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Fish finders #13389757 01/01/20 08:38 PM
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What fish finders are y’all running and on what type of kayak? Does anyone have side imaging and is it worth it?

I’m trying to decide which direction I should go for my Topwater 120 PDL.


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Re: Fish finders [Re: Duck_Hunter] #13389768 01/01/20 08:52 PM
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Smurfs Online Content
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Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer, 3.5" GPS Fishfinder with CHIRP Traditional Transducer
Jackson Mayfly

Re: Fish finders [Re: Smurfs] #13389777 01/01/20 08:59 PM
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Mike@972 Offline
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Originally Posted by Smurfs
Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer, 3.5" GPS Fishfinder with CHIRP Traditional Transducer
Jackson Mayfly


I have the exact same Garmin and like it a lot. It's simple, small and easy on the battery. It gives me depth, temp and GPS... about all one really "needs".

However, I've been eyeing the Lowrance HDS Live 7 with a 3 in 1 transducer. They are pricey, but I keep looking hammer

https://www.lowrance.com/lowrance/type/fishfinders-chartplotters/hds-7-live-amer-xd-ai-3-in-1/

Re: Fish finders [Re: Duck_Hunter] #13390233 01/02/20 05:42 AM
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Had a striker 4 on my last kayak. It being only 100 bucks it’s was good for what it was. Really only used it for depth and water temp.
I imagine side imaging would be really nice to have but not sure it’s worth the money to put it on a kayak.

Nowadays I just use the navionics app on my phone.

Re: Fish finders [Re: Duck_Hunter] #13390258 01/02/20 10:53 AM
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A lot depends on what type of fishing you do and then it’s just a personal opinion as to Side Imaging being worth the $.
I personally will not own a Fish Finder without Side Image and there are some very affordable options today.
I’ve been running Humminbird units with SI for about 10 years and it’s improved my fishing game and enjoyment
a lot. one thing a lot of people don’t consider about FF’s with SI is the enjoyment of looking at and finding Interesting
things in the lake. I personally enjoy that almost as much as fishing.

Last edited by pelican; 01/03/20 02:33 AM.


I've never been good, But I've been Lucky!
I don't Lie or Exaggerate, but sometimes I remember BIG!
Re: Fish finders [Re: Duck_Hunter] #13390429 01/02/20 02:23 PM
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I currently have a Hook2 5 down scan only. When I do upgrade it will be to a side scan unit. Worth the $ IMO.


You get out of it what you put into it!
Re: Fish finders [Re: Duck_Hunter] #13391299 01/03/20 04:59 AM
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Thanks for the feedback.


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Re: Fish finders [Re: Duck_Hunter] #13392460 01/04/20 02:22 PM
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I'm looking for a new fishfinder as well, will definitely go with side imaging on the next one. Using a Lowrance Elite 4, with downscan, regular sonar and gps now. At the price those have fallen to, its a bargain. If just starting out I would have at least downscan and gps.

My first fishfinder below. roflmao

[Linked Image]


A good rule of angling philosophy is not to interfere with another fisherman's ways of being happy, unless you want to be hated.
Zane Grey, Tales of Fishes, 1919

https://vimeo.com/73372194
https://vimeo.com/72859045

Re: Fish finders [Re: Duck_Hunter] #13394174 01/06/20 03:24 AM
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Lowrance Elite 5, I got my eyes on the Boards waiting for somebody too upgrade to LiveScope and offload a Side Scan Unit.


I'd Tack That!!
Re: Fish finders [Re: lconn4] #13394364 01/06/20 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by lconn4
I'm looking for a new fishfinder as well, will definitely go with side imaging on the next one. Using a Lowrance Elite 4, with downscan, regular sonar and gps now. At the price those have fallen to, its a bargain. If just starting out I would have at least downscan and gps.

My first fishfinder below. roflmao

[Linked Image]

Y
I had that same setup on my first little boat! But I had the larger head unit versus the one that you could attach to your Rod or wrist.

Used a piece of rope and tied the transducer off the back of the boat.

