Fish finder questions for a newby.

[BassChump]

Hello,

I'm relatively new to bass fishing. Bought a bass boat 6 months ago on a whim to spend some quality time with my daughter. Lost my wife in a car accident last year and I just want to go fishing with my daughter. That's my story in a nutshell.

Now my question. I have a 16 foot bass boat with a foot operated electric trolling motor up front. I have an inexpensive hummingbird mounted near the steering wheel but I want to put a decent fish finder up front. I don't want to spend a ton of money but I want one that works for me.

I don't think I need GPS because I'm usually fishing on familiar water not usually more than 40 feet deep. Coastal lakes in Oregon primarily.

I'd like the transducer up front somehow. Perhaps mounted on the trolling motor???? I'd also like a fish finder that detects cover. Underwater stumps, brush, rocks, etc. I'm guessing I wouldn't need the side scan stuff as I fish a lot of shallow water and drop offs and it's far too expensive. Probably a dual beam unit???? I'm thinking of a permanent mounted unit but would a portable unit be better?? Is the monochrome screen better or the color screen?????

I'm no pro so I just want to have a little fun with my daughter before dad isn't so cool to her any longer.

Bass would be cool but we will be fishing for whatever is biting at the time.. Trout, bass, even bluegill. I want it to be productive to keep her attention. I'd rather catch something than her be bored and talking on the cell phone. I'm sure you folks know what I mean.

Any suggestions????

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

[Jig Man]

Look for a good unit with lots of pixels.  Get at least 480x480.  I don't know your price range so I just name a couple of Lowrance units, black/white X135  color X510c.

That will give you a start.  You can go to Bass Pro's or Cabela's site and look at the different units available and pick what suits you.

[BassChump]

Thanks for the response.

I'm hoping to get a good fish finder for less than $200.00. Is that realistic??? I know there are cheaper ones but usually you get what ya pay for.     8-)

[TopDog]

Thanks for the response.

I'm hoping to get a good fish finder for less than $200.00. Is that realistic??? I know there are cheaper ones but usually you get what ya pay for.     8-)

Yes, You can get an Eagle Fishmark 480 for under $200. That is a great little unit, I have one and I love it.  

http://www.eaglenav.com/Products/Fishfinders/FishMark-480/

[ba7ss3in]

Sorry, to hear about your loss and I hope you have a great time catching fish with your daughter.

[BassChump]

Hello and thanks for your message. The accident actually happened 5 years ago but she didn't pass until march of last year.

With work, taking care of my 80 year old mother, etc. my time is kind of limited but I want to make sure and have a little spare time now and then to have some fun with my daughter while I still can. She is now 15 so I figure I have at best 2 more years before dad is a putz in her eyes.

I have taken her out on the boat a couple of time last year before it got too cold but we didn't catch much so I'm really looking forward to a little warm weather and some good fishing. WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!

[fatmanslim247]

well if you get one for the front don't mess with buying a trolling motor mount.  I just used a huge hoseclamp to mount my transducer with the equipment they gave with the finder.  Works great, not worried about it coming off because i know its not going anywhere.  It ended up saving me about 30 bucks