Marine electronics as a category covers a broad selection: communications equipment, weather equipment, and entertainment equipment are just a few.  While shopping for electronics to equip your vessel may not be as exciting as buying the boat itself, it’s definitely a close second.

A GPS plotter is one thing you also want to be sure you have. You will find when you are looking at marine electronics that a lot of the GPS and fish finders are combined into multifunction devices to make your boating experience easier and more fun. Many of these devices will have screens big enough for you to see everything all at once, and are very convenient.

Fish finders and depth sounders are a great tool to use with your GPS if you need to get back to shore quickly and safely when the waters turn rough.

GPSMAP 421S Chart Plotter/Fishfinder Combo – Without Transducer

Features an ultra-bright 4″ QVGA display along with an improved high-speed digital design for faster map drawing and panning speeds. Plus, these waterproof units have a high-sensitivity internal GPS receiver, so mariners will always know their position at sea.

They are ready to go with a built-in, satellite-enhanced worldwide basemap and Garmin’s proven easy-t0-use interface designed to help you navigate the open waters with ease. Both models are compatible with various NMEA 2000 components, inculuding Garmin’s full lineup of NMEA 2000 marine sensors and autopilots.

Features and Specifications: 

• Ultra-bright 4″ diagonal QVGA display, 240 x 320 pixels – over 800 nits of brightness
• NMEA 2000 certified for seamless integration with the Garmin marine lineup
• Preloaded worldwide marine basemap
• Compatible with GXM 51 for XM Satellite Radio and XM WX Satellite Weather
• High-speed processor for fast screen redraws and smooth panning
• Streamlined user interface makes it simple to select modes and features
• Single SD memory card slot for BlueChart g2 Vision cards, as well as saving waypoints, routes and tracks to a SD card
• Optional BlueChart g2 Vision cards provide marine chart detail and enhanced navigation features like Auto Guidance, satellite imagery, 3-D Mariner’s Eye View and 3-D Fish Eye View
• Backlit keypad for easy operation in low light conditions
• Unit dimensions: 5.0″H x 5.7″W x 2.7″D (12.7cm H x 14.5cm W x 6.9cm D)
• Power output: 500 watts (RMS) 4000 watts (peak to peak), dual frequency
• Depth: 1500 feet/500 meters (dual frequency)
• Use a dual frequency transducer 50 kHz (45 degrees), 200 kHz (10 degrees) for maximum saltwater performance
• Patented transom/trolling mount transducer
• UltraScroll high rep rate sonar provides lightning-fast screen updates
• AutoGain technology enhances target visibility
• See-Thru technology: shows weak and strong returns simultaneously
• Water temperature log graphically records water temp data
• A-scope
• Whiteline
• Adjustable depth line helps gauge desired fishing levels and bottom clearance
• Split zoom display offers a closer look at fish targets and bottom structure
• 2X, 4X, and bottomlock zoom
• Adjustable keel offset
• Alarms for fish size, shallow water, deep water, and low battery.

One common mistake many boaters make is to wait until a few weeks before the start of the boating season before getting into the launch process. You may not be able to start on certain cleaning and maintenance chores while there’s still snow on the ground, but you can formulate a plan and assemble the various supplies and tools needed.

Early is also the best time to schedule service work, because many service and repair businesses get swamped at the beginning of the season, and boaters who haven’t made appointments, or taken care of tasks early, may end up delaying their launch.

Create a list that includes specifics such as quantity, brand, sizes, part numbers and so forth, then start shopping or ordering. As items arrive, you can group and stage them for easy access, which will ultimately speed up the outfitting process once you get to the boatyard.

One particular useful article on getting your boat ready that is helpful is at boatsus.com.  Head for the Resources and Reference section and you’ll find an extensive collection of articles dealing with all aspects of operation and maintenance.  boatus.com/boattech/SpringPrep2006.pdf.)

WaterStates Trading Company specializes in LOW prices on QUALITY water sports, boating and fishing and camping supplies. We offer communication, safety, navigation and entertainment electronics for your boating or camping experience.

The freshwater fish known as the muskie are often referred to as the fish that takes at least a 1000 casts to hook. Fighting and landing one of the toughest freshwater fish in all North America is quite another story. The Muskie is hard-charging and rod-bending exciting fish that will adapt only to get the attention of the angler who is on the other end of the line.

Today we will look at 5 essential tips to catching muskies that have been proven very successful.

Five Tips for Catching Muskies

- Techniques and Tips General – While casting for muskies, please pay close attention to the opportunity for trolling or drifting. Make several artificial lure presentations and do not shy away from the larger baits in the tackle box as muskies prefer the heavier lures.

- Artificial Lure Specifications – The best way to avoid catching an unwanted walleye or maybe even a pike is to stick with a bigger lure. On the other hand if you do not mind what is caught then by all means continue with what you brought!

