February 27, 2009
*On a personal note, it’s been awhile since my last submission and I’ve missed chatting with you all, but I have been dealing with my wife Darlene’s cancer and the latter part of 2008 has been very hard on us. Please remember her in your prayers.
The current situation with our economy is causing all of us to watch our dollars. I’ve been getting lots of calls asking advice on what units to buy on a budget. I can tell you the best buy for your money right now (if you’re just trying to get into a unit) would be the X135 Black and White unit. It’s a very good unit for the money. It doesn’t have G.P.S. but for the average fisherman this is a great unit at a good price – around $400.00. The 510c color version of the X135 sells for around $500.00. If you want to pump up to a G.P.S. unit I recommend the 520c.
Head over to your local boat dealer. There are a lot of close-out sales going on now so you might want to check around.
I’ve also received many questions about updating existing units. I really recommend you using the available updates through Lowrance to keep your units current. You can download your individual unit’s latest software update at Lowrance’s website here: http://www.lowrance.com/en/Downloads/Product-Software-Updates/ Just click on your unit and you’ll get the latest update along with handy instructions on how to update.
A lot of you have concerns about the shallow grass problems we had with the 2008 units. When in shallow water conditions, especially with grass, some of the units had trouble reading the bottom through the grass. Lowrance’s 2.3.0 software update will fix that problem on a lot of the 2008 units, but be sure to check out their site to get the most current software update for your model.
I’ll help walk you through it.
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Hit “page” then go to “sonar” and press enter.
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Hit “menu” and scroll to the Sonar Features.
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Go to “general use” and press “enter”, then hit “exit”.
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Now scroll and set the ping speed at 50%, then scroll and set the color line at 70%
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Go to the page with the map of sonar and turn the unit off.
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Turn the unit back on and the map with sonar should show.
Note!! On the new units you need to take out the demo hook transducer with temp sensor (after taking out the demo, take transducer off). Then put the 2.3.0 update chip in and wait until the map shows before pulling the chip out. This will take a few minutes, but it will fix the shallow water grass problems you’re having.
I’m looking forward to checking out the new LGC 4000 module Lowarnce is coming out with in March - it has 16 channels! It can update your location five times per second. The older modules like the LGC 2000 and LGC 3000 only have 12 channels. This module operates your G.P.S. units and you can update your 2005 and up units with the LGC 4000 module.
Be sure to keep your eyes open for my next column because I’m gearin’ up to talk about “doodlin’”! This technique seems to be making a come-back of sorts. Not that it has ever died out completely, but the dropshot technique has had all the press lately. I’m excited to see up-and-coming fishermen still wanting to learn this technique.
Here’s another juicy tidbit: Ardent came out with a new flipping reel endorsed by Denny Brauer. I have one and it is really light and great for flipping and pitching. Remember to buy American when you can! You know I always endorse our American workers and the American way of life and I hope you will too! Be sure to support the small tackle stores that might be struggling – remember the people who run these small stores are available to help you on a one-to-one basis with your tackle selection and inside information on what’s biting. You can’t get that from the bigger stores (just try!)
Smaller tackle stores are also perfect for you 9 to 5 guys who can’t get out on the water until the weekend. These small stores are gold mines when it comes to providing you with local information.
As always, feel free to contact me via telephone (818-848-6180) or email (don@iovino.com) with your electronic questions. Please be sure to include your phone number – it’s so much easier for me to be able to explain things to you “face-to-face”. My next piece will also contain some information on flashers and how to them. That’s it for now. God bless keep my wonderful wife, Darlene, in your prayers.