I really like Steve Fellegy’s article and am a high end rod guy with some presentations and others mid-low range. Let me share a couple of examples:

Nightcrawlers and leeches live bait rigging: one of my favorites is a 9′ Sage custom fly rod blank with a Tennessee Cork handle, which allows me to balance my reel on the rod. The action is moderate, which is perfect as the pick up is realized with a dip-bow in the rod tip, the reel in a closed bail position. When the bait is picked up I drop back then pull back to set the hook. Due to the moderate action at the pick up the fish never feels it. Again I fish closed bail with these baits. Open bail my experience the fish will feel when the finger lets the line go and drop before the hook set in small salmon egg style hooks

Minnows live bait rigging I like a 7’0″ to 7′ 6″ medium light extra fast action. A high end rod like a St. Croix Avid-Elite. I feel putting that tip out there it helps to have a extra-fast action to feel the minnow, a bite and get a good hook set.

Jigging Raps: I like a 6’9″ to 7′ rod medium light extra fast action. Allows for a good snap on the rap and hook set and feel.

The high end St. Croix Rods like 8’6″ walleye tournament series weighs 3.11 ounces compared to the same low end rods which weigh in at 7.1-8.0 ounces. Light weight rods balance very well, have less fatigue on the hands, wrists and are more sensitive.

Trolling crankbaits and spinners less expensive rods works well, the bite is detected by the dip-bend in the rod. Actually prefer telescoping rods.

I side drift steelhead on the Northshore, I like to have both feel of a medium light extra-fast action tip and the tip that dip or bows to the bite. So a more expensive rod is my choice

For trolling suspend walleyes during the cisco bite I like 12-14′ rods, these range in price of $50.00 to $75.00 and the bite is detected by the tip bowing back, the rods are in holders. Spread the baits without the use of planer boards.

A rod worth a look is the Thorne’s Elliot Rods. The synthetic rod handle and light blank and Thornes’s ability to balance a rod so well and use even lighter blanks then St. Croix is a plus. Some of these models weight less then three ounces.

One more point about long rods 7′-6′ to 9′, they add sport, forgiving and while cumbersome at times I like to for back trolling. Particularly when working around a fishing partner in the seat towards the bow on turns. I feel a longer rod can be a advantage on the clear water lakes I fish and fish light pound test lines such as 4#-6#. Casting leeches for example, easy with a soft swing, rarely flip the bait off the hook.

Landing fish with 8′ or longer rods, do what fly fisherman do. Simple pull the rod straight up and back the fish will end up just below in range of short handled net. Ever see a stream steelhead fisherman with a long handle net? Watch them net a fish with their long rods, will see what I mean

Last point my reels, do not weigh over 5 ounces, wider spools for casting or when quicker line pick up is desired and narrow spools for the live bait rigging rods.

Thanks for reading…

Spoke to a Senior Engineer at Garmin today. Got some very good insight into the application with the PS-31. Thanks for trying to help out.

Stay tuned

With the ps-30 the side view is to be 14′ on both starboard or portside. What transducer features do you find best for fishing so far on the transom.

The PS-31 will give farther distance on live view forward. Any thoughts and why for either of these two

PS-30 or PS-31

Perfected a technique I call ‘pushing a night crawler and a spinner.” Using a 14’ rod with a small bait cast reel and monofilament line. Use a 2 1/2 oz, 3 oz or 4 oz pencil weight with the spinner and a crawler on a 8 foot, leader. Point the rod tip straight forward off the bow set in rod holders mounted to the floor on pedestals, on the live vu you can see the weight and the crawler and spinner. Instead of pulling your pushing it and the sinker will drop back towards the bow of the boat and stay in the forward view of the ps-31 live view transducer. Note the heavier the sinker the more vertical of angle off the bow. Easy to adjust to keep in the fish zone when one can see the sinker. Fun to see the fish come up and smack it or if they turn and go away change color or blade until the right one is found.

Better hook sets too as the flex in rod bend backwards is stout and sets hook well mostly top of the mouth of the fish

Very deadly..don’t find many walleyes that will resist a juicy crawler and spinner put right on their noses.

