Kayaks And Fish Finders

[LWD]

Howdy, I was thinking of just going with a humminbird 140C fishin' buddy. Looks easy to install and has side viewing too. I can't decide if I should go for it, or save up for something more with a better side viewing, but maybe those would be harder to install.

[moguy1973]

I have a lowrance Elite-4x DSI mounted on my Ocean Kayak. Works great. I would save up for something better than those fishin buddy finders. The down scan finders really are a lot better the older style finders.

[Darren.]

Agreed with saving up. Those easy-mount finders will do the job, though.

If money is not a major object, consider a low-end side or down scan finder. That's what I'd do. I have a "cheap" Garmin that finds structure, but I'd much prefer a higher quality finder...

Yes, they'll be harder to install depending on the type of kayak you have. I made a mount for my Native that slides in to the track, has an aluminum arm that folds over into the water with my transducer mounted to it. See pix...

Edited September 19, 2012 by DarrenM

[J Francho]

Yep, save up. You won't regret it.

[moguy1973]

Yeah the type of kayak kind of matters on how you install it. My SOT ocean kayak has an oversized front scupper hole where you can run the transducer down and it's flush with the bottom of the kayak. If your scuppers are too small or you have a sit in kayak most transducers can shoot through the plastic hull of the kayak and it can be mounted inside. The only downside is you lose accuratr temperature readings.

[LWD]

J Francho, thats alot of fish in that reading. I don't think down view would work as good as a side view finder. I'm always casting towards the bank, and would like to see if there are any fish by the banks. I never understood down view, like once u get a reading of fish below you, you don't even have to cast just basically drop your line right there on the fish below?