I've come a long way from floating that little bobber transducer behind an inflatable boat lol

Re: Fish finders [Re: Duck_Hunter] #13394768 01/06/20 07:12 PM
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Tru story. I won that smartcast in raffle at Texas kayak fishing tournament in Rockport 15 or 16 years ago. Go back to Florida and I'm pulling the floating transducer behind my kayak all day the first time I use it. Never see anything but 4', 4', 4'. all day. No drops no, real structure, no fish, just 4 ' of water in large lake connected to IntraCoastalWaterway, in Hollywood. Back in the ICW I'm paddling back nearer to ramp and my smartcast beeps, I look at watch and its showing three large fish icons. I back up kayak, pick up rod with DOA shrimp and just as I cast up against sea wall in front of le Tub saloon, a waitress says, "you better not mess with my ...." Before she could say "pets", I hang a monster tarpon that comes out of the water right beside kayak and makes such a splash that everyone jumps up from their waterfront seating and bar to watch. That fish jumped three more times in quick succession, almost landing in my kayak on the second jump and I'm trying to loosen my drag as quickly as possible. It drags me to middle of I C W and settles down to dragging me in circles as it makes its way 2 miles down current, over the next half hour.. Had some folks following along sea wall for a quarter mile before giving up. Fish finally lays over on its side at surface and hook falls out. No picture.


A good rule of angling philosophy is not to interfere with another fisherman's ways of being happy, unless you want to be hated.
Zane Grey, Tales of Fishes, 1919

https://vimeo.com/73372194
https://vimeo.com/72859045

Re: Fish finders [Re: lconn4] #13394819 01/06/20 08:02 PM
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Jerry713 Offline
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Originally Posted by lconn4
Tru story. I won that smartcast in raffle at Texas kayak fishing tournament in Rockport 15 or 16 years ago. Go back to Florida and I'm pulling the floating transducer behind my kayak all day the first time I use it. Never see anything but 4', 4', 4'. all day. No drops no, real structure, no fish, just 4 ' of water in large lake connected to IntraCoastalWaterway, in Hollywood. Back in the ICW I'm paddling back nearer to ramp and my smartcast beeps, I look at watch and its showing three large fish icons. I back up kayak, pick up rod with DOA shrimp and just as I cast up against sea wall in front of le Tub saloon, a waitress says, "you better not mess with my ...." Before she could say "pets", I hang a monster tarpon that comes out of the water right beside kayak and makes such a splash that everyone jumps up from their waterfront seating and bar to watch. That fish jumped three more times in quick succession, almost landing in my kayak on the second jump and I'm trying to loosen my drag as quickly as possible. It drags me to middle of I C W and settles down to dragging me in circles as it makes its way 2 miles down current, over the next half hour.. Had some folks following along sea wall for a quarter mile before giving up. Fish finally lays over on its side at surface and hook falls out. No picture.


Good story. I bet that waitress but peo'd you hooked her pet laugh


You get out of it what you put into it!
Re: Fish finders [Re: Duck_Hunter] #13394925 01/06/20 10:07 PM
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I called Old Town today and asked if their universal transducer mount would work with side imaging. They said it would, but I couldn’t mount it flush with the hull. I don’t want to have my transducer below the hull, because I’m the guy who will have it knock into something and break off or crack or something more times than not.

I’m just gonna go with GPS and down imaging. Thanks for the replies!


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Re: Fish finders [Re: Duck_Hunter] #13394952 01/06/20 10:30 PM
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OP not trying to steer you one way or the other. FYI all SI transducers are below the hull. They have to be in order to send signal to each side of the boat or kayak. The newer Hobie Outbacks and maybe some others have a spring loaded pocket for a SI transducer to go up into in the event you hit something. About the only option you have in terms of mounting it under the hull of your kayak is buying a protective housing for the SI transducer that will help prevent damage to the SI transducer. I think Berley Pro makes one.

https://www.austinkayak.com/BerleyPro-Lowrance-TotalScan-Total-Imaging-Ready-Transducer-Mount/ACK26481P.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping:%20ACK%20PLA&adpos=1o7&scid=scplp26481_18408_1&sc_intid=26481_18408_1&gclid=CjwKCAiA0svwBRBhEiwAHqKjFh9aBhKULW2nUm8KzebRhm8j_Ho-x16je9Bgy8o9oxYuc43EdZx4BBoCLe4QAvD_BwE


You get out of it what you put into it!
Re: Fish finders [Re: Duck_Hunter] #13394982 01/06/20 10:55 PM
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Thanks, Jerry!


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