I have been working on catching suspended fish for a lot of years crappie and walleye. Pinpointing location has a lot to do with cone angles of the transducers. Up until now The Vexilar Edge is the best piece of electronics for pinpointing exact locations of fish with dual transducers. Incorporating side by side, one wide and the other narrow on the same screen, for example see fish on the wide angle transducer and not on the narrow know immediately the need to adjust to one side or the other. Wide for scanning a area the other narrow for pinpointing exact location. In deep water with a wide cone angle transducer your bait could look to be close to the fish but in actuality double digit feet away from them, dependent on depth they are. When trolling suspended fish, before panoptix 2d sonar would show the fish but many times too late to get the baits on them. Now with live vu forward anglers can see forward where the fish are and direct a pass right on them. With live vu down see the reaction to the jig like when vertically jigging. it should be noted too that suspended walleyes, as I have seen with my setups, drop down when and boat passes over head.

It was once thought suspended fish were neutral feeding fish. I have found them at times to be very active feeders, but with a lot of choices. The attached photo shows a nice walleye working its way up to feed on bait fish hanging off bugs. One slide shows a comparison on my Lowrance HDS 12 Gen 3 and the other slide fish chasing ciscoes relating to bugs

FYI in both of these outings I took walleyes, one trip 6 and the other 8 but three were too large.

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Been working with both the Panoptix PS-31 and PS-30 Transducer. I have mounted the PS-31 for example on one boat just off center portside pointed back on the transom, then I set the angle at 40 degrees starboard (remember the transducer is forward orientated so if pointing backwards need to set to sweep starboard side if you want portside coverage) I set at 40 degrees do it will sweep from zero 40 degrees to the portside. Which if back trolling the area the boat operator is fishing or area boat is moving to. On the other boat I have a PS-30 and Ps-31 the 30 on the transom and the 31 on a terrova for scanning.

The Ps-31 shooting forward is great for staying on a contour trolling crankbaits for example.One can stay on the exact depth much easier.

Sorry about the multiple pictures of the same photo

#910 PS-31 at a 40 degree angle showing portside back off transom boat is in 28′ sweeping to the top at 10′, 70′ horizontal distance. As I move along 40 degrees portside’ could be a plus back trolling knowing what is ahead of you or behind you as you go backwards.

#901 PS-30 showing suspended walleyes

#768 PS_30 suspended walleye chasing a my jig which I caught

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Here you go works pretty well. Thinking of making a bracket that will push the transducer and allow it to be up above lip of transom to pick up a forward angle under the lip of the ransom. This set up does produce a slight rooster tail.

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Struggled with the same spend the bucks and sell my terrova instead.
Do what I did add a bow mount lift. What I like is the terrova is always reading the GPS when deployed comes in handy, for example setting up a track working trough an area with the main power engine,and going back to it with the I-Pilot Link on the Terrova.

When deployed with a bow lift, the trolling motor is in a vertical position, push a button and you can lower and raise it. It is always reading the GPS when deployed and recording the track. Simply deploy once at the boat ramp, and stow before going in for the day.

Cost is a huge plus too. Don’t get me wrong the Ulterra is nice but a bit more spendy.

You may not see the advantage of the bow mount lift but offers a cost effective alternative and be added anyone with a existing terrova.

Works well with a additional transducer on the terrova too.

http://www.bowmountlift.com/

Brian Klawitter wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Rivergills wrote:</div>
I guess that was my point. As a sportsman/woman we need to do our part in fish management. The DNR is not the one doing the fishing.

Best post in this thread!!

Agree exactly as anglers be better stewards of the resource.

First the DNR spends its time managing people, unfortunately. As far slots for walleyes I go along with them if the lake has natural reproduction capabilities/habitat. Allowing the larger fish to go back creates a situation in which more spawning female fish can survive. Thus increasing natural reproduction with larger number of breeders in the overall population. Enhancing natural reproduction and numbers. I guess the next question would be is slots a good idea for lake walleyes where walleye reproduction is little or nonexistent. I would say no as this would be a considered a put and take body of water. Slots are bad if left in place too long in any body of water. We could see it happening on Leech down the road.

Found thanks IDO

Been using one for three seasons no issues.

We have seen so far lake groups using AIS to stop, prevent or slow the following.

1) Stop a already successful musky stocking program or expansion there of.
2) Stop or slow public access improvements on a number of lakes in the state
3) Close secondary access’s in the state.
4) Limit tournaments
5) Discourage lake hopping or fishing several lakes in one day
6) Not to mention disruptive behavior at township meetings as a example.

