Further North

I don't hate walleyes...or even dislike 'em... But for me, fishing for them is duller than dirt, about 95% of the time. The folks that want to manage nature, by stocking this or that, or culling that other kind of fish don't get it: Mother Nature always gets what she wants. Or to quote a book I read once, "Life will find a way." All people can do is fight a loosing battle, delaying the inevitable.

So...they've caught up to Humminbird? Autochart did this years ago... ...or close enough that it doesn't matter. YAY!

Just to reinforce this... Your buddy is wrong.

Installed both new transducers in the same places, and at the same angles as the old ones...nailed it on the first run. I have SI (no detail), DI, to 37 MPH, 2D as fast as I ran today.

Will do, thanks. If I can find it. I'll report back

A-Yup...

No, they're not. Humminbird's Helix series is not touch screen. I can't speak to other brands (not interested in converting at this point) but that's a significant part of the market, right there... What I hear about touch screens, in the dirty, wet environment we fish in, is that they are a problem. I don't want problems, I want to fish. I'll stay away from touch screens until I don't have to deal with problems. BTW, just in case someone thinks I'm anti-technology: I am a touch screen advocate off the water. I'll not own a computer, or laptop, that's not a touch screen.

Since there's so much help pouring out on this, I decided I'd do a little digging on my own. A little digging, and some questions posted on apparently more knowledgeable forums indicated I should get my hands on a XNT 9 HW T transducer. Did that, hung it, plugged it in, but no joy: ...still not showing up. It's clicking, and I can hear it, but I don't see where the system is seeing it... Kinda not happy with HB right now...

50+ views and not even an idea?

I see the 7" at ~$800, the 8" at about $1,200, and the 9" at about $1,500. Seems to be consistent with the market.

I remain unconvinced that trolling motor "noise" has any significant impact on fishing... Add in a lake that gets lots of fishing pressure, and I think it falls off a cliff...

I just replaced my two year old Helix 12 MEGA SI G2N with a G3N model...There's some interesting upgrades, and the timing is good. I also have a Helix 10 CHO G3N on the way, should see it by Tuesday. To the issue: With the G2N, I was running a 2D, high speed transducer so I could get depth readings at speed. I wound up not needing it because I was getting solid readings from the SI transducer up to the mid 30s...but it's was still my default 2D transducer. Installed the G3N this afternoon...and the 2D doesn't show up in the network source screen. Interestingly, a friend had the same issue with his G3N system, newly installed on a brand new Lund. Any thoughts? I've done all the normal restart/unplug-replug stuff...no joy.

Great experience to share, and mirrors mine 100%. It seems like soe folks are stuck 20+ years ago in terms of technology and current capabilities. There's a whole bunch of, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." metaphors there... ...but depending on what year the Corvette was...there were some seriously weak years out there...I lived through 'em...made me ill...

The handle is nice...on the guides: I'm not sure if they qualify as micro-guides, but they are pretty small. I like the smaller guides, so it's not a problem for me.

You've already got your rod, but for future reference, I grabbed a St. Croix LBC76MHMF Legend Tournament earlier this season. They sell it as a "Pitchin'/Light Flipping rod, and I'm really enjoying it. It's spec'd at 3/8 oz. to 1 1/4 oz. and I really like the action and taper.

Braid thinner than 30 will dig into the spool. You'll also use more of it to fill the spool. I also think thin braid slices up fingers, but maybe that's just me. I had a couple spools of 10#, or 15#...I'm using it as fly tying thread...it's awesome... I run 30# on a couple baitcasters, light tackle applications, the rest get 50#, or even 65#. I use line diameter, not breaking strength as my guide. BTW: pike will cut braid like...thread. Tie in a wire leader if you don't want to donate lures.

Costs, and the market, set the price. Now that everyone else has caught up to Minn Kota, we should see a market adjustment with what should be 4x availability...We'll know more next fall... I don't want cable steer! I don't want to be tied to one spot on the boat...something the Ultrex, and now all these other motors have addressed, but why would I want to adopt the Cap'n Morgan stance if I don't have to? I can't speak to the xI5, but applying Powerdrive across the Minn Kota brand is like evaluating a lake by what you can see from the dock. Powerdrive is manufactured to a price point to allow boat dealers to sell non-fishermen, or inexperienced fishermen a product that looks great until they get it on the water. I run an Ulterra now, and have had two Terrovas in the past...and they can turn their heads 180° in well less than the time it takes me to count, "...one...two...three...". I fish right tight to shore, and to docks, often and all it takes is a wee bit o' lookin' ahead, planning and anticipation. There's no situation where having to wait less than three seconds to do a 180° reverse is a problem, unless I'm waiting until the last moment to change the direction of the TM. ...but the Ultrex already solved those problems, years ago. The thing with electric steer, and all the benefits that come with it (Spot lock, follow the contour, follow a route, etc.) is you have to be willing to change how you fish. There are places, on some of my local lakes where I either put the motor on follow the contour, or follow a route, where I don't touch the controls for more than a half hour. If someone gave me a cable steer TM, I'd sell it...but these new hybrids are interesting and may change how I think about that. Sure would like to have 130# thrust...I get 4 MPH out my Ulterra with 112# thrust...can't wait to see what MK comes out with to counter that...

