killerbe20

i got my first ones in April and they were nearly useless by the end of May. The replacement reels worked flawlessly through the rest of the season. Unfortunately there is no way to tell when buying from a retailer whether the reels will be from the first batch or the new reels, especially an online retailer like Walmart.

The Dragonfly may not be perfect but honestly in that size and price range I do not think you will find the ultimate do all unit. And of course, personal preference will come into play as well. I do not care much for Humminbird myself and that includes the high end 12'' MFD Geonav unit I had that was made by and used Humminbird sonar etc. As far as entry level CHIRP, the following thread is a great read and some of the short comings of the new entry level "baby CHIRPs" and more so the importance of having a good transducer over screen manufacturer http://www.thehulltruth.com/marine-electronics-forum/458737-abbors-sounder-screencaps.html

I would consider Raymarines Dragonfly if I were looking for a unit in that size. It is their attack at that market. The dragonfly has down imaging and it is also a CHIRP sounder which the other two are not. From screen images I have seen their is definitely a distinction from bait schools and individual fish.

the Cold Waters are great reels and definitely a step up from the Convectors. For $8 a piece I think it is a no brainer. The first batch did have some issues but Okuma put out a recall on them. Unfortunately my first reels were part of the problem batch but once they were replaced they worked flawlessly.

i agree to a point with what has been said. If you are looking for that one big trophy fish, lake trout, then venture out to Stannard Rock. If you are looking to make memorable total fishing trip or weekend then Lake Michigan may still be a better bet. Your original post mentioned catching a big lake trout and maybe a 20 pound king. This is not a long shot depending on where you decide to fish. Its also not out of the question to catch multiple lake trout and kings over 10 pounds in one outing.

southern Wiscosin, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha, all have consistent lake trout fishing as well as great salmon fishing. Racine and Kenosha tend to have salmon fishing start a little earlier in the year than Milwaukee but that is not always the case. This past summer the three ports produced at least a handful of 30 pound kings that I am aware of. 20 pound kings were pretty common occurrence. Now who knows what 2014 will bring. The lake trout fishing out of Racine and Kenosha tend to be in the same general area as the ports are only 8 miles apart. There are a series of underwater hills about 5 miles offshore that tend to hold lake trout pretty consistently otherwise the offshore bite (up to 10-15 miles) can be really good too. Lake trout over 10 pounds are pretty common for us and 20 pound trout are definitely obtainable.

Although I went with the Rigid spreader lights, I did also just put a pair of Coastal Underwater lights on the boat. After seeing the Rigid Spreader lights in person I knew they were the only ones I would be happy with. Underwater lights on the other hand, I was in the same boat as you guys. There may be better underwater lights out there but I just was not willing to spend the money on them. I do not think you can beat Coastal products based on a value-to-quality stand point. And yes, Coastal does have an excellent reputation!

I have a pair of Rigid Industries Lights for spreaders. They are ridiculous but 2-3 Xs the price. I will try to post pictures later.

for roughly the same price point I would suggest Coastal Night Lights spreader lights. http://www.coastalnightlights.com/styles-LEDspreaders.html There are many companies that make LED spreader lights that will have a brighter output and larger spread than the two but you will definitely pay for them. I would also think about running the wire through the inside of the Berts trees for a cleaner look

i don't have personal experience but I know many that swear buy the TR-1 autopilots for smaller outboards

sold pending payment

I'm sure numerous manufacturers make the same pattern but looks very similar to then already mentioned Dreamweaver Goldie Hawn http://www.dreamweaverlures.com/products/dw1349

many more pics available upon request

I am looking to sell the complete package or I possibly split it up. The system was on the boat when I purchased it with the exception of the radar dome. I purchased the dome and mount new and installed about 4 years ago. System has 1259 hours of total use and the radar has 227 hours of transmission time. Navnet 10'' VX1 Display - un-cut power cable and data cables that were originally to data repeater - $1000 GPS Antenna GP-320B - Cable was cut and spliced by the original installer but still intact, worked flawlessly as long as I owned it - $150 ETR-6/10N 600w or 1kw Sounder Module - uncut power cable and network cable - $250 Radar dome RSB-0094 2kw 24 mile with 50 foot cable - CABLE UNCUT! - $800 12'' aft slanting radar mount with a slight tilt down - $100 CMAP NT+ Lake MIchigan, Huron, Northern Channel and Georgian Bay - $100 I have already upgraded and will sell the complete package for $2000 and deliver within reason or cover shipping to the ConUS for the whole deal. If anything is sold individually buyer will pay for shipping. I feel I have priced these items fairly and am offering a good deal for the package especially considering their condition. Feel free to PM me with any questions. thanks Josh

