Hydrowave?

[vaulter1014]

I haven't heard a lot about the Hydrowave product. For those of you that have tried it or have one, do you notice a difference? It seems like a lot of money for a seemingly gimmick that "calls the fish in".

[Frank]

 it does  seem to help.  I only noticed 1 boat on the elites that didn't have it

[BIGSHOW]

It probably helps to get it for free

[Dan]

Having talked to many pros that myth that they get everything free is not true. Granted there are a certain tier of pros that get help or get things paid for, but quite a number pay their own way. Some have very few sponsors of any consequence. I always thought that the services crews just fix things for them for free. Not so. They get things fixed in a very timely fashion and don't have to look around town for a mechanic, but they get a bill for parts etc.

[rudycard72]

Having talked to many pros that myth that they get everything free is not true. Granted there are a certain tier of pros that get help or get things paid for, but quite a number pay their own way. Some have very few sponsors of any consequence. I always thought that the services crews just fix things for them for free. Not so. They get things fixed in a very timely fashion and don't have to look around town for a mechanic, but they get a bill for parts etc.

I always wondered about that one

[BIGSHOW]

What does one of these cost? maybe 350=400. Thats about the cost of a good fishing rod. And I guess if you dont like it you could probably recoup probably 75% or so back in sale/trade. I would be interested in talking to someone who has one that is not in any way sponsored or pushing the item for other reasons

[PineLk 49]

I bought one 3 years ago and it was $400 if my memory is correct. The jury is still out on this thing .

The unit was designed for bodies of water with large shad populations and many of the lakes I fish do not have them. I bought this thinking the sound that it emits may have an effect on schools of bluegills which in turn may fire up the bass under them.

Still not sure because it only takes one bass being hooked to get them fired up.

My buddy has one and uses it on St. Clair.He believes it has made a difference (in a good way) in helping him catch more fish.

When KVD helped designed the HW, the thought process was aimed at southern lakes and water ways with huge populations of shad, in my opinion.

Maybe I need a 101 crash course  on how and when to use it. I am a sucker for new gimmicks and baits that I hope would give me an edge. After spending many many $1000 on this stuff, I think I am going back to the old Manns Jelly worm and Stanley Jigs with real Pork.

Dave

[Mojo]

Man, if the jury is still out after 3 years, doesn't that answer the question on gimmicks ? Any stories out there significant action pre/ post HW ?

[djkimmel]

Kevin looks me right in the eyes without blinking and says they work.

I was listening to Aaron Martens talk earlier this year and he mentioned a number of significant fishing tackle items that he buys just like you and I do because it's what he wants to use and he isn't sponsored by them. He's definitely in the top tier.

They don't get everything for free. Sometimes they don't get much of anything for free.

Sometimes some of them compensate for a potential success tipping new tool by buying it too so they have it to use alongside the 'sponsored' or 'in crowd' anglers (Humminbird Side Imaging units on boards under the dash, Hydrowaves...) or they work to outlaw it so they don't have to compete against it, buy it, carry it or use it (Alabama Rig). The competition is fierce at the top!