Kayak Fish Finder

[NJBasstard]

I'm looking to add a fish finder to my kayak and was hoping I could get some opinions on the Garmin Echo 300 and the Lowrance Elite-4 DSI. Those seam to be the best in my $200 price range. Also would something like this battery work for all day fishing? http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/AutoBoat-Batteries-Chargers/Marine-Deep-Cycle-Batteries%7C/pc/104794380/c/104698080/sc/104446080/Cabelas-Rechargeable-12-Volt-Battery/700551.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fmarine-deep-cycle-batteries%2F_%2FN-1100564%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104446080%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104794380%253Bcat104698080&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104794380%3Bcat104698080%3Bcat104446080

 

 

I'm new to kayak fishing and don't know how I would set this up in a 12' SOT so any pointers would be appreciated.

[NJBasstard]

The Lowrance model I looked at was actually the Elite-4X HDI

[Flywatersmallie]

That battery should do you just fine! I've got something real similar in my kayak (also a 12' sot) and it powers the fish finder perfectly. Mine is for a trail camera or something but same basic plot. I've got the Elite 4 HDI. Only difference is the chart plotter. If GPS isn't important to you, that unit will do everything you ask of it. I dont use the GPS often but I figured better to get it and not use it than want it later and need a whole new unit. Duct seal works pretty good for mounting the transducer and it isn't permanent so its easily removed. I just mounted the head unit on the front of the yak just far enough up so I wouldn't kick it but can still lean forward to reach it. Built a battery box out of a sterilite container that was like a buck at Wal-Mart and stuck it inside the front hatch with industrial Velcro. Ran the transducer back and mounted under my seat and zip tied all the extra wires to one of the scuppers. Easy setup, looks nice and clean and works great.

The salesman tried to tell me that down scan won't work through hull. It does just fine but gets a lot of clutter once I'm deeper than maybe 40'. If you're going to want to use it deeper than that you will want to mount the transducer on the outside. Standard sonar works perfectly as deep as I have paddled over (170'). I can see my bait and everything. Only drawback is temp takes a little while to get an accurate reading

[DogBone_384]

I use Lowrance Elite 4X for my kayaks: they were cheap at BPS and work very well.  I used a scupper mount kit in my FeelFree Lure 11.5 and customized my Ascend 128T's mount using a 3" toilet flange & rubber boot cover.  Both work great. 

 

I bought 12 amp/hour batteries at my local electronics supply store for about $25 and charge it with my bike's Battery Tender.  I've been out half a dozen times this year for two to three hours each outing and haven't had to charge my battery yet this season.  The battery and Lowrance head go in the same Pelican case so they're always protected.  It's easy as pie to install using a waterproof disconnect. 

 

Best of luck with your fish finder.

[MikeinFresno]

I use the Lowrance Mark 4, b&w screen, AMAZING resolution, under $200

[NJBasstard]

Thank you all for the help. I was searching around last night for pictures and/or video of how to run the wires and it seams like theres a couple ways to go about hiding everything.