When I first bought my Smokercraft Pro Angler XL, I knew I had a serious fishing platform plenty of room, stability, and rugged durability. But I also realized that in today’s fishing world, success depends heavily on the electronics and control systems you equip your boat with. After upgrading to a networked system featuring two Humminbird™ Xplore™ units, a Minn Kota Ulterra™, and a 5-port Ethernet switch, my boat became a true multi-species fishing machine. It’s dramatically improved how I fish, whether I’m targeting walleye, bass, crappie, or even trolling for salmon.
This isn’t just a tech upgrade; it’s a transformation that gives me maximum flexibility and confidence on the water. Let me share how I set up, how it benefits my fishing, and why this system makes my boat the perfect versatile vessel.
The Heart of My Setup: Two Humminbird Xplore™ Units and the Ulterra™
When I first envisioned turning my boat into a multi-species powerhouse, I wanted the best of both worlds detailed sonar and mapping at the bow and a larger control hub at the dash. The 9-inch Humminbird Xplore™ mounted up front gives me a highly detailed view of structure, baitfish, and fish schools directly where I can make rapid decisions. The 12-inch Xplore™ on the dash is where I get my full overview large maps, split-screen sonar, and control over the entire system.
The key benefit isn’t just the physical placement but how these units communicate. Connecting both through a 5-port Humminbird™ Ethernet switch makes my system intelligent and integrated. This switch acts as the central nerve center, allowing all devices including the Ulterra trolling motor to share data, control settings, and work in perfect harmony.
Why the System Works for Multi-Species Fishing
The flexibility of this setup allows me to adapt quickly for different species. For instance:
- When I’m bass fishing in the spring or summer, I rely heavily on detailed structure and side-imaging to find submerged humps, weed beds, or rocky points. The Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar on both the bow and console units helps me distinguish bait from fish, identify cover, and precisely locate active schools.
- During the fall, when I shift to trolling for walleye or drifting for crappie, I utilize the mapping and waypoint-sharing features. I can quickly mark structure, fish holds, or productive spots, and then instantly transfer that data across the network so I can navigate back or set my Ulterra to hold position exactly where I saw the fish.
- For trolling, especially when targeting faster-moving species like salmon or pike, I use Ulterra’s auto course control and Spot-Lock™ to maintain precise positioning over key areas. The auto stow/deploy feature also makes switching from fishing to traveling effortless, maintaining my focus on the water rather than fiddling with equipment.
The Perfect Multi-Species System Flexibility, Integration, Confidence
What truly makes this setup so powerful is how well everything integrates into the One-Boat Network™ a platform that makes all these advanced features accessible and controllable from multiple devices.
- With the 5-port Ethernet switch, I can have full control from either the bow or dashboard, switching seamlessly depending on what species I’m targeting or where I am on the water.
- The network sharing of waypoints and routes makes it extremely quick to navigate from carp hotspots to bass structures or cranking out shallow water spots for panfish.
- The sonar views can be split, overlayed, or viewed side-by-side on either screen so I can see baitfish and gamefish on the bow, while the dash provides a broader map perspective.
- The Ulterra’s control features including course control, Spot-Lock™, Drift Mode, and auto trim are accessible from either the remote, the dash, or even through my phone with compatible apps. This makes adapting to changing conditions fast and efficient.
This level of control and data sharing means I spend less time navigating and more time actually fishing. I can switch from casting for bass and crappie to drifting for walleye without reconfiguring or wasting time. The boat becomes a true multi-species platform because I can tailor my approach on-the-fly, confidently knowing that all my electronics are working together.
How It Transformed My Fishing Experience
This setup has really changed the way I fish. No longer am I limited by outdated gear or disconnected electronics everything is integrated, intuitive, and ready to adapt to whatever species I target. Whether I’m casting for bass in shallow bays, trolling for walleye over deep ledges, or drifting for crappie around submerged cover, my boat’s electronics system is the backbone of my success.
For example, I can rapidly switch from searching for submerged structures with detailed side imaging on the bow, then transfer that data to my dash unit where I plan my route or set waypoints. When I’m ready to troll, I simply activate Ulterra’s course control or Spot-Lock™ to stay on a productive spot without constant manual adjustments. If the wind kicks up unexpectedly, I use Drift Mode to maintain my heading and speed automatically freeing me up to focus on my presentation.
And what’s really nice is how seamless all of this is. The One-Boat Network allows me to do control and data sharing from multiple devices, making my whole system feel like a single, intelligent organism rather than disconnected gadgets. This isn’t just convenience it’s a significant advantage that leads to more fish caught in less time.
A Smarter Boat for Smarter Fishing
My Pro Angler XL has always been a solid platform, but adding this integrated electronics system has made it a true multi-species fishing vessel. Whether I’m chasing smallmouth bass in the spring, targeting walleye during their summer run, or hunting for crappie in spring and fall, my system adapts to every scenario.
It’s built my confidence to explore new water, push into unfamiliar currents, and employ a variety of fishing strategies all because I trust the technology that’s working behind the scenes. Plus, with the ability to quickly reconfigure my displays, control my trolling motor, and manage waypoints, I can focus on my technique rather than wrestling with gear.
The Bottom Line
If you’re serious about making your boat a multi-species powerhouse, investing in a cohesive, networked electronics setup like this is the way to go. The combination of Humminbird’s™ advanced Xplore™ units, the Minn Kota™ Ulterra™, and the Ethernet switch creates a smart, adaptable, and efficient system that transforms your boat into a versatile fishing platform.
This setup isn’t just about having flashy gadgets it’s about building a smarter boat that works in harmony to give you the best chance of success across multiple species and conditions. It’s a game-changer that makes fishing more enjoyable and productive, and once you experience its benefits firsthand, you’ll wonder how you ever fished without it.
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