NBR

Not a stupid question. If the arch is symetrical the fish is right under the boat. If slewed it is off to one side. Always the fish is 6 feet or more behind the transducer. If the fish is a straight line it is moving along with the boat. Same thing if the boat is standing still. I am always a lot more interested in the structure and cover than the fish images.

I am more accurate with my right hand so bait casters, spinning rigs and fly gear is a right hand operation unless for some reason a left handed cast is neessary. I palm the bait caster reel during the retrieve and while bringing in a fish so I would need to move my hand position on the reel regardless. At times I will make the next cast while palming the reel but only when I'm not trying to thread the needle with a real accurate cast. I often switch hands while the cast is going out so the time delay is not a factor. I think you have better of the lure and the fish when you don't hold the rod by the pistol grip. In the final analysis it doesn't make much difference, do what works for you. There must be hundreds if not thousands of comments on this topic in the archives and this will be my last post on the topic.

Regardless of the program it is better than General Hospital, How the World Turns and most others>

What has been said. Also if on a baitcaster check the level wind guide. Mono stored with out sunlight and temperature extremes lasts for years.

Those two rigs will be fine for every thing but surface baits. Flouro sinks so it alters the action of surface baits. I'd not buy other gear until I had more experience and then purchase needed equipment that is geared toward where and how you fish.

Learn to cast in the yard. Don't waste valuable fishing time clearing backlashes, Set up your reel according to the instructions that came with it and the instructions at the beginning of the rods, reels and lines part of the site. Put a target in the yard abour 1/2 the distance you want to progress to in your casting. Work on accuracy with short casts and being backlash free. As you improve increase your distance but still be accuracy modivated. I've bait casted for years and still practice in the yard when the weather warms but before the ice goes off the lakes. As your skills improve you can looses the cast control in small increments to increase your distance. Practice, practice, then practice some more!

I mounted many transducers right to the bottom of the TM with clamps. There are special transducers made for this purpose but I mounted both those intended for this and others made to be used with brackets that are made to mount the transducer off the TM shaft but didn't like it and returned to mounting right to the TM. It's been so long ago I can't remember why I didn't like the bracket mount.

My guess is that it was just bad luck. Both pumps were lkely made by the same company with nearly identical hours of operation.at about the same time.

IMHO I think the reason most large bass have been caught during the middle of the day is the same as most of my catches come on soft plastics. There are more people fishing during midday times and in my case I use soft plastics a lot more often. I am not sure that pleasure boat activity puts the fish down but I am sure that it makes boat control more difficult.

100% of the time!

For a bettyer reply we need to know your location. June in northern AL or a TN is much different than June in northern MN. The fish don't care what month it might be they respond to conditions, water temperature and what their bodies are telling them.

Most (maybe all) outboard charging systems won't produce enough to keep a TM battery charged unless you run for hours at speed. Your batteries should be different types for the cranking system and the TM. I have had several boats with only two batteries and did not have a problem . Use the cranking battery only for cranking the outboard, depth sounders, bilge pumps etc. and the other a deep cycle for the TM. Unless you don't recharge as soon as you get off the water you should not have a problem.

Drop Shot or a crig with a floating worm or better yet with a floating jig to keep the hook and bait out of the goo!

That ties in with global warming which is true but most likely a natural phenomenon. The earth has been in warming or cooling cycles longer than records have been kept and actually longer than the existance of humans. The NY Times had an article about the beginning of another ice age in the 1970's. That went away. Maybe we slightly increase the warming but one blast of a volcano puts more crud in the air than all of human activity for a year or more. The UN scientists need to keep their jobs! I would be a lot more worried about aging of our lakes and the affects of removing shore line cover and fertilizer wash in from over doing yard work. I'm sure that will not affect me but it could have a detrimental affect on grand children and great grandchildren.

Don't "Maybe Wrap IT" Put some bunk carpet on the bunks. BNPS has it and I would guess Cabela's carry's it also. You need the carpet to protect the boat. You can staple it on but I would use stainless staples - no rust. Be sure the staples won't contact the boats surface.

I would reccomend getting a guide for one day. In spite of saying that you will probably do just fine without one but big strange lakes can sometimes be difficult. Unless you have fished one of the great lakes or the Big O you have never been on a lake the size of St. Clair. I haven't been to St. Clair in a long time but I wouls sure have some Gobi imitators in my box.

Go with a soft mono. Trilene XL is one but there are many. Beginners will sooner or later get a massive backlash and no point in cutting off expensive braid or flouro lines. I like 12# but 10# to about 19# works depending on your location. Where I fish most of the cover is rocks and you don't pull free from rocks vary often, you need to get behind the bait. Where theres lots of wood or weed it is a different matter.

I wouldn't own a boat without an onboard charger. All my power problems went away when I got my first one. I do carry a set of jumpers as a just - in- case but since I got an onboard I've never needed them. Jumper go in the car for the winter.

I rarely have line on a spnning rig that is heavier than 6# and commonly use 4#. I back reel in preference to using the drag.

I carry a fly rod in my rod locker during mayfly season!

Years ago I heard Woo Daves at a seminar. He said, " Before this seminar is over someone will ask how do you tell if you have a bite. So I'll tell you now. You know what not having a bite feels like. So when it feels different set the hook". You may lose a few baits but you will catch a a lot more fish. Trying to figure out what is biting is a lot easier when you land the fish be it bluegill, perch, walleye or bass.

Is there a local tackle shop where you can ask questions? If so go spend a little cash and pick their brains. It is called fishing not catching and it can take some time. Most of us answering your have fished for years and we too have days with no success.

If I am using a heavy weight I do have problems with 1 keeper sliding down. So far this has been eliminated by using 2 keepers.

Unless you don't care abour cost don't start with braid. When learning to bait cast you will no doubt get some big time backlashes and need to cut them out. Brais is too pricey to cut. Start with a soft mono and practice in the yard. Read the instructions with the reel and those in this site.

Several reasons I fish for bass more than others: 1. They are plentiful. 2. They can be anyting from very difficult to down right easy. 3.They battle you with vigor. 4.The take artificial lures readily. 5. They live in places I find relaxing.