Which Fishfinder ?

[the_hide]

What fishfinder do you ladies/gents recommend for use on a kayak for predominantly shallow water usage. How do you all go for water proofing etc in this situation. Any advice and recommendations would be appreciated.

[shoey]

ive got one of the smaller Eagle sounders set up on my kayak. Its nothing flash but i really only use it for the depth and shape of the bottom. Garmin have a new range out that have speed and water temp on them starting at about $280, they look pretty neat and have got me thinking about another one.

shoey.

[Sandworm]

I want to buy one, but still seting the yak up and this weater has stopped me doing any real on water tests.

once i get a few more rod holders set up i'll think more about the depth finder, speed would also be nice for troling speeds and temp would be a nice extra altho not needed

Is second hand a good option? all the ones i found were heaps to expencive

[Ol' slab sides]

I've got a lowrance, dunno what model but it was the cheapest one, tell me the depth thats all I need...

I think there all waterproof/resistant, but don't quote me, anyhow I've washed mine with the hose for the last 5 years & its still alright...

[dantheman]

get a lowrance , their the best, in my opinion and i have had mine offshore in the rivers and every thing,,and i catch fish,

cheers dan

Have you checked out the new Smart Cast from Humminbird?

They are fully portable and you can even use them shore based. Check them out, I've just got one and I'm loving it.....

[Bear]

They are not a bad idea Ira.

They also have the ability to run 2 transducers from the one unit as you can get an A and a B signal for the one unit. You can also use them with the Piranah fittings once you get a boat.

They are also cordless, which means they can also be cast around to get a better idea of school locations and depth etc around the boat.

Neat idea.

yeah what Bear said.............:p

[torvic]

Ira is there a product review of that sounder around, or any place I can get some info on it?

[torvic]

Ahh never mind...jeez had a quick look for it and didnt find anything until I realised how to spell humminbird right .... stupid g's

Do you buy my magazine Fishing WA? Cause we did a product review on them not that long ago, last month I think.

Or if you don't buy WA's number one selling fishing magazine you can check them out at your local humminbird dealer, where bouts u live?

[torvic]

Yeah haven't had the time lately for anything much yet alone reading, will check those out in a week when the holidays start :p

Btw are the DohDohDoh mags of previous months sold as well or just the current months?

I live around Dalkeith

we've got a few copys of old mags up at the office.


City Boat & Tackle have the smart casts and that is pretty close to u, check them out in there and tell any of the guys there that I sent you and they will look after u.

[the_hide]

IRA I looked at the smart cast for use in shore based aswell, however its a bit of a trade off, I don't believe from the reviews I have read that the smart cast has grayline. Im really only interested in reading the bottom depth & type and grayline makes a big difference when interpreting bottom makeup.

[MATTY]

have a look at www.fish-finder-store.com

a good site to have a look at machine specs etc.
theres a nice pic & the specs of the smartcast under hummingbird.

[jimi]

the_hide, You really need a colour sounder to be absolutely sure of what the bottom makeup is. A decent grayscale sounder will let you know if the bottom is hard (ie. a rocky bottom) or softer (sand and mud) and see any bottom structure, but that is about it. Colour sounders will give you a much better indication of what is on the bottom (eg. you can pick coral, oyster beds etc), but you will pay much much more.

The smart cast has a very low screen resolution (much less than even the bottom of the range eagle) and doesn't appear to have a screen capable of more than 2 bit colour (ie. just black and white, no grayline). With the amount of power that it puts out, and the low screen resolution, I'd be doubtful of any of the images it shows as "fish" actually being fish.

Might be worth going for something like an eagle fish easy 2 portable sounder. These are basically a rebadged lowrance x51 that have grayline and a decent screen resolution and power. Th portable version also has its own power pack. They are waterproof (splash proof anyway) and more of a serious sounder than the smart cast. See pic below.

Also, I believe that humminbird will be releasing portable versions of the new matrix sounders. They would also be worth considering for kayak use.

My 2c

James.

[the_hide]

Thanks Gents Im gonna go to the boat show aswell see whats available on special.