The PiranhaMax 170 list price is $99.99

http://store.humminbird.com/products/307381/PiranhaMAX_170

Coverage for this unit is 60�.

The PiranhaMax 180 list price is $149.99

http://store.humminbird.com/products/307290/PiranhaMAX_180

The coverage for this unit is 90�. I ordered mine from Amazon with the battery and charger and got free shipping on both.

Cheaper Fish finders, like these, general operate on the lateral line. Which means you don't get to see what is beside you only the bottom directly below you. The 60� or 90� coverage lets you see fish (but not structure) that are on the sides of the kayak. For me the most important feature of these units is that they let you know the depth of water. By knowing the depth of water you can ascertain what kind of structure to fish. I.E. I like to troll the 10 foot contour for White Bass. This puts me on the fish a whole lot more often than "bump" trolling. I like the feature of being able to see more fish (90� of the PiranhaMax 180) beside the kayak but it is by no means a requirement.
GPS and Down Imaging are nice features but they put the price out of the current budget for me.

As far as the choice of paddle goes, I would suggest a paddle of the correct length for you. I am an incredibly average 5'10" 155 lbs and I like a 240 CM paddle. Unless you are pretty small nothing under 230 CM would be appropriate. And a paddle weight of under 30 oz. Heavier paddles require more energy obviously. If you buy a cheaper paddle and then end up trying something better, you won't be happy with the cheaper one and it will be impossible to get your money out of it. The better (lighter) paddles aren't cheap, but you will find that the paddle choice is nearly as important as the choice of kayak.
I have a 23 oz 230 CM ONNO paddle that I like a lot, but 370 bucks is lot of money for a paddle. This is sort of the upper limit of a fishing paddle.

Thanks for the info RealBigreel. So with the 60� or 90� it pick's up fish, but not structure beside you? I also mainly just care about the depth, but it is encouraging when you hear it beeping from a school of fish.

I tried out two different paddles that belong to my cousin. They are both reasonably priced, I think one is a carlisle and I am not sure about the other. I could make do with either, but the longer one made a huge difference. I am 6' 200lbs, so I guess I need a decently long paddle.

Anyway, thanks for all the advice.

That is correct. These cheaper FFs show you a lateral line only, the bounce from the 20� cone. Fish that appear in the narrow cone plus fish that appear in the 60� or 90� cone will be displayed but not structure. With the PiranhaMax 180 the side that the fish are on is distinguished by the direction of symbol on the display.
For instance with these cheaper units you could pass over a sunken boat on the bottom and never now what you were seeing. If you want to see more you need at least Down Imaging and if you were passing over a sunken boat with down imaging you could see it and know what it was. And if you want to see way to much get "Side Imaging". With Side Imaging if you were in the neighborhood of that sunken boat you could find it.

As big as you are you need at least a 240 CM paddle, and you will appreciate the stiffness of the better paddles.

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=gsis%2Ci18n%3Dtrue&cp=15&gs_id=1d&xhr=t&q=carlisle+day+tripper&pf=p&sclient=psy&site=&source=hp&pbx=1&oq=carliasle+day+t&aq=0s&aqi=g-s5&aql=&gs_sm=&gs_upl=&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=7d86af9665111856&biw=1008&bih=612

Gotreal, the Day Tripper is actually one of the ones I borrowed from my cousin. It seemed to be a nice enough paddle for me, and reasonable too.

Thanks!

I love kayak fishing...every year me and the family go to OBX and me and my buddies fish for sharks in our kayaks hoping to catch a monster....never happens though haha

Good to see another yaker in Ft.Worthless Eagle mountain is where I usually go .

Great to hear you got your kayak, welcome to the addiction! Those Search Pescador Sports are an awesome deal at $500. I've been thinking about getting one for a second kayak.

Thanks! I am loving it! Only been out a couple times, but there are many more in my future!

So far, my only upgrades are a scotty rod holder in the front, and a crate in the back with 3 PVC holders. I am plannign on adding a fish finder soon. In my few trips out, I can definitely see where it would come in handy.