Fish Finder Advice

[ctwiggs1]

Hi guys,

My mother in law is looking for help with a gift for the father in law.  He has a 16ft Lowe Jon Boat.  Great little boat that has been a hoot to catch panfish in.  He has a pretty barebones setup - boat, livewell and motor.  He has mentioned wanting to add a fish finder.  I really don't know anything about setting those up - what all is involved?  Can she just buy him something like this and he's off to the races?  Or are there accessories that are "must haves" for these things to really work?
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/garmin-striker-4-sonar-fishfinder-and-gps-plotter

Budget is probably a couple hundredish

Thanks in advance

Curtis

[C-Money]

I really like the Lowrance Hook Series...Great fish finder, lots of options, and cost is manageable. Mine works great!

[MADMAX]

I’m a Garmin guy
They are easy to use and I’ve had good luck with them

I put the Garmin striker in my 12ft aluminum trout boat
Really like it
Mounted the the xducer on the electric trolling motor

[CP]

That little Garmin is solid unit but I'd suggest a dual beam, gives better coverage:

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/garmin-striker-plus-4-dual-beam-transducer-fishfinder-gps-combo-100065899-1

[Angry Perch]

Curtis,
email sent.

[ctwiggs1]

Got it, thanks!

[Blacklab]

I like Birds myself. Simple to use great imaging😉🥃🇺🇸

[lokidog]

If I was fishing for panfish, I would get something that I could connect some kind of forward or directional transponder to.

[Blacklab]

Side scan

[millerwheeler]

Hummingbird helix series very happy with them on my tiderunner

[ctwiggs1]

Thanks for the responses guys.  Purchase has been made!

[Blacklab]

Thanks for the responses guys.  Purchase has been made!

And?😉🥃🇺🇸

[Barbarossa13]

Where did you guys buy?  I’ll be on the hunt to upgrade my old lowrance next spring, thanks!

[ctwiggs1]

MIL bought this one:
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/garmin-striker-plus-4-dual-beam-transducer-fishfinder-gps-combo-100065899-1

My FIL isn't going to nerd out on functionality, so I think this is a perfect fit for him. 

Really appreciate it guys.  You took me from a severa-hours-of-research commitment to a 5 minute post.  I love this forum

[lokidog]