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Show SpitsMeld By Ted Kestlne "While depth-recorders may not be a new idea-there are a lot of new Ideas in depth-recorders. The main one is that depth-recorders belong on small fishing boats," according ac-cording to Tom Paugh, Saltwater Editor of Sports Afield. Recorder manufacturers have come to the rescue of the small-boat small-boat sportsman by designing smaller and more sophisticated electronic packages, at decreasing costs. The result is that there are now more recorders on boats' in the 20- to 26-foot range than there are on big yachts. While navigation formerly was the prime use for re-'cordcrs, re-'cordcrs, fish finding has now be-co.ne be-co.ne number one. Buying the right recorder is like buying the right fishing tackle you must match the gear to the kind of fishing you want to do. If you do mnsf nf vmir nntrlini in 25 fwt nf There are a nunilx'r of feature! that separate one recorder , from another. One desirable feature Is a variable paper speed. When you are searching for a spot to fish you can have your paper rolling at a faster rate because of additional detail gained on the picture. You will get greater bottom definition ( for example, a ridge will be more completely defined rather than op pearing merely as a sharp peak). You will also be able to run your boat at a faster speed with less loss of definition. When you find' your spot, you can slow down both the boat and paper speed to locate fish. This will save paper changing. Recorders are now so compact there are even portable recorders, with power packs. You can travel with one of these if you like, to aid in locating fish in unfamiliar waters. - o o water, what do you need with a recorder that will read to 1200 feet? A reputable dealer should steer you right after you explain to him what your needs are. Also, check with others who fish the same waters as you. If you can find a guy with a recorder on his boat, ask him about it and find out if he is happy with it or if he would prefer something different. Learning Learn-ing by others' errors can save you money and grief. Most every large city will have a marine electronics store. While these places used to deal primarily with yachtsmen, the word has gotten around that the small-boat angler has entered the field in a big way. If your nearest big city has no such store, write directly to manufacturers. Check advertisements advertise-ments in Sports Afield and other fishing and boating 'publications for addresses. |