Jan 02
Humminbird expands new HELIX lines
EUFAULA, AL. (10/21/15) – On the heels of HELIX® 5 and the ICAST 2015 “Best of Electronics” award-winning HELIX® 7, Humminbird brings anglers and boaters new supersized HELIX® units with unprecedented functionality. Please welcome HELIX 9,HELIX 10 and HELIX 12 CHIRP.
The big brothers of the compact-format HELIX 5 and 7, the new HELIX 9, HELIX 10, and HELIX 12 CHIRP bring an eye-popping 1500 nits of widescreen brightness to your boat, making them easily readable in direct sunlight – even when wearing sunglasses. “One of the most common requests by anglers is to be able to see the screen better and we’ve answered their call,” said Jeff Kolodzinski, Humminbird Brand Manager. But that’s not where their powerful performance stops.
The HELIX 9, 10, and 12 CHIRP offer the full range of Humminbird Imaging technologies like patented Side Imaging®, Down Imaging® and 360 Imaging® compatibility making fish-finding a lot more about the finding.
One of the biggest HELIX advancements is that the new models are Ethernet capable, allowing them to share waypoints and SONAR across the network. “You want to have a unit right where you fish, so it’s really an advantage to be able to run more than one unit on the boat while sharing data across the network,” Kolodzinski continued. Many anglers have one on the console and one on the bow. Anglers can now see the same waypoints, SONAR and other data on both units and be in the know, wherever they are in the boat. Ethernet networking also brings compatibility with Minn Kota® iPilot® Link™ for the ultimate in boat positioning and fishing navigation.
Even better, anglers can now go where no map has ever been with one-of-a-kind, patent-pending AutoChart® Live technology, which allows anglers to make their own maps in real-time, no PC, server or Cloud connection required. Internal memory will store up to 8 hours of mapping data, or add an optional ZeroLine SD card for years of recording and the ability to share map data with a buddy.
And when it comes to getting around on your favorite waters, all are LakeMaster compatible with new PLUS map cards with aerial image overlay. Anglers will continue to enjoy the patented Humminbird LakeMaster benefits of Water Level Offset, Shallow Water Highlight and Depth Highlight.
While all that tech talk may scare away some folks, the hallmark feature of any Humminbird is ease of use. The HELIX 9, 10 and 12 CHIRP all feature the new REFLEX™ operating system. “It’s an upgrade for sure, but it feels and operates in the classic Humminbird simplicity that has won the bows and consoles of so many anglers,” said Kolodzinski. “The units are so easy to operate while delivering many technology options for fish finding and navigation.”
HELIX 12 CHIRP: Fish-Finding Powerhouse
The HELIX 12 CHIRP boasts all the aforementioned attributes of the HELIX 9 and 10, but make no mistake about it, this is the head of the family. The 12.1 inch widescreen display is large and in charge and is fortified with built-in CHIRP SONAR technology.
The HELIX 12 CHIRP uses long transmit pulses that sweep across bandwidths of frequencies that are then processed using advanced Digital Signal Processing (DSP) to result in high-resolution SONAR with increased target separation and reduced noise. Enhanced target separation allows anglers to clearly identify game fish and baitfish, while reduced noise offers clear, sharp SONAR images.
The pulses used by the HELIX 12 CHIRP sonar along with the advanced Digital Signal Processing also allow it to obtain deeper depths while maintaining optimal resolution.
Not all forms of CHIRP are created equal. Some CHIRP products only allow the angler to utilize a pre-defined frequency bandwidth. In addition to providing pre-defined frequency bandwidths, the HELIX 12 CHIRP also allows the user to select multiple bandwidth settings to fully customize the SONAR to their unique preferences and fishing applications.
Humminbird’s HELIX 12 CHIRP also works with a wide variety of optional transducers, and it is capable of CHIRP’ing through frequencies ranging from Helix 12 DI range of 28kHz-490kH, Helix 12 SI and GPS range of 28kHz-250kHz and for products using the Black Box, a range of 28kHz-210kHz.
“Side Imaging, Down Imaging, and 360 Imaging, continue to offer game-changing advantages in finding structure and fish,” reflected Kolodzinski. “When you fold CHIRP into your electronics arsenal you have one more way to look at what’s going on down there, but it’s still only one piece of the fish-finding puzzle.”
Jan 01
Register your new Ranger Boat with the TBF
Did you know you get $300 in Ranger Wear, 1 year Ranger Cup membership and the Ranger Owners Group Package if you register your new Ranger Boat purchase with the TBF? Click here to learn more!
Jan 01
Jim Moulton
He has always played sports and loves the competition. Jim started fishing on Lake Don Pedro in 1994 with his friend, who introduced him to bass fishing. Within months he bought his first bass boat. He joined the local Merced Bass Club. At that point, Jim was “All-In” on bass fishing. For the next several years his love for the sport grew with a strong passion. In 2007, Jim started fishing the California Bass Federation (CBF) after friend Ben Willis, (Delta Region Tournament Director) encouraged him to join. “The Bass Federation is full of great people that share a common interest.” He has made many new friends and can’t wait for the season opener next year. When asked what he likes best of The Bass Federation, he says “The camaraderie and the head to head competition”.
Congratulations to Jim for his 2014 Angler of the Year Honor. The California Bass Federation Delta Region results: 3/9/14 tournament 15.65 lbs. for 6th place, 4/14/14 tournament 18.87lbs for 3rd place, 5/18/14 tournament for 19.10lbs for 2nd place, and on 6/1/14: 20.91lbs for a 1st place finish. His results reflect consistence on the Delta. Considering the competition, this is a great accomplishment! Jim recalls his tournament season as he relied heavily on spinner baits and senkos early in the year as well as chatter baits and even a few swim baits. Jim is a very diverse fisherman, he likes to throw jigs and punch baits too. His favorite technique however, is reaction fishing; making them bite when the fish are in a neutral or negative mood.
In May of 2013, the “Chatter Bait King” walked away with a 2.8lb margin in the 2013 Rayovac FLW Western Delta tournament weighing a 3 day total of 59 pounds 13 ounces. Jim will be forever immortalized. He confessed that he had a horrible pre-fish for that tournament, but he made key adjustments. “The whole tournament I noticed most everyone was running the banks and fishing the same techniques, so I moved off the banks and fished the chatter bait and swim bait.” If you know Jim, giving up is not an option. He was excited about winning on only his 7th FLW tournament. Awesome job Jim!
He also qualified for the 2014 State team at Lake Oroville in October 2013.
In 2007, Jim purchased C & C Marine as a business that he and his wife could maintain during their graduated years. C & C Marine has been sponsoring CBF since 2007. He is also the proud owner of Creative Plumbing and has been a plumbing contractor since 1993, doing mostly residential and some commercial work. He still works at his plumbing business today. Jim is married to Lynda, and has three daughters; Alissa, Jenny, and Crysta, who as a family support his fishing activities.
When asked about on the water decisions he makes when fishing gets tough during tournaments, Jim replied, “If I had fish biting during pre-fishing and went to the same area during the tournament but could not get them to bite, I would not leave and go somewhere else”. He knew the fish were there, he just needed to figure out how to make them bite. Jim expresses that over the years he has learned to never give up. He says “you are only one cast away from a game changing fish.”
Jim is definitely a first class individual and angler. If you get the privilege to meet and talk with him, don’t hesitate to go up and introduce yourself. Jim is always willing to take the time to talk with you and share his knowledge and experiences.
Thanks for the interview Jim Moulton.
Author: Brian Carpenter
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