PM’d you

Was thinking of purchasing the K-Drill myself for my ION. Are you impressed with the way the unit works with yours castle-rock-clown?

So I finally had the opportunity to get out and use my Helix 5 out on the ice. The only concern or question I have is when I’m using the 2d sonar mode and flasher mode the depth is very sporadic and keeps switching depths showing from 81 down to the depth of lake I was fishing. Does anyone have any suggestions or a fix on what I’m doing wrong or do you think my unit is bad? What are most of you using for settings when it comes to the setups on this unit? I did try shutting of Ice Fishing Mode and I’m running the unit in 200 kHz. Pretty new to these digital units any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

What are your shipping rates to South Dakota?

Solution: Sell all of your mojo’s and buy the Lucky Duck HD model you can run up to as many as 8 on one remote. Haven’t checked lately but last week Cabelas had them on sale for 89.99 w/remote.

Either one is a good choice IMO. I just purchased the ION this year and I’m very impressed with it so far. We just made the trip back from Devils and it definitely stood up to my standards when it came to runnin and gunnin. Very light at 22 lbs and has plenty of torque. No problems at all when it came to redrilling old holes too. When they say that you can only get around 40 holes at 24′ inches of ice. Well that is wrong I could get right around 55-60 holes before she would start to even show any low battery life or leg this past weekend with 26 inches of ice. Not a real big fan of the reverse but it is pretty handy when it comes to cleaning your holes in a permy.
Best of luck!!!

I would predict that this weekend might be the last weekend for ice fishing around here in NE South Dakota. The next 10-15 day forecast is calling for rising temps of upper 40’s to low 50’s with the lows not going below freezing. I would think the accesses and shorelines will be giving out soon or by the weekend of the 13th for sure. Best of luck!!!!

We just made the trip back yesterday. Fished the 25th through the 28th. Had decent luck for perch by Military Point right out of Creel Bay in 35 FOW. Moved over by the Towers on Jeromes Bar fished 16-25 FOW and also had great success on walleye from 4:30 in the afternoon to half hour after sunset all 3 evenings. East Lake and Black Tiger Bay is the place to be if you want to catch numbers of perch as of this last weekend. Seen 5 different groups coming in the fish station with buckets full of perch with most averaging 12″ or better. Total for fish was 87 walleye and 64 perch between 9 guys and 3 days of fishing.

What transducer are you guys using when referring to the jigging mode?
XI9 20 or the XNT9 DI T?

Not sure if anybody has seen the big sale here yet but I would advise you to go check it out. Their entire stock is on sale at 20% off. Some pretty good buys going on right now with Free Shipping. Just ordered my Hardwater Suite

https://www.reedssports.com/ice-fishing-apparel-footwear/browse/brand/striker

I’ve been running and gunning the Clam XL4000T now for 2 seasons and wouldn’t trade it for anything. High quality material, high quality zippers, large carrying bag (unlike other models) and plenty of room to fish 3 comfortable with 4 being a little snug. $100.00 cheaper is kind of a no brainer if you ask me. IMO all your doing is paying for the name brand on the other one. Reeds Sporting Goods has the best buy on them right now for $259.00 with free shipping. Tight lines my friend.

This thread was just on here the other day. Sure this will help you.

https://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/community/forums/topic/lake-of-the-woods-4/

Approximately how far are you guys letting your SI or DI transducers hang in the water while ice fishing? Do they need to hang below the ice for better viewing?

The best bang for your buck is Reeds Sporting Goods. They have some great buys on all Hubs right now with Free Shipping. I’ve been runnin and gunnin with the Clam XL4000T Bigfoot for two years now. No complaints at all with this unit. Very roomy for 3 and all your gear. Can fish 4 but gets a little crowded. Thermal is the way to go in my book. Most below zero days my Mr. Buddy Heater will keep up on low with having to shut it off a few times through out the day. Reason for buying Clam was I did a lot of research on Hub Style Shacks and Clam seemed to have the best reviews at that time. Larger Duffle bag for storage, larger skirt for snow pack, more storage nets inside for your gear, 2 double zipper doors, high quality cams and rods. Retail is $289.95 with Free Shipping from Reeds. Best of Luck!!!

I’ve been fishing out of the Clam XL4000T now for two season and all I can say is I’m very pleased with it and would give it a 10-10. Big enough storage bag with room to play with unlike Eskimo’s and Otters (very tight fit). As we all know last season was very cold and bitter with the wind chills well below -25. Most days fishing my Mr. Buddy heater kept up on low setting with sometimes having to shut it off. Lots of room to fish 3 very comfortable and 4 is a little tight but still can be done. You can purchase this same unit from Reeds right now for $289.95 with free shipping. Best of luck!!

That’s some great info thanks for the input Ely!!! Like I said we are newbies any help is much appreciated. Good luck to you this year

Real easy simple question for you Marcus. Now that you have used this for a while now how has the battery life been on it. Was really thinking about upgrading to this as well for this season.

Thanks guys much appreciated!! Just couple more questions. Where’s the easiest access to get on at. We where told to fish Balsam Bay area. So would you stay in Gimli or the South Beach Casino? Not looking to have to drive so far for the morning bite We are Neebies when it comes to Winnipeg. Not looking for your exact fishing spots just looking for some general ideas as to where to even start. Thanks again!!

trumar wrote:

Replace the oil sending unit

Yes replace your oil sending unit. This is a common issue in these years along with the 5.3 liters. GM part number is 12616646. Retail is right around $90.00 for OEM

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Andy if Frank’s deal falls through let me know. Im interested and located in Aberdeen as well. ($325.00 Cash)
Thanks!

Thanks for the input fellas. I run mine with refills from our local propane dealer that I have refilled myself with old cylinders. As for cold tanks and or weather I always leave my full tanks in the pickup before I replace them and with this happening this past weekend the temps where well above freezing (40 deg). Taking it to the service center this afternoon. Im still thinking it might be a bad regulator and or a bad fitting leaking. I’ll keep you posted.
Thanks again!

Its been hit and miss here in the area the past few weeks. I did have a buddy try Opitz this past weekend with some succes on some nice 12-13 inch perch fishing on the main BOW right in the middle of the lake in 15-18 FOW. Clubhouse Slough has had some success too as well. There were quit a few ppl fishing this in the past but have moved on now. Again perch are being caught here as well its just a matter of finding them. Most are running between 11-12 inches. If you have any questions just give The Sportsman Cove (605)345-2468 a call he will have the best reports from around the area when it comes to finding the fish.

Picture is from Clubhouse from 2 weeks ago. All where 10-12 inches.

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PM sent @inskom

Travis Midthun wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>4 BUCK wrote:</div>
They make a hose just for the Big Buddy with a quick connect then you don’t need a filter. Big difference in heat between just the Buddy and the Big Buddy!

This is the route I went and it works great. The quick connect hose for the big buddy part number is: #F271803. I also will open up my propane tank once I start setting up my house to let propane into the hose for a bit. Seems to help when trying to fire it up.

Dido this is exactly what I have done with mine as well and has worked flawlessly for the past 2 years. And just like JoeMX1825 said make sure you keep the pilot light clean.
Good Luck!! Set the Hook!!

Anything Gold, Red, Silver and or White have always worked the best for us (Water clarity is not the best) Slender Spoons and or VMC Tingler Spoons. Tip with Minnow heads and or Shiner head, dont be affraid to jig the heck out of them. The more action the better.
Goodluck!!!

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24.6 total
9.3 big fish