bluedevil

Trying this out this year. $148 at Lowe's. Way less expensive than a true dock box. If your on an even cheaper budget, Menards has a similar one for $99. http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/081483/081483005294lg.jpg

I will also add to check/clean float switch regularly. I have had small bits of debris block off the float. Almost had my 19' Starcraft sink due to that. Slipped it and had a heavy rainfall overnight, next morning I had less than 2" of transom sticking out of water. Found a small piece of leaf blocking float. Took 45min for pump to remove water in bilge.

Do I have to sign up for the Rockford class or just show up?

How deep of water would you loose bottom with the 83/200? could you still see your cannon balls with the 83/200?

I currently run a 50/200 transducer and love using the 50hz for tracking my cannon balls. Im looking at upgrading my unit this winter but wondering what the cone angle is like on the new 83/200 transducer? Would I still be able to track the cannon balls with this transducer?

We did get into a few middle class aged fish this weekend in Manistee. I still feel a concern for next years fishery. But will be the first to say that this year has been a blast with the size of the fish...

Just for a comparison for you, I had a 2000 Starcraft Superfishermen 19'6" with a 2001 mercury 125hp outboard. it was a 4 cylinder 2 stroke and would shut 2 cylinders down below 1200 rpm and I averaged about $8 an hour in gas. Thats running out 5 miles or more, trolling, and running back in 5 miles or more.

So we all pretty much know that the fish numbers are down this year but the size of the fish are way up. No complaints from me for this but I do have a concern. Its my understanding that the majority of fish being caught are the 3-4 year old fish judging by the size of them. I have heard of a fair amount of 1 year old skippers but where are all the 8-15lb fish? Seems as though the 2-3 year old class of fish are missing. Any thoughts or input on this???

I maybe interested Frank. I mainly fish Manistee for salmon but my boats down for a week or two. Never open water fished the bay but very familiar with open water fishing tactics. Give me atleast a days notice and I should be able to make it anytime.

You're welcome. Glad to help...

I have used these before and really like them. Great for thick hulls and nice clean look on the outside. Good on hulls up to 2" thick. Used one to install my new X-4 this year. http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/seachoice-cable-thru-hull-fitting.aspx?a=564986

I dont normally do this to people that go out with me but wish they would. I have and do when I went out on others boats. But in my opinion, the boat owner should have little to no expense on the average day trip. We as boat owners know the expense of big lake fishing but the average non boater doesn't. Therefore, i tend to slip in a few hints of the cost. I have no problem splitting cost evenly but take greatly appreciate for those that help out more than is considered the norm.

Thanks everyone for the input and info. I am going to go with cumara hardwood, also known as Brazilian Teak. Much cheaper and from what research I have done just as good if not better than real Teak. Will keep ya updated on how it works out.

I did think of that but from what I have seen, I wasn't sure if it would have the strength to hold an anchor and motor for a windlass. I haven't researched into that much yet but don't recall seeing any near the 2" thick range. But thanks, I will look into it more.

Any one no of where to get teak lumber in MI? Need to replace the anchor platform on the bow of my boat. Only found one supplier so far and at there prices its going to cost me near $350 just in the lumber. What other materials could I make it out of? Would like to keep it near the 2" thick range.

Thanks for the input guys. I plan on running braid on both rods. Thinking I am going with a 9' rod for low diver.

Im changing tactics this year and going with a 3 rigger and 4 dipsey program instead of 4 riggers and 2 dipsey's. My question is, do you run a longer rod for the high diver and a shorter rod for low diver? I currently have 10' rods for dipseys. Should I go with 8'6" or 9' rods for low divers?

Just for future reference, I contacted raymarine and brown wire in instructions is red wire from drive unit and blue wire is the black one.

Thanks Don. I'm usually pretty good with this kinda stuff but with the amount of money you spend on an auto pilot, I would hate to fry something...

That's what I thought too about just hooking them up and if its wrong just switch them. BUT, my concern is in the directions it says to install steering drive with wheel fully turned to starboard, which it is. So if I hook it up wrong and it tries to steer to starboard, its already maxed out. Would that cause damage to the drive motor?

I am installing a SPX-5 Smart pilot on my boat and directions say to hook power wires from drive unit to course computer. Directions say to put brown wire to terminal A and blue wire to terminal B. Problem is I don't have those colors. I have red and black. I know one is positive and one is negative, problem is the polarity is not marked on the course computer. I tried a continuity test from the positive to negative power feed terminals but have continuity to all 4 terminals? Anyone have suggestions? Will be contacting raymarine tomorrow.

Put her in the water yesterday and heading there to manistee tomorrow to install new fish hawk and autopilot. Browns are hitting in Manistee so need to get fishing soon.

Thanks everyone. I am very excited about this season. Just wish mother nature shared my enthusiasm...

Well I spent the last 3 years working on Cape Cod Massachusetts. The Money and experiences were great but glad to be back in MI full time and ready to slay the salmon full time this year. The Bluedevil was sold today, sad to see it go, but I bought a 25' Formula out east that has suited me very well chasing Striped Bass and Blue Fish on the Atlantic Ocean, even hooked up with some sort of shark for a few minutes on a King Fisher Flasher... But I know the new boat will work out great for me chasing salmon. She will be hitting the water sometime next week and will be slipped in Manistee Mi for the season. Even got a new auto pilot to install on it this year. Looking forward to catching up with old friends from this site and making new ones. Site has come along way and looks great... New boats name is MI Time.. http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/6/1/043.jpg' alt='043.jpg'>