Tyler0420 Posted July 11, 2021 Report Share Posted July 11, 2021 So I just quit my factory job of 15years to go roofing full time. A bunch of people were nice enough to get me $300 to bass pro (unfortunately) lol. so thinking I’m going to get a finder for my yak. I don’t need anything top of the line and maybe one that will work for ice fishing. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbocco Posted July 11, 2021 Report Share Posted July 11, 2021 When I bought mine it was on clearance and was behind the counter. Garmin Echomap43 in 4”. Worth asking them if they have anything on clearance. Your Oldtown kayak universal transducer mount will accept Lowrance and Hummingbird transducers so if I could do it all over again I’d buy one of those. The garmin transducer doesn’t fit without modification. Features……I have yet to find a use for down scan….Mostly because you don’t need it in Lake Ontario and because a 4” screen doesn’t do downscan well anyways. Sidescan I have never used but I can see it’s value. GPS is key however because map contours are important and speed is super important. You need a GPS unit to accomplish that. It all comes down to what fishing you do most in your kayak. Im happy with the unit I use but I kinda think I’d like it better if it were bigger. But bigger costs more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted July 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 11, 2021 Thanks. And yes gps is a must. I’ll mostly be using it on Lake Ontario and Erie for trout salmon and walleye. Bass and pike fishing I don’t really need it for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted July 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2021 Mbocco what rod holders are you using? Is there a certain type we have to get to fit the track system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbocco Posted July 17, 2021 Report Share Posted July 17, 2021 The track is universal. Scotty Brocraft Ram. They all work. But the short ones will leave the rod butt right in your peddling space. You can buy extenders so they are above your knees but I prefer to hold one and use the built in rear holders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted July 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2021 Maybe I’ll stick with the rear ones. I was thing baits might not dive as deep with the tips up so high Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbocco Posted July 17, 2021 Report Share Posted July 17, 2021 Remember that realistically you can only effectively fish for fish in less than 50ft water. 25ft from a deep diving crankbait and another 20ft from a snap weight or jet diver, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted July 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2021 Now time to find fish smerchly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbocco Posted July 18, 2021 Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 Nice!! Good choice. Now you can find the fish you won’t catch but catch the ones you don’t find. Ironic really. Let me know if u need help with the transducer mount Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted July 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 On 7/17/2021 at 8:03 PM, Mbocco said: Nice!! Good choice. Now you can find the fish you won’t catch but catch the ones you don’t find. Ironic really. Let me know if u need help with the transducer mount Thanks I might need some help with the whole install. I think I’m going to run the cords through the yak so I’ll have to drill some holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass-turd Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 I loved my helix 5 when I had it, lost in an unfortunate canoe accident I wasn’t apart of…. I had the gen1, got it when it first came out, but mine only had DI, no SI or gps, did you get one with any DI or SI? I found the down imaging to be very useful, helped me fish out a lost rod in 20 feet of water, I could literally see it laying on bottom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted July 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 1 hour ago, Bass-turd said: I loved my helix 5 when I had it, lost in an unfortunate canoe accident I wasn’t apart of…. I had the gen1, got it when it first came out, but mine only had DI, no SI or gps, did you get one with any DI or SI? I found the down imaging to be very useful, helped me fish out a lost rod in 20 feet of water, I could literally see it laying on bottom Pretty sure it does have DI/SI . Can’t wait to try it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbocco Posted July 19, 2021 Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 8 hours ago, Tyler0420 said: Thanks I might need some help with the whole install. I think I’m going to run the cords through the yak so I’ll have to drill some holes. I would suggest not drilling holes to start and run it with the cords outside then decide if u still want to drill holes. You also will want to be certain of the exact spot for your finder if drilling. So better to fish a bunch of times with it installed to see where u like to have it. If you put it in the wrong spot it will be in your way. Steve_Guelph 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted July 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2021 26 minutes ago, Mbocco said: I would suggest not drilling holes to start and run it with the cords outside then decide if u still want to drill holes. You also will want to be certain of the exact spot for your finder if drilling. So better to fish a bunch of times with it installed to see where u like to have it. If you put it in the wrong spot it will be in your way. Good idea 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted July 20, 2021 Report Share Posted July 20, 2021 What are you guys using for a battery I see there are small lithium Ion batteries available?? I've had a Lawrence Elite 4 sitting unused for years.Never bothered since I fish Erie shoreline mostly but with Lake O looming I better get rigged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbocco Posted July 20, 2021 Report Share Posted July 20, 2021 I bought a talent cell power bank 8300mAh. It weighs 1lb and powers my finder for a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerchly Posted July 21, 2021 Report Share Posted July 21, 2021 Speaking of fish finders.... When fishing very shallow places like Jordan Harbour where the water averages 4 ft. , is a fish finder of any use when the beam would be so small ? Just thinking about getting my canoe out there for few hours , drifting or anchoring for cats & tossing baits around the shoreline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbocco Posted July 21, 2021 Report Share Posted July 21, 2021 12 minutes ago, smerchly said: Speaking of fish finders.... When fishing very shallow places like Jordan Harbour where the water averages 4 ft. , is a fish finder of any use when the beam would be so small ? Just thinking about getting my canoe out there for few hours , drifting or anchoring for cats & tossing baits around the shoreline. Only for structure and depth changes smerchly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerchly Posted July 21, 2021 Report Share Posted July 21, 2021 1 hour ago, Mbocco said: Only for structure and depth changes I heave read about the wide angle transducers but as you said use for structure . some have the side beam which I suppose would help when fishing shore lines . That technology has been around for many years, like the Fishing Buddy . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbocco Posted July 21, 2021 Report Share Posted July 21, 2021 Realistically on a kayak or canoe most people don’t buy a > $1000 unit. The smaller cheaper units don’t have great resolution and large screen sizes which makes the downscan and sidescan less useful. It does depend on what and how you are fishing but for me it’s GPS, speed, depth, structure. But, I fish large bodies of water mostly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted July 21, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2021 11 hours ago, Mbocco said: I bought a talent cell power bank 8300mAh. It weighs 1lb and powers my finder for a week. How much did it cost? I’ll just be using one of those small 12v batteries for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted July 21, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2021 On 7/17/2021 at 8:03 PM, Mbocco said: Nice!! Good choice. Now you can find the fish you won’t catch but catch the ones you don’t find. Ironic really. Let me know if u need help with the transducer mount Should I of bought a mount? I seen the long arm ram mounts but forgot to buy one. I think you can angle them towards the water so they don’t get in the way of peddling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbocco Posted July 21, 2021 Report Share Posted July 21, 2021 2 hours ago, Tyler0420 said: How much did it cost? I’ll just be using one of those small 12v batteries for now. It was a couple years ago but under $100. I had to splice my own attachment. But it’s the lightest solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mbocco Posted July 21, 2021 Report Share Posted July 21, 2021 1 hour ago, Tyler0420 said: Should I of bought a mount? I seen the long arm ram mounts but forgot to buy one. I think you can angle them towards the water so they don’t get in the way of peddling. Yes. I bought a mount that attaches to my universal track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler0420 Posted July 21, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2021 51 minutes ago, Mbocco said: Yes. I bought a mount that attaches to my universal track. Thanks. I’ll grab a mount before the install. where did you get that battery? I’ll check them out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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