New toys

[Colella]

I got some cool new toys over the winter to help me try and get that 10-15 lb Brown or that 15-20 lb Laker I'm always in search of.

-Hummingbird Fishin Buddies 130 portable fish finder
-2 new St Croix 9 1/2 ft rods
-2 new okuma epixor baitfeeder reels
-new comfortable boat seat (I intend to be out there a lot)
-new fluro, mono, hooks, weights, floats, etc...
-new oars (my old wood ones were splitting bad)
-2 new downeast rod holders
and More but you get the point

Still need a few more things. I was just wondering what others might have picked up that maybe I should grab. Has anyone tried a thermocline thermometer?

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0012329014907a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntt=clinfinder&Ntk=Products&sort=all&Go.y=10&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&_D%3Asort=+&Nty=1&hasJS=true&Go.x=25&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1

Looks pretty cool and sounds like it would help a lot in finding those aggressive Browns but it really pricey.
What do you guys think?

[Togue]

You seem to either be very rich, very professional, or both. $140 for a water thermometer sounds bizarre to me. I can't even see how that would help you catch any fish.

You seem to be completely hooked up with everything, now you just need some lures that are known to catch fish for every specific lake. Probably not a problem for you if you put down so much for other stuff already. Get some spoons like kastmasters, kleos, phoebes, krocodiles, etc. If you want to go crazy, get a good tripod that you could fix to your boat to video tape how you catch the big one.

[VinnyH]

The "Bait Monkey" is vicious and needs to be fed. We must buy all sorts of tackle and gear to survive on the water.

or, you get a stick, a hook, and a worm from the backyard.

Best to All,
Vinny

* did I mention I just spent 50 bucks on swimbaits   

[phishahn]

Collela, have you used the baitrunners before? I have 4 of them, absolutely love them,good-bye strike guards. I bought a new cushion this year also, it's actually a turkey hunter's version. I really should put in a boat seat in my other boats as only 1 has one and it's a dream to fish in. I also have had the aqua-cal clinefinder themeometer for years and find it incredibly helpful in pin-pointing thermoclines and finding springs in other lakes.The down side to it is there is no on/off switch so it continues to run and while not diificult it's a bit of a pain to change the batteries, 3 double a's. Also gotta love the long rods as it makes rowing an ease and lets you lean into the set and let the strength of the rod wear down the fish. As far as the rod holders I have a few tite-locks, (love the quietness of them) and a few of the down-easters, love them for when we troll. Just waiting for a little warmer H2O, and it'll be time once again,  Phishahn.

[joel137]

collela,looks like your setup good.i just ordered a transducer mount for my trolling motor when i fish other waters besides the res's.and some new jig head and a roadrunner kit on sale at bass pro.got all that other stuff all ready over the years.and togue good gear is an investment that makes your life better,fishing is a hobby and hobbies cost money,so does drinking or therapy which i avoid by going fishing

[Colella]

Togue- By no means am I rich. Far from it. Fishing is just something I love to do. Its actually really all I do. Most of my friends will blow $150 at the bar for the weekend. I'm done with that. i know guys that go play cards every Thursday and lose their shirt. Not for me. I enjoy the challenge of fishing and the achievement you feel when all the time, money, and persistence pays off. When all your gear works for you like a well orchestrated plan. For that their is no price my friend! lol And that thermometer is actually a clinometer that measures the temperature at different depths which would help tremendously as Phish indicated. Read the description in Cabela's.

Phish- This is my first season with baitrunners. I am a little nervous that the bait feed mode might still have too much tention and the fish will feel the line. I bought the smallest reel with the least amount of tention so I will give it a shot with out the strike guards. I have been meaning to ask you about this.

Vinny- It is addicting!!! I need it all!! LOL There are much worse addictions out there though. Did you spent $50 on one swim bait? I saw those in Cabelas and was shocked that one lure could cost that much!

Joel- Fishing is my therapy also, but sometimes, I drink AND fish!

Good luck this year fellas! Get ready for some tight lines!

[joel137]

but sometimes, I drink AND fish! nothing wrong with that just dont let the DEP catch ya

[arkpov56]

This March 17, The office opening day, as many others I got lucky to grab a spot at Area 11 on CR (yes Vinny, another new neighbor for you there).  Got a "new" boat from craifslist list for $300 and am getting it ready for the water.  On my first boat I use two fold-down padded seats which are attached through Swivl-Eze Pin Snap-Lock mount system.
http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/cb/cb.asp?a=312622&kwtid=227127
This solution turned out to be very convenient for use in multiple boats - now I just need to buy two more bases and fasten them to my new boat.  Well, seats will now have to be carried around, but at lease they wouldn't get stolen .
Just thought some of you might find this usefull.

[phishahn]

Togue- By no means am I rich. Far from it. Fishing is just something I love to do. Its actually really all I do. Most of my friends will blow $150 at the bar for the weekend. I'm done with that. i know guys that go play cards every Thursday and lose their shirt. Not for me. I enjoy the challenge of fishing and the achievement you feel when all the time, money, and persistence pays off. When all your gear works for you like a well orchestrated plan. For that their is no price my friend! lol And that thermometer is actually a clinometer that measures the temperature at different depths which would help tremendously as Phish indicated. Read the description in Cabela's.

Phish- This is my first season with baitrunners. I am a little nervous that the bait feed mode might still have too much tention and the fish will feel the line. I bought the smallest reel with the least amount of tention so I will give it a shot with out the strike guards. I have been meaning to ask you about this.

Vinny- It is addicting!!! I need it all!! LOL There are much worse addictions out there though. Did you spent $50 on one swim bait? I saw those in Cabelas and was shocked that one lure could cost that much!

Joel- Fishing is my therapy also, but sometimes, I drink AND fish!

Good luck this year fellas! Get ready for some tight lines!

The tension is very adjustable,I was leary at first, but confidence grows after each hit, they really are great, I recommend  highly.

[Colella]

Alright Phish, Ill take your word for it. Im going out this weekend for the first time on the boat.

arkpov56 - That looks like a nice set up. Mine is a clamp on. Im giving it a try for the first time this weekend. Hopefully it works well.

[arkpov56]

Colella,
Be careful with that clamp on, it tends to roll sideways if clamp is not tight enough.  I used to have it too, until my buddy fishing in my boat lost his balance, rolled over the board and actually swam in Kensico water on a windy day.  Fortunately it wasn't cold and he was a good swimmer, he managed to get back in the boat, but the next time I was out in Kensico I had Swivl-Eze installed – per his advice.

[Colella]

Wow!!! Wish had know is before I got the seat. Thanks for the heads-up. I will see how it is.

[joel137]

yeah make sure you install the little bar that the rods go under.I almost flipped my self

[sawbelly]

I have a bunch of Bait Runners that I LOVE for salt water but my 3500 that I use in Kensico is used with a ball bearing release (bait fishing). I have had too many run offs that were dropped because the bait runner is not sensitive enough. Too much tension. My buddy does swear by his Okuma bait feeder but it is a much smaller reel. I would like to try the Penn Slammers. Has anyone checked them out?

Tight lines, Jim