New Technology: Whats your favorites?

[Mike Boitnott]

As we approach ICast 2019 what has been everyone's favorite new technology in regards to fishing electronics, mapping, and software?  I actually have two:  The first is the advancements in mapping such as my Navionics Hotmaps and sonar shading as well as depth shading.  The other is the advancements in Live Sight and Live Scope forwarding looking sonar.  Cant wait to see what will be revealed next month I cant even imagine whats next!

[FryDog62]

LiveScope is awesome looking straight down, but just so-so forward.  It’s more of a toy than a tool, although for drop-shotting its the cat’s...

[Tennessee Boy]

I'm waiting to see where Humminbird goes next with their 360 Imaging.  It's due for an update.  Will they go in the direction of LiveScope or will they stick with their 360 approach?  I'm hoping they stay with the 360 approach of a side imaging view of what's around you.  If they can improve it to the point where it's half as good as their regular side imaging it would be amazing.  I'm not expecting anything at this year's iCast in this regard.

 

I think trolling motors will be the big news this year.  MotorGuide's web site already has a count down to Icast on it.  I think we will see a Garmin and probably a Lowrance trolling motor.  It will be very interesting to see how this all plays out in the next few years.  Motorguide had never been able to compete with MinnKota even though they have a strong and capable company behind them.  How will Garmin and Lowrance fair in this market?  It will be interesting.

[Sprocket]

22 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

LiveScope is awesome looking straight down, but just so-so forward.  It’s more of a toy than a tool, although for drop-shotting its the cat’s...

I am a believer in Livescope forward.  I very seldom use the down.  I can't tell you the number of bass I've caught that I wouldn't have because I saw them in a brush pile I didn't have to run over first, or on a hump or drop off where I would have had to go over or go by them and then go back to fish.  I've watched bass react to my lure (frustrating at times), and also watched them react or not react to the boat/trolling motor.  I've also caught numerous bass in cedar trees around here.  If you pull up to one you can most generally see if there are any bass in the tree.  Not only that, but you can see how far below the surface they are.

 

Schooling bass is another story.  When you see bass popping the surface and you put the trolling motor on high to go over to them and they aren't there you can pan the area with the transducer and see where they went.  You can identify them as an example, 6' under the surface, 45' out, at 11:00 oclock.  

 

I can't imagine bass fishing without Livescope from here on.  I truly believe it is much more than a toy in forward.

 

To react to the original post:  Obviously trolling motors are going to be a hot topic at icast.  It'll be interesting to see what else is revealed.  It's only money!!!

 

SE Kansas grass grower

[iabass8]

My favorite thus far is the TI2 wireless networking. The only thing i personally need to share through units is waypoints. I use navionics at the console and c-map auto chart (which is amazing in itself as well) up front. C-map details are fantastic and I can graph the wp in better detail. 

[Scott F]

I don't have the very latest Live Scope or 360 imaging, but high quality, high def maps have been a huge time saver for me. I fish a lake with several off shore rock bars and reefs that used to take me quite a while to locate just using the depth finder. Now, I have the "spot on the spot"  way pointed on the built in high def maps that came pre-installed on my Garmin, and I can pull right up to the spot. My friends are often amazed how often I can pull up on a spot in the middle of open water, drop the trolling motor, and catch a smallie on the first cast. Guys who fish with me a lot many times will have a fish on before I even get the TM down.

[jaimeastin]

On 6/14/2019 at 5:39 AM, FryDog62 said:

LiveScope is awesome looking straight down, but just so-so forward.  It’s more of a toy than a tool, although for drop-shotting its the cat’s...

I agree.  I use you livescope Dow far more than forwards.  Forward is good for checking out docks and walls.  

 

Livescope has a

been a fun toy for sure!  

 

Looking forward to the trolling motors being revealed.

[Mike Boitnott]

Looking forward to getting the Live Sight transducer that's been on order for a while.  Sounds like they may be shipping in the first week of July, hopefully that holds true.  Just bought Live Scope and wiring it up now, cant wait to spend some time with it!