TOPIC:

OK captains, it’s just a matter of weeks before my new boat (R160) arrives and so I’m starting to “gear-up” and have many questions:
For Sonar/GPS I’ve settled on a Garmin EchoMap Plus 74sv with a CV51M-TM transducer (I’ll be fishing the Eastern coastline also). First question, do I need a speed transducer or is GPS for trolling speed monitoring enough?
Is getting a VHS radio a priority?
I’ll have an 18 gallon full tank with a 70 HP Yamaha engine. I’m sure I can calculate how far this will take me but does this sound like enough fuel to get around the South End for a day of trolling?
Is setting up an NME 2000 network for engine information over kill? Expensive?
How far out does one have to go for deep water fish?
I’m shopping for outriggers. Any critical considerations on these?
I’m also shopping for a couple of new reels/poles with lead and/or copper line since all of my current equipment is spinning gear. Any recommendations?
Any other “must haves” or considerations that come to mind? I’ll be getting all the usual safety gear and just completed the IN boater safety course.
Finally, I’ll be trailering straight up Rt31 (or 65) from Indianapolis. I can look these up but I’m wonder what are the best launch sites on the South End?
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide (I haven’t even gotten to my fishing tactics questions yet)!

There are others that wil give advice on your other questions, but your 18 gallon fuel tank will be more than enough for days of trolling with your 70 Yammie......

I have been running the same tank of fuel (i have a 60 Yamaha on a 17' boat) for 5 trips thus far on the south end coho fishing.... I can run 70-80+ miles, 3-4 days fishing on my 19 gallon tank while I am in Canada easy, the Yamaha's are very good on fuel!

Also I have been buying the New Okumas Magda reels and GLT rods and for the money I really like them... I know there are better/more expensive setups but my Magdas work very well, for a few more dollars they are significantly better than the Cabela's combos that I started learning to troll with.

Unless you really want them for somewhere else, outriggers are not something used by most guys around here. I know a few guys use them for bottom bouncing lakers, but planer boards and dipsies are generally used by most guys. The fish move around a lot throughout the year but you can move with them on a trailer. In many cases you’re fishing within a mile or two of your port. Somewhere in the 15 mile neighborhood is what I’d consider a long run to fish. I’d reccomend getting with another boater or taking a charter trip or two the learn the basics of running boards, dipsies, and down riggers. Then, just start with a simple 6 rod spread and buy your gear as you need it. You’ll want conventional bait casting style reels on all your trolling rods. You can get by with spinning gear if you absolutely must but it doesn’t play nice. If you’re using boards, dipsies, and riggers settting lines sucks and line twist is horrible. That being said, at certain times of year, early spring or when the skamania are stacked up after a flip, you can have plenty of action just dragging crankbaits/plugs on flatlined spinning gear. GPS or surface speed is fine for me, I fish confidently watching my dipsy rods and downrigger cable to judge speed. But if you have the appetite and budget a downrigger probe with speed and temp is the way to go. These fish can be caught paddling around in a kayak with a cheap some days and other days you can have a million dollar offshore sportfisher with 250k worth of gear and electronics and still end up skunked.

Weakfish,,,,,,, southshore gave you some really good info. One Item he mentioned that I would X2,,,,,, contact Captain Mike( BrotherNature) he does charters were he will teach you how to use the equipment your asking about. He has decades of knowledge,,,,, and for the cost of a learning charter you would be money ahead in what your specific needs might be. Marine radio, you will have contact with others and any emergency you can get help. Marine weather forecast is another plus. Like the commercial says " Don't leave home with out it".

Marine radio!!!

I would second the suggestion to take a charter with Brother Nature. That is how I got started on the big pond. Capt. Mike will show you everything and even let you run the spread. He helped me out a TON!! Just let him know what you are doing and he will teach you all he can.

Make sure you meet the federal Coast Guard regulations as well.
Skip the NEMA 2000 engine info.

Thanks for the referals, guys. Saves me self-editorializing. I would think commuting up 31 from Indy would be the long way around. Come up I-65 to I-80/94 then it's 7 miles to Portage Public Marina or 11 miles to East Chicago.

Most critical points have been touched on already and all good advice. The first thing to think of is safety and meeting those requirements as stated and also as said a Marine radio even if a portable waterproof handheld for space considerations should be in everyones safety go bag. With the Cell phones most dont think about it but if you are going to be fishing off shore depending on your carrier about 6 or 7 miles out you will lose service or be spotty at best. A permanent mount will get you more distance with the bigger antenna but most handhelds transmit around the same power and in the even of a catastrophic event is good to have a backup to take with you.

Most everything else is going to come down to personal preference and boat configuration making everything work together. It is a good idea to see a few different setups and talking to the different fishermen on the site is a very good start. I always suggest before you go wild and buy a bunch of stuff to sit down and make a list of needs and wants based on your fishing habits and future desires at this time. Know fully well this list will change several times based on information you read or hear from this and other sites. If you are restricting yourself to fishing out of Indiana then your list will be much different than if you are going to travel to Mi or Wi where water depths increase closer to shore.

Last point for this post I will say from my years of experience as Southshore said, Temp and Speed at the lure is the most important piece of information I have for setting my spread, In My Opinion. I am not saying fish do not get caught without probes but it can significantly increase production day in and day out with the currents that can develop for both in and offshore fishing.

Good luck and Keep the questions coming this site will provide a lot of answers and experience for you to think about.

Get a nice marine radio setup - I would do this before worrying about rigging. Safety first. Alot of good info in this thread to get you started. And has been stated, keep the questions coming, plenty of great guys on here to help you get rolling.