2001 Product Reviews

[WAeyes]

I thought maybe there might be some interest in rating one or two products that you tried for the first time in 2001. This can be tackle, boats, gear, clothing, vehicles, or whatever related to fishing. Tell us the good, the bad, or the ugly but please be respectable and list reasons for your observations. Kind of like the WC version of Consumer Reports.

[Joe]

Good post! I bought a Garmin 12 XL GPS and it is the best investment I ever made.Very simple to use>

[WAeyes]

I purchased my first St. Croix fishing rod last year. I got a great deal on a Legend Elite/ES66MLFTG. This rod is perfect for casting 1/8oz to 1/4oz jigs. The light weight and sensitivity of it make it worth the $$. It is so sensitive I have use mono with it so I don't pull the lure away from the fish. Very, very happy with it so far.

[manitobawalleye]

bought too many lures...but 3 things really impressed me....
the drag and quality of my 1000 fin nor ahab megalite...
the diawa lc27 line counter reel ( built tough...)
doubles as a cat reel with clicker when i have guests using my abu's... no problem landing those red river cats...
third item hasn't been used thoroughly but yesterday the salmo darter
gmo took 8 of 16 eyes on the less than clear red river others split between pimples and jigger shads
and no need to get your hands smelly with bait.....
should mention one other product that we should be recommending to other walleye fanatics.... this top quality site and the hard work
by all involved... deserves a thumbs up... also all of the helpful people that take the time to post replies.......
BEST SITE OF 2001..........................

[perchjerker]

Manito touched on it-

The #1 2001 product without a doubt is right here!!! This site is the best thing I have come across for walleye fishing without a doubt!

Where else can you get product reviews, a fine a fish fry as you will ever find, expert help at the click of a mouse, tons of new friends...

All for free!!!

Gotta love it!!!

[Starfish]

Great idea!

A lure I tried for the first time that has impressed me so far is the Worden's Timber Tiger (DC13). I haven't pulled it for eyes yet, but I've pulled it for steelhead alongside wiggle warts and Hot Lips, and it got a nice steelhead on its first outing, tracked true at all speeds, and went about 20' deep on 12 lb. Maxima.

A disappointment was a Pflueger spinning reel (Summit 25). The reel looked and felt great, but the drag was very jerky. I've relegated it to perch jerking-- guess I'll stick to Stradics from now on.

A great deal on 8-1/2 foot boat rods-- Bass Pro had them on sale for $29.95. We got a bunch of fall chinook and steelhead on them. (Sorry, we really didn't do enough walleye fishing this fall!)

Fishing lines-- liked Sensithin 6 lb. for spinning reel(behaved well, strong, thin); Maxima Marine Green for downriggers, divers (cool color, abrasion resistant, tough); XPS fluorocarbon (Bass Pro) for leaders; and my usuals (Trilene XT, McCoy, Maxima Chameleon, Magnathin). Disliked Trilene XL (weak, twisted), Vanish (weak).

[tbomn]

First of all, I have to agree with the posts about this place being the best. I have been a believer since the beginning, and feel totally privilaged to help out here as a moderator, but all the credit has to go to Scott Golden for making this site the greatest on the web. Thank you Scott!!!!!!

Now, a product that I have found that I really like. I have replaced all my rod holders with the RAM 2000 with flush mounts. I wasn't really happy about having to drill holes in the gunnels of my Lund, but after I did, and used the holders, I was sold. They sit up high enough to be easy to put at any angle, they fit any type of rod with quick release out when you get a fish on. They are easily adjusted to any height or direction. They are the best I have ever used, and they are very reasonable for price.

So thanks to Scott and RAM for two very positive and helpful things for me in 2001:7 :7

[Hawgeye]

I have a few negatives about the company that purchased Storm but instead of mentioning the discontinued original Deep thunderstick, I do have to say that the new Thundercrank has worked great for me.

The other purchase that I made and have been totally happy with is a lower end GPS/Sonar in the Eagle Status. Nothing that I have purchased in recent years has helped me stay on a spot when the eyes are goin'!

The number one 2001 review has to be my 2001 Lund Pro-v that I purchased in the spring. Usually anything that is new has a few problems with it and need to be taken back to the dealer for tune-ups. Not my Pro-V, everything has been flawless "right out of the box!" Aside from their standard livewell issues, I couldn't be happier! Kudo's Lund and keep on makin the best aluminum walleye boat on the planet!

[hammertime]

i got to agree with the great sight and what a person can learn from this sight from fishing to what to do afterwards, and what people can learn about maintinace on there boats, trucks, personal equipment and anything that has to do with tackle, line or up-keep on them. this sight is the greatest!!!

[Fishingdog]

I think this is a great topic for cold winter evenings. Just to add to this, is there any new product that anyone used this year that you would like to throw away or that you feel you will never live without one? Just curious.

