Best way to spend money?

I’ve been fishing most of my 54 years. I’ve owned all kinds of boats from a 12’ Jon’s, canoe and countless Rangers and other brands. Even owned a Ranger dealership from 1998 to 2006. I have always been a single pole guy. I’m trying to decided the best way to rig up my boat. Do I invest in a complete spider rigging outfit or do I buy a complete live scope type electronics package? I can’t do both, I currently have decent Lowrance side and down imaging graphs with GPS. I posted a thread yesterday on no drill setups for bass boats with no response here. I posted the same info on several FB message groups and several seem to suggest passing on the rigging equipment and buy better electronics and target specific fish with the live type sonar. What say you and why?

For my money, unless you intend to "branch out" in your fishing methods I see no reason for rod holders. My money would go towards a good Livescope setup.

I went from simply casting, to rod holders & long rods for Pushing jigs and both methods are still in my arsenal. I got a Livescope/93sv setup last year & what few times I did manage to fish, I mostly one pole fished with the Livescope. I will be doing the casting & Pushing methods this year, as well as the one poling w/LS, and will still use the LS system for all those methods.

Knowing what I know now about LS fishing, had I had it prior to getting pole holders, double seats, long rods, & line counter reels ... I may not have invested in those things & just continued casting & one poling with the Livescope system. :twocents

Livescope, hands down, and I’ve got both.


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And if you don't want to have to be switching screens or using split screens on your Garmin unit, get a small unit that's GPS capable just to use for maps & waypoint marking.

I bought my 93sv UHD w/o a tdx & the Livescope for $2200 from Brian@BBGmarine last year. I had him leave the tdx out of the deal because I already have a Hook 7 at the bow w/tdx on the trolling motor ... and I can use it for DI/2d/GPS mapping & waypoint marking, leaving the 93sv screen open for Livescope use only.

I did already have the Hook 7 on a ball mount so I bought a Cumberland Crappie extendable mount to put the 93sv on & behind and above the Hook 7. Unfortunately the Cumberland Crappie mounts are no longer available, but double mounts are out there if you wanted to go that route.

Thanks for the replies. I’ve been drooling over a new Lowrance Ghost, might as well save up some cash and buy it along with the new Active Target live system and add a second bow unit for the live function. Maybe by the time I’m ready, they will have the bugs worked out.

If you have boat control in most cases livescope is unbeatable IMO

I think it really depends on how you like to fish.
You may even try a guided trip. I was sold on single pole, until I went with a guide and we set up to spider rig.
It can be a pain setting 6-8 poles but I absolutely love it.
I know there are others that feel the same with single pole and LS. I think some even use LS to spider rig.


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Best way to spend money is in gas. More gas = more time on the water. More time on the water = more fish.

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Like Crappy Pappy said I run a unit on front for maps and one with livescope . Sure helps if you can split map screen and use 10' scale and 100' scale maps at same time . No need to be messing with changes in screens while fishing . The brushpiles/marks on 100' side make going to next spot easier. When you get close it pops up on 10' side to get you right on target .:twocents

I’m the wrong person to answer this question!!

I have invested WAY TO MUCH in electronics, long poles, jig poles, casting poles, plastics of every shape, color and hand ties.

I think I could have bought a Seafood restaurant a lot cheaper!!! LOL

But I am having lots of fun.

Chuck



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Livescope would be my vote. It is fun and puts you in the game. They don’t always bite but at least you know they are there.

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Originally Posted by Chuck Adams

I’m the wrong person to answer this question!!

I have invested WAY TO MUCH in electronics, long poles, jig poles, casting poles, plastics of every shape, color and hand ties.

I think I could have bought a Seafood restaurant a lot cheaper!!! LOL

But I am having lots of fun.

Chuck



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It adds up way too fast. I am doing my entire boat and we have a small fortune invested and are still waiting on two things.

I might add, before buying whatever Live sonar system you decide on, purchase a Spot Lock type trolling motor.
As others have said, boat control is essential when using Livescope or similar units.
Chuck


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Seafood Restaurant, now that’s funny!:Rofl

Possibly gasoline and time to fish. All the electronics in the world couldn't put me one fish when I don't have time to go

I would wait for 360 pan optics . lol it is coming for sure . Why spend 10,k when you can spend 20 k ?

