Cannon Speed N Temp sensor

[Empire]

A couple major catalog retailers sell a Cannon Speed N Temp sensor. I gather that it is a sensor that attaches to the downrigger ball. It sends a signal up the downrigger cable to a display that shows depth, speed, and light level.

I can use the speed info for trolling, as my GPS is not effective at trolling speeds. The temp info is valuable for finding thermoclines. The light level, well, I don't know what to do with that.

The units cost $400. Has anyone out there ever used one, or spoke to anyone that has. Perhaps someone has some alternatives? Any input would be appreciated.

[ 10-07-2003, 04:25 PM: Message edited by: Empire ]

[BrionLutz]

Empire,

I've got one. Interesting device, if you've got the bucks. If you ocean fish, it's probably more useful than for river fishing.

I fish the Columbia so I figured I'd find that cool water and just nail those sneaky salmon...BZZZT...Wrong!

The water below Bonneville is surprisingly uniform in temp. I'm told the water is mixed coming out of the dam and has little time to cool or heat up in its 36 hour run to the ocean.

Might be some temp changes at the river mouths on the Columbia. I didn't get it until this summer so I'll test that out in the Spring.

Interesting info on the light, how quickly it goes to zero light. Makes you wonder about the colors on lures etc. particularly when the fish are running under 20 feet. Even on clear water, sunny days, the light goes to zero 20 feet down.

So if you fish in areas where thermals are a big issue, it's probably more useful.

It's a little tricky on using as the receiver wire has a curly cue that you work around the downrigger wire. Once it's on, nice to leave it on. The read out panel is hardwired to your battery so you need to install it somewhere next to your fish finder.

Since the power and receiver wire are one, you can't just store it with the downrigger so you have to remove the curly cue gizmo each time unless you can store the downrigger nearby.

Brion