You can do that...if the motor doesn't run into something on your trailer when it's deployed.

Before we add gas, gear, batteries, etc...you're already pushing 3,000 pounds. Feels like you'd be cutting it close, and I towed with a 2014 Escape for three seasons. I towed my 18 1/2 ft. Crestliner for until last season with the Escape; it was fine. My boat's a bit longer, wider and heavier than yours and the Escape had no problems with it, ever. The edge is fine, also. Lots of pretty ling trips here. We did some vehicle swapping around last winter, and I'm now towing with a 2016 Edge Titanium. We still own the Escape and it's been problem free, and is pushing 80K on the odometer. It still does back-up duty as needed. ************************** I'll drop this here: Our Edge has the 3.5 L V-6...I like the 2.0 L EcoBoost 4 cyl. better, for towing. The V-6 has 280 HP, 250 ft./lbs. torque. The 4 cyl. has 240 HP (10 less) and 270 ft./lbs. torque (20 more). That's a lot, and it makes a difference. They did a re-design of the 2.0 EcoBoost engine, I think in 2015, and bumped it up to 245 HP and 275 ft./lb. torque. Even more better. The built in anti-sway in Ford's tow packages for the Escape and Edge is really good. Our has only activated once (deer in the road), and it gets the job done, right now.

They do. The "odd length" models (S-11, S-13, and S-15) are squared off in back. The "even length" models (S-12, S-14, and S-16) are traditional on both ends. They can be configured with a motor mount off to the side. The X-13 has a full width transom (Looks like an S-16 cut down) for a motor. With a canoe, I'm not sure I don't like the offset mount better, most of the time. You have to sit centered back there, so not having the motor directly behind you is a good thing, IMO. It also makes it easier to lean over and tilt it out, or adjust depth rather than having to twist/turn around. The X-13 might make that easier, with a wider transom, but I wasn't lucky enough to find one of those.

Yep. But terribly small market, so we need to adapt... I'm lucky to be in a place where I can afford a big water boat, and a small water/river boat/canoe/whatever...and to be in a place where I can afford to experiment. I don't have to get it right the first time, which means I'll wind up in a better place, down the road (river?). You've helped shine the the light on some possibilities the look fun to try, we'll see where they take us. It'll be a fun journey. Keep kicking in your experience, I appreciate it!

@Brad Reid That's where I'm headed now, and I think your spot on with 2 - 2.5 HP. There were several older outboards with that lack of a true neutral...started in gear..."feature". More than one fisherman ended up in the water using them. I chase musky up here until I can't launch because of ice. Ending up in the water then is a killer...literally. I'm not taking that chance. Tohatsu does indeed cut off at 5HP and 55 lbs. Overkill, methinks.

@Brad Reid I'll look them up, thanks! I looked at the 2.3 Merc 4-stroke. They're 38 lbs, empty...much less than a 55# + battery, and 24 volt wouldn't even be close...but as you say, it's off center, a bit. ...but from what I've seen, I'm wondering if these canoes aren't stable enough to offset that? Hard to borrow a $900 motor.

@Brad Reid I'm pondering bumping up to 24 volt, wondering if 55# thrust will be enough for the rivers... Your thoughts? Considering the 2.3 HP 4-stroke gas motors too. Lighter than a 55# and a battery.

@Brad Reid Thanks, great advice! Here's the background: I bought a used S-14 a couple weeks back, it's got a motor mount, the off-center center seat and, of course the paddle lock holders...paddle locks arrived yesterday. I've got an 18 1/2 ft Crestliner CMV for bigger lakes and rivers, so the Sportspal will be the small lake and shallow river rig. I've got an older Endura 30#, but I'm concerned that it won't have enough thrust to deal with river current on the Chippewa, Flambeau, St. Croix, etc. when they are moving fast due to high water (like all season, this year). I also see the value, with a Grass Ninja, for blasting though heavy weeds with a motor with more thrust. I'm a firm believer of going big on trolling motors, because as you mentioned, I can run them at reduced thrust when I don't need it, saving battery life and not stressing the TM...but it's got the snot I need when I need it.