Thanks for the pic. There are great examples on line too of things like an underwater tree showing crappie spread out amongst the branches.
I can't seem to post any of the pics for some reason but search "Humminbird side scan sonar" Depending on your browser click on Images near the top and you'll find hundred of photos showing the actual fish and details you never imagined. It takes learning how to interpret the scans to get the orientation.

Never buy the cheapest --- Unless you like to own crap and stuff that gives you headaches and doesn't work well.

In the last twenty or so years "fish finders" have, through technology, evolved to TRUE fish finders. The old ones were primitive and false alarmed on branches, logs, thermoclines, vegetation, rocks and other stuff when there were really no fish there. Today you can get a real electronic picture of what is down there in fine detail and see the fish. Usually you can tell what kind they are too. This is what ALL the Pro fishermen do today. They spend a lot of time looking for the fish and only fish where they find them - duh ! Remember, 90% of the water contains NO fish. Do these new sonars have a learning curve, they sure do. Is it worth the effort to learn it - absolutely. Will learning some new things hurt you - no way, it is actually good for your brain to strain it.
I know we all want easy but the effort and cash you put forth will really help you and change your fishing. You'll no longer be one of those guys who is "drowning worms." I researched and bought a Humminbird and think they are the best. Look at what Side Scan sonar will show you - see the demo unit at your store. Bass Pro & Cabelas have multiple units and brands. Don't go too small of a screen. After all, you don't watch a 5" TV, right?
Remember 10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish - it is your choice.

Thanks Spiritof27.
DMV, it must be Department of Motor Vehicles. What else could it be ??? ha, ha.

I think this is a great idea ---- [paraphrasing] Fill the guide in about the people on board. It's REALLY important for him to know what he’s facing. . . . get a private minute with him and say something like "Jim doesn't have any experience so please help him out the most. Bob will need a little help, he isn't super experienced. If you just put me over some fish and tell me what to do I'll probably do OK." by DancesWithTrout – see above.

Tipping is a strange situation as most of the time you are tipping after the fact and therefore have no control over the outcome. I have found in certain situations that I get Superb results by tipping in advance. For example, at the car wash and many other places, you are just another customer. From their point of view some people tip and some don't so you end up getting whatever the "Standard" job is. Watch a few cars before yours comes out and determine who is the lead guy [or hardest worker] of the group who dries your car and cleans the interior. As they start on your car, walk over, be personable and greet the lead guy, talk to him for a few seconds about anything [ e.g., “Wow, you are really a hard worker, I admire that” ] then stuff $10 in his hand and ask him, "Hey Buddy, could you guys do an extra good job on the interior for me?" Or "the inside windows need some help, can you take care of me on that?" and thank him sincerely. A little friendliness, recognition, appreciation and extra cash go a long way. You'll be amazed what happens. I get my money's worth with a better job and they are pleased too. Most times cars are stacking up behind me as they are still working on my car - [snickering] he, he.

Make sure you have a good guide with a good reputation who knows the waters well. [check with friends, internet reviews]

This tipping in advance works almost everywhere. With the fishing guide shortly before you leave, get him aside alone and stuff a $100 bill in his hand. Tell him something like, " These guys are my best friends, can you show them an extra good time today?” **Put in ‘Dances With Trout’s’ ideas (at Top) here ** Now you must also do your part; make sure you are all mannerly and considerate customers. Engage in conversation with your guide, treat him like a friend, ask polite and interesting questions and he’ll be happy to teach you some things. You'll have a great time no matter what and you might just get the fishing trip of a lifetime – sometimes the fish don’t cooperate but I’m sure your guide will be doing his best for you. When you are finished make sure you thank him and if you have a super good trip thank him profusely and you might consider an additional tip.

I was going to say Striper also.

We just pack up the washer and dryer in the back of the pickup.
One Warning: They do interrupt the fishing a lot. And you have to bring a waste water tank cuz you can't dump the soapy water back into the lake. So frankly the pond or creek outback of the laundromat is the best idea.

OK too many abbreviations -- so where is PG ? ?

deleted

re: "Crappie fishing in DMV area"

I am pretty sure the Department of Motor Vehicles would wig out if you brought your rod and reel in.
They don't have much of a sense of humor.