My "can't live without" this year is the Rod Wrangler. No more tripping over rods. Another "must have" for me is the Bow Buddy to protect my boat.

[WAeyes]

I'll tell you one I can't live without now. The Portable Buddy Heater by Mr. Heater, instead of waking up in my tent to 28 degrees, it is more like 48 degrees. No more wet, stiff clothes...oh baby that feels much better in the morning!!! I really like the idea of the low oxygen shut off sensor. Worth every dime.

[KevinA]

two-way tie for me.

A minnkota autopilot bow mount for my river boat & a Yam T-8 trolling motor for the offshore rig.

[mac]

I'm enjoying this even though I don't have anything to add and just want to bring it back to the top.

[Fred_G]

I would have to give a thumbs up to the 2001 Lund Angler with Merc 75 four stroke tiller that I purchased last year. The four stroke is extremely quiet and trouble free, and I really like the interior room and ride on the Angler. I am also very happy with the MinnKota 65 AP on the bow. My first boat and I think it will be a long time before I'm ready to trade. My wife even likes it!

Fred

[Marble Eyes]

I bought two Diawa SG27LC reels with Heartland Series Reels thru FISHUSA.com and I love em... Nice action on the Rods and the Reels are geared right for me, and appear to be well built.http://www.fishusa.com/tackleshop/catalog_product.asp

BECKMAN NET.... Great little treat for the Boat. Makes that part of Fishing a whole lot easier and faster... Nice and long handle and the coating on the Net keeps from digging hooks out of it.

Special-Mate box for all the crankbaits, Nice. Allows for easy storage and quick access to your favorite.
http://www.americantackle.com/tackbox.html

Two Shimano ST2000FG Stradic reels. I really like em... NIce feel to it when retriving and the "Super Stopper II" anti reverse is perfect for Vertical Jigging or casting weight forward spinners.

Garmin GPS 12 also a excellent purchase. Great for getting back into port at night or marking that favorite weedbed/dropoff or hazard to miss.


I also bought a couple of Dipsy Divers "0" but I have yet to get them to work or release like they should........(I think I need remedial Dispy school)! :)

[LaneLunder]

My Petzel Tikka headlamp. very light, extremely long lasting, and brite. a must have for night fishing, and finding your tree stand in the dark. I bought my first Lund in 2000, now I don't want to go fishing in another boat. I just wish I would have bought an Auto pilot bow mount. I used one for the first time and now I want to throw my foot-controlled unit away. Fireline for vertical jigging with a very soft tipped rod. You can feel the teeth of the fish. Happy new year everyone. Go Packers
Lane

[rog]

Garmin Map76 is really neat I use it all the time even in my truck, it is very acurate also usually under 20 feet.

[WAeyes]

I tried Power Pro fishing line on my spinning set up this year. I have to say I like it a little better than Fireline. Seemed to be a little quieter going through the guides and didn't fray as easily, although I know alot of the fraying is more cosmetic than a real fear of the line breaking. The Power Pro also is very manageable for casting...which is critical for me. I also tried Cabelas Ripcord...ick...felt like casting barb wire...took it off immediately for fear of guide wear.

[Hogslammer]

I can't seem to find the Power Pro line in any of the common tackle catalogs(Bass Pro, Cabelas, etc.) Where can I order this line on-line or through a catalog. TIA

[jewel375]

the ice is about as lame as possible do to my anticipation of new boat however, the fl18 that i purchased has made it bareable to waite for it to arrive. Id have to say its the best flasher in the water.

"fear no fish"

[WAeyes]

Cabelas Spring 2002 catalog page 23.

[Jim Carroll]

Three items deserve rave reviews from my boat:

1. Lowrance LCX-15MT. I ran two of these units and they were really impressive in their ability to mark fish. Their display is super, the menus are easily learned, and the MMC card concept allows for map storage, sonar data storage, software updates, etc. An excellent product in my estimation.

2. OPTIMA Batteries. Bullet proof. I had 5 OPTIMA'S in my boat this year- no maintenance, no terminal corrosion, leak proof, lightweight, and fast recharge. I never gave them a thought other than to plug in the charger. See all their excellent features at www.optimabatteries.com Money well spent.

3. Mercury Optimax 225. My 2002 Merc Opti had 115 hours on it when I sold it. Flawless. Ever see a grown man hug an outboard motor? :+ From 103 to 7 Deg. F. it started one turnkey every time and ran perfectly. I hope my new Opti will be that good.

[Dan]

Best investment for me this year was the Guest onboard charger. Hassle free battery maintenance, no more boiled dry batteries.

