[NilsC]

What is the best kayak fish finder for your needs. Is it a waterproof model that shoot through the hull or one where the transducer can be mounted through the scupper hole. Maybe attaching the transducer to the rudder is the way to go. The fish finders we use are made for boats and adapted by us to be used on a kayak with solutions created by kayak fishermen on how to mount them, power them and where to place the transducer. Some of the questions I have heard are: what can be done water proofing the install, where to run the cables, can the transducer cable be shortened and do I need an inline fuse.

What does all this have to do with the "best kayak fish finders" subject? I has to do with the ease of install, ease of use and dependability. The best fish finder to me is one that works, first time out and every time out. It is irrelevant what make or model it is, how much it cost to buy if it "DO NOT WORK".

I am in the group that do not buy combo fish finder and GPS / chart plotter, that is my choice and my reasoning is that when it breaks and I have to send it in for repair I am out both the fish finder and GPS. The combo units are great when they work and easier to install than two separate units on the same limited real estate on the kayak.

The fish finders that I use on the kayak are not water proof, I do not expect them to last more than 1 season and there are seasons where I have gone through 3 fish finders due to submerging the kayak (that is a round about way to say "I flipped it"). I wait for fall sales and buy 3 to 5 units of the same fish finder, this way I have spare transducers that can be used on other kayaks I fish from. To me it's cheaper and makes more sense to buy 3 $100.00 fish finders knowing they will last me for at least one season than buying a +$300.00 fish finder that is not water proof and is just as much junk as my cheap fish finder after I flip it.

Transducers, shoot through, dual beam, through the scuppers, attached to the rudder, glued, submerged in water... etc. I have attached mine to the rudder, a lot of people glue them to a flat area inside the hull, attach them with Vaseline and duct tape. Glue a closed cell foam block with a cutout for the transducer and add water. I have attached the transducer to the seat in a Pungo with the puck resting in a bed of silicone. The weight of the paddler guarantees the bond with no air and it's in the area where water collects and that will help prevent air bubbles.

Conclusion:

1. If you buy an expensive fish finder make sure it's water proof.
2. Decide where to mount the fish finder head
3. How are you planning on mounting your Transducer
4. What is used to power the fish finder (is it going to power anything else like GPS, compass?)
5. How do I attach my battery
6. If I run cables to the inside of the hull, what will I use to make sure it's water proof?

Nils

[The Riddler]

I run a
Humminbird 383C Combo Portable 407010-1. It's a combo GPS/Sonar. Built with gaskets, waterproof construction, it's capable of floating but I wouldn't want to do that test. The drawback of this combo unit is that the software (uni map) has no upgradeable option. So you get preloaded maps built in that will show buoy's, land marks, and some rock jetties but no contour. If I had to do it again I would buy a combo unit that has an upgradeable mapping option to read contour lines and upload other options, similar to what Blue Chart offers. But for 399 retail, I can get sonar and gps working together as one on split screen. That helps with productivity. No fumbling, no guess work, no switching off to another seperate unit, and it's accurate within a few feet.

[Hatchet]

The fish finders that I use on the kayak are not water proof, I do not expect them to last more than 1 season and there are seasons where I have gone through 3 fish finders due to submerging the kayak (that is a round about way to say "I flipped it").

Hmmm, disposable sonar equipment. The Navy does that from time to time. Only add more zeros to the price. Lots more!