Getting serious about Kayak fishing; new electronics

[OutdoorActionOntario]

Does anyone on here have expertise with installing higher end fishfinders on Kayaks? I'm about to purchase and install and would like to bounce a few questions off whomever if possible. Feel free to PM me or I could just start posting my questions here....

[Aube]

I have mounted a FF on my jackson, it's not higher end but i might be able to help out.

The jackson comes well equipped with ram mounts so I decided to leverage that. I bought a ram mount for the hummingbird and decided to run the wires into the hull under the lid. I didn't want to permantly mount it however i might change that for next season.

For the transducer I chose to cut out the bottom of a container and glued it to the inside of the yak. Drilled a small hole through the lid for the wire and glued the transducer to the inside of the lid. Filled it with water and I don't touch it until I empty it for the winter. I get a very clear image, i don't have to worry about bumping rocks but I do lose the water temp.

Marty

[cgates]

I would think going trough the hull would work and use a ram mount to the kayak for your finder there is a show called kayak bassin and I've seen him with the hole kit and kabootal
Check it out http://www.kayakbassinshow.com
Hope this helps

[snapper]

I suggest you try the web site, www.yakfisher.net . this is a very active forum like Fish-Hawk, there are guys there using side imaging and lots of high end finders, I mysef use a cheaper model Hummingbird with an inside (shoot through the hull) transducer, it works great.
Good Luck

[Yakster]

What kind of yak do you have and what fishfinder....
I have mounted a few up now.
out of the boat is best practice.

[OutdoorActionOntario]

Ocean Kayak Trident 13 angling kayak. I love it, I had a great season last year on the water. I had a crappy beginners sonar set up by Eagle, now i want a really good set-up. I'm looking at the Humminbird Helix 5 right now and I think that is what I'm going to go with - apparently Humminbird will provide a special transducer for kayaks if you contact them after purchasing one of their units.
Thanks to everyone for the responses.

Cheers

B

[toobinator]

When you are out for your Chronarch CI4 it would be a good time to look at the Helix 5 as well. Just sayin

Ed

[snapper]

Heres ny rig...a Pungo 140 a sit in model (keeps me dry and warm) two rod holders fishfinder and camera mount, the boat has served ne well for 5 years.

[OutdoorActionOntario]

When you are out for your Chronarch CI4 it would be a good time to look at the Helix 5 as well. Just sayin

Ed

You WOULD say that, wouldn't you Ed. If I come home with the Helix in addition to the Chronarch there is a good chance my Miss will toss me farther than I throw a topwater. BUT, all things in due time... it's only February

[DrB]

If you have any questions, I'm writing an article on how to build your own DIY CellBlok. I mounted my Lowrance Elite 5 and I can transfer it between kayaks equipped with GearTracks on the gunnels.

[FishToLive]

Here's what I did to mount my FF. Kayak is a Native Ultimate 14.5 MultiSport Propel & Volt.

Stock Scotty Mount


Fabricated FF mounting plate using slick plate (bought from BusyBeeTools: http://www.busybeetools.com/products/sl ... 1-2in.html


FF Bracket installed


Stock bolts to be used for sounder mount


Bracket Mounted with magnets from LeeValley http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.a ... 2363,42348


Sounder installed - removable when beaching/trailering