, I'd spend a thousand or two more and get a good commercial unit. That technology, despite what Humminbbird says, has been around for a while, and those type of units are on lots of boats down here in the keys, though no Humminbirds that I've seen. Something about $1800 for that brand name would make me consider something else. Hell, $1800 or $3800, not much difference on that kind of bucks for a sonar. Some guys down here have 5 and 6 THOUSAND dollar ones. They can tell species with them, which I've seen and been a part of. And, I have to have two of everything (like trolling motors and props!), so double any amount I would spend.
They do make pretty pictures of the reef, artificial reefs, and ship wrecks. I've seen the actual hull, mast, and parts of a ship on one that a captain has down here, in 175 feet of water. But to catch lake trout? I don't think I'd catch $1800 more worth of fish, much less $3600 worth. It still doesn't show fish holding directly on the bottom, especially if it has any slope to it.
Now, when they make one that will scan the fish's brain and tell you what its thinking and what it wants to eat, sign me up.
But, I'll be looking forward to going out with you some weekend this summer and seeing what it really looks like![sly]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]You can't put a price on recreation! LOL! When I get one on my boat, I'll make sure you're the first one to come and try it out. Oh, and next time you see me with the boat, ask me about trolling motor props. If I don't have a replacement and an extra, I'll buy you dinner. I learn, just most of the time it seems like the hard way.[/size][/black][/font]
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I might be willing to invest 100$ into it but I got dibbs on weekend use.[sly]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Sounds great! Right after the evaluation period and initial testing it will be available to all investors to use. That should only take about 2 years then you can wear it out! I'll PM you my address to send the check to.[/size][/black][/font]
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Ok ... let's get a little more detail here. What are all the perks an investor would get out $100 bucks? $200 bucks? LOL !!!
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 3][black]O[/black][black]K, Don here’s the breakdown[/black][/size][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]For $100 bucks, you come pick it up from my house and use it. 2 week advanced reservation required.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]For $250, not only do you get to use it but you can ask me any questions concerning operation of the sonar. Questions must be submitted it writing. Expect 30 – 60 days for a written response and processing time.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]For $500, you get all of the above PLUS express service on questions. I will give you my personal cell phone number. Operational hours are from 11:00am to 3:00pm, Saturdays and Sundays.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]For $1000, you get all of the above PLUS I’ll come to your place of choice and set it up on your boat. I will also give an hour personalized, in person session where you can ask any and all questions in the allotted time period.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]For $1500, you receive everything above PLUS I’ll go out on the water for ½ day and give you intense, comprehensive training on the operation of all aspects of the sonar.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]If you wish to become the sole investor, you are entitled to 2 weekends of fishing on my boat, the Bomerang. There you can enjoy the full use of the sonar and the benefit of using it without the hassle of bringing a boat or lunch. Drinks are extra.[/size][/black][/font]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black]All investors are required to have all their own cabling, mounting brackets and transducers, and any other accessories required in the use and operation of the sonar. A deposit equal to the cost of replacement will be render at each time of use and will be returned when sonar is return in the same condition as when received. Failure to return sonar within 24 hours after scheduled use time is automatic forfeiture of deposit.[/black][/font]
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My wife has got me on a short leash when it comes to spending money on fishing. I have dug my own hole in the past by pushing it to the limit. She hates the sport. She feels like fishing is an affair I am having. I sure a lot of you know exactly what I am talking about. For me I really have to nickel and dime to get the job done if you know what I mean. I picked up my Fish Mark 480 through the caballas bargain cave internet special only for $130 bucks and I still got in trouble.
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I'll let you know, I just ordered one.
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