Which new-fabulous piece of equipment were you most impressed with?

[G_man]

Well, everyone probably bought something new and used it this weekend, big or small. If you purchased something recently, what were you most impressed with and why?

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Life is too short to not go fishing today!

[Capt'nJosh]

My first St Croix with a Quantum 600pt! I never knew what I was missing before (literally!)

Capt'nJosh

[Chev_trucks501]

Minn Kota Co-Pilot Wireless model. Smooth operation and wireless to boot!
wwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Chev

[Paul Rohweller]

Most impressed by my new 24 volt 74 lb thrust minnkota vantage transom mount trolling motor, wasnt sure if I would like it at first but after this weekend, worth every penny. I was having so much fun with it I didnt even give the new auto pilot/copilot a try.. Still getting used to the new x 97 tho......Paul

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Paul Rohweller
Pine to Prairie Guide Service
218-962-3387
N.P.A.A. 425
http://fishingminnesota.com/pinetoprairie

[leechlake]

Chev...didn't you think the buttons on the co-pilot were way to small, with gloves on it was really really tough, and I have small/medium hands?

[Guest]

The sonic pole holder.
Holds very well in the ground and has a adjustable wing nut to set the sensitivity that you want. When a fish hits it sends off a beep and lights up. perfect for shore fishermen and you can also get an adapter for the boat. Liked it so much i have 2.
Had a 16 lb cat on the line and no matter how hard she tried, she couldnt pull my rod into the river. Excelent product.
ORDIE

[Bushwacker]

I caught my biggest and most fish with my Ambush lure. It is the lipless crank with the hole running through the body. Mine is the firetiger color. I even caught a 23" largemouth on it. Nice CPR opp.

[Chev_trucks501]

Leech,

Nope thought the controls were just right. Guess I never tried it with gloves. I hate fishing with gloves. Other than that I loved the new unit.

Good Luck
Chev

[Guest]

Got an Eagle 320 LMS as a last minute replacement for the bow. It's a great little unit for under $200.

[waterwolff]

Hands down leech tamer

[chunkytrout]

My new soft sided cooler holds a case!!! woohoo! cold beer...Thanks mom!

chunky

[JIM PAYNE]

hey dan did your batteries make through the weekend with no problems.

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JIM PAYNE

[Guest]

Some newer style cranks that have really opened my eyes are the Salmo Roach, and the Salmo Perch.

The gold, blue/white, or Silver/Blue Roach Minnow is a minnow bait that has the wobble to pull Piggy's on rivers and lakes. A high quality lure, built to take abuse.


Cranking or pulling they run very well and produce strikes.

The Salmo Perch in either the shallow running model or the "Hot" deep running models are hard for walleye to pass up.

Where perch is a prime forage base in the system, these buggers do the job very well!

TIP
The big hummer sumo perch, in the shallow model, works very well for long line trolling in the fall. Big pike, muskie and Sumo Mama walleye roll-up on them with a vengeance.

Good stuff Eh!

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Backwater Guiding "ED on the RED"

[This message has been edited by Backwater Eddy (edited 05-14-2003).]

[Dennis Steele]

You might just guess what I am going to say.
Yup River Pro!
I fished out of my lake boat yesterday and don't think I will be spending much time in that any more.The River Pro is soo much easier to fish out of.I will be fishing out of it on most smaller lakes from now on too!I really like the layout on MY 1872 River Pro.Its totally fishable!Tons of room and storage!And to think I almost bought something else!
Some other products I am honestly impressed with are the Stay-N-Charge.I haven't hooked up a battery charger yet this season and my batteries have been fully charged every time out.
I also am impressed with the Oxygenator.I forgot(just too lazy to empty it)my bait in the livewell for two days with a tarp over the boat in the sun and the bait was still as lively as it was the day I caught it.I had a dozen 7" to 10" chubs and suckers along with a scoop of fatheads in there!

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Minnesota River Guided Fishing
"fishhead"
[email protected]
www.mnriverguidedfishing.com

[leechlake]

waterwolf, I liked the leechtamer also, I accidently left it in the bottom of the livewell after I drained it. (I had to tend to the pansy shiners and forgot). At about 2 am Sunday morning I remembered when I woke up to drain the beers but just waited. 6am the leeches were happy and sassy as could be just in the tamer, damp still. I wouldn't recommend my technique. They didn't produce for us but for that I'd blame the guide, me!!! Better than any other method for leeches.

