Any new toys for the Open Water Season - Mille Lacs Lake Fishing (Fishing Reports, Events, Tournament Information and more)

Doug Ertl · Website Admin

Any new toys for the Open Water Season

Eyes of the world · Member

I just ordered and received this customer rod rack for my 620. Also couldn't take, so just picked up I-Pilot for terrova. I'm sure I'm far from done !

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MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Thanks Doug -- An upgrade tip from Malmo Mike here:
biggrin biggrin biggrin
I just upgraded my Alumacraft boat with the Lowrance HDS-7 Fishfinder/GPS Chartplotter system and the Lakemaster Pro chip for Mille Lacs.
TIP:
There is a $100 rebate right now from Lowrance on either of the HDS-5 or HDS-7 units,
so that makes the price attractive.
At Reeds in Onamia they offered a good discount on the Lakemaster Mille lacs chip when purchased with your Lowrance.
So that made this a very attractive upgrade on my new boat.

Glen Ertl · Gray Goose Captain

Love the opener count down !!!! I will be pcking up a new case of beer for opener for sure... other than that..who knows ??!!!

hemirt69 · Member

just got two used lowrance lms 522i gps fish finders for my boat one for the dash and one for the front smile

thinking they will be an improvement over the nothing I have now.

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

I really Like Glen's idea for the Opener: a new case of cold beer.
Way to go Glen.
I will be packing some myself on the Alumacraft 175 TS rig.
You can just follow me around if you run low.
Bobber will be fishing in camo gear again, so finding hinm will not be so easy.
smile

Too Much FUN so little TIME.

Bobber · Admin / Moderator

HaHa, I'll be fishing right out your door there MalmoMike!!

You maybe will want to keep a close eye out....never know who might tie up on your dock!!

Bobber · Admin / Moderator

Oh, by the way......I think I'm going to buy a new co-pilot for my bowmount! I need to go wireless......just tired of having that cable on the floor!

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Sounds great Bobber,
You are most welcome on our dock any time.
smile

The early open water fishing in Malmo and Agate bay is always pretty interesting!
Fisher's rock pile always produces.

On my new Alumacraft rig, the bow locator came with its transducer mounted on the transom to prevent the wiring on the deck and trolling motor shaft. Let me know how your idea works out. That is a great idea for an upgrade.

Eyes of the world · Member

Off the subject, Bobber, what do you have for a bow mount?
I am installing an I-Pilot and have co-pilot (new last year) for my terrova, along with extra controller that I might not have any use for. Also have a freind that I know has one or two new in the box he might deal on.
Just curious.
Mike

Bobber · Admin / Moderator

I have a minnkota auto pilot "2005" model

Fife · Formica Flat Vet

Nothing too exciting for me yet, gut I did add about 50 new crankbaits, 3 new rods and reels, and a couple boat modifications.

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Hey Mike,
That is one heckuva deluxe rod rack on your 620 Ranger.
It is quite a rig that you have shown us. WOW.
We will just surround the walleyes.

I will be having fun watching them with my new Lowrance HDS-7 in color.

Malmo Mike is watching the walleyes on the HDS...

gpalma · Member

Just need to figure out where to hang my electronics this spring. Gets to fishing spots PDQ

Muskymadness · Veteran Member

Just picked up two new St. Croix Triumph rods. Think I am going to put a couple Phlueger Presidents on them.

Anyone else have a favorite reel in the $30-$50 range?

walleyebry · Member

Just recieved my new Terrova with I-pilot from Jolly Ann Marine. Cant wait to throw it on the Ranger and try it out.

Walleyebry #993

Wade · Member

Not too many new things this year, just hope to be able to use and learn the new ones from last summer, Lowrance HDS 5 & 7 and Terrova with I-pilot.

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Hopefully you and I can share notes after a day or two as I have a new Lowrance HDS-7 myself.

smile biggrin confuse

Of course, the HDS-8 and HDS-10 are incredible but that was too big of a cost item for my boat and rig. I thnk the HDS-7 will perform quite well on an 18ft boat.

tat2jonnie · Senior Member

Muskymadness wrote:
Just picked up two new St. Croix Triumph rods. Think I am going to put a couple Phlueger Presidents on them.
Anyone else have a favorite reel in the $30-$50 range?

