Thread: Opinions on equipment needed

Shoot man. I am fishing blind. No depth finder up front, only have an old GPS76 handheld for speed and location, cheap ole factory finish depth finder provided by Tracker on the console, but still catch a plenty of fish. Cant compete with the big boys for sure, but can get dinner a plenty. Running a foot control trolling motor, might upgrade to a electric steer but maybe not, like the faster response of foot or hand control when fishing other than trolling. If your wanting to compete with FCC or one of the big tourneys than spend as much as your wallet allows to be competitive, but for fun, relax keep it simple and read the water and do what the fish tell ya. Far as reels it is hard to beat the Shimano IX1000 series for $12.00 available many places including the big box stores.

I bought the 4 Pinnacle $60 deal from GrizzlyJigs but have yet to use them for crappie. That will happen in a few weeks. As you stated they are a little heavy but longlining with them in a rod holder they should be satisfactory. Have used them only for snatching mullet.. This takes a rod with staying power and I'm actually surprised at how these rods have held up under the punishment mullet snatching will inflict.

Originally Posted by SeaRay

I just got an email from Lowrance(I have a HDS7 touch Gen 2). According to the letter, they will be discounting the Gen 2 HDS unit by as much as $400. I would check with Brian at BBG Marine(one of our site sponsirs) to see if he has gotten pricing info yet.

And on the rods, the Pinnacle Limits at 4 for $60 or hard to beat. I have 6 of them and they have served me well. They are not as light and sensitive as my B&M BGJP rods, but they are great for tight lining and long lining.

Far as reels it is hard to beat the Shimano IX1000 series for $12.00 available many places including the big box stores.

I have 4 of these Mike, have landed Bass over 6 1/2 lbs with them, I like em. Oh, and I also use a hand held GPS for MPH mostly.

I have 9 of the 1000 series I use for pullin and 1 3000 series I use on a surf rod. All are close to 8 years old, took em out the package, put on rods spooled em up and have only changed line each year. Never oiled or washed except for the surf reel gets a bath when I get home and thats it. No breakage, no failures, no problems. Silky smooth drag, no, but we are talking about a fish on average of maybe a pound and a quarter on 6lb test and very forgiving rods and the surf rod I just keep a light drag on to compensate. Cant ask for much more. When the day comes and 1 or all break I will buy again no questions asked.

Update.
Ordered 4 Wally marshall Slab Daddy 12" rods from grizzly on Monday. Received them today. The rods will be big time upgrades from the bream busters we have been using. Also ordered and received 4 Hi tech Crappie reels. Nuttin fancy and not castable but definitely good line storage devices. Lookin at the shimano 1000's for next upgrade. prolly pick 4 of the 10 ft poles too.

also talkin with brian at bbg about a lowrance elite 7 hdi fishfinder gps. Little more than i was lookin for after readin huntin slabs post. Kind of fly by the seat of the pants guys too. BUT!! i like bells and whistles too!!

Your on a roll! And nuttin wrong with bells, whistles, gadgets or gizmos either. Just aint got round to that yet.