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Jums I have the same boat but a 2014. 1st is safety- if you don't have a full marine radio I would suggest getting that first (I started with a hand held the first year not figuring on Lake Michigan fishing).

I have a couple of the Cabelas Depth Master reels and so far they have been good. I also came across a bass Pro Lunker reel (no line counter) that seems super solid and it was only $59. I ended up getting my Manual Down Riggers off this site (check out the for sale section at the bottom of the forums page). BN is right - you will really max out at no more than 4 people if you want to fish- 3 is perfect. I am running all Cabela's plastic rod holders connected to the Alumarails. My Downriggers I have connected to a board I use J-Bolts to mount to the back of the boat so they do not take up any space if I want to go bass fishing or family out on the boat for some fun. I also have a rod holder pole from Cabelas that sits in the rear center seat post hole - that is good for a long center line. I only run two poles off the side of the boat, one on the edge of the board and two down riggers. I have run a full 9 pole spread but it is pretty cramped on the 175.
I dont have anything for sale but since I bought the boat 2 years ago I have spent a good chuck of money getting rigged up. I know more and more guys are selling their Salmon gear so just keep an eye out. Also if you search my posts there was a guy that I got my riggers from- he used to have a bunch of rods and reels for sale. That was at the beginning of the year so not sure what he has left. UPDATE: here is the thread www.thesouthend.org/index.php/forum/clas...ls-and-planer-boards
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to get started you should be able to get some poles and the DepthMaster reels for under $100 a set (Cabela;s has the combo's on sale often and even without a sale they are like $80 for the combo I think). I started with 4 poles and the one center pole last year and actually caught a decent amount of fish (that was my first year Salmon fishing so I was really happy with how I did).

If you want to know how I am fully setup or picture just let me know. I don't run the big planars just because it is one more thing I need to learn and spend money on so I am still just using the Walleye boards. That being said I hear the big planars are the way to go.

one of the Mods should be able to move the original thread and delete this one for you.

Hey Jums,
I have 2 Big Jon Electric down riggers for 125 each and also have 2 stationary triple trees for 25 each. I sold my boat in July and took most of the gear off and my new boat has stuff already. I was going to advertise next spring. I am out of Portage. If you're interested let me know or shoot a PM

I forgot to mention some other items were a couple of DR weights $10 each, big igloo cooler (about 48" ?) $30, 12' extension net $30 but a 12' net in a 17' boat may be a bit much. I am sure I am forgetting some.

Thanks Ed good hearing a perspective from someone with a boat similar size. I do have an Uniden marine radio with a GAM SS-2 marine whip antenna (I can usually pick up chicago talk from Michigan city with that set up) Hummingbird helix 9 SI GPS, Cabelas rod holders on the alumatrac, 85 lbs bow mount Terrova with auto pilot, suzuki DF140 (which slowest i can get on a calm day is 2.5 mph... 1.9 on a windy day.... don't know if that's too fast or not) I want to get a drift sock for trolling and also for walleye fishing Detroit next Feb. But I would enjoy to see pictures of your rigger board with the J clamps that might be cheaper than buying these mounts. www.colliflower-zci.com/all-products/6nh...bejkj99ra5fig9d7wvzn

I combined all of them into this one topic to make life easier. Thats a good deal on the riggers off the hook. Heck if jums doesn't take them maybe i will

Thanks, sorry for the confusion on my first post! OTH I sent you a message!!! Thanks again everyone for making this a painless transition. This is my first online forum with locals hopefully by next Spring I'll be all ready and be able to share stories and photos with ya'll

Don't be tempted to "start" with in-line planers then move to big boards. last I saw Walleye Boards are around $30 EACH, Yellow Birds almost as much.

With a handsaw and a quarter-inch drill you can make a set of big planers for:

1 X 8 X 8 = $6.50

1/4 - 20 X 36 ready rod $2.00 each (buy two)

Eye bolt: $1.00 each (buy two)

Nylon chalk line cord $5.00

Home made releases from alligator clips and shower curtain rods - about $.65 each.

Can of bright spray paint = $4.00

I have very little trust in plastic rod holders.

Jums,

I will comment on the trolling aspect of things. You mentioned 2.5 speed assuming GPS speed that will get you in the ball park for Salmon and steelhead as most guys will tell you 2.5-3.5 depending on the day and currents. Currents can be very different from top to bottom so you will want to play around with speed until you find what is working. For Lake Trout and down to Walleye you would be looking at getting below 2.5 and bags will definitly get you there. I have used bags on boats up to the 36ft I had. I would suggest you buy a pair of bags when you get them, I run them in pairs on the smaller boats as this reduces your speed and stablizes your steering so you are not making a hard turn on the wheel to go in a straight line. On the bigger boats I usually can counter act this by running the opposite side motor from the bag and have found it to be easier to run 2 bags on the smaller boats. PM me if you would like to see different setups I currently can show you a 14ft spring setup, 17 1/2 Salmon and Walleye rig to the 36ft deepwater set and am not to far away.

Never used bags. Been on boats that did. Will defer to the guys with experience.

I have used a Happy Troller trolling plate on the last three boats I owned. I'm very happy with them - after beefing up the plate with angle iron to keep it from bending.

Either way - trolling bottom end being 2.5 is about a mile an hour too fast. Do something to slow it down.