I do not believe you could effectively fish any more that 300 feet of 60lb on a 55 series Okuma. If you want to do more and keep a level line reel your best option would be to step up to an Okuma Solterra 50L. Also keep in mind a 300 60lb will be roughly equivalent to a 400 45lb copper per Blood Run's depth charts. As far as filling your 55 Okuma, I would suggest filling backwards and then transfer over to a different empty reel if possible to ensure the most backing as possible. I do not know exactly how much backing I have on mine but I can assure you I have no worries ever that I will get spooled, even with the larger fish this year. If you run your drags at an appropriate level and not so loose that every fish is a "screamer" you will be more than fine.

just leting you know, 300 feet of 60lb on an Okuma 55 does not leave the amount of backing that most guys are used to. I have no issues at all but some guys like having 1000 yards of backing which you will not have room for. Your 60lb should be closest to the boat anyways and as stated in previous posts, the fish are not going to pull the 60lb like they do with the smaller coppers.

I use 30lb Blood Run backing line for all my coppers and would use it for my 60lb as well but not enough room on my Okuma 55. I used 50lb braid for the 60lb and it is more than adequate. Just be careful depending on the reel you are using, the 60lb fills fast!

Two weeks with little break has not allowed for not much time doing fishing reports. Went from struggling on afternoon trips two weeks ago to 40+ bites out deep weds afternoon to 30+ bites fishing the reef in 30 fow on saturday. Lots of fish caught during Salmon-A-Rama but nothing bigger than 23lbs for a contest that brought in incredibly big fish this year. Fished yesterday morning on a sea sick shortened trip. No wind but a crazy heaving sea that made trolling difficult. Ended the day 16 for 25 fishing south of town in 60-120 fow. Mix of kings, cohos and steal head coming on everything from 3 colors to downrigger near the bottom. Best rods were 3 color with a green dolphin Super Slim, Blood Run wire divers out 100 and 120, 300 copper and rigger at 40 and bottom all with white UV Spin Doctors/Big Weenie Semper Fly. Really nice to finally see a big batch of kings in the 10 pound range. http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/1/7/5/0/july_22.jpg' alt='july_22.jpg'>

I have also been using the 60lb this year although only in 300 foot segments. On this side of the lake we have been lucky with fish shallow or high in the water column most of the year so I haven't fished with it as much as I was expecting to by now. When I have targeted the deeper water column the 300 60lb has replaced my 400 45lb and could not be happier. Yes it is definitely different than fishing the copper you are used to but easy to adapt. With some tweaking of the arm I have been able to pull the 60lb with Big Yellow Birds.

Fished 8am-1pm with two customers and managed their limit plus a couple bonus trout for myself finishing 12 for 16. Today was much tougher bite than during the week. Worked 80-90 fow a little south of Racine and only managed to find trout and cohos, no kings for me. Still tons of bait and fish marking all over the hills. White with UV slick Spin Doctor/Big Weenie Semper Fly was by far the hot rig of the day. Riggers below 40 feet and divers 100-150 took all the fish, nothing on coppers today.

definitely great to see the change in fishing! looks like the kings finally showed up everywhere on this side from waukegan to sturgeon bay. I know its a longer drive for you but hope you keep coming to Racine! Next time just give me a call if your planning on coming down if you havent been out in a while!

kyle - sounds like fishing is finally picking up in your neck of the almost north woods! seen some big kings from the bank getting pretty close to the 30 mark already!

North winds kept us off the lake for a few days but on the bright side set up the hills very nicely. Fished 8am-1pm and finished 13 for 30. Catch ratio was horrible but the guys had a great time with tons of action. It was catch one, loose two kind of day. Set in north of town in 80 fow and worked south staying in 80-90 most of the day. Made it out past the last hill a couple times but best action was inside. Lots of fish and bait all over the hills. Everything came in the bottom half of the water column with the exception of one rainbow on a 100 copper. Best baits were white with UV slick Spin Doctors/Big Weenie Semper Fly and custom green Spin Doctors and Paddles with UV crush/green crinkle Action Fly. Downriggers 40 to the bottom, Blood Run coppers 200-300 and wire divers 100-150. http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/1/7/5/0/july_3_2013.jpg' alt='july_3_2013.jpg'>

good looking ride TJ Sorry I never returned your phone call. By the time I got the message figured it was too late for immediate help. If you have any questions at all fee free to give me a ring!