Whats the best Fish Finder for a YAK?

[Honcho]

Can you recommend the best fish finder in the market? Looking to purchase one for the PA14...thanks.

[salty pirate]

I just installed a lowrance elite 7 hdi 83/200 455/800 on my pa12. i don't know if it's the best but it's easy to navigate the pages and dial in. Quality imaging and gps. I have only had it out once so i don't know how it will hold up to the abuse of kayak fishing. got a lot of bang for $ imo.

Good luck

[Cbad Mike]

Depends on your budget. There are a lot of posts on here that will give you a ton of information and help narrow your search.

[JarrodMc]

Depends who you ask

[Honcho]

I just installed a lowrance elite 7 hdi 83/200 455/800 on my pa12. i don't know if it's the best but it's easy to navigate the pages and dial in. Quality imaging and gps. I have only had it out once so i don't know how it will hold up to the abuse of kayak fishing. got a lot of bang for $ imo.

Good luck


Thanks - do you mind if I asked how much and where you bought the unit from?

[jorluivil]

I think that most of the replies are going to be biased.

[Honcho]

I think that most of the replies are going to be biased.

I guess you're right, I was looking at the structure scan HD with the Elite HDS 7, wondering if that was worth buy the structure scan on the yak...

[salty pirate]

I guess you're right, I was looking at the structure scan HD with the Elite HDS 7, wondering if that was worth buy the structure scan on the yak...

mine has down imaging. its good for about 150 ft for saltwater.the ff part had good readings @500 ft. i did not go any deeper. what ever you get make sure the ducer is in the water, ie thru hull. if it's a newer pa i think they upgraded the hull to fit the ducer.

the ff i have has color ff, di and gps. 83/200-455/800 one ducer. the unit was just released early this year. got it from bass pro for 700 + tax the hd maping is 150 not released yet.

[TheBentRod]

Just get the largest screen, highest resolution you can afford.

Actually I am partial to lowrance. I started with a Mark 5 pro and upgraded to an Elite/GPS 4 color. I went back to the Mark 5 because of the larger screen.

[FishNinjaY]

$10 Walmart. Temp readings are pretty accurate

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQUQPg4BCOYsBu6GvuwDj0BzrQ-h-fb_Vvt1flVrdFDQ-EdUCRfeQ

:boxing_smiley:

[stephenG]

I have a Lowerance Elite-4 color w/ GPS on my Outback and its more than capable of everything I need it to do. Considerably cheaper than the other models too. Guess it depends on your budget though.

[FishNinjaY]

Honch, it seems like people are talking about the Lowrance HDS5, Gen2 with the 50/200 transducer.

Lots of people have been looking for sale prices, but none to be found.. except for this possible $100 rebate at West Marine.

Check out this ad.. I got it off someone's post here.

$749 - $100 looks like the best deal so far.

What FF do you have now? And what are you going to do with it when you get your new FF and PA?

[jorluivil]

Honch, it seems like people are talking about the Lowrance HDS5, Gen2 with the 50/200 transducer.

Lots of people have been looking for sale prices, but none to be found.. except for this possible $100 rebate at West Marine.

Check out this ad.. I got it off someone's post here.

$749 - $100 looks like the best deal so far.

What FF do you have now? And what are you going to do with it when you get your new FF and PA?

That's what I picked up yesterday, ended up paying $897 out the door not inlcluding the $100 mail in rebate but does include the WM 2yr extended warranty, final price $797. Not bad for a unit that retails for $749.

[Docrunner]

yeah, it looks pretty sweet! but I'm debating getting this Elite5 just because it's cheaper.

http://www.amazon.com/Lowrance-000-10236-001-DownScan-Chartplotter-Fishfinder/dp/B003ZZ2HDA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362839222&sr=8-1&keywords=elite+5+lowrance

$386 NEW, plus $10 shipping and plus tax.

I'm hoping to figure out a way to easily mount it to BOTH a Hobie Oasis, and a solo kayak, like the Mini-X or Hobie Outback, so I can switch it back and forth easily. I was thinking the RAM mount and some kind of transducer arm. (maybe I'll ask Andy @ OEX). There seem to be a lot of the Elite 5 FFs out there, so they must be decent? Is the HDS5 Gen2 really that much better? Thanks..

