[MLeBlanc]

I’ve owned the Riptide Terrova with iPilot for about a month and it’s the number one greatest investment I’ve ever made. If I remember correctly, there’s both a freshwater and a saltwater version, so make sure you get the salt water obviously. after you install it, look up some YouTube videos about features, and how to use them, and then get on the water and practice for an hour or so before you take it fishing. Drift feature combined with the spot lock is incredible… I feel like I got 4-5 times the number of casts not having to fool with my trolling motor

[MLeBlanc]

I understand what you guys mean, I definitely see the long-term value of investing in Venice. I live near Bush, so the two hour 30 minute car ride is tough… got my eye on a travel trailer to help solve that problem down the road. But for the short term, I think I’m headed to the Ozarks this week to catch a different type of trout!

[MLeBlanc]

Actually thinking of staying more on the NE side of BM, around Treasure Bay, Xmas camp area. Here’s my route and a few starting places.

[MLeBlanc]

Thanks Devin, I understand what you mean. There were some very basic cuts and canals that weren’t being shown on my gps today, passages that have been there for decades (per GED), but was showing up as a solid land mass… I was actually using my iPhone Google Maps app because it was more accurate than my fancy gps. Already got my Garmin InReach, and had it today, felt better already

[MLeBlanc]

I think we decided to go tomorrow ((Friday) instead. Looks like Shell Beach high tide is around 11 AM, and high tide out in the sound is around 9 AM. We might get out there early to fish the rising tide more north, then eventually make our way out to Eloi and fish the falling tide. Any recommendations for a great early morning spot on the way to Eloi that might produce a top water bite?

[MLeBlanc]

I did notice the wind forecast for Saturday looks like it picked up. Maybe tomorrow (Friday) will be better.

[MLeBlanc]

Great discussion, thanks for all the helpful tips!

[MLeBlanc]

along the lines of cell phone service… is there a good satellite option for communicating emergencies if I were to go outside of service area and have an issue?

[MLeBlanc]

thanks for the detailed response Devin. I’m about 60% of the way through IF101, and it’s been incredibly informative… must’ve missed the Geosphere episode, so thanks for including the link. Looking at that image makes me feel silly… we literally just spent all of our time in muddy water, not too far from clean water. We hit up a couple of rigs, but not toward the southern end of the Lake (oof). Just bought some new tools (Helix 9 and iPilot), and yesterday was me just trying them out for the first. We’ll get em next weekend!

[MLeBlanc]

Awesome… I got em too. NW Lake Borgne at a small rig on plastic. Haven’t caught fish like this in a long time… thanks Devin!

[MLeBlanc]

Thanks TroutDawg, just bought the Garmin, will save up for the EPIRB next!