Side Image for Kayak?

[buzzed bait]

Wondering if there are any downsides to using a side scan unit in a kayak?  I have a wilderness ride 135 and currently have a lowrance 4x HDI, but want to upgrade to something a little larger, something with GPS and potentially side scan if there are no drawbacks since it will be in a kayak.

I'm using the yakattack cellblok thing now, mounted on the side rail of the kayak and the transducer arm off the side.  Would this same setup work for the side scan or would i need to mount the transducer elsewhere?  are there any issues using the side scan if the transducer were to be mounted through a scupper hole?  

appreciate any insight you guys may have!

[J Francho]

The only draw back is the requirement that the TD "see" to the sides.  That usually means a deployment arm, and I don't see that as a draw back.  I won't be without SI anymore.  Do it.

[buzzed bait]

26 minutes ago, J Francho said:

The only draw back is the requirement that the TD "see" to the sides.  That usually means a deployment arm, and I don't see that as a draw back.  I won't be without SI anymore.  Do it.

 

i actually really like using the cellblok so if i could continue using it with a side imaging unit i definitely would.  i love being able to remove the thing if traveling and want to lock it in the truck.  also great for hitting the river when i just want to remove it to avoid snags and reduce the weight of the yak.  i'm really intrigued by the SI and figure if i can find a deal on a good unit that has it, why not?

[J Francho]

As much as I HATE the term, SI is a game changer, when stepping up.  Not to mention the DI piece that's overlooked.  When you're on a spot, a quick sweep of it with DI side by side to regular sonar is very helpful.  GPS is a must have for me, now.  I do a bit of off shore fishing, so YMMV.

[clayton86]

I'm wanting to upgrade again this year to a new unit with side scan. I just got the dragonfly 4 pro and as much as I like it I want a bigger screen and side scan on my kayak. 

[Turtle135]

The only downside for side imaging (and this is the reason I do not have it on my kayak) is that the transducer needs a clear shot to either side. You can't block the side view with part of your kayak. This usually means that the transducer has to be completely below your kayak where it is subject to hitting rocks, hanging up in wood or collecting weeds.

 

I currently have the Tarpon 130x with the OS pod. Having the transducer protected inside the transducer scupper is really nice for the type of fishing I do. I can scoot down a rocky shallow river without the fear of having the puck sheared off. The catch of course is that side imaging is not an option.

[clayton86]

1 hour ago, Turtle135 said:

The only downside for side imaging (and this is the reason I do not have it on my kayak) is that the transducer needs a clear shot to either side. You can't block the side view with part of your kayak. This usually means that the transducer has to be completely below your kayak where it is subject to hitting rocks, hanging up in wood or collecting weeds.

 

I currently have the Tarpon 130x with the OS pod. Having the transducer protected inside the transducer scupper is really nice for the type of fishing I do. I can scoot down a rocky shallow river without the fear of having the puck sheared off. The catch of course is that side imaging is not an option.

 

 

Thats what kept me from getting it this last season. I'm in an ATAK 140 and do a lot of river fishing but the river I fish I have no need for a FF all it's good for is watertemp when 90% of the trip is 3' or less of water. 

 

Fushing more ore and more KBF events on bigger waters I want to upgrade than side imaging I've been looking at the lowrance 7ti.

[J Francho]

I fish some skinny creek water - @clayton86 has been there.  There's only a couple spots where I actually have to sing the arm up.  Otherwise it's extremely useful scanning deep holes, some as deep as 15', for fish activity without cruising directly over the spot, potentially screwing it up.  Some of those spots I wouldn't even be able to get to due to overhangs.  It's also useful for locating hidden fallen timber in nondescript stretches.

[bykayak]

I had some trouble using a Sidescan Hummingbird Helix 5 SI on my Pescador Pro 120. When a sidescan transducer is mounted in a built-in transducer mount (in hull), the sides don't have a clear line of sight and therefor can't scan left and right. The arm attachments will work, but that's yet another attachment I need to take on and off every time I go. Also it gets clunky when paddling. Instead, I built a transom mount out of a piece of aluminum I bought from Home Depot. Using a step drill bit I drilled countersunk mounting holes, then mounted it to my rudder hardware. Aluminum is very easy to mould, I used a vice clamp to get it into the desired shape. It works great in this spot, no complaints. I do get some feedback when paddling though.

 

[Further North]

Si likes constant speed...that would be the only drawback I can think of, and I'm pretty sure you can learn to compensate for that.

 

Images will stretch out a bit, and get shorter as you speed up and slow down, respectively.

On 6/23/2018 at 8:43 PM, bykayak said:

I had some trouble using a Sidescan Hummingbird Helix 5 SI on my Pescador Pro 120. When a sidescan transducer is mounted in a built-in transducer mount (in hull), the sides don't have a clear line of sight and therefor can't scan left and right. The arm attachments will work, but that's yet another attachment I need to take on and off every time I go. Also it gets clunky when paddling. Instead, I built a transom mount out of a piece of aluminum I bought from Home Depot. Using a step drill bit I drilled countersunk mounting holes, then mounted it to my rudder hardware. Aluminum is very easy to mould, I used a vice clamp to get it into the desired shape. It works great in this spot, no complaints. I do get some feedback when paddling though.

 

That is really cool, and very well done!

 

My only worry about that would be banging it on rocks and such.  It's a bit more exposed to side impacts than on a boat's transom.

[kenmitch]

I guess the size of the transducer could be a drawback to some. I have the Elite 5ti on my kayak and the transducer is huge compared to my old DI unit I had. If there was such a thing as sonar porn the Ti's transducer would be the top star most likely.