Hey guys, looking to mount a fish finder on my tube and was wondering what you recommend. Also, any ideas on how to mount one on a fish cat? Thanks!

Thought most fish finders ran of 12 volt marine batteries? How do you plan on carry the battery, the fish finder, and the transducer on an inner tube? Am I missing something here? Seems like a lot oc extra bulky weight?

yep... missing something, there are units that run on AA's. no need for full size batiries.

They'll also run on a deer feeder or home alarm system battery. I have a Hummingbird Pirahna Max 20. It was only about 100 bucks, and I have been very pleased, Wes.

well i learned something new

Ok, so would I get the fixed, or portable? I can't tell from looking at the pictures on Cabelas if you could mount the portable to the tube. Have you guys ever had trouble with the sonar picking up your legs and blocking underwater? I was going to look at your website for mounting ideas fishbrain but it's not up anymore. Do you guys have any suggestions? Thanks.

Get a fixed. Take a 5-gallon bucket and cut two squares about 5 inches across. You can attach the mount to one. Then, use some backpack strap and run it between the two pieces, gluing (epoxy) or bolting them together, like a sandwich. Just wrap around the tube--the curve of the bucket makes it fit like a glove!

Awesome! Thanks for the advice. I think this will really help a lot in finding areas to fish faster.

one more question, how and where do you mount the transducer? I'll try to leave you alone after this one.

Thanks!

I have the same fish finder as Fishbrain. I purchased my mount for my fish finder.

This is the one I have. The transducer goes underneath one of the sides.

https://www.allkayakfishing.com/floattube.html

For some reason that website doesn't work. Do you strap the transducer on in the same way you do the fish finder?

Here is a picture of what it looks like.



It wraps around the tube and the transducer mounts on the strap underneath.

See it at Cabelas. Scotty mount

Thanks! I think I'm finally getting a good idea of what to do. It looks like Cabelas is out of them for the time being, but I may try and make one myself. Has it been worth it having it on your tube?

Here's what I use in my yak. Totally portable and works GREAT.

http://item.express.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP...EM_SIMILAR_LINK

It's worth it. You will know the temp of the water and any obstructions below or around you and how deep it is. This way, you know if your tube blows up that you can either stand or swim!

I use a Bottom line Fishin' Buddy and love it. It is a side scan and down type and the side scan is a wonder. It also has the temperature and such. Since it is a self contained unit with screen,batteries and transducer all together all you have to do is figure out a way to mount it. I have a PVC frame I built for my tube so it is no problem.

The thing about side scan is that you don't go over the fish that you are seeing and so they are not spooked. I actually seek and catch schooling bass and white bass with it and have tremendous success spotting the fish.

Thanks Dan, after all the advice, I will be asking my wife for a fish finder for Christmas.

My fish finder works great, for about 8 hours, on the small Dewalt 14.4 cordless portable tool (drill) battery.

Also, on my Kennebec, which has two long straight tubes
I put in large pieces of 1/16" polypropelene secured with rivets, the shield the tops of the bladders against punctures, from hooks in the storage bags.
The added regidity helps prop up the strap on depth finder.

went to sportsman's warehouse going out of business sale today. bought a bottom line fishin buddy 2202 for 80.00. it sales for 150.00 at bps. they still had about 5 or 6, I even saw a portable that you wear like a wrist watch for 60.00. most items are 40% off now.

That wrist unit is a Hummingbird, and it is a piece of junk--resolution looks like an old Atari game. You'd be getting a bad deal at $10.