Back to the original question - One thing I have always wondered is how resistant is braided line to fuel, solvents other things. I found a chart for Dynema, which I think is almost all the newer braid. It is resistant to EVERYTHING - gasoline, diesel, solvents, weak acids, weak sodium hydroxide, saltwater and more. The only thing that slightly affected it is something you are not going to have around anyway. I think it was a 25% acid solution with some type of permanganate in it. This makes sense to me as Dynema is Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and as we all know low density polyethylene [like the old Tupperware containers] is resistant to everything except high heat. I love braid, it is great to use [it's small, super strong, lasts forever] and I'm never going back to the horrible monofilament except I have to use it ice fishing and it is still a nightmare there. It seems severe abrasion would be the only possible problem with braid.

For sure and not to mention that it is unruly on your reel and takes a set on it. You know you are in trouble when you cast it out and it sits on the water like a Slinky. Not only do you lose your casting distance but you'll get loops and knots. THROW IT OUT ! Buy braid.

OMG, I can't stop. One more thing. You'll love this stuff. When you make a bad cast you'll get your lure back cuz you can now yank branches out of trees this stuff is that strong. How cool is that ? Don't pull with your rod though, grab the line out in front of the rod and you'd better have a rag or glove on your hand because braid will cut you badly. Go to Saltstrong dot com. They have free fishing tips, videos AND the results of their own knot tests; you can print the results. This is so valuable as most lost fish or lures are from weak knots. Knots are the weak link and there are knots that are better with braid to hook/swivels and braid to your fluorocarbon leader. Trust me on this. ............Ok, I lied, it was more than one thing but now I'm Done.

OK here is a review from amazon --- he says it better than I can and I agree with all he says:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was told this stuff was the best, and now I see why.
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2018
150YD/30LBVerified Purchase
It's hard to get too excited about fishing line, but I will say that this stuff is pretty incredible. After listening to the recommendation of many of my angler friends, I picked up a spool of 30lb. Power Pro braid. With this being my first experience with braid, I was shocked at how small (thin) the line was. In fact, I feel like that is the only part where I went wrong in the purchase....I should have bought 50 or 65lb instead. Not that I'm having any issues with 30lb (I'm ripping my lures out of stuff I never could before because the line just won't break! - unless it get sheared by something), but seeing how small this stuff is, I don't see any reason to go with a lighter weight. PLUS I'm told the heavier lb braid tends to cast better with fewer backlashes.
The other thing that I love about this braid is how well it communicates movement. You feel EVERYTHING with this line. I can immediately tell if my spinner baits are spinning properly. I can tell if my crank baits are actually swimming or are just being dragged sideways because it got tangled up in something. Mono feels almost strange to me now (too much stretch). Look, I know there are appropriate uses for each type of line, but over all I find that I prefer using braid over mono or fluorocarbon.
My conclusion is that this will be the only braid I ever buy. It's super strong, sits on the water well, casts great, and communicates what's happening on the end of the line like no other line I've used. Big thumbs up!

It is me again, bru. Be careful where you buy your line. There are many knock offs in real looking boxes which are bad line, pieced reels [more than one piece of line on the spool] -- Amazon has a lot of complaints about this. Get it from a bait shop, reputable store or a REAL online full-line fishing store so you know you have the real thing.

OMG !!! I can't believe how many people told you to save this line. It is cheap crap they put on combos and will do this to you again and again. You don't want this headache. If you want to play with this line do it in your living room. If you want to fish get rid of it. Monofilament is OLD TECHNOLOGY, maybe 70 years old, it is crap and even the very expensive kind will do this to you again and again. Get rid of it ! Get BRAID, you will be happy and be able to fish. Is it perfect ? Hmmm..... almost. I like Power Pro in yellow so I can see where it is and detect bites easily. It is super strong and very, very thin, which is why I buy a way heavier line than what I really need. A light weight 10# is almost like sewing thread [or 3-4 human hairs thick] which makes it a little hard to deal with. Look in the store packages and you'll see 30# isn't very thick, you might want 50#. I'll post another's review who says it better than I can.

I've been liking Power Pro braid a lot for years and used the yellow because of its visibility. It is great so I thought the red would be good as it is visible too yet more invisible IN the water. OMG !, was I surprised. With red it is so hard to see where your line is or how tight it is or any nibbles that I took it off my reel. Just FYI.