I don't have electronics on my kayak, but going to get something soon.

If for no other reason, one would be to sort of figure out the bottom configuration, structures, etc. I think this capability alone would be a great advantage especially on new water, to be able to identify likely places that hold fish.

??? On catching fish that don't show up on electronics? I have heard that, too, and I wonder if the stray fish or two there that are "catchable" just aren't showing their profiles, that is, they are missed because of how they are oriented on the graphic. I don't know enough about electronics to know if this makes sense.

On not catching fish that are definitely spotted on electronics, well, you definitely can't catch a fish that is not there, so at least you have a fighting chance knowing something is down there.

I'm likely going "finesse" for a kayak and may try a Deeper fish finder, the little baseball sized one that can be either cast or just hang it out over the gunwale.

A really good topic, by the way.

Brad

I fish tournaments a lot. And they are usually out of state. In my case, I wouldn't stand a chance without them. Haha. Here on local waters, they help out too. I usually do not fish the bank. I leave that for the guys that can't understand graphs. I usually cruise deeper ledges and, points, channel swings and whatnot. When I spot bait balls or fish, I stop and beat the snot out of the fish. Then move on. Haha. Without all 3 of my screens, I'm lost.

Now put me on a pond, fishing the bank, and I don't need em. Lol.

We were at Sandlin last year and idling over to some rip rap and went over something on the side scan that was covered up with fish. Drove back over it and saw that it was just the end of a long point with a group of fish grouped tightly together on the bottom. We marked them on the SS, drove over to them and caught some spots that we later weighed in.

Does a good graph help you catch fish? Absolutely. Having low frequency sonar running along side your structure scan lets you see fish sitting inside a brush pile. That's priceless, IMO.

Well, late to the 'discussion' but IMO, (1) find them - YES, (2) catch them - not so much.
But, qualifier- not the fault of the equipment but, the lack of skill sets of the fisherman.
Firm believer of what Evan O'Brien clearly stated, but, JMO..
THIS>>>

Absolutely helps! Networking your finders is a big part of the puzzle also.

I've resisted buying better units because I'm afraid I would never figure out how to use it.

Heck, I've got a plain old flip phone and can't even figure out how to change the ring tone!!!

But in the right hands, I'm sure they help alot.

They help you find the active fish so they do actually help you catch them as well as find them.

** if you buy some to the 'newest' technology, remember one thing: Be prepared for them to drop in retail value QUICK!
Shocked more than I can say to find my 1199 HB units now on sale (TFF advertiser on here) for almost exactly 1//2 what I had paid for them! Doesn't exactly create 'brand loyalty'....but, that's just me.
- networking: well, yeah but it gains you only one thing (not exactly sure what was to be expected) but you can only mark a 'target' from the bow and/or the console that will then show up on either unit
- temperature gauge: yeah, it does that but there is a BUT: only the surface temperature - not the temperatures of the waters where your 'targets' are found
There is not one manufacturer TMK to date that offers what most anglers really want to know: Are there fish in front of their rig?
Every current instrument (again TMK) only offers what is to the side of you and what is behind you that you have already disturbed by your rig passing over
One day, hopefully soon will offer units that will give you that information AND be 'semi-affordable'.
As always, the final decision is yours....just food for thought
God Bless

Garmin panoptix shows what is in front of you

go buy one and learn to use it and it will help, f you do not put an effort in to learning to use it then it's a waste of money

Garmin will shoot in front of you. Humminbird 360

Knew there would be a 'come back' re: HB 360. Can't comment on the Garmin but, ?? for whatever reason the HB 360 just did not 'catch on'. Prices on those are dropping like a rock as well.....
Garmin, just don't know. Don't read a lot of chatter on here about the Garmin units reading ahead of your rig.....
Ok, assuming ya'll are correct (and I have no reason to doubt it), just how far out and what kind of a area coverage in front of your rig do you get?
Really like to know....fish in front of you yeppers.....undisturbed waters, active fish - isn't that what everyone is really looking for?
Good feed back, thanks....
God Bless

It's all about finding the spot on the spot. Example, you can pull up to a point fish all around the point and eventually find where the fish are hanging. Or you can side scan, see where the point actually has a defined break or lots of rocks. It saves you time that's for sure.

I'm debating on up grading too. Been looking at the hummingbird helix 5" they seem budget friendly. I have still have 16 year old graph on mine. These new graphs are game changer for sure.

Yes, first I would be scared on unknown waters without a chartplotter and second with sidescan I've seen my local lakes in a way that my dad nor my grandad ever did. I also record everything to watch again on the pc when I get home to look for spots that I might of missed when I was on the lake.