CTFishTalk.com: Kayak Fish Finder - Connecticut Boat Repair, Electronics, and Motor Help ( CT Boat Repair, Electronics, and Motor Help ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

Maximillion · Joined: 27 Nov 2010 Posts: 235 Location: Eastern CT

So I just bought a kayak a little while ago and I plan on decking it out. I know people put Fish Finders on kayaks and I found a few that I like but does anybody on this site have one on theirs and if so what kind? Also would it be useful for shallower lakes that dont get much more than 10 ft deep? these are the bodies of water I usually fish but I plan on going all over the state this summer.
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Michael · Joined: 28 Jan 2012 Posts: 3823 Location: Bridgeport

I have a Lowrance X-4 Pro. Haven't used it in the water yet but have played with the menu.

Maximillion · Joined: 27 Nov 2010 Posts: 235 Location: Eastern CT

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

How much are you planning to spend on it? Do you plan to troll lures?
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Maximillion · Joined: 27 Nov 2010 Posts: 235 Location: Eastern CT

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Since you don't plan to troll, you wouldn't need GPS. I'm partial to Humminbird fish finders and Cabela's has a terrific deal on the Humminbird PiranhaMax 190C Fish Finder until March 19:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Humminbird-PiranhaMax8482-190C-Fish-Finder/737805.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch%2F%3FN%3D5100516%26Ne%3D5100516%26No%3D0%26Ns%3DMIN_SALE_PRICE%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dfish%2Bfinder%26Ntx%3Dmode%252Bmatchallpartial%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts%26WTz_st%3D%26WTz_stype%3DSP%26form_state%3DsearchForm%26recordsPerPage%3D20%26search%3Dfish%2Bfinder%26searchTypeByFilter%3DAllProducts&Ntt=fish+finder&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

If you're likely to spend $50 at Cabela's after you buy it, anyway, the net cost would be only $109.88.
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Don't forget to wear sunscreen and don't litter!

Maximillion · Joined: 27 Nov 2010 Posts: 235 Location: Eastern CT

Mase2020 · Joined: 15 Jun 2012 Posts: 228

Just got a Humminbird 561 for $149.00 at Cabelas. Going to install it this weekend. It has a 5" display, quick disconnect, 12 level grey scale and is dual beam. What brand kayak do you have?

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Maximillion · Joined: 27 Nov 2010 Posts: 235 Location: Eastern CT

angry john · Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 119

for very shallow lakes you will want something with a very wide beam width and possibly side scan. This will help you see fish around you and not just a small cone that is directly below you. These sonars normally cost more, but the DI function will give you a great picture of the bottom. I was looking at the 385 ci di but there about twice your budget. For early spring you would do well with a thermometer and looking for the warm water. Cheap and effective, but not very cool.

Maximillion · Joined: 27 Nov 2010 Posts: 235 Location: Eastern CT

limeymotors · Joined: 26 Jan 2013 Posts: 77

I have a Pirnamax 170. it works well but , 3 feet of water is the shallowest it works. anything less then 3 the readings go to 0. -Duncan
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angry john · Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 119

another think to look at is the type and shape of transducer that is required to make the unit work, that you want. Not all transducers are the same and my require some creative mounting options. Most all will be able to be transom mounted, Does your craft have a flat back transom or are you looking for an internal mount???

DirtyDawg10 · Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 2238 Location: Granby, CT

I have the Lowrance X-4 also. It's a decent finder for the price. I just wanted it for depth, temp and bottom contour which it is fine for. I don't trust the actual fishfinder feature that shows the little fish icons on the screen. It seems to pick up weeds and whatnot and interpret it as fish. I use it on the regular setting and look for the fish arcs rather than the fish icon thing. The biggest benefit for a yak is that the display is small and doesn't get in the way as much on a small boat like a yak.