-J

[Baja_Traveler]

I'm Biased.... :cool:

http://www.pbase.com/baja_traveler/image/148137047.jpg

[dmrides]

Can you recommend the best fish finder in the market? Looking to purchase one for the PA14...thanks.

Two words. Dark and Horse. Finds fish for a kayak every time.

[captnblood34]

Elite 4 GPS/Color, only one Ive every gotten hands on with but it works, I feel confident with the reads/location what have you...Great buy if you can't afford a flat screen for your vessel.

[Honcho]

Honch, it seems like people are talking about the Lowrance HDS5, Gen2 with the 50/200 transducer.

Lots of people have been looking for sale prices, but none to be found.. except for this possible $100 rebate at West Marine.

Check out this ad.. I got it off someone's post here.

$749 - $100 looks like the best deal so far.

What FF do you have now? And what are you going to do with it when you get your new FF and PA?

bit the bullet and bought the Elite 5 HDS - under $800 out the door with 2 yr warranty from West Marina plus 2 yrs warrant from Lowrance and extra 2 years from AMEX - so by the time this things craps out I should be covered. the current one I have Elite 5, I'm selling it, but need to figure out how to remove the current ducer without damaging the hull...when are you getting your yak?-

[Honcho]

I'm Biased.... :cool:

http://www.pbase.com/baja_traveler/image/148137047.jpg

Baja Traveler - I think I met you at Tideland when you came back to shore, helped you with the wheel...Anyways you sold me on the PA14 and purchased a HDS 5..I really like the whale pump you had, may have to copy that...

[Benson]

What about the Lowrance Mark 4 DSI or just the Mark 4?
Anyone with exprerience with these models? and the transducer in hull performance?

[FishNinjaY]

the current one I have Elite 5, I'm selling it, but need to figure out how to remove the current ducer without damaging the hull...when are you getting your yak?-

New kayak(s) ???
.. uhm... in progress... shhhhh.. :toetap05:

I think I've heard about people just cutting out the glue or goop that they did to attach the transducer and just carefully peeling back layers until it's off. How much are you selling it for? I might be interested.

Hey, wanna show me LaJolla April 1?? :reel: :jig:

[Baja_Traveler]

Baja Traveler - I think I met you at Tideland when you came back to shore, helped you with the wheel...Anyways you sold me on the PA14 and purchased a HDS 5..I really like the whale pump you had, may have to copy that...

That was me - give me a PM when you get the new ride and we'll hit tidelands again. I've tied some new rattle flies that should hammer the spotties good...

[Honcho]

That was me - give me a PM when you get the new ride and we'll hit tidelands again. I've tied some new rattle flies that should hammer the spotties good...

You got it!

[Honcho]

New kayak(s) ???
.. uhm... in progress... shhhhh.. :toetap05:

I think I've heard about people just cutting out the glue or goop that they did to attach the transducer and just carefully peeling back layers until it's off. How much are you selling it for? I might be interested.

Hey, wanna show me LaJolla April 1?? :reel: :jig:

Lets do it, I may not have the PA then, but lets take the kids out there - Ethan will love it and I just received a really good tip on how to snag a WSB...

[FishNinjaY]

Lets do it, I may not have the PA then, but lets take the kids out there - Ethan will love it and I just received a really good tip on how to snag a WSB...

surf launch LaJolla with the kids? you think so? Hmmm... sounds fun.

Does Ethan pedal? I should get mine next Friday! :kayak-surfer:

[Honcho]

surf launch LaJolla with the kids? you think so? Hmmm... sounds fun.

Does Ethan pedal? I should get mine next Friday! :kayak-surfer:


Not yet, he paddles out - he's too nervous and the last thing I want to give him is mirage drive that could be lost in the surf...let me know when you want to take the Yak out (after you get it), Dana Point is good safe launch..are you getting a bait tank? We can meet you on Saturday at DP...