Fish Finder On A Sot Kayak?

[moguy1973]

I am going to be getting a kayak soon and I am wanting to outfit it with a fish finder. What's everyone's thought on this regarding brand, mounting instructions, and maybe even some pictures of your setup if youve done this. The kayak I'm getting has a designated scupper for a transducer but I'm kind of thinking of mounting inside to keep it safe from rocks.

I've looked at lowrance and humminbird and I'm kind of leaning to the HB 385ci since it can come with a kayak kit( battery, drybag, charger, and mounting kit)

Thanks in advance.

[Wayne SW/MO]

That's pretty common in salt water yaks. They run them off of an MC battery and epoxy the transducer inside.

There were some sites showing various custom alterations. You might do some searching and see if any are still around.

[jdmidwest]

I use an Eagle portable on mine. Unit runs off of 8 AA batteries and transducer suction cups or dangles from rope. Runs all day on a set of batteries and then I recharge them.

[Jack Jones]

JD, I'd be interested in knowing more about your setup. I have a sit in kayak and I never really wanted to glue in a transducer, but was interested in getting a finder this spring. Care to share a bit more?

[OneLung]

If you have one of the newer down-scan-imaging and/or side-scan imaging fish finders, DO NOT install the trandsucer through-the-hull. You will seriously degrade the down-scan sensitivity and completely destroy the side-scan imaging. It's easy to install what's called a TDA (Transducer Deployment Arm) on just about any kayak. Here a link to the one I use...

http://kayakfishinggear.com/liberatorbymadfroggear-fishfinderplatformandtransducerarmdeployershownwithaportablefishfindernotincluded.aspx

Also, a 7.5 AH Dry Cell battery will keep your fish finder going all day.

[Feathers and Fins]

Go to Floridasporsmen.com and then to the South Florida section. There are alot of guys doing it there and might be some great pics and how-to's on it. Those guys have Yak fishing down to a science and some of the stuff they catch is unreal out of them. I have personaly seen guys in yaks hook and land Sailfish and Marlin. Good luck.

[moguy1973]

If you have one of the newer down-scan-imaging and/or side-scan imaging fish finders, DO NOT install the trandsucer through-the-hull. You will seriously degrade the down-scan sensitivity and completely destroy the side-scan imaging. It's easy to install what's called a TDA (Transducer Deployment Arm) on just about any kayak. Here a link to the one I use...

http://kayakfishingg...otincluded.aspx

Also, a 7.5 AH Dry Cell battery will keep your fish finder going all day.

That's a decent looking mount system for a sit-in, but I think it'd get in the way a little on a sit-on, which I'm getting...

[MOsmallies]

You getting a Coosa? Would love to see some Depth Finder setups for yaks. I have a Coosa, but don't have any immediate plans to install a depthfinder. I'll mostly be fishing rivers, so there's really no need. The only aspect I'd really want it the Water Temp reading. Good luck with your search and setup. Hope to see the pics once you're done!

Paul

MOsmallies

[moguy1973]

You getting a Coosa? Would love to see some Depth Finder setups for yaks. I have a Coosa, but don't have any immediate plans to install a depthfinder. I'll mostly be fishing rivers, so there's really no need. The only aspect I'd really want it the Water Temp reading. Good luck with your search and setup. Hope to see the pics once you're done!

Paul

MOsmallies

Getting an Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident

I'd love a Coosa, but this one is being given to me through work for free, so I can't complain.

[BackCastingGolfer]

Any updates on what you went with? I am also lookaing for a finder for my SOT,I'm leaning towards a simple Piranhamax model but haven't made up my mind.