TNriverRAT

Good call, I have used it for light t-rigs. What’s your thoughts on gear ratio when fishing traps? I’m thinking the 8.1 Daiwa reel on that rod would be too fast for traps.

Touché, might as well knock out the addition of NMEA2k and garmin network cable while installing the rest!

I appreciate your response Casts! I read that people really stress "clean power" to the livescope system, which was my thought process on having the 9" and gt56 running off the cranking battery. I guess when using the bow graph and lvs34 the gt56 ducer can be turned off? Hopefully this will eliminate interference from the stern transducer.. if there is any at all. At some point I'd like to share the ffs to the 9" at console for the wife or fishing partner in back of boat. With addition to installing NMEA2k, as I think its cool to monitor the evinrude stats from a graph.

I have a 1552 aluminum boat that's somewhat tight on storage space. Run a group 24, 12V 56Ah cranking battery and blue top optima (blue 34 DC that is 10 years old and probably in need of replacing, can tell it loses juice quickly as by 5 hour of fishing the TM is struggling) for minn kota maxxum 55# thrust. Recently purchased garmin ultra2 126sv, livescope bundle, and uhd2 93sv w/ gt56 transducer. Plan is to have both mounted at the console running with gt56 (93sv as the host). The 126 will be used back and forth to the bow for ffs on a separate cradle and power cord. Looked into getting a ionic lithium dual purpose for cranking and the electronics but my motor being a 2012 40hp evinrude etec has me second guessing. My boat mechanic says the older etecs charging system weren't made for lithium BMS and there is a possibility of it frying the outboards emm.. charging system? So my plan of action is keep the group 24 for cranking and the 93sv w/ transducer. Have a positive and negative terminal blade fuse block with 12 gauge wire ran to the 9" mfd (about 8' run from battery to where graphs will be mounted). Is it ok for this fuse block to sit on top of outboard power supply on the battery terminals? (amazon link to terminal mount https://a.co/d/h5pheif) LiTime battery is having a "spring black friday sale" and I'm looking at the group 24 12V 100Ah battery. One for the TM and another for the 126sv and livescope GLS 10. Battery will also have the aforementioned dual terminal fuse block. Wires off it (12 gage) for cradle and power cord at console for 126, and another run (10 gage) to the bow of boat for GLS 10 and cradle w/ power cord for same 12" graph when its brought to the front. I will put a cut off switch or quick connect at GLS10 so it doesn't draw power when not in use. Per garmin the 126 needs about 30Ah for 12 hour trip and approx. 21Ah for same duration of time on GLS 10. Realistically I only need 60Ah battery but figure why not get more capacity as the prices are similar. This also gives room for expansion down the road if I added another graph. Or if I upgraded the trolling motor to a 24V, as I'd like a TM with spot lock at some point. The two 12V would then be wired in series for TM and I'd add a 60Ah or mini 100Ah at that time for graphs. My at home AC charger is an EverStart Maxx 40 Amp Battery Charger and Maintainer (BC40BE). it has a button to change from Lithium to Lead Acid, but when searching online I don't see anything in the description that mentions it can be used on LiFePO4 batteries. So would you also get the LiTime 3 bank 12V 10A battery charger? Does this seem legit? Any suggestions of change or tips on best way to wire this if mine thoughts on the project aren't sufficient? TIA

I appreciate it Tex! Will need to read up on it, but do most people use braid or fluorocarbon when fishing umbrella rigs, large swimbaits?

I understand that. Gear acquisition disorder is real!

@softwateronly I appreciate the rod recommendation. You happen to know the difference between expride A vs Expride B models? Can’t find the A models anymore. But funny enough, I was recently looking at the Dobyns extreme 795 flip.

