S. Sass

I don't think you can go wrong with these three. Lew's Tournament MB (I find the extremely comfortable reel shape and size fit me) Daiwa Tatula CT (I like the handles and the finish on the reels) Shimano E or G series (because DVT says so) Of course any reels in their respective line up that is more expensive is also a option. Do your shopping and many of these can be had really inexpensively. I know the Lew's and the Daiwa both can be had easily under $120. All are quality reel companies and all have a large fanbase that says they are proven quality.

A little OCD are we?

I don't do the stick bait hardly ever but of the ones I have tried I like the Sassy Sticks from the forum sponsor BizzBaits. These are the top 3 colors for me when I do use them in this order. Pumpkinseed Green Pumpkin White

Didn't know there was a thread for Walmart scores. Picked these up today

I looked for that reel on Daiwa website but that 50th version I did not see. I would have bet money, and maybe lost, that it was the same as the others at 13.2lbs. Very odd if they dropped it back down on a "special" 50 year edition imho If it was a error or screwup of some sort I would not send it back. Just look at what odd stuff brings years later. Rare odd things can be worth quite a bit if it's stored away nicely. I agree wait for a official answer from Daiwa.

Yeah will be funny in 10 to 20 years to see what's normal vs old School.

I'm not fond of it either. As for the long rods if you don't like them, or don't think your toyota can fit one don't buy one. It really is that simple. Just don't go making or attempting to make the choice for everyone else. This PC stuff is getting goofy where just because one person has a issue with something they want to imply or impose their position on others. As for SC not being able to make one properly well I'll just say they probably have 50 years more experience than 99% of the people on this bass forum so they probably will get closer than any of us would.

Im looking at it like this. IF all of you claiming its junk just bought one roll to try it and give a honest evaluation then that explains why they keep making it. OP To me 15 lb Big Game mono even 17 lb catches fish all day but if you want fluorocarbon i'd say 15 lb is plenty heavy. That stuff to me is junk the heavier you get so you really don't want any heavier than you have to go.

Excellent point what do you think about the Garmin EchoMAP 73SV HD unit LoweStinger mentioned?

Pretty good read here as well. http://www.lews.com/ourstory.php I thought this part was interesting.

Now there is a option. I presume the reason it is reasonably priced is it does not have the CHIRP feature? Which I don't think is a must unless someone points out a great reason I need it for recreational fishing. I didn't think it was a must when just reading what it was. But I could be wrong as I said I am new to all the technologies. Actually I can get a $1000 unit if I wanted it's just not practical for me and my fishing to spend that kind of coin. Thus I was attempting to keep the cost somewhat reasonable. My boat is a $5000 boat so spending over $500 seemed a little much especially if I can get what will do what I want for less. Right now that Garmin EchoMAP 73SV HD unit LoweStinger mentioned looks like it will work also I found this Humminbird 698ci HD SI Combo for $349 Just hate its only 5" screen.

I cant say about a iphone but like I said a guy I know dropped his in about 2ft of water / mud and his still vibrated. That is how he felt/found it as I called it. It was a old Casio flip phone. So I know some can pick up a signal deeper than 6" just not sure about a iphone. OP I suggest you and you buddy have a good plan of what he is to do and when to help you. A way for you to re enter the boat if you get cramped should be planned as 1 friend may not have the strength. Just take every precaution at this point its been there a while no rush now.

After 50 years the drag got tired its down to 11lbs from the 13.2 it use to hold when it was younger. And no I haven't heard of this before so I seriously don't know if it's a typo on the box or if you got jipped on the drag not being 13.2lbs. Does not appear to be a typo though since 5kg translates to 11.0231lbs. Unless the entire weight description is wrong.

This is my understanding from a while back when I was looking. Just noticed the 2.5s are on sale for the same price as the 1.5s too.

Yeah common sense is a good thing

Oh it will. It will just suck horribly at one or the other.

I'm going out on a limb here but I would say if the battery was in a plastic marine box with the lid on it strapped down everyone would be happy.

