What electronics for beginners

[Brock Moreland]

Hello everyone long time lurker here (7+ years) decided to make an account. 

 

A little about me, I live and central Ohio and bass fish out of a 12ft boat 15hp with a deck and trolling motor no electronics when we fish we just beat the banks and that works on some lakes but I'm just now being informed that the reason it doesn't work in other lakes is because the majority of fish can go offshore after spring. (clearfork lake if you're from Ohio)

 

So anyway I'm picking up a new 16ft Lowe Monday and talking fishing somewhat more seriously just for fun and want to learn lakes and how to use electronics what do people recommend? theres so many and its confusing I'm thinking my budget is 1000-1500 I want to get something nice that will serve me well and help me expand the ways I fish

[Sprocket]

I would look at the Garmin Echomap 93UHD for a little over a thousand dollars.  Very nice unit and easy to navigate through the menus.  Having little electronics experience you'll find Garmin to be the most user friendly.  Go to BPS or somewhere that has multiple units from different manufacturers and play with them till you find something you like.

 

SE Kansas grass grower (retired)

[slonezp]

May I suggest going to a BPS or Cabelas or Academy and taking a look at what they have to offer. See what brand(s) appeal to you with features and ease of use in your price range. Then, go home and look up every video on youtube on the brand(s), model(s) that appeal to you. Most importantly, look up videos on how to interpret what you are looking at. 

Also, take note, not all models of all brands are turn key out of the box. Don't be fooled by Lowrance as some models are turn key and some are just display units without transducers or gps...Read the box. All Humminbird units come with transducers and internal gps and the features included are spelled out clearly. Garmin freshwater units come with a standard transducer for a particular model as well. Raymarine units include transducers, but have multiple models depending on what options you want...Read the box.

[Brock Moreland]

Okay thanks for the info guys, I think I’m going with hummingbird because they can link with minn Kota and would eventually upgrade my trolling motor so when I do I wanna be familiar with my electronics even if I upgrade those at least it’ll be the same system.

 

As far as fishing offshore what do you recommend for the bow and console units or what features? I’m thinking most of my money would be in the console unit

[Alex from GA]

You'll probably want a unit with side finding capabilities and a good GPS for the console.  A 7" is fine if you have decent eyesite.  On the bow all you'll need is a fish finder with a downscan.  The Helix units are good and they'll be on sale in the spring.

[813basstard]

Here’s something to consider. Fishing offshore is great if you have a way to stay close to the fish. 
Either spot lock, anchor or poles if your shallow enough. 
Finding fish is awesome. Having the ability to stay near those fish is even better.

[Brock Moreland]

1 hour ago, 813basstard said:

Here’s something to consider. Fishing offshore is great if you have a way to stay close to the fish. 
Either spot lock, anchor or poles if your shallow enough. 
Finding fish is awesome. Having the ability to stay near those fish is even better.

Would love to have spot lock eventually it’s on the list !

[slonezp]

I have 10" Humminbirds both at the bow and console. Both are side imaging units. Both are tied into a Minn Kota Terrova with Ipilot Link. Keep in mind, your Minn Kota must have Link capabilities to tie into the graphs. The standard Ipilot units work independently and will not tie into the Humminbirds. The newest Minn Kotas have a DI transducer option. If you want SI/DI on the trolling motor, you will still need to use the external transducer and attach it to the TM. Contrary to what was mentioned above, I never use DI, and rely on both 2d and SI for both the bow and console units. 

 

Something to think about. Your bow is where you're going to be doing most of your fishing. Shouldn't that be the unit that has more options? Use the console unit to locate structure and fish while underway and use the bow unit to pinpoint the structure and fish you've located. I say both units should have equal capabilities. If not, give preference to the unit where you will spend most of your time fishing. 

 

 

[jbsoonerfan]

12 hours ago, slonezp said:

I have 10" Humminbirds both at the bow and console. Both are side imaging units. Both are tied into a Minn Kota Terrova with Ipilot Link. Keep in mind, your Minn Kota must have Link capabilities to tie into the graphs. The standard Ipilot units work independently and will not tie into the Humminbirds. The newest Minn Kotas have a DI transducer option. If you want SI/DI on the trolling motor, you will still need to use the external transducer and attach it to the TM. Contrary to what was mentioned above, I never use DI, and rely on both 2d and SI for both the bow and console units. 

 

Something to think about. Your bow is where you're going to be doing most of your fishing. Shouldn't that be the unit that has more options? Use the console unit to locate structure and fish while underway and use the bow unit to pinpoint the structure and fish you've located. I say both units should have equal capabilities. If not, give preference to the unit where you will spend most of your time fishing. 

 

 

Question for you if I may. I have 2 Helix 8's Mega Si - Mega Di, one on the console and one on the bow. I have a Terrova TM with the built in Mega Di transducer. That being said, I don't have Si on my bow unit. The dealer where I bought my boat said that if I use the transducer on my TM then I wasn't able to have Si and I would have to link the units and use the same transducer that my unit on the console uses (transom mounted) to have Si capabilities. He stated that I would not need the Si at the bow and I would use the console more to find the fish and the Di to find the structure. I am new at all this new technology so I just went with what they said. After a few times on the water, I am not sure if I like NOT have Si at the bow. What would I need to do to have Si at the bow?

 

Not trying to hijack the thread, but this may help the OP since he is going with the birds and plans to add later to link up with his TM.

[slonezp]

I dont believe that you'd be able to attach an externally mounted SI transducer to the trolling motor with the Mega DI transducer built in. You can with the standard US2 transducer. So you would either have to live with what you've got or buy a new TM, graph, and transducer bracket. 

[WRB]

Let's get off shore clarified; anything more then a casting distance away from shore line is off shore. 

You need a lake map with depth contour lines, 1' is ideal. 

Study the lake map of the lake you are fishing to get familiar with the structure and any underwater islands (humps), long underwater points, channels etc.

My suggestion is start fishing major main lake points that extend into the river/creek beds. Major points are the most obvious and usually located at the mouth of creek arms or big bays. Major points get a lot of fishing pressure because bass tend to locate there and they are easy to find.

Most anglers still will not follow the contour lines out into deep water staying about 50 yards from the shore line. Ignor the shore line and follow the breakline until you meter bass or bait and fish and note the depth.

Depth is very important to establish where to fish and sonar units of all types can display depth and fish, cover and structure elements. The GPS indicated where you are located on the lake map. When you know the depth to fish then use the map to locate similar structure breaks at that depth.

It takes years to become truly knowledgeable using sonar units, most bass anglers under ultilize their equipment or understand what it's displaying.

Tom

[Fishin Dad]

I would buy a Garmin 93 sv for the console (assuming you’re boat is not a filler) when they are on sale for $599 AND a 73 for the bow for $400 on a good deal.  I get to fish with many buddies who have Lowrance, Humminbird, Garmin etc.   I switched over to Garmin last year and will never look back.  Very intuitive user interface.  This will really benefit a new user.  The touch screen makes it like a cell phone to run.  The menus on other units can be harder to learn and use.  I think Garmin is going to claim a HUGE share of the market in the near future.  

[jaimeastin]

On 1/12/2020 at 4:00 AM, Sprocket said:

I would look at the Garmin Echomap 93UHD for a little over a thousand dollars.  Very nice unit and easy to navigate through the menus.  Having little electronics experience you'll find Garmin to be the most user friendly.  Go to BPS or somewhere that has multiple units from different manufacturers and play with them till you find something you like.

 

SE Kansas grass grower (retired)

I second this.