I am thinking of putting a fish finder on my kayak. I have a vibe sea ghost which has the hole near the front to put a transducer in. I�ve been doing some research and I like the idea of the side imaging but does that mean I cannot use the hole? Is side imaging worth not using the hole or is a normal just fine? Does anyone have pics of using the transducer hole on any kayak? Also, tips on which fish finder to buy is helpful as well.

I have a Garmin-striker-4 (down image only). I chose it for its small size, low battery drain and small transducer. I would like to have a side image, but not so much to sacrifice on the other aspects.

Like you, my kayak has a recessed area (and skid plate) for the transducer... I personally would be very concerned with having an exposeds side image transducer protruding from the bottom. Seems like damage waiting to happen.

I've seen people hang the transducer off the side with a PVC bracket. If that is an option for you, then that would mitigate the risk of damage. If this is not something that you are willing to consider, then down image is probably the best option for you.

you can buy a pretty decent transducer side mount off amazon that pops off when not using. had it for two years no problems yet. I like being able to take it off if I am in rough water.

I've got a Garmin-Striker Plus 4cv, mounted in mine, but it doesn't have the side images. Everyone I know has there's mounted inside the hull in the front. I've been in on trying them outside in the water and then in the hull and couldn't tell any difference, guess the hull is about the same as the shield that goes over the ones that go trough the hole in the front like yours. This just makes it to where you don't have to worry about it, or tearing it up or loosing it. Just sand the surface a little where your putting it so the silicone wont turn loose, and put it in clear silicone with no air bubbles that is the only way that you could get distortion in the image, and we fix another one to put the battery in, and stick some cardboard in it around it so the battery is tight and cant move or come out in ruff stuff.

That's a great set up. When I had a boat, I had my flasher transducer shoot through the fiberglass hull and it worked great... The temperature gauge even worked through the hull. I know this because it would exactly mirror my trolling motor transducer.

I would not hesitate to shoot through my plastic kayak if it did not otherwise come equipped with an external option.