Wayne P.

eyedabassman, you don't "need" a chartplotter, BUT if you will be fishing a large body of water it will be a great benefit. You can get a Sonar/GPS chartplotter combo and not purchase any mapping softwere until you need it later. The smaller bodies of water you mention probably won't be shown on any mapping software anyway. For your use at those places you will just have a plotter function.

I'll add one more thing to the puzzle. Some GPS and Sonar/GPS combos are plotters and not chart plotters. Those just show a track were you have traveled and show waypoints you have saved. Some of the less expensive Sonar/GPS units are that type. Units that do the same thing with the capability to have maps overlayed on the screen are the chartplotters.

I certainly will, thanks. Hopefully everyone learned a little more about that technology.

GTrombly, what Humminbird SI unit you do have? All SI units have or can have DI.

I've got superline on about 35 rigs from spinning ultra light to baitcasting heavy frogging setups. I have no problems with any of them since the smallest I use is the 6# mono equivelent diameter.

Here is the HDSI transducer on a Motor Guide Tour trolling motor with the Transducer Shield and Saver bracket.

520, I know lots of anglers (professional and non-professional) that prefer to have that technology on the transom when running the outboard and one on the trolling motor when running the trolling motor. Its no different that having a 2D transducer and display unit at both locations to help the angler be more efficient. I agree about the waypoint, route, track sharing connections. Humminbird will have the ethernet connections for their 2011 models and some older models so for those units, the Interlink won't be needed. Are you aware of the trolling motor brackets for the LSS-1 and the various mounting systems for a Side Imaging transducer on a trolling motor? Are you aware of the Humminbird XTM 9 SI 180 T Side Imaging trolling motor puck transducer? Hank Parker has two Humminbird Side Imaging setups on his boat, one for the console and one for the bow/trolling motor. An angler doesn't have to settle for a single imaging transducer on their rig so the 20' example you stated does not apply even if they have Lowrance products. Do you know how to daisy chain two LSS-1 systems mounted in two different locations so the angler can choose which to use depending on which position in the boat he is?

The HD in the HDSI transducer model number means it has 800 khz capability which the 798 does not.

520, No interlink is NEEDED wth the Humminbird Side Imaging units as each is shipped with all it needs to perform 2D sonar, Side Imaging, and Down Imaging individually. No accessories required. Interlink or ethernet is only needed if waypoint sharing is desired and that goes for Lowrance units also with either the Network or ethernet. With the Lowrance HDS units no imaging function is contained. The accessory LSS-1 has to be added to get that function and it takes two of those to have an imaging transducer on the transom and trolling motor. As far a total function, yes it is basically a Ford/Chevy deal. But with the Lowrance system, you have to purchase the wheels, and bumpers additionally to have a whole vehicle. Thanks for your contribution on this topic.

Yes, and YES. I still use both. I have the Compact SI transducer on the transom and the HDSI transducer on the trolling motor which gives me the opportunity to see the difference in performance. Some don't see any difference when doing a swap since they don't have both to compare. The HDSI gives a sharper image because the frequency cyrstals are longer and produce a narrower beam. I have the 798ci SI also and move it from console to bow and back depending on the water I am fishing.

I don't and also don't stay within the line strength range either. My choice is based on where I fish and how.

Another Senko wannabe, no thanks.

I first started using them at Lake Fork post spawn just before they got popular. I got some of the original ones there and lost most of them at some lakes in Va. For an emergency supply, I buy the 1 oz Dardevle spoons and paint them a somewhat shad color if a painted one is all I can find (like the red/white ones). Sometimes I just scrape the paint off. No color is needed, the chrome or brass works great. I do change the heavy wire trebles that come on them with a feathered treble Owner hook. I purchase a few each year when I go to Fork at Lake Fork Marina. I don't use them enough to bother getting a bunch of blanks.

I put three bars across the bed of my pickup (the anti-load shifting type). I enclosed them with foam pipe insulation. I have two of them near the tailgate that I put the reels between (to prevent sliding) and the other supports the rod at and 3/4 the way to the tip. I have them placed about 8" below the top of the bed which leaves the whole bed free to carry other stuff. That gives me room for 10-15 rigs. I also carry around a dozen in the boat rod locker.

I have both and prefer the trolling motor position, BUT------ A suggestion: if you haven't used that technology before, mount the transducer on the transom so you will have a steady image to learn from. After you get familiar with how it works, then you will realize its benefits on the trolling motor. On the trolling motor, the images will be distorted if you are not aware of how the images are displayed and why. I know some guys that have had Side Imaging for more than 2 years and they still don't get it because they haven't made the effort to learn it.

I used to have a Shakespeare sonar unit in the 1970's

R520dvx, for a fully functional two unit system, the total cost of two units with imaging transducers for both locations is less with Humminbird since each comes with the imaging transducer. With Lowrance, an additional purchase of the LSS-1 is required to have an imaging transducer at both locations. Just like with 2D, I prefer to have the transducer at the boat operation position and most others will have the same opinion when they learn about the capabilites of that technology.

BassChaser57, the Navionics software is compatable with the Humminbird units. From what I have seen and been told by users, the Lowrance HDS units have a different menu system than the older units and it takes some getting used to. This is a screen shot from a Humminbird 998c SI with split screen regular sonar and Down Imaging:

GT, you fell for the "can I ask you a question" tactic, huh?

I agree with Chris about the screen size. I have the Humminbird 798 and will have the 1198 as soon as they are shipped. The latest issue with the Lowrance HDS units is bubbles on the screen, I just read another new complaint about that about an hour ago from a guy that has two 5 month old HDS-8 units with the bubbles. The most frequent negative for the Humminbird 898 and 998/997 is the data boxes on the left side of the screen taking up too much space.

Since that has been asked multiple times, if you do a site search for fluorocarbon you will get lots of opinions already expressed.

I use the uni-uni knot connection for braid with a fluorocarbon leader, I use 6 turns on both sides and cut the tags ends flush with the knot. Mainly I use 20# fluorocarbon with 30# and 40# braids. I only use a smaller fluorocarbon for finesse drop shot and that is 14# and only use that because of the small hook eye with the palomar knot. For magnum drop shot with big hooks and big baits, I use the 20# fluorocarbon.

http://www.alabamalakeinfo.com/wilson/altoonafishingreports.shtml

http://www.alabamalakeinfo.com/wilson/altoonafishingreports.shtml

http://www.alabamalakeinfo.com/wilson/altoonafishingreports.shtml