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Fish Finder recommendations
#12341504
07/16/17 12:26 AM
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 32
channeldiver
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 32 |
My son and I are outfitting our 16' john boat with 15 HP Mercury for catfishing and starting to look at options for fish locator /depth finder unit. Does anyone have any recommendations on best unit to get for someone wanting to help locate depth and structure / fish and not spend a fortune doing it.
I really like the Hummingbird units / color screen.
look forward to your expertise.
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Re: Fish Finder recommendations
[Re: channeldiver]
#12341715
07/16/17 02:01 AM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,413
TCK73
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,413 |
You would be hard pressed to get better unit for the money than one of the Bird Helix units. Pick one with 2D, SI and DI in a size that fits your budget, and you will be set.
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Re: Fish Finder recommendations
[Re: channeldiver]
#12342081
07/16/17 11:08 AM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435
ðŸ€El Gato AzulðŸ€
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435 |
+1 on helix...if you plan on chaising blues I would save up to get al least a 10" screen...the smaller screens are a lot harder on your eyes when scanning for long periods of time. I moved up to a 12 this winter and it ain't even fair!!
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Re: Fish Finder recommendations
[Re: channeldiver]
#12342098
07/16/17 12:02 PM
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 111
SunUpSunDown
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 111 |
Before you buy , you might want to talk to a fishing guide in your area on his or her opinion , and see if they could give you a class on it , It saves the new fish finder owners a lot of time learning and you can spend more time catching fish .
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Re: Fish Finder recommendations
[Re: channeldiver]
#12342190
07/16/17 01:31 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,957
Bob Landry
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,957 |
To get screen size and features you are going to have to spend some $$$. Fishing is an expensive hobby, more so with good equipment.
2015 Seaark 1872 MV CC Etec-90 Two Helix 12 CHIRP SI's, , MinnKota Riptide ST80/i-pilot Link, Bob's Hydraulic 2020 Robalo R200 CC, Yamaha 150
Bitter Gun Owner Bitter Clinger Armed Infidel
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Re: Fish Finder recommendations
[Re: channeldiver]
#12342294
07/16/17 02:55 PM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 276
rdmac
Angler
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Angler
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 276 |
God, family, fishing! 22' Bay Stealth CC 200hp Yamaha Saltwater Series
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Re: Fish Finder recommendations
[Re: TCK73]
#12342425
07/16/17 04:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,818
doctorxring
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,818 |
You would be hard pressed to get better unit for the money than one of the Bird Helix units. Pick one with 2D, SI and DI in a size that fits your budget, and you will be set. I double down on this comment. Side Imaging is an incredibly valuable tool when you learn how to use it. If you go Helix other than a MEGA unit then be sure and make use of the trade up program that Humminbird offers on the HD transducer. I speak from personal experience. The HD transducer is worth the extra $90. PM me if you have any questions. Chris
You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free
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Re: Fish Finder recommendations
[Re: channeldiver]
#12342504
07/16/17 05:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,665
Muzzlebrake
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,665 |
Friend of mine put together a nice rig to take to Canada where they had to fly in to the lake. He bought a Helix 9 and mounted it to the top of a plastic water proof Ammo box with a motorcycle battery in the box to power it. He found a 4" suction cup bracket to mount the transducer to. The guide boats are aluminum and the suction cup holds perfect all day. When not in use the transducer and wiring fits inside the box. Pretty neat little traveling setup.
From Genesis: "And God promised men that good and obedient wives would be found in all corners of the earth."
Then He made the earth round...and He laughed and laughed and laughed!
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Re: Fish Finder recommendations
[Re: channeldiver]
#12343326
07/17/17 01:37 AM
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 395
SARG
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 395 |
Helix all day I have a 5SI on a jon boat that works pretty good The bigger boats have 9's and 12's on them
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Re: Fish Finder recommendations
[Re: channeldiver]
#12344336
07/17/17 06:42 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,181
Big Sam
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,181 |
I do the same thing with my Gen 2 from Lowrance i can see what you see Prime..... LOL
If it ain't broke don't fix it...but go ahead and work on it anyway.....
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Re: Fish Finder recommendations
[Re: channeldiver]
#12345321
07/18/17 09:42 AM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,253
WillieRip
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,253 |
I've never had much luck with sonar. I've done better with a rock tied to a line and feel the bottom directly with my own hands.
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