Its bad when your electronics and trolling motor are worth more than your boat lol

That’s me… but my boat is a kayak…:Rofl

I will say the livescope setup has helped me tremendously, some of the best money I spent. Worth saving up for!

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Originally Posted by "G"

Its bad when your electronics and trolling motor are worth more than your boat lol

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Ain't that the truth

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Originally Posted by "G"

Its bad when your electronics and trolling motor are worth more than your boat lol

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I agree "G " . I can find brush piles with side view . Cast a marker on them and get on the waypoint and single pole or slip cork .If not fishing tournaments I just have to go with the 9 inch Garmin's 93svUHD . They are live scope compatible but that still is another $1500.00 . I am fully convinced that most can not get the maximum from what they own . Can't take it with you though. Buying the pay early college for grand kids just seems more important to me .

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Originally Posted by Eagle 1

I agree "G " . I can find brush piles with side view . Cast a marker on them and get on the waypoint and single pole or slip cork .If not fishing tournaments I just have to go with the 9 inch Garmin's 93svUHD . They are live scope compatible but that still is another $1500.00 . I am fully convinced that most can not get the maximum from what they own . Can't take it with you though. Buying the pay early college for grand kids just seems more important to me .

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You have to really stay on top of it to learn the electronics proficiently.

On our lakes in north Mississippi, I’d trade in my Rangerboat for a small tin boat, good trolling motor and live scope setup…..

the thing I find really interesting in the sonogram debates are how folks say over and over I would have never known they were there without using a sonogram unit , this I know for sure isn't the case .
Just about any cheap graph will give the information on if they are there or not . sonogram units are the ticket to see exactly what the fish that are there are doing .
It also helps determine the actual size of the fish present and even in some cases the species ,but as far as actually seeing fish on it ....
there are tons of other units I have fished over that have clearer images of what is under the boat .
Some Lowrance units I have been over were sending up ridiculous clear sharp images of the structure and fish ....
Seen it about as good on some of the Hummer high end stuff as well ....
of course to each his own and to be sure the best way "to spend money " is the way that makes you the happiest ....:highfive

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Originally Posted by Ketchn

the thing I find really interesting in the sonogram debates are how folks say over and over I would have never known they were there without using a sonogram unit , this I know for sure isn't the case .
Just about any cheap graph will give the information on if they are there or not . sonogram units are the ticket to see exactly what the fish that are there are doing .
It also helps determine the actual size of the fish present and even in some cases the species ,but as far as actually seeing fish on it ....
there are tons of other units I have fished over that have clearer images of what is under the boat .
Some Lowrance units I have been over were sending up ridiculous clear sharp images of the structure and fish ....
Seen it about as good on some of the Hummer high end stuff as well ....
of course to each his own and to be sure the best way "to spend money " is the way that makes you the happiest ....:highfive

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Sure didn’t make me HAPPY to spend a chunk of change on Livescope and with only about a year of seat time I am certainly no expert.
Here is my take on the live technology.
Saves me time and it is in real time.
Not showing a history of what your boat passed over.
Eliminates the need for throwing out markers, and going back to waypoints or whatever your method is for marking suspected fish and then hoping they are still there.
Believe me……my buddies couldn’t believe it when I shelled out the cash for Livescope system. They call me squeak because I’m so tight.
Do I catch more fish with it??? Who knows….
All I can say for sure is that it saves me time and at almost 67 years old my time is more valuable than money.
I think Ketchn could find and catch fish in my swimming pool while blindfolded!! [emoji226][emoji228][emoji225][emoji245]lol
Chuck


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I will second that Ketchn could likely catch fish in a dry creek bed

As you know, spending money with boats never ends. There is a place for both. I have had live scope for two years and trust me there is nothing more that I enjoy then single pole sniping. Feeling that thump is certainly fun. However investing time with someone and sharing half your poles on the front of the boat is special. Spyder rigging time is something that you can never replace and that is when memories are made. Fish with a friend or family spyder rigging is the way to go. By yourself looking to fill the ice chest, single pole snipping with live scope. Either way you can not go wrong.

I just bought a live scope set up. I have in the past spider rigged, pulled cranks ,and true single pole . Odds go up on success when you do not waste time where there are no fish . Live scope set up would be my vote . JMO.