NateCatchesFish Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 Hey everyone. I am getting heavy into kayak fishing this year and want to upgrade to a new depth finder. I am planning on getting a Lowrance Elite 7. I was curious is side scan worth it?? Its only $100 more for the side scan model but some people have told me it doesn't work well on a kayak and I know others who use it. I could use the feedback. Thanks! Quote
68camaro Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 Yes get it. I have the Ellte 7 on yak and side scan really comes in handy...do you need it? NO. But if you can afford it i think it helps even in shallow water. Mine went back to Lowrance for service work under warranty and will be here tomorrow so just in time for weekend if water unfreezes:) They were excellent to work with. Quote
NateCatchesFish Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 Just now, 68camaro said: Yes get it. I have the Ellte 7 on yak and side scan really comes in handy...do you need it? NO. But if you can afford it i think it helps even in shallow water. Mine went back to Lowrance for service work under warranty and will be here tomorrow so just in time for weekend if water unfreezes:) They were excellent to work with. Awesome thanks for the advice! I'm saving up for it for next year. Gonna be fishing for a chance at qualifying for the KBFNC and wanna upgrade all my equipment. Got a new yak coming on Friday and gonna work little by little to add a new depth finder and power pole micro! Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted January 10, 2018 Super User Posted January 10, 2018 Whoever told you that was dead wrong. Side imaging is awesome in a kayak and can help you to eliminate non productive water without having to paddle over it. It saves a lot of time for me. I have a humminbird unit and as long as I match my chart speed to my paddle speed, it works great. I also upgraded to the HD transducer and that made a large difference as well. I won't buy another unit without it....oh and if you do get a side imaging unit, get the largest screen you can afford. I have a 5" and wish i went with a 7 or even 9 Just now, NateCatchesFish said: Awesome thanks for the advice! I'm saving up for it for next year. Gonna be fishing for a chance at qualifying for the KBFNC and wanna upgrade all my equipment. Got a new yak coming on Friday and gonna work little by little to add a new depth finder and power pole micro! personally unless you do a lot of shallow fishing i would skip the power pole micro $$$ and use a stakeout pole and use that money for upgraded electronics or travel money for the tourneys. Quote
NateCatchesFish Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 Just now, flyfisher said: Whoever told you that was dead wrong. Side imaging is awesome in a kayak and can help you to eliminate non productive water without having to paddle over it. It saves a lot of time for me. I have a humminbird unit and as long as I match my chart speed to my paddle speed, it works great. I also upgraded to the HD transducer and that made a large difference as well. I won't buy another unit without it....oh and if you do get a side imaging unit, get the largest screen you can afford. I have a 5" and wish i went with a 7 or even 9 I was reading an article that said it only works when you are moving and that when you're sitting still it is almost unreadable. Considering I know guys with side scan units I figured it was wrong so thats why I asked. I know you can adjust the read speed so I'm sure I can set it to the speed of paddling or practically sitting still. And I currently plan on getting a 7 or a 9. My dad has a hook 7 on his kayak and I feel like that's plenty for me. But the 9 also seems like it would be totally worth it. Quote
68camaro Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 I agree with flyfisher on size, I started with 5 and returned a week later and got the 7, it was a big difference. The power pole with all the necessary attachments runs over $1000, and downside is you need battery and since electric things can go wrong plus the whole setup is very heavy. I bought one and before putting it on brought it back because I found a mechanical one called Bernies River Stick: https://www.berniesriverstick.com All-in it was about $250 bucks with adapter for my yak, thats almost $800 less than micro power pole. I love it, it is easy to use, very light weight, needs no battery and barely anything that can go wrong. Downside is it is not as sexy as micro pole but works great. Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted January 10, 2018 Super User Posted January 10, 2018 5 minutes ago, NateCatchesFish said: I was reading an article that said it only works when you are moving and that when you're sitting still it is almost unreadable. Considering I know guys with side scan units I figured it was wrong so thats why I asked. I know you can adjust the read speed so I'm sure I can set it to the speed of paddling or practically sitting still. And I currently plan on getting a 7 or a 9. My dad has a hook 7 on his kayak and I feel like that's plenty for me. But the 9 also seems like it would be totally worth it. All sonar, except 360 imaging, be it down or to the side is meaning less if sitting still. Remember each scan is a pulse that is then pieced together to give us the picture we see on the screen. 1 Quote
