wordfactories

From a marketing perspective it might be smart for Minn Kota to attempt to have one or a few of their pros swap out to an Ulterra for one of the bigger lakes that see primarily offshore fishing like St. Clair or Erie. Primarily for features like Spot-Lock. I would like to see how that could work out. I think it would be tough to get any of the FLW Tour or Bassmaster Elite guys to abandon cable steer outright, though it would be interesting to see some more trolling motor diversity aside from MotorGuide Tours and the Minn Kota Fortrex. .. actually this guy Michael Murphy swaps out a Terrova & Fortrex (he just recently fished an Elite event, with what, I don't know):

i have been looking for positive info on the 598, as it is the only thing really financially responsible with SI for me. I've seen a lot of negative about it concerning the mapping, how it isn't a "true" combo, etc.

If it is certainly rivets I'd get a buck, a ball-peen hammer, and a buddy and try to tighten them before I resorted to that.

I had to look this up.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwGcG54BeXY Looks cool, though probably only helpful for small craft like shown..

Impressive speed claim then.. Motorguide would do well to publish a video timing the 360° rotation time (I saw one for the Terrova, it was like 5 something seconds). With a cable steer isn't just how fast you can muscle the pedal? I'd be curious how fast the weight of an average guy could turn a Tour.

Is that just the old wireless model?

This thread had me wondering about Shad in general.. I found USGS pages on both Gizzard Shad: http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=492 & Threadfin Shad: http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=493 There is a neat map of the United States showing the dispersion for each, as well as further details.

Videos of that new Motorguide xi5 show that thing turning way faster than the Minn Kota electric steer models I've used. Probably still not as fast as a cable steer, but impressive either way.

That is unacceptable - post on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/attwoodmarine - that will set off some customer service alarms.

I've called Attwood before. Look here or here and see if they have what you need, then try searching through their "Buy it here" button -(sometimes that works, it is just retailers they know sell the series), If that doesn't work take the part number of the specific item combined with name and try a Google search / Google Shopping search. It looks like they have pedestal extensions you might be able to combine with a shorter adjustable post too, depending on what you can find.

I installed a few sets of Boca Orange seals and could not stand how loud they were. Very unhealthy noise.. So I oiled them. Also I swear the seals rub.. Normal bearing shields aren't that big of hassle. Next upgrade I buy will have normal shields (if they aren't odd Hedgehog Studio things). Despite being oiled and having a seal or two that rub they do work noticeably better than the stock bearings.

A type R as your first baitcast reel is pretty nice. I have read you can measure the spacers in the level-wind and replace them with bearings (http://www.daiwa.com/Documents/PartsDiagram/TATULA-R100H_100XS.pdf). Also there are bushings in the handles that can be measured and replaced with bearings. Both of those will make the reel smoother. I'm sure you could upgrade to ceramic, abec 7/9 bearings for more distance. This guy really seems to go at his Tatula.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GG8pWAdVwI - also has a video all about the drag: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hz97HwNPic. (I suggest you mute the sound on either of those) Hedgehog Studio has an array of fancy parts too, including the wormshaft bearing kit and handle bearing kit, as well as standard bearing upgrades. Some people like to clean all the lube out of stock bearings and use whatever their choice of high performance lubricant to achieve more distance as well. Personally I have a standard Tatula and I am very pleased with its performance and casting distance. I don't see it as needing anything. I'd put that money toward another rod/reel. I have put Boca Ceramic hybrid bearings in some reels and been ambivalent about the improvement.. The Boca sets are better distance wise, but maybe not good enough for myself and what they cost.. Cleaning out stock bearings with solvent and re-lubing with Quantum Hotsauce (I'm sure just about any fancy pants reel oil is better than stock) helped out a few of my reels significantly. Anyhow if you do do something cool, post back with your results.

How was it?

Years ago a family friend had one of these hook-out deals but it was super skinny and light. It was magical with panfish, you could stick it right in the mouth of a gut-hooked panfish and it would eject the fish like nothing. Especially useful for bobber fishing with inattentive children. This thing by Danielson look as much like it as anything I can find: http://www.amazon.com/Danielson-Quick-Trigger-Hook-Remover/dp/B006L114SY I bought it hoping I had found it - but nope. Piece of cheap garbage. That family friend said he bought it at a sporting goods show, best I can figure is maybe Danielson bought the guy's patent and has the thing made in China. . anyone ever seen anything like this? Eh, a shot in the dark.

I don't believe that they have hit retailers yet. I did get to play with the a prototype for few minutes, the whole variable steering thing is neat.