siwash

I am using a reducer (12v Step Down Converter) for the hook up of the Helix hummingbird up front (because the battery is a 24 V lithium) and the finder up front has been ok... Can you explain further, fishdawg?

Thanks guys... if I run off my trolling motor battery I already have a Helix up at the bow also running off that battery. Shouldn't be too much to have another sonar unit off that battery will it?

Hey folks, I purchased a Helix 7 G4 with MEGA Si a couple of months ago. First 2 outings in May it seemed to work fine. I went on a trip to PAB last week and it kept shutting off.. I just got off the phone with Hummingbird and the person walked me through troubleshooting options. She concluded there's nothing wrong with the unit. We tried it on the power source at the bow and it worked (24 V lithium I use for my trolling motor). 10.8 V appeared on the status setting of the unit when I tried it on my 12 V battery source so it's not getting enough power. She thinks it's either my power source (battery?) a fuse? or could be the hummingbird supplied wiring. One thing that does happen additionally is that when the unit is powered up, it shuts off once I start up my motor again. This has been happening since I had it installed. Again, the battery it set up on is a 12V that cranks my motor and runs other electronics (lights, etc). I brought this up with the guy who installed it for me and he said it's normal. I found that odd because I don't recall any other fish finder unit powering off when I started up other motors/ boats I've owned. Based on this limited info, what does it sound like it could be? How can I isolate the issue? I appreciate any help with this! Thanks in advance!

Do you guys think the weeds are just behind in growth due to cool weather or are there years when weed growth is poor?

I'm still recovering physically from it all! And mentally!

We saw some but it was far and few. Consider that we fish hard for 3 straight days and covered tons of water, thousands of cast. 1 pike landed 2 pike on and off 1 Muskie on and off (yes I know they are OOS) and a few small bass OOS

Interesting information. We tried some of the spots you recommended here but not much luck any where we also went to the river and fished all the way to where it opens into a lake. One SM for our efforts. Then we fished a couple of shoals at the mouth of the river. I caught a small pike in one of the 4 bays that are located north of the river mouth. We also ventured pretty close to the Bay fishing in those islands just before the big water opens up. Gorgeous area that's for sure. I really enjoyed the scenery. we did catch one walleye after dark. Just a 15" a half dozen bass and that's about it! One thing that was frustrating was the lack of weed beds we tried hard to find them but not that much - the musky came out of a spot close to the cabbage. I pretty much exclusively used big baits.. white swim bait, bucktails, spinner baits, a few large stick baits... maybe I should have downsized anyhow I wonder what the next few weeks will be like. I'd like to go back for the day

Update from PAB: Thursday night arrival: -fished from 7 to 9ish pm but stayed fairly close to home base and fished the bringnal banks from Payne Marina west for about 2 km along the North shore. Hooked two pike that spit out lures then i hooked into a Muskie! Had it on for 5 sec and saw it clearly. It had some size (about 40+?). That was on a gold and orange bucktail On Friday we decided to hit the river. Along the way we hit some recommended bays from aboard member snd some other spots - only one small pike! In the river we struck out save for a small OOS bass went back homeNot rest in the early afternoon then went back out for a 4 more hours in the evening and we struck out! We tried the islands near Leisure landing the fishing has been awful so far! We talked to a couple of guys we have been up here since last Saturday and they said it had shut down for them too since Friday! Our luck! They said it was good all week though snd one guy caught a 16 lbs pike we are going to try further out today closer to the Bay and see if the out islands produce... we may have to buy some live bait on a positive note weather has been great and accommodations are good as well I'll post again soon!

I remember when about 20 years back or so folks who had cottages were sitting on dry docks because the water had receded so much. Fast forward to around 2015 to 2021, water was way up. We rented a cottage in Tiny Beaches in 2020 during Covid and there was no beach left!

Remember a few years back we had very high water levels on the Great Lakes? Before that, they were very low (late 90s into the 2000s) - the natural ebb and flow of the cycle...

Gonna try the mega bass magdraft too, that was recommended to me to by a board member.

What size hook do you use for those larger swims baits (6+")? 5/0?

Thanks Bill. So what depths do yiu think the bigger ones might be at? Deeper that 12? It's been so cool up til yesterday I was hoping the shallows would still hold some big fish. thanks for the tips.

That interesting that it's low. We had so much snow and it pissed rain all of last spring and early summer.

Yea, I have Navionics. I am a bit anxious about boating in those waters. I'll keep my eye on the charts and the water. Is it stained or clear water?

Hey folks. Was at BPS recently and I was recommended a hook to rig larger swim baits/paddle baits. The rep suggested VMC Drop dead 5/0 hooks either weightless or weighted How do you folks rig those larger swim baits? I'll be in pike waters of Georgian bay this weekend

We are leaving Thursday afternoon (staying at Pleasant Cove as Rock Pines was booked). Apparently Pleasant has renovated their units recently.. As long as its clean. Now if this weather would just cooperate. Weird past few weeks. Ever since May 2-4. I just hope that we can avoid a big cold front like the ones we have been getting. Alos hoping we avoid rocks! I'll report back on the fishing. Thank you.

I trust you. Won't bother. I'll either launch at the park (since I have a pass) or at one of the private marinas. The park doesn't look too far from action!

I see. That's odd. Why have a launch if you can't let people park? I guess it's just for locals and water access only cottages?

I think so. And I have a PP pass. But I've heard that stretch from the park to the areas that people have suggested to fish is quote far and loaded with rocks. Then agai, so is the whole area isn't it? Thst will add some stress which is why I'd like to boat the area before we go for our trip. Would rather avoid stuff happening with my little guy tagging along

To clarify, we are planning on staying at Leisure Bay Landing (which has cottages, btw) but I want to go to PAB between now and then for a day trip on my own to "pre-scout". I could launch from there or Rock Pines and pay to launch but thought that if there is a free municipal launch, I'd use that instead (for the pre-trip day) Thanks!

I forgot to ask - Fishonline shows a government boat launch right in Point au Baril. Is that still functioning and is it free ? According to the site, it is. Or will I have to launch and pay at one of the two marinas ? thanks

I am heading there June 6-9 and staying at Leisure By Landing. Taking my 8 year old. We would love to get into some eyes and pike. Never been to PAB. If anyone would like to share some tips (PM?), I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

I see. So for central Ontario (say up to the French) the regular gps is fine then?

Went into Radio World the other day and chatted with the fellow at the counter. I went in to buy dongles that I want to use to connect the Helix 7 and Helix 5. I already have an ethernet cable set up between the two. He said they won't communicate.. the 5 wasn't made to do so. I am surprised by this. It has the port to plug in the dongle.. can anyone confirm this? a friend said they should communicate with the dongle/ethernet setup. Another interesting thing he said - he also informed me about something called Glonass. Apparently it's a Russian sattelite system that is more accurate once you are north of Gravenhurst. Apparently, the coordinates can be off from time to time with the default setting? He said it can be turned on from the unit you're using for navigation.. anyone heard of this?