I wasn't trying to doubt him but I had just been told as you can see in the chat conversation I posted the opposite. I appreciate his help very much.

I use a cover that came with my boat. Turns out it's a Cabellas looks like this one with the name and the funny pockets right above the name it fits OK. I just have the single console off to the side so it's not a perfect fit. But my boat stays in a carport with one side completely closed in and doesn't get directly rained on. Using the proper straps for my tarp help a lot, they were missing and string was used by the previous owner. I got a set of new straps with the clips off ebay for like $20 and it stays on nice and snug now. I was more trying to keep the dust, bird ___, and stray cat vomit out.

Would gladly do that if I knew someone that did that locally. I might check with the 2 local boat shops and see if they might know of someone. My junk is the better junk of the people I fish with most of my friends don't own a boat period. And I just don't know if I would or could force myself to send hundreds of dollars to someone I didn't know across country hoping to get working electronics back. But that does open some opportunities possibly.

I've never had sidescan but from what I had read it just seemed like a bass fishermans dream to be able to see up into the shallow areas. Maybe I need to just read more. I generally catch 80% of my bass where a typical downscan can't tell me or won't tell me a dang thing about. I just get so tired of reading the stuff and after an hour or two it just becomes mush and I turn it off and close the 50 tabs I have open. This is what I was starting to get the idea of now as well. For some reason I didn't think it would be that hard to just find a budget friendly unit that had GPS, down and side scan, and a 7" or larger screen. And it may not be but trying to do it and not knowing all the technical mumbo jumbo that changes with almost every model gets very irritating. Thanks again fellas for the assistance.

I was reading through that and I was thinking that guy lied. As you can see i was specifically asking for it. Either way I appreciate you pointing it out. That was why I posted here before ordering.

Are you sure? I did a live chat thing with them and here is the conversation. [14:20] Steve: I m looking for a unit that is hopefully 7" has GPS side and down scan. Pretty basic by today's standards LOL I just get overwhelmed with the stuff I really dont want a ton of extra but I am on a budget as I just fish for run [14:21] Steve: I also have no clue what brands to avoid or what models have better value etc [14:22] Denis I: OK, hold on. [14:22] Steve: Heck I dont care if its a last year or discontinued model as long as its a solid unit. [14:25] Denis I: [ https://www.westmarine.com/buy/garmin--striker-7dv-7-inch-chirp-fishfinder-with-gps-downv-scanning-sonar--17044678?recordNum=16 ] [14:26] Denis I: It doesn't have SideVü. [14:27] Steve: Aww I was really hoping to get that. Is there a unit like this that has it? [14:28] Denis I: [ https://www.westmarine.com/buy/lowrance---hook-7-with-chirp-sonar-built-in-gps-antenna-nautic-pro-and-cover--17933847?recordNum=48 ] [14:28] Denis I: This one has side view: [14:29] Steve: Ahh now we are talkin is that a good unit? [14:29] Denis I: Yes it is. [14:30] Steve: Is everything I need there to instal it? [14:31] Denis I: Yes, Dual-Frequency Skimmer HDI Transducer with Temperature (Included)

Someone stop me if this is a bad deal. I have no experience with any of these units. This one seems to have decent reviews just about everywhere and has the features I think I want plus some. From what I have read around there are a few basic features I wanted. GPS, down and side scan, and a 7" or larger screen along with the other basic features my 1990 models had like mph, depth, speed, etc. I don't think I am asking for a huge amount of extras by today's standards. So being I fish for fun I wanted to stay under $500 lower preferably and still get some of the new stuff and a easier to see (bigger) screen. The sidescan I think is going to be awesome. The map stuff I will have to really read up I dont know anything about it. The unit comes with Nautic Pro and i have no clue if that is good or bad. OK let me have it what am I missing or will I regret not getting? Is there some issues with the Lowrance I am unaware of, or that the Garmin, or Hummingbirds do way better for the same kind of money?

I did see one on their Refurbished list the other day a 806SB but it's gone now. Might keep a eye out there they are only $80.00