K_Mac

I just purchased this unit (45" shaft) and have only used it three times, so can't give you an answer based on a long history, but am very happy with the Fortrex so far. Above @30% on the digital control and the unit is a little louder than I would like is my only complaint. Deploying and stowing is easier with this unit than anything I've ever used and power consumption is far less. The mount is very quiet and removing the entire unit from the base is very simple. I have a Lowrance HDS-5X on the bow, and it works great with the US2. It is great not having to worry about knocking the transducer off or pinching wires in the mount. The cost of replacing a failed transducer will be more but I guess that is the chance you take. Good luck. PM me if you have any questions.

x2

Just an FYI: Cabelas has this unit on sale for $180. I am also in the market and will likely pick one of these up in the next week or so. I've also considered the Lowrance X96. It is about the same price. I know it is subjective, but do any of you guys know how these two match up?

Just an update-I purchased the Stearns belt from BassPro, and have worn it on three trips. I am very happy with it. Thanks again fishinfiend. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_50112_100021002_100000000_100021000_100-21-2

fishinfiend-thanks for the recommendation. I will check these out as soon as possible.

Hi y'all. It's been a while since I've posted anything, but I lurk from time to time and still enjoy this site very much. It is the most fun and informative site related to fishing that I have visited. The title of this post is a result of a recent fishing trip. After a couple of years of little fishing due to health issues, I am now able to do a little fishing from a boat, though I have to be careful do to re-occurring issues of dizziness and blacking out. I am about as agile as a beached whale-which is what I probably resembled after falling from the boat while swinging away on a hook-set. I missed and went head first into 51 degree water, losing a pair of prescription glasses and trashing a cell phone in the process, making this hook-set very costly. I was in water around 20 feet deep and spent what seemed like a very long time submerged-my estimate is 15 to 20 minutes-but my fishing partner assures me it was only several seconds. In spite of my physical (and my wife would argue mental) limitations, I was not wearing a floatation device. I HATE wearing a life vest, but have come to the conclusion that I have to wear some type of device or risk becoming a statistic. I think an inflatable is the only option. I tried a couple at the local Cabela's, but they all seem to be a too small for my full-figured body. Any suggestions on make and model would be appreciated.

Yup!

Not sure i know what skin-hook is It was mentioned earlier in the thread. Instead of burying the point of the hook in the plastic, bring it through the bait and place the point just below the surface of the plastic. If someone with greater computer skills can post a picture it would be more effective than my explanation. Good Luck.

Another consideration is the size and type of hook you're using. I usually skin-hook either a 2/0 or 3/0 wide-gap hook on 6-8" lizzards. I have caught many fish using this technique. Good luck

Vote cast. Good luck.

I believe it was Tiger's greatest win and arguably the greatest all time. It was without a doubt the most exciting golf tournament I have ever seen. Whether you love him or not, Tiger is fun to watch. BTW, Rocco was an inspiration. His attitude is a credit to him and golf. If he never wins another tournament, he will always be on my list of favorites.

This is a topic that comes up often, and sometimes turns ugly. :-? I believe you should fish what makes you happy and can afford. I have health issues that cause money to be very tight, and because of that I fish with BassPro Extreme rods and baitcast reels, and I have Pflueger President (1) and Shimano Spyrex (1) spinning reels on Extreme rods. They all work well and give me a lot pleasure, but I have used higher end eqipment and appreciate the difference. I recently fished with a friend and used a Shimano Castiac/G-Loomis 844 IMX combo for jig fishing and would recommend this combo to anyone. I love fishing a jig, and my BP outfit does a fine job, but there is a world difference. Sometimes spending a few extra bucks on rods, reels, crankbaits, plastics, jigs-you name it-makes perfect sense, other times maybe not so much. The real fun is finding what works best for you. 8-) BTW I'm saving my pennies for a new jig fishing rig.

Reply #12 in the, Rods "Power and Action" Defined sticky at the top of this category clearly shows actions rated from Fast to Slow. This sticky will answer your questions about power and action. Good luck.

