I've been using FF sonar for 3 years now and you can tell the people who haven't used it because they think it makes fish magically appear in your live well... it doesn't. In fact, it takes fairly optimal conditions to "video game fish", however, it's awesome for seeing structure and finding pelagic bait fish, thus predatory fish. It can actually hurt you sometimes because you can waste time on fish that aren't the target species or are just unwilling to eat. It will never be banned in pro bass fishing because of the sponsorship money the manufacturers are dumping into the sport to sell this stuff. Lastly, I have never heard of, or believe that any state would ever stick their noses into banning any sonar technology... the states sets sustainable bag limits on whatever species for a reason. Even if it helps you catch your bag limit, you can only take a bag limit... And not to mention the fact that the majority of guys willing to spend this kind of money are probably competitive fisherman who are releasing their catches.

There are only a handful of fleuro's out there that are supple enough to use as a main line... seaguar Tatsu is probably the best... that being said, it's unnecessary. Learn an FG or alberto knot and run braid as your main line with whatever necessary leader material. You'll save tons of money on line... Mono for top water baits and fleuro for sinking baits. There are times where I'll use mono on lighter line techniques just to take advantage of the stretch as a shock absorber (jerk baits, spy baits and ned rigs)... Salmon and steelhead, I'd probably be running a good 12ft leader of mono for the shock properties, with fish that still get hot next to the boat a longer leader will allow you to get the knot on the reel for less chance of knot failure if she charges at landing time...

Out of curiosity ( this could be a learning moment for me ) why would you use a 6" tokyo rig? at that point why wouldn't you just use a drop shot? I use T-rigs at like 3 or 4", actually like them for punching, but 6"? what am I missing? Thanks!

The best out there... I've probably spent tens of thousands there and never had an issue... I think I've had 2 out of maybe 30 rods come in weird, they replaced them both no questions asked...

Along with the basic safety practices... Situational awareness is key... Know what the water is doing and know what's happening around you... She's gonna get some bumps and bruises, those are battle scars, wear
them with pride!

From what I've seen, it's pretty much panoptix... Which is fine by me cause I prefer the Lowrance units. I currently have live sight and can't believe how shitty it is for what it cost. I personally think lowrance should be taking the live transducers back (shouldn't have released it in the first place) and offering a significant discount for the Active target...

You get what you pay for... Personally, an ugly stick is a beginners budget rod that will take some severe abuse... however, the more refined your skill set becomes, the more you'll hate shitty, heavy, insensitive rods...

I have the boat fx steps on my Ranger Z521L and they are worth their weight in gold... just be careful jackknifing your trailer at tight launches, I hit the bumper on my brand new silverado and left a good mark...

I'm a tackle junky and I have a little of every brand out there... My favorite spinning is my Tatula LT's... however, the most solid reel I own in your budget range is the Penn fierce II... the president is a decent reel for the price they're smooth when new but if you fish them hard you'll feel the sloppiness pretty quick... your not gonna beat the all out toughness of a Fierce II for $60.00...

Water will still be pretty cold up there, LLS will be pretty active, much closer to shore than you realize... go on the navionics website and study the chart on moose head. any humps you can find topping out between 15 and 20 ft will likely have lakers and smallmouth near by. Sandy 20ft flats will have everything that swims cruising around... If your trolling than all the standards, wobblers, fiords, streamers etc.... if your casting? You can pretty much pick up a silver buddy or my favorite, a damiki vortex and fish that one lure all day and catch trout and bass.... make sure you a jerkbait in any smelt or perch immitating color for when your shoulders start screaming from fishing the blade bait.... Keep the blades on bottom, the shortest hops you can give it and feel it vibrate... you'll kill it up there!

Dude... Cheap magic eraser from the dollar store... buy a bunch of them. You're welcome.

I had a female loon dive on a jerkbait at the far end of a very long cast... I could not believe how hard she swam it was like fighting a striper, I was terrified of snapping off, as I didn't want that poor bird going off with 3 treble hooks hanging out of her. Where it got interesting was when her mate started dive bombing the boat, he was huge and fast! I eventually got her beside the boat, she had foul hooked herself in the meat of her thigh... I manage to get her over the rail and pin her down, threw a towel over her head to calm her down and i snipped the hook... that whole experience really shook me up at the time. That was one of those situations where even though It was an accident and I did all I could to release her unharmed... If Fish and Game would have saw that whole debacle? Who knows, loons are HIGHLY protected here in the North East...

I fished with spinning reels my whole life and when I started getting into competitive fishing I figured I had to learn to use bait casters... being used to left hand reels, I stuck with it for bait casting. I always thought it looked awkward and inefficient switching hands back and forth on every cast...

I've learned when your fishing hard, especially tournaments, it pays to refuel during the day... that being said... I bring things I can eat fast and keep rolling... greek yogurt, table talk pies, cut up fruit like pineapple or strawberries... gatorade or powerade... it reaaly does make a difference in your attitude and focus at the end of the day.

Yup. Gift cards are the best thing, I guarantee you he's got his eye on something he really wants but can't justify buying... an excuse to go shopping is the best gift you can give him!