NANUK

I own well over a dozen Daiwa's spinning, baitcasters and trolling reels, never had a single problem in the last 20 years with them. just don't buy their bottom of the line reels, or any other manufacturer's for that matter.

Canadian prices are going back up (to reflect the exchange rate) check out the new 2009 LeBarons on line catalog, Shimano is not alone in in this "Gouging" game, I have had the same experience with St.Croix, even when our loonie was at par with U.S dollar the difference was more then 25% compare to U.S prices (at least @ BPS) I E-mailed and asked for the reason, never did get a satisfactory answer, it was some B.S about Canadian warranties etc.

Bad Boys, Foxie jig etc, all work well for Whitefish application, I find Shoal Diggers to be the best in quality and long lasting, they come with Mustad Ultra point hooks, better eyes and the paint doesn't chip off like some others, http://www.lightningserieslures.com/store/...;products_id=85

Navionics Great Lakes Chip SD-14XG has the following Entire Great Lakes, St Lawrence and the Canadian Maritimes, including Lake of the Woods, Rainy Lake, Lake Champlain, Trent Severn Waterway, Ottawa River, Rideau Waterway and the Finger Lakes.

The best $150 I spend when I bought the boat was on a swing away tongue(option), so it can fit in my garage. I still run a fan to dry it if the boat is wet after a day of fishing in the rain.

Sounds like you had the cover on while the boat was still wet/damp on hot sunny days, doing so, you'll get "The Green House Effect" the moisture has nowhere to go and just collects on the inside of the cover, after some time it creates mildew/mold. just wash it with a mild soap, rinse well with fresh water and let it dry in the sun. Not saying that is your problem but, make sure your boat is dry and has no water in the bilge(leaks) or have a wet/damp carpet or deck before you put the cover on. covering a boat is good practice but covering a wet boat on a hot day without adequate ventilation will eventually ruin the plywood/carpet, not to mention corrosion problems, specially to the electrical components.

I have had similar issues with an Okuma reel, lesson learned and I will never buy an Okuma product again.

I have caught a lot of salmon on E-Chip flashers, I've also caught a lot of salmon on many other brands too, so I can't say that E-Chip works better then the rest, but it definitely works!! I would say, try it, its the same price, what have you got to loose.

Transducer is under warranty for one year just like the display unit. but I bet you anything the first question they'll ask you if you have updated your software? check under MENU, SYSTEM INF, SOFTWARE VERSION, if it says 2.3.0 you have the latest software, DO NOT DO AN UPDATE. if not just follow the instructions on Lowrance site for how to update, http://www.lowrance.com/en/Downloads/Produ...ftware-Updates/ you'll need a SD card and reader on your computer, or call Lowrance (in Mississauga I think) and they will lend you the update SD card for a refundable deposit.

I agree, it looks like a faulty transducer, but that's just guessing. BTW, have you done the latest software update for LCX 27C(version 2.3.0) ?

That TD Advantage is a sweet reel, good choice.

18' or bigger boats, I prefer a full windshield, anything smaller and the full windshield takes up too much room so a side console for anything smaller then 18', but either must have a kicker with a tiller handle, run with the main and troll with the kicker. wishful thinking off course.

Good, reliable mid size truck.

Lew, check your PM.

I also have a 9.9hp kicker, electric start with an option of pull cord, it charges my cranking battery when trolling but also is a good insurance to get back to shore in case all batteries are dead, (which hasn't happened yet)

I have a group 31 deep cycle battery for my 55# trolling motor but everything else, 2 sonars, bilge, live well, lights etc is hooked up to my cranking battery, it is a 1000 CCA marine cranking battery, so far no problems. I always have a good jumper cable on board though.

How many colours of leadcore did you get? you need backing to utilize all colours/depth, backing is also required if you want to use planer boards, you don't want to put leadcore in the release clip. 150 yards of 50# braid is ideal for backing, use a few wraps of mono or some electrical tape before braid, then your leadcore and the floro leader. the above setup with 5 colours or less will fit the 320 GTi but for 10 colours you will need 330 GTi

Like mentioned above, the number of ball bearings doesnt necessarily reflect the quality of a fishing reel. some of very good spinning reels only have 5 or less ball bearings, like some of very good and proven trolling reels don't have more then 3 bearings, the mention of higher number of ball bearings in lesser brand reels is a gimmick IMO, only to catch the fishermen. some of Daiwa's less expensive reels have more ball bearings then their more expensive models, what does that tell you? precision gearing, tighter tolerances and good quality components are the key.

Go to the nearest Krown Rustproofing Centre and buy a spray can of Krown(T40 0r T32) cost about $7.00 a can, spray and wipe, excellent lubricant and rustproofing , no smell. works on trailer winch etc too. "BREAK.AWAY" by CYCLO is also a great product but has a bit of smell if you keep the tools in the house.

Pay special attention to "Transducer Mounting Instructions" in you manual, you don't want to drill more holes in your transom, use stainless screws and a good marine grade adhesive like 3M 4200 or 5200, a lot more expensive then regular silicone but worth every penny IMO. fill the holes and coat the screws with it before tightening the transducer bracket, use the in-line fuse(on +/red wire) supplied with the unit.

Nice toys! Don't forget to mail in the coupon for your free "Fish n chip" from Navionics .

no personal experience with PT, but mostly heard good thing about them. I looked at Daiwa Tierra, but for another $10 got the new Team Daiwa Advantage HSTA, big difference, a lot smother and overall better reel. if you do decide to check it out, make sure its HSTA(red spool and swept handle) and not HST(older version) I found LeBarons have the best price($139) on them,

I had never even heard of a map turtle, let alone see one! and it very refreshing to see soft water Thanks for sharing.

Angling Specialties, 3251 Kennedy Road. Unit 4 (south of Steeles) Scarborough. 416-609-0804 (I would call and ask first if they repair or have parts for the reels you need repaired.)

As long the oil meets the manufacturer's specs/ratings and it has SAE/API seal you will be fine, I figure what they charge for "Yamalube"(same as Honda oil) I might as well use the best, so I use Mobil-1 (10w-30) in my 4stk Yamaha outboard, Mobil-1 synthetic is compatible with conventional oil and its safe to use without an engine flush, don't forget to use a quality oil filter too. like WIX, K&N or Mobil-1.