I bought the President for my favorite Fig Rig last year and didn't miss a fish or have problem one with it. (well over 200 fish)

Wade · Member

yeah the HDS 8 & 10 were awesome but I opted for a 5 & 7 stictly economical and layout wise there. Great units, just know there is so much more they can do that I don't know.

I would be glad to share notes sometime.

Jethro · Member

I am waiting for my New 621 from the boat show! Dont think I missed a bell or whistel on the boat. Cant wait to back it down the Hunters ramp for the first time! I do like the case of beer post the best so far!

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

A New Toy-- Fishing rod and reel for Malmo Mike:

I just ordered from my friend Lee at Reed's: a Fenwick Elite Tech Walleye crank bait casting rod:

Fenwick® ELITE TECH- WALLEYE CRANKBAIT Casting Rod EWC66M-MF (1139452)

and a good matching Shimano Citica Real: Shimano Citica® CI200E

Shimano Citica® CI200E

Too Much Fun...

Sutty · Member

I just ordered a Bird 998. It will be my first HD unit and first time I didn't go with Lowrance. Won't have it this weekend though supposed to show up monday.

Dr O · Member

I Think Malmo Mike should go to work part time for Reeds.. Or they should give him a commision for any board members that buy at Reeds biggrin At the very least, Adam should be buying him "cold ones"!

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Howdy Dr. O,

Yes, I had fun at Reed's yesterday during my visit there.

It was a $400+ shopping day for more fishing gear and boat accessories...HA! Tat2Jonnie shops there too and Bobber. I check online and then see who wins (quality and price) or who is competitve of course.

It is a little clooudy here today at Malmo Bay but it is improving steadily.

Have fun ...Malmo Mike witll be on the water today testing the new boat and HDS Sonars. It is a tough job...but some one has to do it.

adamwill · Member

I have a HDS 5 - Love it Now - 1st couple i had were junk, but lowrance got the software straightened out now. Make sure you go to www.lowrance.com and download the latest software - it makes a big difference. Good luck

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Howdy Adamwill,

My HDS-7 was incredible today on the lake. The HD and color screens are awesome. I got great sonar images and detection. It is quite a unit -- I am very pleased as I learn the unti better each day. Very good shallow water warnings of course and great imaging of strcuture and surface activty too.

It is a great Sonar tool and navigation tool. I am very happy with mine. smile smile smile

tat2jonnie · Senior Member

Geez, Mikey, and I was happy with new line and a good assortment of jigs.....

tat2jonnie · Senior Member

Doug Ertl wrote:
Anybody have any new toys they are pumped to try out for the open water season.
We all know Malmo Mike has the new boat that he is itching to get out in.
I want to pick up a new electronics package but haven't decided what yet.

Had to get him going, didn't ya!

sjborton · Member

Changed out trolling motors to a MinnKota Powerdrive V2 w/iPilot...no more foot pedal!

Played around with it last weekend water testing the boat and equipment..pretty sweat and smooth. Love the features, especially the autopilot and track record/playback.

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Howdy Jon, Good Morning Captain Jon,

Yup I got all revved up yesterday in the Malmo Bay Bomber Boat. Malmo Mom said I came by going like hell....

Even Malmo Mike can find the fish with this HDS-7 unit in HD color WOW. Now I have to find out how to get them to take my bait of course.

That is always the tricky part. confuse wink

Jon, Stay between the navigational buoys please! HAHA.

tat2jonnie · Senior Member

Red Right Return, buddy.

Willy · Member

The wife and I stopped in at Reed's on the way up Friday to look at the locators. Wouldn't you know she bought me a HD Hummingbird combo. She said Father's Day come early this year. What a nice unit. It worked great. The Reed's staff was very helpful and informative. I can hardly wait to see what Christmas will bring.

Wheres Waldo · Member

tat2jonnie wrote:
Red Right Return, buddy.

Please explain this. Does it mean you stay to the right of the red buoys?

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

My good friend Jon is an experienced, licensed captain, so his terminology is impeccable. He also knows how to catch fish!

Here is the normal explanation of navigaitonal buoys from Malmo Mike:

1. Channels are marked with red and green bouys.

2. Outbound or Downstream:

The green markers mark the right edge of the channel as you are headed out to sea (downstream in a river, towards the dam in a reservoir). Red markers mark the left edge.

3. In Bound or Return:

So, you want to keep the green markers on your right during the outbound leg of your journey, and the Red on your Right on your Return.

Hence: 'Red Right Return' as Tatjonnie has stated.