For reference I fish the Tennessee river from gvill, wheeler, wilson, and pickwick. Took several year break and recently got the gear monkey on my back. I don't get to fish as much as I'd like, so prefer good reliable gear. Would appreciate y'alls feedback on what I have, if uses are correct, and what technique rod/reel needs to be acquired. Spinning Combos Fenwick Silver Hawk: 6'6" ultra light, mod action. 1/16 - 3/8 oz lure, 4-8# line. Quantum smoke PT25 Technique - panfish, crappie, white bass Abu Vigilante: 6'6" medium light, medium action. 1/8 - 1/2 oz, 6-10# line. Abu cardinal 102, 5.1:1 Technique - panfish, crappie, white bass, light treble hook baits Megabass Levante "Shakeyhead": 7' med. light, fast action. 1/8 - 1/2 oz, 5-16# line. Shimano Vanford 2500HGF Technique - shakeyhead, dropshot, wacky rig, neko rig, finesse jigs and tubes. Dobyns Kaden 713SF: 7'1" medium, fast action. 3/16 - 5/8 oz, 8-14# line. Daiwa Exceler LT 2500 D-XH Technique - jigs, texas rigs, carolina rig, heavier shakeyhead/neko rigs Baitcaster Combos Abu Silvermax: 6'6" medium power, moderate action. 1/4 - 5/8 oz, 8-15# line. Silvermax reel 6.4:1 Technique - moving treble hook lures, square bill, light jerkbaits, etc. Kistler Helium: 7' light medium heavy, fast action. 1/16 - 5/16 oz, 12-14# line. Daiwa Zillion SV TW 1000 XHL 8.1 reel. Technique - weightless worms, senkos, flukes, light underspin jig heads, powershot. G. Loomis SBR 812 (old red blank) 6'9" medium, extra fast action (says extra fast, but I feel its more like regular fast), 3/8 - 1oz, 10-17# line. Lew's Tournament Pro TP1SH 7.1 reel Technique - close quarters spinnerbait, underspins, chatterbaits.. smallish single hook moving baits. Read this can work as jerkbait rod..? Shimano Crucial 7' (old green blank): medium heavy, medium fast action. 3/8 - 1oz, 10-20# line. Abu Silvermax 6.4:1 reel Technique - treble hook moving baits, but also like it for bladed jig as the slower action allows the fish to really get the lure. Works great for buzzbaits and treble hook top water lures, just have to swap to a high speed reel. Dobyn's DC 610-4C heavy fast action. 1/4 - 1oz, 10-20# line. Shimano Chronarch 201E7, 7.0:1 gear ratio. Technique - close quarter jig, texas rig, frogs. Kistler Helium: 7'3" medium heavy, fast action. 1/4 -1oz, 15-20# line. Daiwa Tatula Elite 8.1 gear ratio. Technique - jigs, texas rigs, carolina rig. Honorable mention: Cabelas Tournament ZX: 7'3" heavy fast action. No reel for this rod at the moment. Used strictly for top water frogs in heavy slop in the past. But the rod wore me out, too heavy and stiff tip made it difficult to walk the dog.. Figured in a pinch I could use it for punching mats? So, what am I missing? Seems to me a 7'6" (or so), flipping/pitching setup, and an umbrella rig setup. TIA

@Smirak I've taken my boat through that area many of times! Love running down to the flint river, such an abundance of fish species in there. You float across the river to the south bank of morgan county bridge on a kayak..? wow the cojones on this guy!! Thank you all for the post replies! I haven't thought about the weight factor of the ultrex vs my maxxum 55# thrust. Think its best to get a lithium 100 aH battery for the troller and see how it performs going forward. Maybe in the future get a 24v 45" shaft terrova or ultrex? For now I'll focus on getting fish finders and learning how to use them. As that technology is new to me. Do y'all have any recommendations on two mfd (one by my seat at tiller handle, one up front on fishing deck)? Guess I don't need the latest and greatest but want something that's not discontinued in 6 months. Preferably 10-12" with down/side imaging and maps. Also something that is forward facing sonar compatible. Some people I've talked to outside of this forum mention noise dampening material for the fishing deck. I guess walking around on the aluminum makes a lot of noise and scares the ditch pickles? I'd add it just for looks and hopefully keeps temperature down. Made the mistake of taking my shoes off one day.. that metal gets hot in the summer! Looked at seadek and cheaper alternatives.. any experience with these? TIA

@Smirak Close! But it’s the one on 231 south by ditto.

Long time Lurker first time poster. Not sure if this is the right place for this style post but would love feedback. I’m looking to make upgrades on my 1552 weldbilt boat and would appreciate any and all insights/opinions. I currently run two batteries. One strictly for the big motor. Second battery (blue top 55 Amp hour) runs the trolling motor, small black and white fish finder, bow/stern lights, bilge and aerator. Currently don't use the FF and would love to upgrade it and maybe the trolling motor. Really want two fish finders. One close to my seat so I can use it for maps, down imaging/si, while on the motor (see photo highlited area). I would also like a 10"-12" screen for fishing while on the deck of boat, perhaps forward facing sonar (haven’t decided on brand). I have the maxxum 55# thrust tm. The maxxum trolling motor has served me well. However, fighting current/wind/recreation boats on the main river channel has swayed me to upping the # thrust. Also having spot lock/Ipilot would help. Sometimes the maxxum will change directions (in continuous mode) when I'm not paying attention and dang near throw me out of the boat. Do yall have a favorite option? The ultrex is sweet, but might be excessive for a jon boat thats probably only worth 6-8k dollars. My battery really struggles to power the tm during all day trips. I've come to conclusion that I will need to purchase a 100aH battery for all day fishing. I would greatly appreciate advice on my dilemma. Is this possible on my boat layout or am I dreaming? Any insight on who would be willing to work on moding my boat in the north alabama area? A friend of mine has the ultrex and livescope and I really like the functionality of both products. Safe to say I have FOMO. More pictures of my boat and hull layout.