- Geographic Location – One of the best ways to find muskies is to fish by rocks and weeds. By working your lure directly above weed beds and/or along rocky crevices and lake edges you will be that much better prepared for that giant musky strike! If fishing from a boat is what’s happening today then the ever-present fish-finder will alert you to the exacting location of the pack of muskies!

- Fishing Line – The line that is chosen is so important when muskie fishing and cannot be overlooked in the very least. As we all know we want to use our heaviest line possible. Because muskies are a very toothy-fish, a wire leader is preferred as most of them won’t be able to chomp through it. A great set-up for a standard muskie fishing adventure will be 15 to 20 pound braided test line with a leader.

- Rods and Reels – This is where personal choice comes into play yet it is naturally required that a heavier rod is mandated that’s medium to fast action. I would stay away from anything less than medium just in case that lunker strikes.

There’s always been a murmur of supporters who say that the muskie population in many locations is down and has been down for decades however there are many regions of the country were the Muskie fishing is out of this world!  Minnesota and Wisconsin has some great Muskie fishing.

 Does anyone know not to stick your hand in a muskie’s mouth? Remember that they can take fingers off, even a small one so be careful!

WaterStates Trading Company specializes in LOW prices on QUALITY water sports, boating and fishing and camping supplies. We offer communication, safety, navigation and entertainment electronics for your boating or camping experience.

Yes, you can leave your fish catching success to chance, but if you want to catch more fish, you must learn how to think like the fish you are trying to catch. Consistent success and fishing enjoyment is more than just baiting up your hook, casting it out and waiting for the fish to bite.

This one basic premise will improve your fish catching ability and will set you apart from the fishing novices. How do you think the fishing pros are able to consistently catch fish when other fishermen do nothing but drown their bait?

 They use the same fishing tackle, rods and reels, fishing lures and live bait as everyone else, but they always catch more fish.

You will catch more fish!  That little teaser should have caught your attention.

 However, learning how to put this technique into practice takes time, patience and persistence.

Let us start at the beginning. How do you learn to think like a fish? For starters, pick one of your favorite target fish species and begin to learn everything you can about that fish. It is important to understand things like, how it feeds, how it moves around each day, what are its migratory and breeding patterns, what kind of habitat it prefers, what type of fish or food source it feeds on, just to name a few. Also important to understand is how the current, tides and moon phases effect your target fish species’ activities and habits.

One way to start learning how to catch more fish, is to learn how to find your target fish species under any circumstances. Visit your local fishing tackle and bait stores. Get to know these people, because often they will have a broad knowledge of the fishing in that area. They can be a great source of fishing knowledge and how-to tips of not only learning where to fish, but also the why and how of locating fish.

Instead of just asking them where the best fishing spots are, also ask questions about your targeted fish species. Try to learn what makes the fish tick, and what are it basics habits and tendencies. You will be amazed at how willing most of these folks are to share their expertise, especially if you are returning the favor and patronizing their store.

The next thing to do is to go fishing. Prepare yourself ahead of time with the proper fishing tackle, lures, bait and a notepad. Start in an area known to hold your targeted fish, and make notes about the current conditions; including, the date, time, wind direction and speed, temperature, tidal flow, water conditions and any other specific notes you feel like making.

 The most important thing is to start thinking like the fish you want to catch. Ask yourself, where would you be hiding and moving to. For example, if it is a real hot summer day, and the current is slack, and a low tide, the fish may not be up on the shallow flats.

 They may be looking for cooler water, so they may have moved to some deeper pot holes, or slid off a ridge or shallow bank and eased into deeper waters. Keep looking and when you find the fish, make more notes. The old saying that practice makes perfect is certainly true when it comes to catching more fish consistently.

To help you along, learn your local fishing waters and fishing grounds. Locate the ‘fishy’ areas and mark them on your GPS unit.  Locate shoreline points, eddys, potholes, sandbars, oyster bars, rock piles and submerged structures, and over time you will learn which places to go to depending upon the current conditions you are faced with, and that will make all the difference in your fishing world.

Learning how to think like a fish will make you a more complete and competent fisherman and angler, and will make your fishing outings with friends and family a lot more enjoyable.

WaterStates Trading Company specializes in LOW prices on QUALITY water sports, boating and fishing and camping supplies. We offer communication, safety, navigation and entertainment electronics for your boating or camping experience.

You can choose between all leading brands, such as Pelican, Garmin and Minn Kota. Compare prices and buy directly from us. Choose among our wide selection of marine fish finders, VHF marine radios, GPS, boating accessories, tubes and towables, camping, hunting, fishing equipment and more.

Ordering with us is fast and easy. Water Fun at discount prices and superior customer service is our trademark. Top Brands! Great Prices!