I need some help...on fishfinders

[abelfisher]

It has been so long since I have had to look at fishfinders I need some assistance.  

I may be close to getting a new boat but I will have to put a FF on the bow.  I would like to know the following:

Is $500 or under a reasonable amount for a good one?

What brand?

What special features do I need to look for?

Is color that important?

What about built in GPS?

anything else you can think of to help me in my decision.  I appreciate it!

[Nick_Barr]

Humminbird 595c is only 549.99 at bass pro shops.

it has gps +  speed and temp and its a great fishfinder. i have a humminbird 535 and its great even though i dont have a gps.

[scbassin]

I assume you are going to put the x-ducer on the trolling motor. I would get a good depth finder without a gps. You only use this while using your trolling motor so to keep expenses down I have 1 GPS & it's on the console. I would probley get color. It's some what easier to read in the bright sun. I have a Garmin 240 on the front of my boat(B/W) & am back & forth about changing to a Garmin 250c (color). The 240 is great unit so I don't know if I want to change just to have color.  You can probley get this unit for around $200. Garmin depthfinders came on my Ranger & I like them. So much so I bought a Garmin Chartploter. They are very user friendly. No matter what brand you decide on check the price on this site before buying. gps4fun.com. They beat bps.

[abelfisher]

Hey scbassin,

Advantages for transducer on trolling motor?  The boat  I am looking at has a Garmin on the console, don't know if it has GPS though.  What do you realloy use GPS for?  Does it tie into chartplotter, I assume?  

What did we all do for fishing before GPS?  

[Nick_Barr]

you use it to mark own good fishing spots and you can buy maps and some come with them that have the contour lines so you can head down to your favorite fishing spot, also if you get lost you can find your way around

[scbassin]

The reason you would put a depth finder on the front of the boat is to watch for structure while using the trolling motor. Put the x-ducer on the trolling motor so you see what is under, in front, & to each side while fishing.

[Bud_in_OR]

Hey Abelfisher,

Who's idea was it to put this on the canoeing and tubing board??? Are they running GPS on tubes now?

Anyhow, As in my previously typed and lost post on the equip. board, look at the Eagle FishElite 480. It has a super high pixel count and more bells and whistles than you can imagine for $450 from Cabellas or Bass Pro Shops.. A trolling motor transducer is available.

Since WAAS was initiated/invented I use a GPS at both bow and console. The console machine gets me from waypoint to waypoint quickly. The bow WAAS/GPS machine does the serious work used in conjunction with the trolling motor transducer. It puts me within 10 feet of pre-determined cover/structure without having to pass over the fish and spook them.

Both my sons use the FE480's and swear by them(one uses the dual fraquency unit). I have played with The 480's and found them to be as good as my LMS332C sans color.

You will probably, someday, fish in a friend's boat that has a color machine. It doesn't take long to go bananas with ***. Ask me how I know.

Bud

[abelfisher]

Hey Bud,

Glenn must have moved it to tubes.  He must have a GPS on his tube   ;D ;D

I think I know the answerr to your last sentence, but I will ask anyhow.  How do you know?  You got jealous yourself and went out and bought it??? ;D

[Bud_in_OR]

You're absolutely right. I prefer the color, hands down, had to have it

Bud

[abelfisher]

Yeah, I know.  I am afraid that is what I am going to do.  I have been out spending $$ lately getting ready for the fishing season, so far so good with the wife.  She is even pushing me to buy a bigger boat.  Willdo that in about a month.  But I think I am getting close to her thinking I am "pushing" it a bit and don't want to get her there...if you know what I mean.  I've got a good thing going right now with her attitude about my fishing... I am trying to find all the right reasons in selling her the idea why I need all the bells and whistles and all this new gear, etc.

PS;  thanks for the advice on the fishfinders, I'll check them out,

[Bud_in_OR]

Hey,

I know this is presumptous but,....I've been with the same old gal for forty years and I'm a tricky(read selfish) buzzard. You need to take your wife fishing.

I don't mean just any fishing. I'm talking about hiring a guide if you need to. Get the woman slinging lures and yarding in fish, lots of fish. Make it the best fun she's ever had (don't think dirty). She'll be wanting her own rods and reels. Your fishing will be gold.

This also works with hunting. My wife has her own rifle and camo clothes. Hee Hee Hee ;D

Bud.

[abelfisher]

Bud, you don't know how hard I ahve tried to get her to go fishing with me....just not her thing.  But i HAVEN'T tried the guide thing yet. sounds good.  I thougt I was lucky to have an understanidng wife about my own fishing spending, etc.  I know there is NO WAY she would get into hunting.  YOU NEED TO KEEP THAT WOMAN!! Congratulaitons! She sounds like one in a million! ;D ;D ;D

[hawghunter]

Hey Bud, I am looking at the Lowrance LMS 332c.

It sounds as if you like yours, any complaints at all? How is it in the sun?

How long have you had yours?

HH

[Phishn_Phool]

Bud

You sound like a real smart person.......but let her have her own rifle?????   LOL

[Glenn]

Hey Abelfisher,

Who's idea was it to put this on the canoeing and tubing board??? Are they running GPS on tubes now?

Bud

It was me.  Look at the first post - it's a boat equipment question.

[Bud_in_OR]

Hey HawgHunter,

I do love it. I've used it since last...Early Summer and its good in about any light. My only gripe is with Navionics, not Lowrance.  They won't put my favorite Oregon reservoirs on their darn map cards.

Hey Phishn,

You may be right. She told me a couple weeks ago that I was insured to the max....

Hey Glen,

I apologize...I have a smart mouth and a dumb brain.

Bud

[hawghunter]

Bud.....What about some of the other pre-loaded cards out there?......you are not limited to Navionics,....... thats not saying the others will have what you are looking for either? Just a thought.

HH

[Bud_in_OR]

HawgHunter,

I've checked every site I could think of. They don't seem to recognize that there are bass fishermen in OR.  Boy howdy,...If I lived in Minn., Cal., or Texas....

Bud

[Glenn]

They have Wickiup Reservoir (http://www.lowrance.com/Mapping/LakeMaps/index.asp)  and a whole lot more (http://www.navionics.com/PremiumLakeList.asp?RegionID=28&Classic=0&Gold=0&Premium=1)

Enjoy!   ;D

[Bud_in_OR]

Glen,

I should have clarified. I was talking about my favorite reservoirs near Eugene. Wickiup is ok but Crane Prarie would be better if I went over the mountain. The ponds near me; Fernridge, Dorena, Cottage Grove, Fall Creek Res. and Hills Creek Res. are my waters of choice and the only one they have is Hills Creek.

All except Hills Creek have given up ten pound Largemouth. Someday soon Hills Creek is going to be a noted Smallmouth (Oregon wise) fishery. Some days you can catch 30-40 fish, mostly dinks. My biggest is a three lb. eight oz..

Bud