Do you prefer a better graph on the bow or console?

[jonathan627]

Just got my first bass boat, a 97’ Sport R72. But there were no electronics included.  So, I have accumulated a brand new Helix 7 GPS w/ Mega SI/DI, a Helix 5 Sonar, and a Humminbird 788ci Sonar/GPS.  One Ram Mount.  Right now I’m leaning toward 788ci up front on the mount and Helix 7 on the console.  Though, I’ve also been considering running both the 788 & Helix 5 on the console with one mounted above the other with the ram mount. Then stick the Helix 7 on the front.

 

I don’t know, just can’t decide what to do!  What do you guys prefer if you only have one unit with DI/SI?  Thanks

[Bluebasser86]

I fish from the bow, so that's where I want the good graph at. 

[WRB]

My 1st fish finder was a Lowrance portable "green box" flasher and mounted the clamp on TD unit to the stern to locate structure, depth and fish. I would throw out a marker buoy and move the TD unit and green box to the bow where I fished from. 

It didn't take but a few trips to relealize I needed 2 units, a bow unit to use to fish with and a stern unit to locate structure etc., that was over 50 years ago.

Side scanning units work better from the console, you only need a bow unit to know where you are located to control your boat or keep on top of bait or fish.

Tom

[Jig Man]

I mostly fish from the front so that is where I want my largest screen.  I run structure scan both front and back.  I use it more in the front than the back.

[Tennessee Boy]

It really depends on how you fish and maybe where you fish.  Time of year is also a factor.  Most of the year,  I spend more time looking for fish on structure than I do fishing.  I have identically units on the front and back but it is absolutely more important for me to have the best sonar unit at the console.  Wiring the boat so you can easily move the units around would be ideal. 

[Sprocket]

I spend 95%  or more of my time at the bow when I'm fishing.  When I'm at the console the mfd's are 2' or less from my eyes.  When I'm at the bow the graphs are at least 4' from my eyes.  For bass fishermen I always recommend putting the larger, better units at the bow.  Walleye and other types of fishing might be different.

 

SE Kansas grass grower

[WRB]

Today's bass anglers may have 2 large screen head units up on the bow, to me that is too distracting using split screens. Being old school I use a 7" unit on a raised Ram mount to display down looking bottom data that is clear to me standing up, I know where I am located and don't need a large split screen to tell me where to cast. 

Each to his own toys.

Tom

[gim]

I understand the concept of putting the better unit at the bow, but having one at the console might be advantageous simply from a safety standpoint. What screen are you watching while cruising around the lake at high speeds?

[ryanerb]

On 11/6/2019 at 4:45 PM, gimruis said:

I understand the concept of putting the better unit at the bow, but having one at the console might be advantageous simply from a safety standpoint. What screen are you watching while cruising around the lake at high speeds?

I agree.... to a point... you need a GPS at the console with some sort of map showing contours to make sure you won't hit a flat or some other shallow water hazards... HOWEVER, if you are running around the lake at high speeds, you better be most importantly using your eyes and brain to make sure you are not near shore and there are no obstructions in front of you (other boats, buoys, docks, etc) Thousands of recreational boaters don't have GPS graphs at the console and they mostly do just fine. And if you are talking about running around in the fog to where you need GPS, then you shouldn't be driving fast anyways, because not everything is on the maps... Again, eyeballs and common sense are what is needed. 

 

Safety is important but to me the primary function (for me) of graphs are for fishing...

 

Something I think people haven't mentioned on this thread was the use of Panoptix or 360 imaging, which is pretty powerful up at the bow. Console needs are limited to some sidescan, etc. 

 

If you only have one unit with DI/SI, then it for sure would go on the console (my vote). Bow unit would be standard sonar. 

 

[moguy1973]

I have my bigger 7" Garmin at the console, and a 5" at the bow.  I have them linked where I can mark structure and such on the side scan when I'm on the big motor and it will put a pin on the map on the small bow map so I know where to go when I'm fishing.

[Logan S]

SI is most effective when idling so you'd want your best SI unit at the console, the Helix 7.  The Helix 7 also has the added benefit of being a larger screen for GPS navigation.

[slonezp]

On 11/6/2019 at 9:49 AM, WRB said:

Today's bass anglers may have 2 large screen head units up on the bow, to me that is too distracting using split screens. Being old school I use a 7" unit on a raised Ram mount to display down looking bottom data that is clear to me standing up, I know where I am located and don't need a large split screen to tell me where to cast. 

Each to his own toys.

Tom

While I have 10" screens on both the bow and at the helm, I would prefer the larger screen at the bow because my eyesight sucks. 

 

OP, If you are a bank beater, water temp and depth is all you really need. If you are fishing deeper or fishing shallow/deep structure, put the better graph on the bow.