Did I miss anything.

http://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/3913745-crow-wing-county-board-wapoa-limit-boat-landing-hours-approves-2016-ais-prevention-plan

They are not giving up limiting access….

Thanks Aaron will accept offers on the HDS 5

Are these sold

A couple of points to consider…..non compliance is down around 10% so what are we willing to pay in a effort to get those that don’t get it do.

or is it a money grab…………..recalling last January a town hall style meeting on AIS, purpose… to get input and communicate the importance of getting the word out. Skeptical…I am…when the cost to attend the town hall meeting was around $200.00 per person and was scheduled at a time people are working….and those that spoke have vested personal interest, like pressure washer companies or expert consultants from other states to give their advice…..doing the math the effort took in around $60,000 not an official number…wonder where those funds went…..no one ever heard a follow up…..
in my mind breeds skepticism.

Am all for town hall meetings to get everyone together and share information but price it affordable for everyone at a time a majority can attend….

carroll58 wrote:

Should be stopping Lake Owners Watercraft first, as transient watercraft really are not the problem and with continuous movement are unlikely to be the transporters of the Big One – ZEBRA MUSSELS.

Watercraft moored in the laws will be first to be contaminated with Zebra Mussels.

The Law was just changed and each and every watercraft owner is responsible for knowing the law and keeping their watercraft clean and in compliance with the laws.

As far as assessing fees as described, NO, No, NO, were already paying through license fees.

To Charge Tournament Anglers more would violate state laws. To single out a group and say you’re guilty with no reason would not fly in any court.

Most of Money for AIS now comes from the Legacy Funds, the 3/8 of 1% Sales Tax divided among the Counties based on number of Lake Accesses and Number of Parking Spaces at those Accesses. Other funding comes from Fishing Licenses, Watercraft Licenses, etc.

This is an Election year, Very little will be done in the name of Fee & Tax Increases.

“According to the MnDNR the number one most identified cause of Zebra Mussel Infestations is Lake Shore Owners buying and installing Docks & Lifts from Infested Lakes.”

I could continue, but if you need more, message or email me.

“According to the MnDNR the number one most identified cause of Zebra Mussel Infestations is Lake Shore Owners buying and installing Docks & Lifts from Infested Lakes.”

I could continue, but if you need more, message or email me.
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Like all comments on here very good points>

A recent research study by in cooperation with the Minnesota DNR, Sea Grant and University of Minnesota supports your point:“According to the MnDNR the number one most identified cause of Zebra Mussel Infestations is Lake Shore Owners buying and installing Docks & Lifts from Infested Lakes.”
At a town hall meeting when the Pelican Lake Assc was trying to stop a 37 year musky stocking program, one point they raised is increased boat traffic by musky fisherman increased risk of AIS infestations leaving Pelican Lake going to other lakes. The Fisheries Chief with the Commissioner present, [pointed out that docks and lifts/watercraft are high risk transport mediums)

But when lake groups are confronted with this little bit of information, quiet.

Munchie question……………………

Per #3, you can tell the guy has a thing against fishing tournaments. First he charges the fishermen $5 for their fishing license. Then another $5 for their boat tags. Then on top of that another $10 PER TOURNAMENT to pay for an inspector, that, from his own rules, should already be there for the launch to be open.

The BTLA should go down the road to Potato Lake and see what their Lake Association is doing to raise their own money, and they aren’t taxing the fishermen to death
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Don’t read his proposal as being anti tournament instead the belief by many that more boat/fisherman traffic increases the threat of aquatic invasive specie infestation.

What is the Potato Lake Ass doing to raise more money? I do know that several are very active in the effort, are property owners on Potato. What Belle Taine Lake Assc needs is a additional $8,000 for inspection efforts.

Great video, have a question how would you mount the down vu p-30 panoptix transducer on the back of the transom on a deep v boat like a pro v and keeping it as close to center as possible. Is it necessary to make a bracket that puts the transducer out from the back of transom so to maintain forward view under the transom? Because the transducer needs to be horizontal one end will up the other hanging down if mounted to a transducer board on transom. Other option could be to go far starboard or port to a flat surface and mount there but the transducer would be far right or left of center. Any ideas. Hard to see but hope you can see what I mean. Spoke to garmin too no answers yet there either

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