Well i won a raffle for 4 night 5 day lodging etc.. out of ballards resort 
and it expires after the second week of october so i’m thinking that i’m going to try and set it up for that second week. Thanks for all the help and any more advice is much appreciated. Thanks.. Justin 
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Costa del Mar for a little over $100 these are a bargin. You can see in the water far better than any other lenses I’ve tried.Go online and find a dealer near you to try them on.
X2
X3, you will never look back..
It’s kinda like buying an expensive car. If a guys told me ‘hey i’ll sell this car to ya and it looks like a million bucks but if it breaks dont bother calling’ then i’d probably keep looking. Now if he said ‘I have this one that looks great and is extremely reliable and on top of it if you have ANY problems please contact me’ — well i am no dummy but what would you buy?? 
Customer service and word of mouth can kill or excell your buisness and that is what’s going on with lowrance. They just dont seem as realible as they used to be and now it’s darn near impossible to get them repaired without pulling some teeth out.. Everyone has their own opinion but mine goes with the bird..
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The 1157 is also part of this promotion.
I’m guessing that the 1197si is not part of the promotion? Is there any promotion for the 1197si? Thanks
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I might not have looked in the right place but what are the overall dimensions of the special mate boxes. I know the 5 and 8 inches deep are for different lengths of baits but what about length and width of the box itself. Thanks for any input..
>>>5″ high x 11″ wide x 22″ long
>>>8″ high x 11″ wide x 22″ long
Thanks for the reply. I’m gunna have to check these out. I could replace alot of my crankbait boxes with one or two of these. Thanks again..
I might not have looked in the right place but what are the overall dimensions of the special mate boxes. I know the 5 and 8 inches deep are for different lengths of baits but what about length and width of the box itself. Thanks for any input..
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As others have said, I prefer an amber lens. Seems to have the best contrast for me. Polarizaion is polarization. A lens can have a better polarization than the other. The money is spent on comfort and materials. I opt for something towards the cheaper end. If it fits good, is polarized, and amber, I’d wear it!
no dis-respect but not all polarized are the same. When you use a pair of costas for example vs other amber lenses it is a major difference. Even side by side the costas shine above others i’ve tried. I used to think the same as you before i looked through some costa glass lenses. maybe a buddy has some you can borrow and you’ll see for yourself..
The green mirror which is either the amber base(400 lens) or copper base(580 lens) is what everyone i know uses for sight fishing.
I forgot about tackle tour but yeah those reviews really help get an unbiased opinion. Thanks for sending me that way..
i live in waterloo/cedar falls so i’m hoping that UNI puts kansas DOWN 
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I’d stick with the Revo or curado. I’ve never had much luck with the Quantum reels. I know some people really like them but I’ve had 2 of them and they both crapped out in a vary short time.
how does the curado do for casting distance? I’m thinking that i know someone who might have some that i can try before i buy so i’ll probably go that route.
I have to get mine all ready for this year also. When i get into them i’ll let ya know what worked if i can figure it out. With the new reels what specifications did they change? did they change the drag system or weight, etc…??
if you look up ‘Jig Monster’ online it looks like they make some pretty good jigs also.
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Rod is something I like to focus on. I want to be able to cast a swim jig with great distance.
I actually picked up a new rod earlier this year.
Kistler Helium II LTX 7′ Medium-Heavy Fishing Rod
•One Piece
•Action: fast
•Length: 7′
•Power: Medium-Heavy
•Lure weight: 1/8 – 3/4 oz.
•Line weight: 10 – 17 lb.
•Handle length: 9″
•Line guides: 9 plus the tipThen cap the end of the line with a Hutch’s Swim Jig for me.
I havnt seen too many others that use kistler rods. Have you used it yet. I have the exact same rod along with some helium LTA’s,Argon,magnesium,carbon steel, and one of their other cheaper models that got discontinued. The MH is the rod that i usually use for swim jigs. Its got 40lb power pro on it and a 7:1 quantum tour PT reel. I vary it up but either i use it like a regular jig that i dont want a ton of grass, etc to get on or i use it like a spinner bait.
