I am looking for a side imaging fish finder that would work on my 16' jon boat. Does anyone have any recommendations on an affordable, yet funtional, side imaging unit that they would recommmend for a weekend cat fisherman?

Goal is to take it to the next level and spend less time trying to locate where the bait fish and catfish are.

Looking for an affordable unit that works for our type of fishing in lakes like Gibbons Creek. What is the high end and what is perfect for someone just starting out?

Appreciate any feedback from you experts on the site.

Thank you!

The bigger screen the better when it comes to the side imaging. But they jump up a lot with each screen size. I wouldn't go less than a Humminbird 898/899. I have a Lowrance HDS 8 and love it and I mainly crappie fish. I haven't had any problems with the screen size of it. Easy to see bait/structure/fish. Get the biggest you can afford, and if it means waiting a month or two to get the next size up, I recommend doing so. They are all good units and I don't think you can go wrong with either HB or Lowrance, touch screen or push button. You'll love the side imaging, it's worth every penny and it's hard to fish without it once you've used it.

I will say also, contact 'shut up and fish' on the forum here, you can usually find him posting on crappie section. he sells all kinds of marine electronics - great prices and David is a good guy.

Maybe try to find a used one from someone upgrading. Not sure what you budget is, but it wouldn't be too hard to spend more than the rest of your boat is worth just on electronics.

Had a lot of good times fishing out of ole gibbons, its a really neat lake.

+1

That's where I get my stuff. Hard to beat his prices!

I have a 16 john boat and use hummingbird 898 si , love it but don't go any smaller. Screen size really matters for si

Got my HB998 from shut up and fish on here too. Great prices and fast shipping. Doesn't matter was size boat you have,get the biggest one you can afford.

I would advise not to get a fish finder that is worth more than your boat. Small boats can keep you off the water and a bignfancy fish finder isn't worth anything when you are blown off the lake.

Get a bigger boat so you can sit here in the wind like me and put posts on the TFF about No Side Imaging Curses.

i would contact shut up and fish or check out http://fishfinders.factoryoutletstore.com/cat/59651/Homepage-2.html they have good prices or check out eBay if you want to get a used nothing wrong with used if it was well maintained. Mine was used but it was more or less give to me but i could not be happier I have a 998 si and love it. It is the prefect size and picture quality, but for your john boat i think the 899 would be better but it comes down to you want want and your budget. What I do addvies dont settle if you what to wait a bit and save to get a better unit