MBG3

Thank y'all very much with the info. Im thinking the Helix 7 Mega SI Gps on the console for now then see how I like it and try one up front maybe.

Hey guys never owned or even used a fish finder of todays modern technology. Got real big into bass fishing about 3 years ago and never thought I really needed a Fish Finder until recently. I just do not know what to buy or what to look for. I mainly fish along the VISIBLE grass lines or like to flip bushes, simply because I can not see whats under the water or tell how deep it is. The Mobile Tensaw River Delta here in Alabama is not clear and I think a fish finder would help me out some when the fish move off of the bank into deeper water. I have been looking at the Hummingbird Helix (specifically the Helix 7 or 8) after playing with all the other brands just in the stores the past few months they seem the clearest and easiest to use. I was really interested in getting the 'Side Imaging' feature but was told by the guy at Bass Pro that it is not pointless to have up front because side imaging only works when you're trolling with your big motor about 3-5mph. Can anyone speak on this from experience? Planning on getting two units, one up front and one on the console. Going on a 17ft G3 1. Would the 360 feature be a must have up front vs the side imaging (since side imaging is supposedly useless just easing along with the trolling motor?) 2. Where would you spend your money? At the console... the deck... or does it really matter? 3. And lastly is a 7" unit going to be hard to read up front or would it be a sufficient size?

Rule #1 when fishing a jig: Don't be afraid to get stuck When i first started jig fishing it was boring to me mainly because it was slow and didn't get as many bites as I would on a trick worm or lizard texas rigged but I knew it was going to get me bigger fish. So I started swimming a jig to build a little more confidence in a jig fishing. I knew I could cover more water and it would help me get more bites this way. I bought a few Dirty Jigs swim jigs and put on a Paca Craw. Tons of action. I would get bit swimming the jig past structure, log, brush pile etc and if I didn't land the fish that hit I would simply just flip it into where i got bit and just tease it till it bit. This helped me build confidence. A jig is something you don't master over night. I think people try to fish them too slow. Flip that thing up by the bank and let it hit the bottom and sit for maybe three seconds and then start hopping it through where looks to be the place you would most likely get bit once your past it swim it back to the boat and hold on, you will often get bit like this. You need to go out one day with nothing but a jig and just make yourself fish it and tinker with it until you get a bite.

Do y’all have any comments on which is less to deal with as far as knotting up or digging into the spook? Would 40 lb be easier to deal with than 65 lb

Agree with you should have kept the original I am thinking

What do y’all think of the Berkley braided line? I know that from experience the make excellent mono just not sure about the braid

Recently had some 40 or 50lb (can’t quite remember) Original Power Pro that had been on about a year or two accidentally hit the motor cowling and backlashes BAD... so I just cut it off. Never had a single problem with it. So I went to buy the new power pro v2 super slick in 65lb and it was backlash after backlash unless you really kept your thumb on it and you couldn’t bomb a cast real hard or it would dig and knot up. Is this because it’s 65 lb braid vs 40 which is what I was used to? Has anyone got any recommendations? Thinking about trying the Berkley X9 braid or going back to original 40 lb power pro.

Anyone have any Experience with the New Experts? preferably the 6'11 frogging or 7'3 Amistad

Thanks just what I was wanting to hear. And yeah, I agree with you there

Thanks for the input which model did you get? Need help with a new jig/Texas-rig rod 3/8-1/2oz. I have a lowrider 20 Amistad but wanting a rod with a little faster tip, do you think the Caras or Experts are a little faster? I’ve heard so just never had the chance to see for myself. I’m thinking the same as you tho about having to go to stcroix or other brands just don’t want to.

Just talked to Falcon on the phone since I could not find the Cara 7’3 Swimbait/Pitchin rod anywhere for sale. Asked if they discontinued the rod and they said they have not had any Caras in stock for the past 4 months and that they aren’t sure if they will ever get any rods back in stock. Hopefully this changes and they will still continue make some rods in the USA, but they told me to try the “Expert” line of rods. Does anyone know if the Expert or Cara rods have a faster tip than the lowrider? I have not used any but the lowrider 20 and 2019 lowrider. They seem to have a bit slower tip than most brands. The reason I wanted the Cara Swimbait/Pitchin rod was bc it was an extra fast. I have an Amistad and was looking at the XH Amistad thinking it might have a stiffer tip. Thanks for any help.