bbgobie

Don't forget, with the Garmin not only will you get horrible customer service the software is not great. You can create your own maps with the echomap series, but you won't be able to transfer them or view them on your computer. Nor will you be able to play back and zoom in on your sonar recordings for viewing later. Its probably about 6-10 button presses to start recording your own lake contour map + sonar recording, so is it the easiest thing in the world? probably not.

What depth do you usually fish at? Garmin software sucks, so watch out for that.

Your not missing much, the Windows version of homeport is useless. While you are contacting them, ask them to open up their file format so at least we can use 3rd party software.

How does homeport work for you? It sucks for me. Also can't view your quick draw maps. Very disappointing

Be aware that the Garmin software has known issues for years that they haven't fixed. Playback of your sonar recordings is basically useless as you can't zoom in and out of the recording and it will be set to some obscure level. For example mine is stuck at 18ft left and right. This is my second Garmin, my first died a month after the warranty. I will definitely not be buying another Garmin anything based on poor contact with their CS and a broken and poorly functioning product.

Hi, I finally got out for my first trip of the year. I recorded the outing on the 73SV and expected to be able to play it back in Homeport, review some of the sidescan data and mark interesting objects as waypoints after the fact. I loaded the microsd card and can view the recording, however the sidevu playback only goes out to 18ft on either side even though while on the water it was farther than that. I can't find a way to change the zoom level. Any suggestions? I guess alternatively if I can't view it on my computer in Homeport, how can I at least play it back on the unit? I can't seem to load that recording and play it back now.

I'm not sure what it does to bass, but for me I tend to get hit just before or at the start of rain. If it's a cold front with rain the fishing gets slow. On the rare occasions you get that really warm summer rain I find the fishing to be good. However my best bass of last year came fishing in a cold front in rain. Of course this was after catching 2 dinkers in 2.5 hours and heading back to the launch. Thew a Senko to a downed tree near a small point that I have never caught anything over 1lb on and boom! So I guess you never know when lady lucky will hit.

I tried weedless on a x-rap. Wanted to rip it over the top of weeds and occasionally through the ones that grow higher. But the lip, line and eye would still snag. Haven't got anything on it yet. Also feel like the action is not as good now. Still keep it in the box though

They are not much different Its still a kayak. It basicsaly has a big scupper hole where the mirage drive fits in. Seem like great fishing tools. You seem as envious as I do, just expressed differently

I'm in it for the size where I fish. But on a slow day I do start targeting smaller fish. Some action is better than no action

I don't see how it's not fair for htheir methodology Comparing it to $80-100 reels would be dumb. There would be like 1 other rel in the category for them in 10 years. If you're interested in a rwel in that price range they've provided ample info about it. When you look at the score and its in the same range as reels 2x as much you can make your own decision about it. If it scored a 9.9 for reels under 100 and the Tatula scores a ?9.8 for under 150 which is the better reel now? What if the tatula got a 9.9? They have provided info. Either read it and digest it or blindly go buy something because someone told you too on the internet The review is better than most on forums that go like this " got a new _____ its the best _____ ever!!!! Used it in my living room"

I've always had more success with a Jerk bait rather than a crank. But whatever you have confidence in tends to be what you throw. I also always have trouble imagining a shad or minnow swimming into a tree trunk. If they do in nature they should stop drinking and swimming.

I've been lurking on this site for a few years. I just had to register to say, wow. Bluebasser that is some serious identification skills. I might have to send you a pic of my tackle box one day to confirm some of my cranks and jerks!