Both systems work for those with "untrained thumbs", it 's a matter of degree ( how much braking you set ), instead of getting cocky or over rating your ability in trying to control THE BEAST by setting it low set in on the highest and work your way down through the braking power of the system as you train the thumb, there 's nothing wrong by doing so, you ain 't gonna win sissy status if you set your brakes at the highest setting, better one time pale than a thousand times blushed. There you are with your brand new baitcaster which you have never fished before, full of confidence ( actually you are full of it ), you exhude testosterone, your manhood at peak level; macho man does something stoopid like not setting properly the tension, sets the brakes low because macho man thinks that he gonna "tame" the beast ( yeah high testosterone levels cause that effect ), makes a cast and zzzzzzzzz !!!! hums the reel as the lines jumps from the spool flowing through every single nook and cranny the reel has : ........ So the fine line that separates you from looking and feeling like an idiot staring at that motherlord of tangled line on the palm of your hand and a nice cast where all the loose line is in the water is a called thing respect for the beast. The beast can never be tamed, it can only be controlled, it 's there waiting patiently for you to do something stoopid to pounce on you. Raul, You are almost poetic in your description of the new baitcaster owner. My health has improved enough over the last few months that I am now able to do a bit of fishing after a couple of years off, and I am having to spend quite a bit of time re-educating my thumb. A few hours, over several days, in the back yard practicing has made a big difference-but I'm a long way from what I was when I fished a couple of days a week. Casting a crank in open water is not that big a deal, but casting or pitching tight to cover is another story. :-[ All of my reels have magnetic brakes, and I find them very easy to adjust according to conditions. I have used shimano reels with centrifugal brakes, and find them easy to use as well. As Raul says, starting with more brakes (magnetic, or centrifugal), and cautiuosly backing off will save you a lot of grief. I have been reminded that I get in trouble with professional overruns most often when I try to do just a little too much,e.g. trying to throw too light of lure on a windy day or really reaching back for a little extra distance.

Congratulations Al. It is the "crusty old" guys that keep things in order. Well done. BTW a 14:38 mile ain't too bad for a guy your age.

This discussion brings to mind a quote (Mark Twain, I believe), "Youth is wasted on the young." I miss the enthusiasm, energy, and a couple of other things, but I can't remember what...

No apology necessary. If you go back and read the posts from last season you'll see that none of us thought the Cardinals were the best team last year. The best team for the season isn't always the team that wins the Championship. The team that wins the World Series is the team that is playing the best baseball at that particular time. The Cards have had some great teams over the years that have lost to lesser teams-Milwaukee and Kansas City to name a couple. That's baseball. : On paper the Yankees win it all every season. Thank goodness the title is decided on the field. GO ROCKIES!!!!! I kind of like the Red Sox but have to support the NL team.

Muddy, I can't believe your Mets tanked and missed the play-offs. :-X I know they have a long storied history of such things, but if I were a betting man I would have lost my shirt...good thing I'm not! Well as the Cubbies will soon be saying, We'll get em next year."

One thing to remember for all of us Cardinal fans: We are still World Champions!! 8-) It's been a long season, but for a few more weeks we have the trophy. As our young bear friends to the north always say, "we'll get em next year!"

As most of you know I'm a long-time Cards fan, and have suffered with them as injuries, less than expected production from marquee players, and management's decision to not give away the franchise to keep and aquire talent has kept them out of contention this year. I really gave up on them having any chance of making the play-offs a couple of months ago, BUT hope springs eternal. With the competition in our division, and some better play lately we may have a chance! As the last couple of years have shown, once you make the post-season anything can happen 8-). Go Cards!!!

Ed I don't get to the Forums very often now days, but when I do I always look to see what you've come up with. You ain't quite right , but you're funny and your priorities are right. Most of us enjoy your humor, and the ones who don't do not have to view it. They certainly don't have any right to discourage or attack you because of it. If you cross any lines (as many of us have), Glenn or the Mod Squad will let you know. Life is too short to pay attention to folks with nothing good to say. I wish you well. When you are rich and famous, remember us little people. Conservative, old K_Mac

Avid, I can feel your pain. Many of my attempts at humor are not appreciated as much as they deserve. : :) BTW, I think your story is very funny. PS: I have a bag of Diawa reel parts from a misguided repair effort. Fortunately it was a very inexpensive reel that had been abused for a number of years....

One day at a time, by God's grace. I'm with you brother. You're an inspiration to many my friend. K

Mist on the water The world is quiet and calm Perfection soon gone

I really like Clancy's books. I am not as big a fan of the ones he co-wrote or collaberated on. The one that makes my blood run cold because of its plausability in this crazy world is The Sum of All Fears. Terrorists with nukes.... Enjoy them all, they are worth the time IMHO.