I absolutely cant say enough about the rods, as they are the best in just about every aspect that i’ve used so far.
Plus supporting a company that still believes in jesus christ and isn’t afraid to say it out loud will help get my vote any day. 
Good luck with picking up the swim bait technique, it’s definately a fun and effective way to catch em.
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Now if we can only get you to0 change your name to “walleyeman joe” the mission will be complete! Enjoy the new units
Ok that one was kinda low 
Bassman sounds better anyways.. Congrats on the new units.
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With my 2 lowrance LCX units freshly stolen I face a new dilema… Do I go with the new Lowrance HDS series or do I go with Humminbird and pay a little extra for the side imaging??? Opinions needed as well as good and bad exper.
I’m kinda confused: how would you spend more money by getting the Humminbird with side imaging vs. the lowrance with side imaging? For both bird units its gunna be retail of around 3800 and if you wanted side imaging on the front instead of just the 858c you could get the 898si all for around $4300. For the lowrance 10 and 8 with structure scan module you’d be looking @ around 5000. Maybe my math is wrong but it seems you’d be saving a bunch of money by going with the hummingbird.
I’ve always been a lowrance guy but with the issues(bugs) that people are running into with the HDS/structure scan, and on top of it the customer service issues that lowrance is going through. My boat is getting an 1197si this spring. It just seems like lowrance’s quality used to be excellent but not any more.
Good luck on your choice and definately do ALOT of research and searching on many different forums before you decide. Thats alot of cash to fork out and have to deal with warranty, or any problems for that matter. good luck..
Guess i never thought of it but now that it was mentioned. Last year especially I do remember having to wait what seemed like a long time in order to get good hook ups. When i would get excited and rush they wouldnt be hooked real well or i wouldnt get em at all. Just a though..
I’ve tried some cheaper frogs but have always gone back to the SPRO frogs. I use 65lb braid and a 7’1″ heavy action Kistler rod. Good luck on finding something that works for ya..
I’d call and talk to john. He’ll take good care of ya. I usually have gotten through early in the morning if i’ve ever had any questions/issues. I’m not sure of the # right off hand but it’s on marcum’s website.
I havnt heard anything but please post if you find more information.. Thanks..
I’ll second the Abu Garcia REVO STX. Between my dad and I we have 6 of them and yes they cast a country mile and are extremely smooth all around and light too. Good Luck with your decision and congrats on the custom rod.
I ended up going with the smaller of the two Arbor reels. I think i’ll be real happy with the decision. I figure i’ve spent $20 dollars on more stupid things than that before so why not give it a shot. Thanks for all of your guys’ input!
I have a keel shield that was installed by a dealer on an 18.5′ skeeter bass boat and i can beach it and basically do whatever and that thing doesnt even show the scuffs hardly. Any type of shield will probably do but that is one investment i’m extremely glad i had done to the boat..
I’m going to use it for both casting and jigging and I love to bass fish also, so it’ll be getting used in alot of different presentaions throughout the year. Thanks for the input so far!!!
total weight: 28.3
Big fish: 7.7
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I only hear good things about the Revo reels.
I have a few Revo STX. I break at least one per year. Very smooth. The one that I break is lined with braid and I use it for swimjigs. Thus it takes a lot of abuse and shock.
What breaks on them? I have 2 Revo SX and one Revo STX and have had no problems at all. I would sure like to know what to look for in the future.
between my dad and I we have 6 of the REVO STX models and absolutely love em. I fish any and every bass presentaion with them including swimbaits and cranks and in my boat they’ve stood the countless hours on hours of hard fishing. Cant say anything about the curados though as i havnt used one yet. From what i hear they are probably great reels too. If I was going to get another one today it would be a revo STX. Not sure if they quit making the STX though?? Good Luck and dont let them wally guys hagle ya too much 
i have dealt with john when i’ve had some unfortunate issues and he has always been great to deal with. I’ve always called right away in the morning..
It was a real tough day of fishing. Glad someone was able to come in with some nice weight and size.. Good Job!!
total win = 42.11
Big fish is 11.71
