Purchase a new fish finder or install rudder - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

CardShark · 06-07-2020, 11:45 AM

I had a rudder on my Malibu Stealth 12 for a long time and hardly ever used it.
It just ended up being extra weight and another thing to knock around when I would load/unload the kayak so I sold it.
I hate fishing in the wind though so I would almost exclusively go out on when it was calm so perhaps you're different.

If you had no fish finder now and were trying to make that decision, it should hands down be the fish finder.

For you, the decision is it better to have the rare (to me) usefulness of a rudder on certain days or a better fish finder you will probably utilize everyday.
Some of this probably depends on exactly how much better of a fish finder you are planning on getting.

ProfessorLongArms · 06-07-2020, 12:50 PM

If it were a question of having a fishfinder versus having a rudder, I would definitely say fishfinder...

But your improvement is going to be marginal on an upgrade.

I’m a firm believer in just the basics on a sonar...Assuming your unit is reliable, if you can see the bottom structure and what’s hanging on it, The rest is just bells and whistles.

TJones · 06-07-2020, 03:30 PM

I currently have a newer model trident 15 with a rudder installed. Like mentioned, safety can be an issue when coming in, or going out through the surf. Personally, I have torn skin open like paper from mounting hardware of the rudder. That was on a big surf day and I rolled.

Needless to say, the trident 15 tracks very well. If you pick and choose your days and do light quick sessions on water, then not having a rudder is not a big deal. But if you stay on the water for long periods of time in all kinds of conditions, I would recommend a rudder. Most of my experience comes aboard peddle drive Hobies's, so paddling is not necessarily my forte. In very adverse conditions like high wind and swell working against you, I personally prefer a rudder. That is actually the only time I might even deploy the rudder. The Trident 15 is a great ride, but also like a sail compared to the Trident 13 due to it sitting higher on the water and more surface area to create drag. If you have a working meter, then I say roll with the rudder. Conversely, fish finders might not be necessary, but they sure are nice. Every once in a while turning the meter off and going old school is kinda cool though. Hope this helps you make your decision. I think every body nailed the real world advantages and disadvantages.

06-07-2020, 03:30 PM	#3
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,523	All correct I currently have a newer model trident 15 with a rudder installed. Like mentioned, safety can be an issue when coming in, or going out through the surf. Personally, I have torn skin open like paper from mounting hardware of the rudder. That was on a big surf day and I rolled. Needless to say, the trident 15 tracks very well. If you pick and choose your days and do light quick sessions on water, then not having a rudder is not a big deal. But if you stay on the water for long periods of time in all kinds of conditions, I would recommend a rudder. Most of my experience comes aboard peddle drive Hobies's, so paddling is not necessarily my forte. In very adverse conditions like high wind and swell working against you, I personally prefer a rudder. That is actually the only time I might even deploy the rudder. The Trident 15 is a great ride, but also like a sail compared to the Trident 13 due to it sitting higher on the water and more surface area to create drag. If you have a working meter, then I say roll with the rudder. Conversely, fish finders might not be necessary, but they sure are nice. Every once in a while turning the meter off and going old school is kinda cool though. Hope this helps you make your decision. I think every body nailed the real world advantages and disadvantages.

06-07-2020, 11:45 AM	#1
CardShark Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Mission Hills, CA Posts: 184	I had a rudder on my Malibu Stealth 12 for a long time and hardly ever used it. It just ended up being extra weight and another thing to knock around when I would load/unload the kayak so I sold it. I hate fishing in the wind though so I would almost exclusively go out on when it was calm so perhaps you're different. If you had no fish finder now and were trying to make that decision, it should hands down be the fish finder. For you, the decision is it better to have the rare (to me) usefulness of a rudder on certain days or a better fish finder you will probably utilize everyday. Some of this probably depends on exactly how much better of a fish finder you are planning on getting.

06-07-2020, 12:50 PM	#2
ProfessorLongArms Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 400	If it were a question of having a fishfinder versus having a rudder, I would definitely say fishfinder... But your improvement is going to be marginal on an upgrade. I’m a firm believer in just the basics on a sonar...Assuming your unit is reliable, if you can see the bottom structure and what’s hanging on it, The rest is just bells and whistles.