Bass Fishing Tip of the Week 12/14/08: Essential Electronics in Today's Bass Boats

Bass boats and the electronics on them have come a long way since I started bass fishing. The advent of electronics in bass fishing has boosted quite a few pro careers as they became masters in using them. Let me list a few that can make or break you as a successful tournament fisherman.

1- The fish finder or depth finder. This piece of electronics used to be a flasher type where fishermen had to interpret the blips on a large circular disc. Today's depth finders give you the detail on a 2 D screen as well as what is lurking between the surface and the bottom of the lake.

The key to using the depth finder is to adjust the sensitivity correctly. The adjustment can show you more or less detail. Too high and thermoclines will show up and be interpreted as baitfish while too low will remove essential bottom detail.

Color is a great feature on this marvelous machines. This feature gives you a much better idea on bottom hardness and fish size.

Finally, get one for the front of the boat as well as for the drivers seat!

2- The GPS or Global Positioning Satellite system. This systems are used to mark routes and fish locations. The GPS replaced the old Loran systems and they are much more precise especially with WAAS and the elimination of the government placing offsets in the system.

The single most important feature is the ability to mark your fishing spot. This is invaluable in marking offshore spots where the old fashioned way required triangulation which can make finding your spot very difficult.Buy one and you won't regret it.

3- Pulse Width Modulation for Trolling Motors. This innovative electronic feature is incorporated in most trolling motors today. What this does is make your trolling batteries last much longer during a bass fishing day. The electronics "trick" the motor and reduce the power requirement while maintaining thrust. Don't buy one without it.

4- Aerator Timers. These are a "must" for tournament fishermen. The units allow the aerators to be timed to turn on and off a different frequencies. This can conserve battery charge and keep you fishing rather than worrying about turning your aerator on/off manually. You got to get one of these if you don't already!

Get these essential electronics for your bass boat and you'll definitely do more catching with less fishing!

Largemouth Herald