[Kevin Turner]

Vex Edge. Best finder I've found.

[Guest]

G. Loomis IMX 783C 6'6" Medium action casting trigger handle. I got a great deal on this rod used (less than the cost of a new St. Croix Avid) and Ohh My am I glad I shelled out what I did.

If you are a walleye or bass fisherman, this rod is the "must have" casting rod and worth every penny the $235 for a new one costs. The versitility, sensitivity, action and lack of weight are remarkable. It's action is beyond sweet and approaches perfect for about 90% of bass applications (plastics, most jigs, spinnerbaits, cranks, topwater, and all but the absolute heaviest cover) and could be used effectively for walleye jigging, live bait rigs, and cranks. I was using it to shore cast jerk baits from shore on Mille Lacs for openner and this rod is the real deal and I got it for a steal. Now I don't want to put it down.

[Guest]

The EDGE is a SUPER unit, good choice Kevin. The new Color Graph is a sweet unit too, it will sell well.

I should have mentioned DRIFTMASTER Rod Holders in my earlier post.

You can't find a better and more durable rod holder then the Driftmaster system. The Driftmaster Rod holder is the system of choice by cat-fisherman, and a very solid choice for the troller.

They have several new models this season that fill in some gaps in the system for the walleye trollers, such as the T-Bar system.

Many handy dandy options to mount them too, base, rail, clamp on, flush, and others.

I have 6 Driftmasters on "Olé Viagra", my Kitty Rig, (Nine or more if I use the T-Bars). I also use two RAM rod holders that are pretty sweet units too. The RAMS see more walleye action then cats these days.

Ya know, them Driftmansters make a good anchor tie off too, Good stuff Eh. I think Stu McKay of "Cats on the Red" is a big time Driftmaster fan too, Eh Stu?

I even use 2 Driftmasters on my Cow catcher Grill Guard on "Da-Blazer". I mounted them on the fog light brackets. Great for rainy day bank fishing, and a nap.

Them Kitty's will rip the bumper off the Da-Blazer before they ever break my Driftmasters.

[This message has been edited by Backwater Eddy (edited 05-15-2003).]

[kwkfsh]

I you use headlamps you have got to check out the new Petzl MYO5. Super sweet, Xenon and 5 leds. Spot or flood xenon and 3 levels of led lighting, locking switch and up to 360 hr. burn time with the belt pack model. Supposed to hit the stores today. I saw a prototype and it is the best headlamp on the market period. $69.95 MSRP.

[Guest]

I got a Lowrance X-87 and it worked awesome. I was amazed by the detail it shows. I saw every fish on the screen before it bit.

[MJCatfish]

Petzl makes great headlights. I got mine as a gift. It's a Tikka. Three LED lights, uses 3 AAA batteries. Super light and super bright. Very comfortable on the head. It retails for only $30. Great buy, can use it year round-- walking to/from my stand in the fall, ice fishing, open water fishing, catching crawlers, and favorite of all, fishing for Kitties on the Red at night.

MJ

[Guest]

I can't believe nobody has mentioned the Oxygentator! It's by far the most innovative piece of equipment to hit the fishing industry since GPS. If it can keep my bait and fish alive longer, and do so in such a innovative way (pure oxygen with VERY little power) what more needs to be said?

Good luck and tight lines!

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Adam Johnson
www.adamjohnsonfishing.com

[Dusty]

The hard wired Co Pilot. Its larger, has a spring loaded rocker switch for steering. A dial up Speed control so you know what speed setting your on and a Constamt or momentary power. Still gotta deal with the cord but its $50 less than the cordless. Sure works nice.

[Canuck]

I have to agree with Eddy on them Driftmasters. They are some awessome rod holders. I find them very quiet when you have a kitty being picky, U can pick that rod up without transmitting a single vibration down that line yet they keep that rod where it should be when the decide to slam it. I have on several occassions put the rod back in the holder with a 20lb kitty on the end while netting a friends fish with NO problem. If you haven't tried them U don't know what U are missing.

[Catmendo]

Absolutely Ed, DriftMaster rod holders are simpliest the finest, most versatile and functional on the planet!
They are also virtually indestructable....in fact I do use them to mour my boat to my boat slip, try that with a plastic holder!!!

Fish "Hard" Forever!

Stu McKay

[Pherris]

The 1' Lakemaster Map for Minnetonka. WOW!!