The biggest asset to my fishing equipment has been my Humminbird 899ci HD SI unit. This side imaging sonar has completely turned my fishing experience around. Now I don't always catch them when I find fish as sometimes fish just don't bite but it is good to know they are fish where you are fishing. Save your money up and buy newest and the biggest screen side imaging unit that you can afford and learn to use it. I have learned a ton of sonar information right here and still learning:
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/fishi...d-photography/
Youtube has also a lot of videos to help also.
If your not fishing in the lake where the fish are you may as well be fishing in your bathtub at home.
Went legal place some fishing habitat. The fish will appreciate it and you will also. Fish Habitat" build it and they will come".