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H - Hilldebrand spinner

If any of you are planning a trip down there let me know. Maybe I can meet up with you and fish one day you’re here. If nothing else I can at least point you in the right direction and hopefully help you out. And yes, we still need to do a trip there Robbie.

Nip-I-Diddee by South Bend

Not really DB, just posting my observations. Like I stated Lowrance had a better sonar, Garmin a better down and side based on my fishing style(shallow). I like lowrance’s mapping but I have a specific chip in it. Plus Lowrance’s downscan with Fish Reveal is a nice feature. For upfront where I have the Garmin it works better for me. Everyone has their preferences.

Scott, I haven’t even looked the maps yet? been too busy enjoying the side and bottom scans. And yes, the built in maps are a bonus that you don’t have to pay extra for.

Ok, not a bash thread, just a quick comparison of what I’ve observed. Always been a Lowrance guy but after reading the reviews on the Garmin units, I decided to upgrade an old Lowrance I had on the bow to a Garmin. Ended up going with the Garmin Echomap 93 SV upfront on the trolling motor (Cabela’s sale of $599) I still have a Lowrance Elite 12Ti (gen 1) on the console so I can do somewhat of a side by side comparison. This unit has their skimmer and structure scan transducers connected via a Y cable. Only been out a couple times since installing the Garmin but here’s my initial assessment. The Garmin’s side and bottom views are superior to the Lowrance. Much more detail seen, especially in shallow water where I mostly fish. Lowrance sonar is better than the Garmin's but I haven’t had time to mess with any adjustments on the Garmin yet. The larger screen on the Lowrance probably helps with this but the images just look cleaner. I really like the fact the Garmin came with a trolling motor mount too.

June bug, red shad and watermelon. I have a buddy that does real well with purple and yellow tail too.

Ok, I’ve been a packaging engineer for over 45 years so I have a little insight on how things should ship? PVC is the strongest but also the heaviest and most expensive. Fiber tubes are what most use and are almost as strong as pvc. Corrugated is strong enough as long as it is in a triangle shape and not square. If its square, it’ll fail for sure. Being triangle greatly increases its crush strength. Also, the rod needs to be “suspended” (so to speak) so that it has the ability to flex some with heavy handling. Best packaging I’ve seen is Dobyns rods. Solid fiber tube, small piece of foam tubing on the rod tip, plastic sleeve secured around the rod and taped to the ends on the tube so it kinda free floats in the tube. Best I’ve seen. When I ship a rod I will wrap bubble wrap around it in multiple places so it’s held in place ( but can still move if needed) with a generous amount at each end for tip and butt protection. Into a fiber tube ( I save mine) and ship it.

Just got my 93 SV today from Cabela’s. Because I’m mounting it up front front on the trolling motor it was a very pleasant surprise that Garmin supplies a trolling motor mount with their units. I mean who does that? Garmin I guess ?

Went with the Garmin

Not mine either Don. Haven’t fished a shiner in probably 20 years. I’m an artificial guy myself but dragging one while casting can be productive.

Yes Sprocket I’d like to have Livescope sometime in the future. I know Lowrance has their version but Garmins looks to be better.

Got the Cabelas/ Bass pro flyer in the mail finally. Garmin Echomap 93 SV and Lowrance Elite 9Ti same price at $599. I have a Lowrance 12ti on the console and am looking for a bow unit. Don’t need to interface and really like the Garmin reviews. Not so concerned about mapping upfront mainly sonar & side/ bottom scan images and reviews seem that the Garmin is better than the Lowrance. Leaning towards the Garmin but what do you guys think.

What Mike said. 20-30# should be enough unless maybe in the heaviest cover. I like to drag a shiner behind the boat while lure fishing. Bobber will help keep it near the surface but a bi* bass will chase it there a lot of times. I remember a time fishing Rodman where all we did was free line them behind the boat with just enough spool tension to prevent backlash. When they hit, they just speed up. Engage the reel and get it on.

Thanks guys. Hope it comes with a transducer but my guess is it doesn’t at that price.

Weber, I’m not seeing it online. Is it in a flyer or somewhere online I’m missing?

Looking for any deals on the 93SV. Saw in another thread BP had them on sale but couldn’t find it. Any help appreciated

Yep, bass gotta eat.

Yep, uncle bucks buzzer. Very weedless buzzbait. Used a lot down here in Florida back in the day. It’ll go through just about anything. I had a few including that blue and white one.

Ok, I’d probably stick with crappie as they are probably a better (and easier) bet this time of year. You could always drag a few shiners while spec fishing too. Or drift/ slow troll minnows and cast small jigs towards shore and probably connect with a bass or two.

Ok, let me rephrase it. Are you bringing your boat to fish the other days? If not are you looking for other guide recommendations? If so, what else are you wanting to fish for?

Those electronics aren’t a lot of help in 5’ of water or less. That’s where the majority of bass are caught...at least down here.

Are you fishing by yourselves too?

From Ocala you have lots of options. Harris chain is only about an hour away. So is Lake George. Traps, top waters, worms, swimjigs and frogs. Colors will be dictated by weather but you can never go wrong in Florida with dark colors for worms and jigs like junebug or black/ blue. Topwaters and traps I like silver or chrome with black or blue back and gold.

Yep, as Mike said, there’s a lot of people that have been fighting this for years. I posted some disturbing videos here of the spraying awhile back. It’s going on everywhere in Florida. I have no idea how to stop it but I wish you luck.