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Just letting everyone know that I plan on doing more product reviews in the future and wanted to draw attention to the latest: the Humminbird Smartcast.
New product review: Humminbird Smartcast
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Don't you fellas have enough toys to play with as it is?
I feel this device would be useful. However, on a pier with a bunch of other anglers would probably not be ideal. Just as a single lantern beaming it's light onto the water's surface at night draws every angler within jigging range, so would this novelty. Don't see how you could successfully hook a fish without the possibility of it taking you around the line attached to this thing-of-a-ma-jig. Also it could be difficult to fish more than 1 rod "stress free." Sure there's always the possibility of hooking up with both rods at a time without radar/sonar intervention. But to know for sure that there are a lot of fish near two or more of your lines would definitely rank up there with strong regular brew coffee. Would give me the jitters for sure. Now for anyone who's a thrill seeker, this is right up their alley. For pier applications............ it's definitely not for the over 40+ crowd. At least that's my opinion. Would make a terrific gift for one's child or grandchild though. And of course, the purchaser would have the tedious job of helping em figure out how it works. ;-)
Now putting it to use while in a boat, that's a whole separate matter. A single angler would definitely benefit from such device.
Still I think it would take most of the relaxing aspect out of fishing.
I feel this device would be useful. However, on a pier with a bunch of other anglers would probably not be ideal. Just as a single lantern beaming it's light onto the water's surface at night draws every angler within jigging range, so would this novelty. Don't see how you could successfully hook a fish without the possibility of it taking you around the line attached to this thing-of-a-ma-jig. Also it could be difficult to fish more than 1 rod "stress free." Sure there's always the possibility of hooking up with both rods at a time without radar/sonar intervention. But to know for sure that there are a lot of fish near two or more of your lines would definitely rank up there with strong regular brew coffee. Would give me the jitters for sure. Now for anyone who's a thrill seeker, this is right up their alley. For pier applications............ it's definitely not for the over 40+ crowd. At least that's my opinion. Would make a terrific gift for one's child or grandchild though. And of course, the purchaser would have the tedious job of helping em figure out how it works. ;-)
Now putting it to use while in a boat, that's a whole separate matter. A single angler would definitely benefit from such device.
Still I think it would take most of the relaxing aspect out of fishing.
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Orest, yeah maybe I should have put the price in, huh? 
It retails for 89.99 from Bass Pro. I just put the link in the story.
And you don't really need another rod to toss the transducer--just use a snap swivel to switch from the transducer to the whatever rig you're using on the rod.
It retails for 89.99 from Bass Pro. I just put the link in the story.
And you don't really need another rod to toss the transducer--just use a snap swivel to switch from the transducer to the whatever rig you're using on the rod.
flea,
I picked one up last week from BPS and was going to write a review myself.
Besides the distance factor, another flaw I would like to point out is that you often lose signal in fast current and choppy water. Battery life on the watch is something like 40 hours, so an auto shut off would be nice. Yes, the casting unit can be worked like a topwater and get surface strikes.
It has it's applications in the salt, but I believe this unit is ideal for your typical freshwater situations.
I picked one up last week from BPS and was going to write a review myself.
Besides the distance factor, another flaw I would like to point out is that you often lose signal in fast current and choppy water. Battery life on the watch is something like 40 hours, so an auto shut off would be nice. Yes, the casting unit can be worked like a topwater and get surface strikes.
It has it's applications in the salt, but I believe this unit is ideal for your typical freshwater situations.
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Yeah, that's pretty much what the product guy said. But he did tell me today that they're working on getting the distance up in future models and they'd be sending prototypes along.
I really think this could be a great toy if they could get the transmission distance up to 120-160'.
I really think this could be a great toy if they could get the transmission distance up to 120-160'.
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Hey SF, I think these reviews will be a great addition to the site. So do you actually get to submit them back to the manufacturer?
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Sweet
Are they even nice enough to throw you a complimentary one in or do you have to return the product when you are done.
Are they even nice enough to throw you a complimentary one in or do you have to return the product when you are done.
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FL FISHERMAN: Most smaller items are sent along gratis. Bigger items, like kayaks, are not. Generally manufacturers arrange for demos. In some cases I purchase out of pocket.
I like to take them and fish the items for awhile. You can't review a product without taking it on the water and letting several anglers play with it.
The things I've been given as review items will probably be given away in contests yet to be determined (angler of the year?) I don't like the idea of hanging onto things that were sent for review--it starts to look like I'm giving reviews for free products, which I don't want anyone to think. There's something to be said for impartiality.
I like to take them and fish the items for awhile. You can't review a product without taking it on the water and letting several anglers play with it.
The things I've been given as review items will probably be given away in contests yet to be determined (angler of the year?) I don't like the idea of hanging onto things that were sent for review--it starts to look like I'm giving reviews for free products, which I don't want anyone to think. There's something to be said for impartiality.
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Cool! Too bad the Kayak doesn't come "gratis" So with you doing this is it giving Pier and Surf PR or is this something you are doing on the side? The way you are going you should be able to get some sponsors within the next couple years.
So with you doing this is it giving Pier and Surf PR or is this something you are doing on the side? The way you are going you should be able to get some sponsors within the next couple years.1 - 14 of 14 Posts
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