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Author: Pro Fishing Supply Staff

In Open Water
Posted

Built-In MEGA Side Imaging is now available on select Minn Kota Ultrex and Ulterra trolling motors.  This latest innovation from Minn Kota allows anglers to see the clearest, most precise images of structure and fish in real-time, both directly below and to either side of their boat!

MEGA Imaging® operates in the megahertz range, providing three times greater detail than traditional 455 kHz frequencies. Adding Humminbird’s MEGA Side Imaging to Minn Kota trolling motors through the built-in MSI transducer results in the clearest, sharpest real-time images, without the need to run wires which can clutter up the installation and compromise the use of the trolling motor.

With Built-In MEGA Side Imaging, the transducer is housed in the motor’s lower unit and the wiring runs through the indestructible composite shaft providing clean rigging that is protected from.  Having the transducer integrated into the trolling motor allows anglers to see what is directly below the bow and to the side of the boat rather than off the transom, meaning anglers can make better informed decisions in real time.

Ultrex and Ulterra trolling motors with the new Built-In MEGA Side Imaging transducer are also equipped with i-Pilot® Link™ and work in the “One Boat Network” system.

Trolling motors with the new MSI transducer are fully compatible with MEGA Imaging and MEGA Imaging+™ equipped Humminbird fish finders. Anglers fishing with a MEGA Imaging+ Humminbird unit will get 20 percent more detail compared to MEGA Imaging.

An MKR-MI-1 Mega Imaging Adapter Cable is needed to connect the built-in MSI transducer to Helix units.  No adapter cable is needed to connect the MSI Transducer to Solix units.

Minn Kota MSI TransducerMinn Kota Ultrex Mega Side Imaging Transducer

 

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In Ice Fishing
Posted

There’s a new Ice Suit available for 2019-2020, and it’s a good one! StrikeMaster’s new suit comes in two versions, called the Surface Suit and the Battle Suit.  The only difference between the two suits (other than color) is that the Surface Suit is a floating ice fishing suit (the Battle Suit is the non-floating version).

Surface Suits feature StrikeMaster SOS (Stay On Surface) flotation technology, which when worn together (Jacket and Bibs) will keep you floating on the surface for two hours.

Battle Suits are non-floating suits, ideal for someone looking for top quality and features without the flotation (and/or the price tag that comes with it!).

We were excited to see the StrikeMaster Ice Suits in person, and they did not disappoint!  They are warm, windproof, waterproof and breathable.  The insulation and flotation materials are thin and comfortable, and not as stiff or bulky as we see in some of the other ice fishing suits on the market.  The quality looks like top shelf all the way!

Both suits are loaded with great features.  The oxford nylon outer material is tough and durable, and the inside lining is soft and comfortable.  The 160 grams of insulation are an ideal mix of weight and warmth for most ice fisherman.  High quality zippers, magnetic zipper flaps, fleece lined hand warming pockets, deep cargo pockets, full length leg zippers, and adjustable cuffs are just some of the other features in these well-designed jackets and bibs.

And one more great thing about these StrikeMaster Ice Suits – even though the quality and features will rival just about any other suits out there, the prices are very reasonable (even on the low side).  If you’ve had your eye on an ice suit for the last few seasons, you’ve probably seen prices going higher and higher each year.  But these new StrikeMaster suits will be priced around $300 for the Battle Suit and $400 for the Surface Suit.

If you’re in the market for a new ice suit this season, do yourself a favor and check out these new Ice Suits from StrikeMaster — we’re think there’s a lot there to like!

StrikeMaster Surface Suit SideStrikeMaster Battle Suit Side

StrikeMaster Surface Suit                                        StrikeMaster Battle Suit 

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In Ice Fishing
Posted

New for the 2019 – 2020 Ice Fishing Season, StrikeMaster introduces the Lite Flite Lazer Drill Auger.

StrikeMaster has been a stalwart in the ice auger industry for years, first with their hand and gas augers, and more recently with their Lithium 40V battery powered auger.  Lazer ice augers and lazer blades from StrikeMaster have a long, proven track record of super-fast cutting and super-reliable performance.

Now StrikeMaster enters the cordless drill auger market with their Lite Flite Lazer Drill.  It features the same super-fast cutting lazer blades, paired with a lightweight but strong synthetic resin auger flighting.  The Lite Flite is engineered with synthetic compounds specifically designed for strength and durability, and takes advantage of the speedy Lazer blades and Power Point for quick, precise cutting.

They are designed to be used with any professional quality 18 volt (or higher) cordless drill with a half-inch chuck.  They can also be used with any StrikeMaster auger powerhead, including the Lithium 40V, and with any StrikeMaster auger extension.

The 6 Inch Lite Flite weighs only 4.4 lbs and the 8 Inch Lite Flite weighs only 5.3 pounds, making them perfect for anglers who value lightweight and portability.

And just like lazer blades on any powerhead, the Lite Flite Lazer Drill is fast —- as much as 2.5 times faster than other augers / other blade styles.  If you like watching side-by-side comparisons you can watch a speed test here.  If you don’t care about side-by-side comparisons, take it on faith that Lazer Drills cut as fast as any other augers out there …….

Here at Pro Fishing Supply we’ve been using Lazer augers for years, and we’re big fans of them.  We’ve always found them to be fast and reliable, and we’re looking forward to getting on the ice with the Lite Flite augers and expect them to perform exactly as advertised! ***

Click Here To Check Out The StrikeMaster Lite Flite Lazer Drill Auger!

*** Where we fish we’re usually not drilling through “dirty” ice, so the fact that dirty ice will quickly dull lazer blades is not really a concern for us.  And even though we don’t reopen a lot of old holes, contrary to popular belief you can do it with a lazer auger (the trick is to cant or lean the auger ever so slightly to one size, so you’re drilling part old hole part new hole and not bouncing off the sides of the old hole).

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In Ice Fishing
Posted

The Humminbird Ice Helix is one of the most popular and innovative ice fishing sonar units used by anglers over the past few ice fishing seasons.  For 2019-20 Humminbird has five new and updated Ice Helix models, loaded with features that help anglers put more fish on the ice!

New Ice Fishing Features

All Ice Helix models now come with Jig Charge Mode.  Quickly and easily charge up glow baits with nothing but the screen on your Helix!  Jig Charge Mode is available on all Ice Helix models.

New for this season is AutoChart Live Ice, which comes on all Ice Helix GPS enabled units.  Savvy anglers have been using AutoChart Live to map their fishing spots for years, but until now this was an open-water technology only.  With the introduction of AutoChart Live Ice, ice anglers can map out their fishing spots by drilling a series of holes and quickly creating custom depth maps!

New Models Offer All-Season Features

Go with an Ice Helix All-Season model for year-‘round functionality and versatility.  Choose between the Ice Helix 5 CHIRP GPS G2 All-Season model or the Ice Helix 7 CHIRP GPS G3N All-Season model.

In addition to all the ice fishing features and functionality, All Season models come with all the accessories needed for open water use on a boat or other portable applications.  Accessories in the All-Season combos include: a transom mount CHIRP transducer, an optional transducer suction cup mount, an extra power cable, and mounting bracket.  Quickly and easily transfer your Helix between Ice and Open Water use!

Ice Helix 7 CHIRP GPS G3N All Season combos pack in even more functionality, with Ethernet networking to connect to other Humminbird fishfinders and/or an iPilot LINK trolling motor.  The G3N also features BlueTooth built into the unit, allowing for a BlueTooth remote for wireless control, and connecting with the free Humminbird FishSmart™ app for wireless software updates ***

Same Great Ice Fishing Features And Performance

All Ice Helix models feature Humminbird’s proven Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, with the detail and clarity for finesse ice presentations and target separation down to 3/4″ on a bright and easy-to-read LCD screen.  All models come with CHIRP Interference Rejection to remove noise from nearby flashers.  In addition, Ice Helix units provide split-screen flasher and 2D sonar views, adjustable sonar zoom and automatic digital depth readout.

Ice Helix GPS models come with an internal GPS and microSD card slot.  Take advantage of LakeMaster® maps or create your own with AutoChart Live Ice!

 

“Ice Helix fish finders bring ice anglers the most capable fish finders available on ice. Features like Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, GPS mapping and the ability to convert these fish finders for year-round use are some of the many reasons more and more anglers are choosing ICE HELIX fish finders over traditional flasher units” 

 

Want To Check Them Out?  See all Ice Helix Models Here

 

***  Ethernet networking and BlueTooth capability come in the Ice Helix 7 CHIRP GPS G3N All Season combo only!!!  These features are not available on the Ice Helix 5 CHIRP GPS G2 All Season combo!

 

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In Ice Fishing
Posted

As far as we can tell, the Trophy Strike 120V Lithium Ion Ice Auger is the fastest ice auger in the world!  And it’s not even close!

We got to spend some time with these augers last season, and they are IMPRESSIVE to say the least.  They cut great. They’re fast. And quiet. They’re lightweight. They feel solid in your hand.  And they’re easy to use when wearing heavy gloves or mitts.

All in all, the Trophy Strike Ice Auger 120V is a pleasure to use and we’re looking forward to using them again this year!

The 120V Lithium battery, the brushless motor and the 5-gear planetary transmission spin this auger at 380 rpms.  That means fast and powerful ice drilling – up to 50% faster than the competition.  And battery life is outstanding, at least as good as the competition and probably better.  All that adds up to more holes drilled, and in less time …. and that adds up to more fishing!

The Trophy Strike Ice Auger gives you all the advantages of an electric ice auger! It’s quiet. There’s no gas or fumes. And it has reverse to clear the ice shavings and slush out of your ice hole.

Other great features of the Trophy Strike 120V Ice Auger are that its cutting point and centering ring make it great at reopening old holes, it comes with an auger extension, and it comes with a battery bag.  Maybe most impressive of all, it comes with a 5-year warranty — that’s right, a 5-year warranty on a power auger (1 year on the battery, 5 years on the auger itself).

The Trophy Strike 120V Ice Auger is a new player in the electric ice auger market, and it’s a solid auger that’s going to a make a run at being the best!

Trophy Strike Ice Auger 120VTrophy Strike Ice Auger Cutting Head

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In Ice Fishing
Posted

Humminbird Ice Helix 7 CHIRP GPS G2N All-Season Combo

Humminbird is rolling out a new line-up of Ice Helix models for the 2018 ice fishing season!  At the front of the pack is the all-new Ice Helix 7 CHIRP GPS G2N All-Season Combo – a complete, networkable fish finder package that comes with both an ice fishing kit and the accessories needed for boat mounting for open water use! **

Other Ice Helix models for 2018 are the Ice Helix 7 CHIRP GPS G2 Combo and the Ice Helix 5 CHIRP GPS G2 Combo. ****

The Best “Flashers” On The Ice Today???

The Ice Helix 7 and Ice Helix 5 took the ice fishing world by storm!  Anglers love the high-definition wide-screen flat-panel displays, the traditional flasher displays, and the interference rejection settings.  Now add in the benefits of 2D chart views and precision gps positioning and mapping!  It’s easy to understand why these units are so popular with ice anglers!

Features That Make The Ice Helix CHIRP G2 Units The Best!

Ice Helix CHIRP G2 units offer multiple screen views for ice anglers. Flasher view features a split-screen with 2-D Sonar, allowing anglers to also view history of their bait and the how the fish react to it.  Other views include Flasher/Sonar Zoom, Flasher/Chart, Sonar/Chart, and Sonar/Sonar Zoom. The display is ultra-responsive with a resolution that’s four times greater than flasher-only models.  And there’s not the humming sound that accompanies traditional mechanical flashers!

CHIRP sonar optimizes pulsing sonar signals for greater target separation.  Unlike traditional sonar which operates at a single, constant frequency, CHIRP provides more detail and clarity.  Ice anglers using CHIRP can see the separation between bottom, bait and fish on the screen, instead of all three blending into one color on their flasher!

Ice Helix CHIRP G2 units also feature Humminbird’s easy-to-use Interference Rejection feature. Fishing on the ice in close quarters with other sonar units means unwanted interference, making screens difficult to read (if not completely unusable!).  Interference Rejection allows anglers to cancel out competing signals, resulting in a screen with no interference or noise.  This was a real issue when previous “open water” sonars were used for ice fishing.  They just couldn’t tune out the interference from other sonars as well as real “ice fishing flashers”.  Those days are gone!  Ice Helix CHIRP G2 units have excellent Interference Rejection and it works very well, making fishing that much more productive and enjoyable!

The built-in precision GPS and Humminbird Basemap functions effortlessly with Humminbird LakeMaster and SmartStrike maps.  Quickly locate productive water and place waypoints on precise spots. Ice Helix CHIRP G2 units are also equipped with AutoChart Live.  This allows anglers (in open water) to create real-time maps of depth contours, bottom hardness and vegetation.  These maps can be used for fishing at any time of the year!

Year-‘Round Functionality And Versatility

The new Ice Helix 7 CHIRP GPS G2N All-Season Combo is networkable with other Humminbird Ethernet-capable units, as well as Minn Kota iPilot LINK (G2N is networkable, G2 is non-networkable).  Take full advantage of all the ice fishing features during the hard water season!  Move it to a boat for the open water season!  Plug it in to an Ethernet cable to make it part of a fully integrated networked unit!

 

** The Ice Helix 7 CHIRP GPS G2N All-Season Combo comes with a CHIRP ice transducer, professional grade carrying case and portable ice bag, mounting hardware, a 9 amp-hour battery and charger.  Also included for boat mounting are a transom-mount CHIRP transducer with temperature, gimbal bracket and 6’ power cord.

**** The Ice Helix 5 CHIRP GPS G2 Combo and the Ice Helix 7 CHIRP GPS G2 Combo come with a CHIRP ice transducer, professional grade carrying case and portable ice bag, mounting hardware, and a 9 amp-hour battery and charger.

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In Ice Fishing
Posted

Designed For The Demanding Ice Fisherman!

THEY FLOAT!

Striker Ice Suits are premium ice fishing apparel that float you if you go into the water!  Striker uses the best fabrics available, combined with proprietary materials and designs, for the best possible garments for ice fisherman!  These suits provide extreme weather protection and flotation, all wrapped up in highly durable, windproof, waterproof, breathable shells!

Striker Ice Climate Jacket Black Red Side
Black / Red Climate Suit
Striker Ice Climate Jacket Black Gray Side
Black / Gray Climate Suit
Striker Ice Climate Jacket Brown Camo Side
Brown / Camo Climate Suit

The Striker Ice Climate Suit is a 3-season suit designed for the harshest winter conditions, but also suitable for spring and fall use due to removable liners.  The Climate Suit haas a super strong and lightweight outer shell.  With 175g of Thermadex in the removable liners the Climate Suit carries Striker’s highest warmth rating of 10.

 

Striker Ice Hardwater Jacket Gray Red Side Hood
Red / Gray HardWater Suit
Striker Ice Hardwater Jacket Gray Black Side Hood
Black / Gray HardWater Suit

The Striker Ice HardWater Suit is a tough, durable suit offering maximum protection in all winter conditions.  The 600D Endura outer shell is the toughest of all the ice fishing suits.  The 150g of Thermadex insulation gives the HardWater Suit a warmth rating of 9.

 

Striker Ice Predator Jacket Gray Blue Side
Blue / Gray Predator Suit
Striker Ice Predator Jacket Gray Red Side
Red / Gray Predator Suit
Striker Ice Predator Jacket Gray Black Side
Black / Gray Predator Suit

The Striker Ice Predator Suit is designed for the active ice fisherman and for less extreme winter conditions, while also featuring a super-strong outer shell.  With 100g of Thermadex the Predator Suit carries a warmth rating of 7 and is an outstanding choice for a variety of conditions!

 

Striker Ice Trekker Jacket Black Gray Side
Trekker Suit

The Striker Ice Trekker Suit is lightweight, yet warm enough to keep you warm in most conditions.  Adding an additional warm layer underneath makes it warm enough for even the coldest days.  60g of Thermadex earn the Trekker Suit a warmth rating of 6.

 

Striker Ice Prism Jacket Marsala Gray Side
Marsala / Gray Prism Suit
Striker Ice Prism Jacket Black Gray Side
Black / Gray Prism Suit

The Striker Ice Prism Suit is designed specifically for women and provides superior protection from the elements in even the coldest conditions.  Featuring 150g of Thermadex, the Prism Suit is warm and cozy and carries a warmth rating of 9!

All Striker Ice Suits feature several well-designed pockets and other unique features to answer the needs of demanding ice anglers, and include the following quality components:

HYDRAPORE system technology, designed with superior ratings for resisting water penetration and for breathability to provide maximum protection against extreme weather elements.

THERMADEX brand thermal insulation, for superior insulating performance and minimal bulk. Thermadex provides a high level of warmth, softness and breathability for outdoor active wear.

SUREFLOTE, an expanded low density polyethylene foam that traps air in closed cells to create internal air pockets for added buoyancy. The SUREFLOTE membrane is moisture resistant and provides superior user mobility and added protection in the extreme cold. Striker Ice Suits with SUREFLOTE provide flotation assistance for up to two hours for an average person!

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In Open Water
Posted

Minn Kota revealed trolling motors with their new Built In MEGA Down Imaging Transducer at the 2018 iCast Show.  The new trolling motors will be available in the Fall of 2018.

Models receiving the MEGA Down Imaging option (ie. MDI) include select Ultrex, Fortrex, Ulterra, Terrova With iPilot, and Terrova With iPilot LINK models.

Humminbird’s ultra-clear MEGA Imaging is the first down imaging technology to enter the megahertz range, with performance that’s nearly three times greater than traditional 455 kHz frequencies.  This results in the clearest, sharpest on-screen images ever seen!

The MEGA Down Imaging Transducer is housed in the indestructible lower unit motor housing.  The wiring runs through the composite shaft for a clean, protected installation.  No more external transducers! No more exposed wiring and clamps! Just an uncluttered look and protection from the elements!

The built-in MDI transducer also provides CHIRP Digital Sonar for precise, crystal-clear returns of fish, structure and the bottom.  Sweeping multiple frequencies across a broad spectrum, this powerful tool eliminates noise to show precisely defined targets.

Please Note:  The built-in MDI transducer provides MEGA DI and 2D CHIRP Digital Sonar to select Humminbird fish finder models.  You can only view MEGA Down Imaging with a MEGA DI or MEGA SI Helix G2N series unit (which requires the use of an adapter cable) or with any Solix G2 unit (no adapter cable required).  The built-in MDI transducer cannot supply MEGA Down Imaging to HB models that do not already have MEGA DI capability.  The built-in MDI transducer will supply 2D CHIRP Digital Sonar to G2 and G2N Helix units (even if they  are not MEGA DI capable).  MDI transducer is available only on Minn Kota models equipped at the factory and cannot be added to an existing motor.

Minn Kota Ultrex Mega Down ImagingMinn Kota Ultrex Mega Down Imaging Transducer

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In Ice Fishing
Posted

Go back in time just a few years, and a good gas-powered auger was a staple for nearly every serious ice fisherman.  The power, speed and reliability of a 3HP or 2HP gas engine, spinning an 8- or 10- inch auger, was a key component for moving, finding fish, staying on fish, and being able to put in a full day on the ice.

Times have changed.  The gas and oil and noise and 2-stroke smoke of those gas-powered augers has been replaced by the power, speed, reliability and quiet cutting of today’s electric augers featuring lithium ion batteries.

The Ion Electric Auger from Ardisam was the first, and is still one of the best.  After that came the Ion X Electric Auger and the StrikeMaster Lithium 40V Electric Auger, both of which have higher capacity batteries for longer life and more holes.

The Ion X and StrikeMaster 40V are both available in 8- and 10- inch versions, and both feature high capacity 5-amp hour batteries that drill many holes through many inches of ice.  Remove the battery when not in use and keep it warm, and many fishermen will get a full day’s use out of just 1 battery.  Add a 2nd battery and you’re almost guaranteed to get in a full day of fishing, no matter how many holes you drill.

These augers have great track records – they’re strong, they’re reliable, and they work great!

And there’s an impressive list of benefits to ice fisherman …..

You don’t need to “start” electric augers, you don’t need to let them warm up, and you don’t need to listen to them idle between holes.  Ready to drill a hole?  Press the button and the drill turns instantly, at full power.  Finished drilling a hole?  Release the button and the auger stops.  They’re so quiet, the only thing you’ll hear is the auger blades shaving away the ice.  And there’s no smoke and fumes from electric augers so they’re ideal for drilling holes inside a shelter.

Plan on drilling a lot of holes?  These augers advertise 1,600 inches of drilling capacity — if you’re on 16 inches of ice, that’s 100 holes on a single battery charge.

Tired of lugging around that beast of a gas-powered auger?  These electric augers are lightweight, weighing in around 22 or 24 lbs, and are just as strong and durable as those heavy gas-powered workhorses.

Tired of scooping the slush out of all those holes you drilled?  These electric augers feature reverse …. simply drill your hole, hit the reverse switch, and flush the ice slush out of the hole and under the ice.

In a hurry to get fishing?  These electric augers cut through the ice just as fast as your buddy’s gas-powered auger, and you’ll be drilling holes while he’s still mixing gas and oil, filling the tank, priming and choking, and pulling pulling pulling away on the starter cord.

At Pro Fishing Supply, our pro staffer anglers use and recommend both the Ion X and StrikeMaster Lithium 40V augers.  Both augers have proven to be fast and reliable and to stand up to hard use on the ice.

Once again, we are offering a FREE extra set of auger blades (while supplies last) with any 8 inch or 10 inch Ion X or StrikeMaster 40V auger.  And for the 2018 season we have a special price on a 2nd battery for the StrikeMaster 40V auger (if purchased at the same time as the auger, while supplies last).

If you’re not sure one of these electric augers is right for you, do yourself a favor and check with the guys who are using them.  These augers are taking over a huge chunk of the ice fishing market, and on many days they’ll be the most common augers on the ice.  And as always, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have on either of these augers.

Edited >> A great new option for 2018 is the Trophy Strike Ice Auger 120V – See more info at Fastest Ice Auger In The World?

StrikeMaster Lithium 40V AugerIon X Auger

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