• The Spot-Lock feature uses GPS to hold your boat position. With a push of a button you are basically anchored with the added mobility to quickly adjust your position.
• The Jog feature compliments Spot-Lock by allowing you to move your position 5 feet in any direction with a push of a button.
• Distance to Spot is another nice feature included, which is displayed on the remote.
• Follow the Contour is an awesome hands free feature that allows you to set a specific depth contour to follow. It works in partnership with your Minn Kota i-Pilot Link and your Humminbird mapping software.
• Cruise control sets your Trolling motor for a specific speed.
• Retracing your path is another option.
• Set a casting range on your Sonar, and use your i-pilot stop lock to work structures when casting. This is a great option to keep you from spooking fish off your spot. Mark sets at approximately 60 feet.
• Minn Kota’s i-Pilot has a wireless feature but Mark Likes a cable/cord for consistent performance, good tip Mark!

• Adjust your sensitivity based on the lake or lake fishing conditions (clear lakes vs dirty lakes) will make a big difference on your sonar.
• Don’t worry about clutter; turn your sensitivity up far enough to see your jig, thermoclines, zoo plankton, etc...

• Side Imaging works best at 2.5 to 5 Miles per hour. If your images are blurred, slow it down until they become crisp.
• Look for structure and use your cursor to mark structure.
• Never go past 100 foot side to side, 75 feet is a good starting point.
• Screen size doesn’t matter/there are workarounds.
• If you have a 7 inch screen, just full size it.
• Or you can buy a second smaller unit one for mapping and one for sonar.
• Common misconception on Side Imaging is on the water column under the boat.
• Realize that the two sides of the image actually merge together.
• The size of the water column under the boat will become wider or shorter based on the depth of water you are in.
• Dark bottom = soft bottom.
• Light bottom image = harder bottom.
• When he spots fish on Side Imaging he will go back over with 2-D Sonar.
• Shadow size indicates the size of the structure/fish.
• Fish really standout on sand with Side Imaging.
• Zoom in on interesting structure or marks. You can literally tell what fish it is from the shadow.
• Makes finding Bluegill beds easy. “The image looks like a bad day on the golf course”, touché Mark!

• Adjust your water levels on high or low water.
• Highlight your targeted depth on your depth highlight range and shade it in a three foot range. Will help you easily focus on the key areas.
• A perfect fish arc equals a fish that is 100% in the cone.

• Use the equipment that you feel comfortable with.
• Use fast action and braid with a mono leader and you can feel everything.
• Fast Tips allow for instant hook sets with power.
• Braid on jigging raps with a mono leader enables you to break off easily when snagged.
• Mono for snap jigging in rocks.
• Mono gives a little bit of stretch when fishing shiners. Fish are less likely to feel your mono compared to braid.
• Doesn’t use swivels, when tying Mono to Braid.
• Use the Uni knot for tying Mono to Braid.
• Likes Berkley Ultra X9 Braid.
• Likes 7 Foot rods (personal preference).

• Johnny Darter Size 7 and 9. It has an over sized hook on back, no hook on front.
• Mark fishes a #6 treble hook on all Jigging Minnows.
• Johnny Darter has a Nose protector to protect the bait.
• Cuts the front hook off his Jigging Raps, especially when Ice fishing. It will hook on the bottom of the hole, which could cause losing a fish at the bottom of the hole.
• Go to bait for casting is the Shiver Minnow, its weight forward design make it unique.
• Slide your Knot forward on the eye; for a dying minnow mimic. Super glue it down to keep it there.
• Jigging minnows rip right through cabbage. Try a #3 Shiver Minnows in the weeds.
• Every time he jigs, he is setting the hook. Shorten up your jig stroke, very seldom does he jig higher than 6 inches.
• War pig has a slower fall and Rattle. Good for dirty water.
• Use Rippin’ Raps in shallow water and use a slower presentation. Size 6 and 7.
• Blade Baits work great on lakes, throw off a ton of vibration.
• Snap Jig with twitch tails or minnows. Another option to try.
• Hopkins Spoons are overlooked ½, ¾ or 1 oz. Tip with a tip of crawler or minnow head.

• Huge pink and white or purple and white color guy.
• UV Paint Jobs offer a brighter color pallet.
• Likes Glow paint.
• ROI in Alexandria makes awesome custom painted baits.
• Commented on the Old Rapala fire tiger paint job. Says it was the best.

• Uses all tungsten weights because they make a clicking sound on the bottom.
• Uses a Hydrowave to enhance his fishing. Hydrowave offers a lot of different sounds to simulate feeding.
• Unnatural Sounds will spook fish at times but it doesn’t seem to matter to much. Mark does turn off all sounds and Sonar in shallow water.

• If you don’t Mark fish, either your electronics aren’t set correctly or the Fish aren’t there.
• Mapping today compared to 20 years ago is a game changer
• Utilize Setting, technologies and take the time to drive around and find them.
• 75% of tournaments are won on artificial and 71% on some sort of jigging bait.
• Target big individual fish instead of schools to change things up a little and improve your skills.
• Slide your knot forward on the eye of your Jigging Raps to create a wounded minnow action. Use a little super glue to hold the knot in place.
• Buy a combo Soft water/Hard water sonar to use as your bow unit and as your Ice fishing unit, utilize it all year.

• Approximately 1 lb Fish Filet's, Walleye or Crappie works perfect!
• 1 cup flour
• 1 Teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 Teaspoon granulated garlic
• 1 /2 teaspoon salt
• 2 Eggs beaten
• 1 Cup Panko bread crumbs
• Salt and Pepper to taste

• Ripe Avocado sliced thinly
• Dried Mango sliced thinly
•  Pickled Cabbage Slaw
• Cilantro
• Sour Cream
• Hot sauce
• Fresh Lime wedges
• Tortillas
• Feel free to add your own personal favorite toppings.