NateCatchesFish Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 1 minute ago, 68camaro said: I agree with flyfisher on size, I started with 5 and returned a week later and got the 7, it was a big difference. The power pole with all the necessary attachments runs over $1000, and downside is you need battery and since electric things can go wrong plus the whole setup is very heavy. I bought one and before putting it on brought it back because I found a mechanical one called Bernies River Stick: https://www.berniesriverstick.com All-in it was about $250 bucks with adapter for my yak, thats almost $800 less than micro power pole. I love it, it is easy to use, very light weight, needs no battery and barely anything that can go wrong. Downside is it is not as sexy as micro pole but works great. I am definetly getting at least a 7. I'm only 16 and work only when I can so it all depends on my budget when it comes time to get it. Hoping to do good in tournaments this year so I have some extra funds for it. I have seen the River Stick. The only problem with it is they don't make it for a WS Radar 115. Hopefully by the time I come to get it they will. Does it actually hold you anchored well? I mostly will be using it during bed season and on rivers. 1 minute ago, flyfisher said: All sonar, except 360 imaging, be it down or to the side is meaning less if sitting still. Remember each scan is a pulse that is then pieced together to give us the picture we see on the screen. Thanks for the advice. I am not too knowledgeable when it comes to depth finders but the more I fish especially in the winter so far I have used it tremendously. I am slowly catching on to all the fancy tech involved with them. Quote
68camaro Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 I only use in ponds/lakes but it does hold well, I think as good as micro power pole can. I could see either dragging on hard surface in strong enough current. Quote
NateCatchesFish Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 1 minute ago, 68camaro said: I only use in ponds/lakes but it does hold well, I think as good as micro power pole can. I could see either dragging on hard surface in strong enough current. What is the length of the pole? If its longer than a Micro Power Pole then I'm sold on it. I know the Power Pole is 8ft. I would like one that is around 10 for rivers. Quote
68camaro Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 The pole is 8', I wish I could find a 10'. Quote
NateCatchesFish Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 2 minutes ago, 68camaro said: The pole is 8', I wish I could find a 10'. 10 would be perfect. I will have to see if Burnie will come out with a version for the Radar. I would definitely by that over the Power Pole. Its probably just as good and way more affordable. Quote
68camaro Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 I would email or call him, he may have answer, super nice guy. Quote
NateCatchesFish Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 1 minute ago, 68camaro said: I would email or call him, he may have answer, super nice guy. I just sent him an email. I've been looking at his products for awhile. I was planning on getting one orignally when I was gonna get a Feel Free Lure but now that I decided on the Radar I hope he comes out with one for it. 3 minutes ago, 68camaro said: I would email or call him, he may have answer, super nice guy. He does have a model for the Radar! I didn't see it LOL. I was looking for it to say 115/135 next to it but it just says Radar. I will definitely have to get one Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted January 10, 2018 Super User Posted January 10, 2018 I am guessing you could find the same diameter fiberglass pole and use it in his system too with maybe just adding the stainless steel tip to it. What is the diameter of those poles anyways, 3/4"? Quote
NateCatchesFish Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 2 minutes ago, flyfisher said: I am guessing you could find the same diameter fiberglass pole and use it in his system too with maybe just adding the stainless steel tip to it. What is the diameter of those poles anyways, 3/4"? I believe thats what a power pole is. And I had that same thought it would be useful. I fish places with lots of low bridges and even if I put the 8ft fiberglass pole down all the way I am still not sure I could get under it. It would be nice to have a variety of lengths for different situations. Quote
68camaro Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 I do believe same diameter as power pole 3/4", with a after market pole, you will need to drill a hole above metal tip to put clevis through which is held in place by cotter pin, the cord goes through unit and hooks up with pole at this lower pin. Quote
NateCatchesFish Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 2 hours ago, 68camaro said: I do believe same diameter as power pole 3/4", with a after market pole, you will need to drill a hole above metal tip to put clevis through which is held in place by cotter pin, the cord goes through unit and hooks up with pole at this lower pin. I just saw a YouTube video showing the different types of poles you can use for a power pole and they weren’t all factory made. So I would assume you have some options when it comes to what length you want Quote
Hawkeye21 Posted January 11, 2018 Posted January 11, 2018 Anyone using the Hook2 Triple Shot? I want to upgrade to a unit with side scan and the price point on this unit seems too good to be true. Quote
NateCatchesFish Posted January 11, 2018 Author Posted January 11, 2018 Just now, Hawkeye21 said: Anyone using the Hook2 Triple Shot? I want to upgrade to a unit with side scan and the price point on this unit seems too good to be true. Nope but I am thinking about that same unit. I agree the price is crazy good so I'm curious just how good the sonar is. Thinking about picking one up. A 9in is $800 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted January 11, 2018 Super User Posted January 11, 2018 I use SI/DI on my kayak. Works great. Quote
Hawkeye21 Posted January 12, 2018 Posted January 12, 2018 The Hook2 7 Triple Shot is only $399. That's an incredible price for the features and size but it does not have the maps or the ability to even download them. I'm wondering how much I would miss that mapping ability. I currently use mine mostly for depth, water temp and locating structure. I suppose I could just use my navionics app on my phone if I need maps. Quote
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