Thread: Jet Foot or Good electronics for safety?

You could use a Navionics Premium South mapping card but the water depth data on it is not interactive like it is on the LakeMaster mapping cards. The list for this map card shows that Lake Martin was in fact one of the High Definition Survey lakes (boats were actually on and surveyed the lake) but it does not state when this was done. You would have to mentally subtract the lake level drop from the water depths shown on the Navionics mapping card. Many of our units can use this mapping card. Decide which model unit(s) you want and I can confirm whether it will work with that unit or not.

Regardless of which sonar units you buy (Humminbird or any other brand) the sonar will not show the water depth until after the transducer is over that area. So do not rely on a map or the sonar to keep yourself and equipment safe. If you are unsure of the water depth, slow down and proceed with caution!

Originally Posted by Humminbird_Greg

You could use a Navionics Premium South mapping card but the water depth data on it is not interactive like it is on the LakeMaster mapping cards. The list for this map card shows that Lake Martin was in fact one of the High Definition Survey lakes (boats were actually on and surveyed the lake) but it does not state when this was done. You would have to mentally subtract the lake level drop from the water depths shown on the Navionics mapping card. Many of our units can use this mapping card. Decide which model unit(s) you want and I can confirm whether it will work with that unit or not.

Regardless of which sonar units you buy (Humminbird or any other brand) the sonar will not show the water depth until after the transducer is over that area. So do not rely on a map or the sonar to keep yourself and equipment safe. If you are unsure of the water depth, slow down and proceed with caution!

Looking at a 958c di combo, if you can check that it would be helpful. when will the lakemaster card for martin be out? and can I upgrade then? THNX Lee

Decisions, Decisions..... Now I'm leaning toward a jet foot and electronics. That would give me the best of both Worlds....I think???

Yes the 958c DI Combo (or the new 958c HD DI Combo) units will both use the LakeMaster and Navionics Premium South mapping cards.

I do not know when LakeMaster will be adding Lake Martin to their covered lakes for Alabama. If you did not fill out a lake request, you should do so now (and get all your fishing buds to do so too!):
http://www.lakemap.com/Request-a-Lake/

I don’t know if LakeMaster will offer a mapping card upgrade or not. You would not have to buy the LakeMaster card today; you could wait until Lake Martin was added to buy it. Mapping cards can be added at swapped out at any time.

Originally Posted by BAMA S

Decisions, Decisions..... Now I'm leaning toward a jet foot and electronics. That would give me the best of both Worlds....I think???

The biggest problem with a Jet Drive is sucking up Debris and stopping up the pump. If Lake Martin has no debris, then it would work fine.

A Jet Pump is 33% less horse power than the power rating of the engine. A 150 engine with a jet pump is a 105hp. A 115 is an 80, and a 60 is considered a 40, etc. these are approximate numbers.

If you go slow while navigating the lake with your motor trimmed up, you will set a track on your GPS. When you find a shallow spot, or an obstacle, just mark the waypoint on your graph. After a few trips, you'll know the tracks were you can run, and were you can't, just by watching your GPS (Chart) while traveling the lake. I do this all the time during tournaments on lakes where I'm not familiar with the terrain. It's also easy to follow a boater that has experience on your body of water. You can then go back and watch your chart to know where you're going. It might take a few trips to get familiar with the winter pool water level, but that's much better than a jet drive, especially during summer pool when you do know the lake. Jet pumps suck air in rough water, and don't perform as well due to the cavitation and lack of forward thrust that occurs from the water being forced through the pump.

On the Corps lakes in MS, we have extreme fluctuations between summer and winter pools, depending on the amount of rain fall the lakes receive. Better to learn the lake than worry about the engine. It doesn't take long to figure the lake out to the point to where you're safe in navigating it. It's made easier with a good electronics system.


Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202

We sell XPRESS, EXCEL, and ALWELD Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, Mud Buddy, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers

No responses? Hmmmmmm


Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202

We sell XPRESS, EXCEL, and ALWELD Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, Mud Buddy, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers

Been doing a lot of Research and talking to peeps running jets and found a dealer thats sold quite a few. One guy runs the Lakes on the tallapoosa and hes on his third jet drive boat. Had a starter boat and bought and sold as he could to get a nice one, He loves it for our area with the lake fluctuating and the creeks we fish. Lake Martin is a relatively clean lake so I'm gonna give it A shot and see how I like it with a hummingbird 597 hd di. THNX for all the GREAT feedback so far. Its helped me ask the rite ????'s.

I do sell lots of Outboard Jet jet pumps, and can install them on ANY engine. We do a lot of them for the trout fishermen running the shallow rivers and shoals. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Thank You BAMA S for your interest and for the opportunity to serve ya!! If we can't get together this time, maybe the next!!! Good Luck in your quest!!!!

Congrats on the SEC title, and go BAMA and the SEC for the National Championship, AGAIN!!!!'


Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202

We sell XPRESS, EXCEL, and ALWELD Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, Mud Buddy, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers