My Gear and Gadgets
My shallow water anchor is the 'Talon' by MinnKota. I use the 10' version. Its my new favorite electronic fishing device. I use it at the dock to anchor while I go park, hold on structure when flipping for bass, lock down the boat when re-tying so I don't get out of sync and even swimming with the family on the sand bar - I can't believe how much I use this thing. Now that I have one, I wouldn't own another boat without one or even 2. Great investment. Simple install and simple operation.
My motor is a Mercury 115HP ProXS. This thing is a beast. Great power and excellent gas mileage. It pops my 19 foot Pro-Elite right out of the water and gets up on plane in no time. With the Big Tiller Handle and smart craft gauges - it trolls down to crank bait speeds. Super Quiet and easy to handle. Best Motor on the Market !
I capture all the action on my fishing adventures with my GoPro Hero +3 Black. Media is SanDisk 'Extreme Plus' 32GB & 64GB. Having extra batteries and micro SD cards is a must. I rely on the juice pack, back door battery and even extra batteries to make it through the day. The clamp comes in handy when attaching camera to trolling motor or marine band radio antenna for a great angle of the action in the boat.
My transom Trolling Motor is the MinnKota Vector with 3x Steer. Its a 24v 80 LB trust motor. Its great for fishing walleyes. I use it to correct my drift to stay on the break or edge of structure. With a pivoting head and adjustable length handle - it comfortable to control. The prop head is also push button reversible - so you can use it to back troll. Every walleye chaser needs one of these.
I run a Humminbird 898sci - in the bow of my boat. This graph packs everything a fisher person needs in to a mid sized unit. Its compatible with MinnKota Trolling motors to take care of following contours. The down and side imaging is amazing. Depth highlight is one of my favorite features. Easy to use interface and super tough construction makes this a great graph for weekend anglers and professional tournament enthusiasts.
The newest weapon in my 'Boat Control' arsenal is the MinnKota ULTERRA. This thing is "beast mode" boat control. I have never had something change the way I fish more since the introduction to GPS and Lake Mapping. If you haven't researched this motor. You. Need. To. I absolutely love it. Multi Species anglers and Bass/Walleye Tournament anglers alike - need one of these on the front of their boats.
One of my all time favorite walleye setups. 7'-2" Fenwick EliteTECH rod with Shimano Reel spooled with 6lb Sufix Elite Camo. Rigged with a Roach Rig. Which consists of a rubber 'bobber stop' style sinker slide. I use a bright orange hook #4 or #6 tipped with a jumbo leech or shiner minnow. The Eyes can't resist !! I fish this bail open with finger on the line - feel the RAP, release. Giving the required amount of line. Flip bail, reel slack until I feel the fish and than cross his eyes. Fish ON
For lead core trolling I use a Cabela's Troll Master rod and reel combo. 9' rod with a DM30 line-counter reel to fit the 18Lb lead and 30' fireline leader. My favorite lures are the Salmo Hornet and Berkley Flicker Shad. I pull lead from 1.8 -2.1 mph. Knowing the dive depths of your lures is a must. Great summer walleye tactic when fish are full and spread out.
My favorite bass vacuum - is a Fenwick TechnaAV with Shimano reel - spooled with Sufix Siege or Elite. Depending on cover I'm fishing for Lb test. The Whacky Rig. I love to rig it drop shot style and fish the bait Whacky. LakeFork Baby RingFry or BigBiteBaits make excellent soft boats for which ever style you want to fish.