Electronic question for Talquin trollers

Since this is the lake where I will 99% of the time longline, I have a question about FF.

I am ready to pull the trigger and want to see opinions at Talquin about whether the SI is really a significant help over a DI unit for marking fish in that lake.

Right now I can get a HB Helix 7 DI GPS for around $400, I can wait till Jan and get a Helix 9 SIDI GPS for just under $1000.

Most of my other fishing on the flats and smaller lily pond lakes and rivers I dont see a real distinct advantage with SI.

Thanks for any opinions and experiences!:biggrin

I seldom use either on Talquin. The best technique is longline trolling and not staying on one particular brush pile. There is so much brush in the lake it's hard to key on one spot. I do use sometimes for bream beds and finding oyster bars on the flats. I would consider as large of a 2d/GPS as possible over advanced sonar features. This way you can view maps vs 2d to stay on the channels at Talquin. I personally need the larger screen to see more detail on the maps. SI/DI tend to take fishing/catching time from me staring at the screen and tinkering with advanced options. They are great scouting tools on new waters but not that helpful on waters you already know. I've been on Talquin,Iamonia and Seminole for over 25 years. Talquin and Iamonia not much has changed in that time as far as structure and bottom.

Thanks crappielimits.
I felt like the maps part would be the most usefull to me plus the 2D. I am really impressed with the fact you can watch your boat superimposed on a lake map. That winding channel wont be so challenging, right?
Di would be cool also, but I can see where all the cool gadgets would have you looking at them instead of fishing.
For $400 I dont think I can go wrong, and the 7" screen is big to me after having the standard "little" units, HaHa.

Anybody else have some input? Greatly appreciated!

Carl, you'll do just fine with the $400 Helix. The GPS and sonar is all you need at Talquin.:ThumbsUp

Where can you buy the unit for that price? I am shopping for one myself and that is the best price I have heard of.

I have two 798's and have to weigh in on this. Having come from a Lowrance 527 that had better base mapping I can say I still miss the extra detail it had. I use the SI for snooping around in areas I don't know, which is most everywhere I fish these days. The DI is a great tool that really shines in deeper water, say over 10 or 15 feet, for keeping track of what the fish are doing. The sonar does a good job but I have gotten used to deep jigging trees and watching the white flecks give me a better look than the sonar offers IMHO. I would get the biggest screen I could find a way to afford. One day soon I will buy a 998 and sell the 798 just for the bigger screen. Easier on these old eyes.I have a riser on my forward FF and that helps a lot but nothing beats a bigger picture. Good luck with the decision. There's so much good equipment to choose from.

RogerA I just googled it and found two places under $400 shipped. I also can get 10% off at BP by renewing my card.

Thanks everyone for the info. For the next couple months I am gonna use the ol 561 to longline for crappie at Talquin. The BP guy told me today he is waiting for the Helix 9 and they should come in sometime after the holidays.

I might as well go for the Helix 9. Its only money and you cant take it with you. What time I have on the water might as well be with the best equipment!

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Originally Posted by blindhog

RogerA I just googled it and found two places under $400 shipped. I also can get 10% off at BP by renewing my card.

Thanks everyone for the info. For the next couple months I am gonna use the ol 561 to longline for crappie at Talquin. The BP guy told me today he is waiting for the Helix 9 and they should come in sometime after the holidays.

I might as well go for the Helix 9. Its only money and you cant take it with you. What time I have on the water might as well be with the best equipment!

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The DI is nice and SI is nice to have but for longlining, the SI and DI isn't something that I ever used. For tight lining or pushing or dock shooting, the SI and DI is an excellent tool...Go for it Carl...You have tons of $$$$:Rofl

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Originally Posted by TnT

The DI is nice and SI is nice to have but for longlining, the SI and DI isn't something that I ever used. For tight lining or pushing or dock shooting, the SI and DI is an excellent tool...Go for it Carl...You have tons of $$$$:Rofl

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You know it!!:biggrin

I got so much if I roll my truck windows down going to Talquin the $20's just fly out all over the road!!:Rofl

Big boy toys is all it is.......