I’ve used Ebay’s saved searches with good results – it will notify you when a certain item comes into play. Hope this helps.

I have that exact rig, and with a 21″ SS I’m topping 55 MPH fully loaded and two heavy weight walleye chasers. With only myself and 1/4 tank, I’ve nipped 60 which is damn fast on water for me! She’ll cruise a comfortable 43ish all day long. I know this might be a late answer for the poster, however if someone else is wondering, I hope it helps.
~Tight Lines~

I’ve got one too many HDS-10 Gen2 Insight head units if you’re in the market. I went to the 12 touch last year.

I’ll add my voice to the choir – JAMES…we need our fix!

Here is some info via the StarTribune Outdoors:

“The trout would tip the scales at 52 pounds, 3 ounces; it was 45 inches long, with a 32-inch girth.

Had it been caught on the Minnesota side of Lac la Croix, just 100 feet from where Scott fished, it would have handily beaten the state record of 43-8, a fish that was caught in Lake Superior in 1955.”

Wondering about bait? He reportedly used frozen shiner minnows which were thawed with hot water prior to use to make them pliable.

What a waste of a amazing fish! It would have been great boon for business locally, and he could have rented it out for shows! Oh well I guess his 32 year retirement checks from the Navy will have to do!

John,

The very first thing I found out about the walleye population on the Columbia, is “most” of the locals hate them! They get a little angry our coveted firm white fleshed fish would attack and consume their helpless young salmon and trout! With only the slight pressure the Columbia gets regarding Mr Walleye, I’m surprised a fish this size wasn’t caught 20 years ago. I don’t want to mislead anyone, so don’t think this is the land of easy giants. I’ve occasionally fished the Columbia for over 20 years, and while a 10-15 plus might be reasonable expected, the big Greenbacks of Manitoba would be a better bet for a wall hanger. Besides…if you make the trip to the Columbia, why not try out our giant sturgeon, and if you come bring a few friends, so they can help lift it for a quick photo!

Painting jigs is a great way to relax and get the exact color combinations or designs you want. Be it powder coat (keep temps under 320) or the more time consuming enamels, you’re going to catch fish! If you want to get a glow or light color – use a WHITE undercoat. Using a clear over the enamels is suggested, but not needed with “baked” powder coated jigs. I use a cheap small wicked burner and denatured alcohol for fuel. I learned to powder coat jigs using a “Bic lighter” – so it’s not complicated. By simply being consistent when pre-heating the before dipping, you’d have it down pat in just a few minutes. As lead jigs are so much cheaper, I’d use them to practice. I’m going to guess you’ll pay about $1 each for painting – hardly a money saver to send out. Do it all yourself for less than the $50 investment, and I promise you’ll be hooked on your customizing hobby and get a new level of enjoyment when you set that hook! Show us some pictures when you finish!!!

One more thing you might have fun with is making some of those into light bucktail or rabbit hair jigs … they should be awesome!

Regardless of using new or used equipment, my STRONG suggestion is to TEST all the connections before igniting. By using a mild solution of dish soap detergent and spray bottle, it’s easy to detect any tiny leaks in pressurized systems and avoid what might turn into a deadly situation. Spray a coating mist anywhere there is a connection, and be sure to also wet the valve(s) in both the open and closed position. If you notice any even tiny bubbles, check those connections and tighten if leaks are detected. You can use the same solution and a cloth to check hoses as well. Those connections can get beat as tanks and heaters are bounced around in the backs of trucks or behind your favorite form of ice travel, so don’t take chance! Ice fishing is meant to be fun, not another reason to test emergency room abilities!

Before you make the choice, take a hard look at how you fish and also where and for what specie(s). Those factors will make the choice easier and with less buyers remorse – and regardless of your “final” choice, there will be a tinge of second guessing.

If I was strictly fishing shallow water, at the present time I’d be more interested in the Birds then any other. They offer the 360, and a host of other features which give them the edge for finding both structure and fish below our field of vision and I can say that because I own one.

I also own the Lowrance 12 HDS Gen2. It’s packed with more features than I have yet mastered in the first year I’ve owned it. The definition is super, noise rejection isn’t a thought, and because it is equipped for side scan so I can literally make my own high definition map chips to later use ice fishing+.

So before you make a choice – make a list! How we use our equipment should be the biggest part of why we buy it, and not let the influence of what others help us spend those hard earned dollars.