[Schnauzer]

I went from casual angler to addicted fisherman in 2001. This change is due to the purchase of a new boat last spring. So, as far as new products, I could list 'em all bow to stern. So, in the interest of time, I'll just mention a few words about the best and worst...

I couldn't be happier with both the Yamaha HPDI and the high thrust 4 stroke 8 hp kicker. The HPDI ran like a top on every outing from 100 degree mid summer oven bakes through my last outing, on a cold (15 degree)December 2nd night trip to Mille Lacs. I NEVER turned the key more than once all season and it never made so much as one strange noise. The 8 hp was smooth too.

As far as "worst" is concerned, it is tough to think of a product I just plain didn't like. If I were to do anything different on rigging the new boat, I would have gone with a higher end depth finder on the bow. The low end ones just are not much good for anything other than simply telling how many feet it is to the bottom.

[CrappieDay]

1. I was tired of wet feet while pheasant hunting. I bought a pair of LaCrosse Brawny boots. These are the most comfortable boot I have ever owned. Waterproof, extremely light (3.1 lbs.), comfortable. My Dad tried them and he is going to buy a pair also. The best thing, they were only $70 in cabela's.

2. 500 Condura faced field pants. I wore these hunting the other day. I had to walk in the multiflower rose just to see how they would do. They only way I can describe it is like putting teflon on your pants. The thorns did not stick or grab, they just slid off to the side. It was great.

3. Aqua-vu camera. I have only used it twice, but WOW!!! I loved it.

[GreggB]

Best of 2001

Vexilar FL-8. Can't say enough about this unit.

Magellan GPS 320 - Build in WAAS and can customize maps with CD

Okuma Epix 20 - 10 bearings smooth as silk. Best reel I ever bought ($50)

Wal-Mart brand stick baits - Slayed the walleyes with these and only $1.99.

Berkley XL/XT - Tried and true.

St Croix 2 piece spinning rod - Never go wrong with St Croix. Plus the factory is only a 2 hour drive away!

* Worst of 2001 *

Rapala fishing line - Kinks, coils, and breaks. Never again. I'd rather use binder twine.

(New) Storm Lures - Dont like the colors or the quality

Berkley Vanish - This line gives Berkley a bad name. Frays and breaks within a week.

[Skis]

Since I purchased a new boat this spring, I have lots of things I am happy with:

1) Alumacraft Magnum 175 CS - This has been a great boat! I handles rougher water well and I love the storage and open floor plan on the boat.
2) Mercury 125 - Only didn't start on the first try once this year, and that was because the safety switch was engaged! After getting the heavier mixture of oil/gas and putting in new plugs, it ran like a dream!
3) MinnKota Bow Mount trolling motor w/Auto Pilot - my first autopilot and it won't be the last! Very happy.
4) Air Ride seats - I will never go back to the others!
5) Berkley XT - It has to be one of the best, if not the best, fishing lines out there!
6) Lindy Fuzzy Jigs - Before this year, I didn't do much jigging, but these jigs caught some nice fish for me this spring & fall!

Not Happy With:
1) Not a product, but not near enough days on the water!!
2) Trilene - Tried a spool of this on a reel, chucked the rest! The backlashing was terrible!

[Chad]

Jointed Shad Rap RS-What a crank when used w/ lead.

Berkley Series One 7' spinning Rod

Fat & Sassy Worm Bedding-The food and water is already built in. Just add crawlers. They also make leech bedding.

[WyoEye]

2002 GMC crew cab shortbed with the Duramax diesel and Allison transmission. 20 mpg highway empty, 16.5 pulling 16 foot flatbed loaded with another vehicle.The power is awesome and its quiet. Can't wait to hook up my fifth wheel and the boat behind that.

[Minnesota]

I cant believe the Rapala Tail Dancer has not been mentioned (good or bad).

Minnesota

[fishbld]

Garmin 12 GPS and Cabela's Guidewear, both great purchuses for this year, getting a new fishfinder in a few months, hope it works great too.

[moreyes]

I have had my boat for a year now and was able to get a good handle on what was good and not so good.
1-Lund Mr Pike awsome fishing platform, from Milleacs to small lakes, everybody who I fished with loved it.
2-Yamaha 115 four stoke,awsome engine cost a little more but I thought it was worth it.
3-Pinpoint setup,7420,7520 and 2700SX motor big thumbs up,graphs are awsome.
3-Garmin 162 gps,also a thumbs up, I was disipointed in their Canada CD rom.
4-Guest three bank charger, could not be with out.
5-Sparten boat trailer,the biggest piece of cr@!*% out there, if any one is buying a new rig avoid this trailer at all cost, e-mail if you want details(ugly)
6-St Croix rods,you get your what you pay for,great rods and service.
7-Maxima fishing line, good stuff.
8-Shimano reels,also great stuff

Good luck,moreyes