Unique Fishing Conditions Call
For Specialized Electronics

Written by Jim Zaleski, NorCross Pro and Co-Host of Fishing the Four States Radio, he is a Tournament Bass Fisherman in the Oklahoma Division of the BFL and Midwest Division of the American Bass Anglers, he can be reached at fish4states@yahoo.com

As a tournament bass fisherman in the Midwest I am sure I face a completely different array of challenges compared to those of you fishing offshore or on the saltwater flats. However, these challenges that are presented every day on the water, place me in the exact same “need to know” position as I am sure many of you are far too familiar with.

            The need for specific information to be relayed correctly and immediately can not be understated, no matter what the hunted quarry. Be it super sized largemouth bass on a Missouri reservoir, seasonal run Snook on the intercostals or Kingfish on the breaks, the need for immediate and accurate information can make or break a fishing excursion.

            For me it is literally the difference between “cashing a check” or going home empty handed, both in fish and in cash winnings. For some professionals it means the success or failure of a guided fishing trip for that special client and even for others the difference between expending hundreds of dollars of fuel running to different hunting grounds or staying right where they are.

            This dilemma has perplexed fisherman since the time of the whaling sailors of centuries forgone and it continues to haunt us all to this day as we pursue the swimming giants of the deep. But for all fishermen, no matter what the prey, making the difference today is Norcross marine.

            One item I simply do not leave the dock without is the Infrared Marine Thermometer SP.  This specialized piece of equipment has proven invaluable to me and countless tournament anglers both on and off the water.

            Lakes found in the lower Midwest are practically all created by the damming of rivers for either recreational use or flood control. This, of course, means that water flow on these reservoirs is as important to measure as if you were fishing tidal basins such as the Hudson or Potomac.

            But even more important to all fishermen is the temperature of that water flow, in my case on the reservoirs, all the water in the lake has been released from the lower depths of the lake above the dam. This being the case, the water continues to carry with it a specific temperature flow creating temperature breaks throughout the lake below the dam.

            These breaks will signify breeding, feeding or resting areas for large and small mouth bass dependent on the season and speed of the water current from the dam release. The Norcross Infrared Marine Thermometer SP gives me immediate readings that are updated 4 times each second, meaning I know just where the break in temperature is and exactly where the fish will be holding in relation to the flow of warm v/s cold water.

            Some depth sounder mounted temperature gauges can take as long as a minute to identify change in water temperature. Meaning that by the time I see the “break” identified on my boats temperature readings I could be several yards past the actual potion I should be in. The easy to use Infrared Thermometer allows me to identify these breaks instantly and accurately allowing me the greatest advantage in time and positioning.

            This same instrument has also proven a valuable tool throughout my travels to and from fishing tournaments. By measuring the temperature of my trailer tires quickly and immediately on my older model, double axel trailer. I can identify, through temperature spikes, if I have a bearing going bad or possibly a tire out of alignment.

            In the next newsletter we will take a look at another Norcross piece of equipment, the Sonic-Laser Scale XP. I know what you’re thinking, with a name like that it better do more than just weigh my fish. Well it does, tune in next week to find out just what it is capable of.  Until then lines tight and drags loose…Fish on!