LilBassMan

I'm not sure who makes them , but I fish with 3 different models. I use a fiberglass cranking rod, an IM7 spinning rod and a MH IM 6 casting rod. All are outstanding rods for the price I paid and have been quite durable. I've fished them for a couple of years now and could not be happier. I also have a St. Croix spinning rod that is topnotch. The Guide Series rods compare favorably.

Bug Spray Bug Spray Bug Spray Even with a good layer sprayed on the skeeters up here will carry you away if you're not careful. ;D A first aid kit of some kind is essential. I also carry extra socks. I hate to drive home with wet socks.

We catch a lot of toothy fish up here in northern MN (walleye, northern pike, muskie) and I have never seen a fish injured by grabbing the gill plate. Of course, if you just jam your fingers underneath and tear up the gill tissue, the fish is going to die. As has been said, supporting the fish's weight under the belly with the other hand is preferred, but sometimes that isn't possible. It's darn hard to boat a 42" muskie without a net, but it can be and is done on a regular basis. Gill plate, fine. Gills, not good. Hand in muskie or northern mouth, even worse!

I plan on including a switch like this in my wiring. My question is really about a Battery Switch like this. The main advantage for this type of switch seems to be in the charging of the batteries and in the isolation of one battery from the other. I will already have everything on the cranking battery except the trolling motor so it is all isolated physically. Are there any other advantages to a system like this? Please pardon my ignorance on this. It just seems to be adding an unnecessary step into the mix.

As has been said, both companies are great! I shop by price alone when deciding which one to use. A lot of times BPS comes out slightly ahead and a lot of times Cabela's comes out slightly ahead. As for in store, I've never been to a BPS (there isn't one within many hours from here) but they are supposed to be opening one about 2 1/2 hrs from here in a couple of years. Cabela's is a great store to visit and the displays are quite nice. They also have some really good in store sales from time to time. I also shop at Gander Mountain quite a bit as there is one right down the road. They are higher priced, but it's nice to actually go and see exactly what you're getting.

I forgot to mention the bilge pump, but it is there. I will definitely be wiring it as suggested. I don't want that piece of equipment to fail for sure. I'm just not seeing the advantage of keeping the switch. If I wire my TM to the deep cycle with a circuit breaker and everything else to the cranking battery (through an appropriate fuse block) I really don't see the need for the switch. It doesn't really offer any protection, just convenience, right? I won't be doing many long runs so charging from the alternator to the deep cycle isn't really an issue for me I wouldn't think. Sorry for so many questions, but I want to do this correctly without a lot of extra things I don't need. I have a lot of experience with wiring car electronics and in my experience the simpler the setup the better. Thanks for the info! I'm enjoying this forum a great deal!

I just got a new boat! The only thing I really want to do is replace and upgrade the wiring. (The previous owner used a lot of electrical tape where connectors and shrink tubing should have gone.) My question is this: This boat is a 15' Grumman Bass Jon (1991) that has a cranking battery and a TM battery. The previous owner has a battery switch installed. I'm thinking about just eliminating this switch and wiring the TM (1991 OMC 26 lb [max draw 31 amps] I will be upgrading this in the future to another small 12v) to the battery through a circuit breaker and then wiring the main motor and everything else to the cranking battery. I have two Humminbird PirahnaMAX 20 units, livewell pump, bow and transom lights, and two LED rope lights. I mostly fish smaller lakes (not a lot of long runs) and very rarely do any overnight trips. I keep the boat in the garage and have a charger for the batteries there (not onboard and not looking to get one). What are the advantages (if any) of leaving the switch in vs. eliminating it?

Always stop in at a local bait shop and chat up whoever is there about ice conditions. They likely have very good and reliable info. Stay far far away from dams or power plant inlets. Those picks are pretty good to have around as well. Just make sure you're wearing them correctly. (cable through sleeves joining them together, like your mittens on a string from your youth) We don't worry too much up here (Northern Minnesota). The ice generally gets pretty thick pretty fast. This year was strange with warmer temps, but lately ice has been great!