It doesn’t seem that long ago (but it is) when flasher style depth finders were all the rage and anglers finally had a way to actually see the bottom. Not only the bottom but whether it was soft or hard, if there were any fish down below, and even weed growth and maybe what type is was. It all took a little practice and understanding but the information was there. My first unit was a Humminbird Super 60 and came in a Bird Trap case that also housed the batteries and could be set up quickly. That Super 60 really changed the way I fish and opened up a whole new underwater world. Flasher style units are still viable and still lead the way when it comes to ice fishing.
The next big thing was the paper graph and there were those that would have banned their use if they could. Didn’t happen and the smelly high definition units came on strong and offered a picture in great detail that you could actually keep and review or study. The downside was buying and reloading paper. Paper burners eventually become obsolete when liquid crystal graphs came on the scene with enough definition to rival the paper. Today’s units are incredible and have unmatched definition and do it all in brilliant color.
Loran C was next to shake things up and just about everybody had to have one, especially if you were a walleye fisherman and spent time on big water. It wasn’t that accurate and was prone to losing position in a storm (when you really needed it) but was better than what we had. When G.P.S finally came along we really thought we had it made and were able to get close to a hot spot time after time. It got even better when G.P.S. became much more accurate, to the point that you could get back to the exact spot. The next big G.P.S. break has been high definition electronic mapping and has really changed where we fish. Ron Westberg who surveys lakes for Navionics got it all started when he took a chance and mapped Mille Lacs Lake and found out there was a huge demand for high def maps that that showed all of that wonderful structure that one could only guess at heretofore. LakeMaster of Little Falls has taken electronic mapping to a whole new level with their new software that Humminbird’s newest units can use and display. Not only can you see the structure and depth changes but you can color a specific band of depth that really jumps out at you and makes structure at a certain depth much easier to find. It can also adjust the depth readings in relation to the current lake level. That means a lake that’s down can be adjusted to, which can be a real big deal if you’re running over shallower rock piles and humps that may now have become a navigational hazard.
Underwater cameras were another piece of equipment that scared the death out of the protectionists and they tried to ban their use as well but thankfully it didn’t happen. Anglers that have put them to use find they fish less and explore more, learning and just having fun. They’re also perfect for entertaining kids and can really hold their interest, especially if the fishing is a little tough.
Electric trolling motors go way back and have progressively become more durable, more powerful, and much easier to use. With 12, 24, and 36 volt options you can do just about anything you want with the electric. Not that many years ago a company developed a unit that would read the depth with a built in depth finder that could actually follow a contour line or drop off on its own and worked fairly well until the wind blew hard enough that the depth reading fluctuated to the point that it lost its electronic mind. The latest buzz includes a G.P.S. unit that can be combined with an electric trolling motor and that can take control and follow a pre-set trolling run at a given speed, keep running in a particular direction, or even hold you in one place as if you’re anchored. The new technology is called the I-Pilot from Minn Kota and should be a real benefit to anyone that likes to troll at a specific speed, along a predetermined path, or maybe just stay put while you cast to a shoreline point, dock, or an offshore weed patch. Its exciting stuff and I can’t wait to give it a go.
It’s hard to say what the next big breakthrough will be but for now we’ve got plenty to work with. See you on the water.
Ron AnlaufBy: Ron Anlauf
