Do you use a Speed and Temp Probe?

[Jim Hudson]

If so, what kind(s) do you like and why? Also, how does the probe help you in your Great Lakes fishing?

Might give folks a bit of insight on these types of electronics.

I will add my views here in a bit..

[DREZLER]

I wish I did.

My biggest worry is that I've already got enough stuff going and adding in all this extra data might send me over the edge!!

[Sutty]

At some point I am sure I will add one. Here is what I have learned so far:

Depth Raider Highly regarded, Reliable, Easy to remove probe when not in use, requires coated downrigger cable, priced around 400.

Fish Hawk Newer unit, nice display, I believe you mount another transducer so the type of cable would not matter, priced around 650

Cannon Speed N TemP Extra bells and whistles like light penetration, Claims you don't need coated cable but in practice I believe you do to work at depths, They came out with a newer version so this may no longer be the case but I know on the older ones removing the probe was not easy, priced around 450

Another one is the Moor Sub Troll but I don't know much about it.

[Borch]

A fiend of mine uses the Cannon system with the coated cable. He really likes it with speed and temp at the ball and no guessing regards to finding the desired temp range. So far the only issue is more blowback with the coated cable and he went to 12lb balls rather than 10 lb balls to deal with the issue.

Not in my budget at this point.

[tunrevir]

I have used the fishhawk probe and it certainly helps with regards to fishing for salmon on Lake michigan. Right now with the cold water on superior and knowing the fish are spread throughout the water from top to bottom I don't see it as much of a help but once we get into the summer a bit more and the water starts to stratify it can be a huge help. Now, that being said, with the changing currents in the great lakes it can be a huge help knowing what water temps the fish prefer and can help get you into more fishy waters just by watching the temps. I like the speed at the ball feature as it can tell you when you are trolling into a current versus against one. Experienced fishermen also watch the downrigger cables looking for a wash of the ball to the side, blowback, or even slack straight down tension to realize what type of current they are going against/into. Many times I think it comes down to knowing the fish type your after and the preferred temp range and how that affects the fish. Each bit of tech we can use to enhance our experience helps. Is a probe necessary to do well? No. It can mean the difference between a 1-2 fish outing and a limit but like the weather, even technology doesn't always point us to where the fish are or how they will react to the bait presentations we put in the water. Jim and Joel have much more experience on this subject then I do so I will defer to them. My feelings are it can certainly enhance your fishing on a tough bite and throughout the summer months but you need to kind of know what type of fish you are after and what water temps they like to frolic in.

Tunrevir~

[Jim Hudson]

Truthfully, probably the best investment I have made for success out here, hands down. I run the Fish Hawk X4.

And as stated, right out of the gate, you do not need to have one, as the temps are uniform (cold) throughout the water column and we are normally fishing the surface. But, once May gets here, I am using the Fishhawk daily.

Even in May, the slightest down temp (temperature change from warm to cold) I can find, which will usually be in the top 30 to 40 feet, will be the sweet spot. And in May, this could be a temp change of 5 degrees, but it still is a seam that fish like to concentrait in.

So, as you can see, as the year progresses, and the down temp moves down in the water column, the probe becomes even more important, and through the use I have found out why some spots that were good one day are dead the next. Almost always because of downwelling of warm water. Without the probe, we would be fishing dead water and fishing memories. Have actually seen a spot go from 43 degree temps on the bottom to 60 in a matter of a day. Fish react fast and move on to find the cooler water.

And of course, when dealing with changes in water temps, you also see big changes in current direction and speed. The speed portion of the probe is self explanitory for this reason.. Dang Trout and Salmon can be so speed specific, it is sickening at times..

But, overall, definately a tool for hardcore Great Lake heads should have.. And for me, the Fish Hawk has been the easiest to use - no cable, etc.. And works deep - have had it read down to 230 FOW..

[Feathers Rainin]

Sounds mint, looks spendy. Any other models that work well but are a little more easy on the pocket book?

[End of the Line]

I agree with Jim. Temperature, Temperature Temperature. If you fish the Great Lakes it's the most important place to start day in and day out if you're coming out of the shoot blind. Obviously, you can see the temp breaks on the surface in the early season, but as Jim mentioned, once that disappears those probes are really beneficial.

Speed can be just as important, but it can be easier to find with your tackle if you know what to look for; although it might take you a little longer than without a probe obviously.

Without having to spend a ton a money those little new fishawk probes you latch on and send down and retrieve back up can make a difference without spending top dollar. They only give you temps, and not speed, but they're around $125 if I'm not mistaken. Great tool.

If your interested more on this topic please join us for a WLSTA (Western Lake Superior Trolling Association) meeting next month, Weds. April 18th, at MR. D's in West Duluth at 7:00 pm. I will be putting on a presentation on spring fishing Lake Superior and how to find fish. This just happends to be part of my presentation at the next meeting. (Complete with slide presentation) It's open to the public, but were always looking for new members!

[Sutty]

Sounds mint, looks spendy. Any other models that work well but are a little more easy on the pocket book?

I think first of all you need to figure out what is most important to you. For example I am a small boat guy that goes fishing for walleye and pan fish along with salmon/trout. So I am not going to leave a Speed N Temp Probe on my boat all year. I need to be able to put it on the weekends I am heading to Lake Michigan without alot of work. That eliminates any models that are not easy to remove. They all show speed and temp so that doesn't really eliminate any. It is important that people rate them well that have them. I don't want to be mad that the probe always burns through batteries or leaks etc. I want to know what replacement probes cost in case I break one off. I like the idea of showing light penetration. Not so much for telling me which colors to run but for when to run glows or not. (Some glow spoons I run all day because they still produce)

Anyway those are a few of the things that are important to me but may not be to you...

Of the ones I mentioned earlier I have (Fish hawk, Canon, Depth Raider) I have heard favorable reports from people who use them.