Fish finder/depth sounder

[dog]

I recently bought a small open fishing boat and it needs a fish finder. I think I’d prefer one with gps if possible. Nothing too fancy, or big, just something basic that will work well for puget sound. It’s been 20 years since my last boat and things have changed quite a bit since then. Been looking a bit am I’m pretty lost with all the options. Any body with experience have advice or recommendation? Thanks

[fowl smacker]

It's hard to go wrong with the Garmin products.  Switching from Lowrance was the best thing I did for my electronics.

[MADMAX]

Im a Garmin guy
Easy to figure out is big reason
I just picked up a 16ft smokercraft  Alaskan
Put a Garmin striker in it
For 120 bucks works great

[blackpowderhunter]

the main factor in performance of your fish finder is going to be the transducer you select, so make sure it fits your fishing needs.
with that said, i also run multiple garmin units.
Super user friendly.
What is your budget?

[C-Money]

I really like the Lowrance Hook offerings. GPS, speed, maps, down scan...They are a great unit with a ton of options for the price.

[dog]

Thanks for the replies. Do the less expensive units perform well at the deeper depths of puget sound? Not sure how much power you need for that. My budget is around $300.

[ASHQUACK]

Wait for the end of season just before the new production runs come out. They slash the prices to get old stock out of warehouses to make room for the new stock. You can usually get a new unit for about half the cost of the newest version. I ran a hook 7 for a while. One day it just locked up and quit working while I was in fog. No depth readings and no gps. I went to a Garmin with the map chip and have never had a problem since.

[pickardjw]

Been happy with my Humminbird Helix 5 DI G2 unit. Haven't gotten it to Puget Sound depths but it's been solid down to 300', able to spot macks on the bottom. And it fits your budget.

Would also recommend a stern saver for mounting your transducer.

[MeepDog]

If you're very budget minded, the Garmin's striker 4 with the depth mapping software is great bang for your buck. I have the chartplotter one instead, and wish I bought the depthsounder mapping for $10 more. Crisp color images and 2 different chirp frequencies for under $150 but the screen is small.

[carpsniperg2]

  That’s what I have on my boat,  great unit. Screen is definitely smaller side but works good.

[CP]

Another thumbs up  for the Garmin Striker series.  I own two, a 4” and a 7”, they are both great units and they work fine in Puget sound. 

The Quickdraw Contour mapping isn’t great in tidal areas but I don’t really need it and you probably don’t either.  I have maps on my phone and the simple GPS in the FF will give basic info e.g., speed over ground, heading, direction to the boat launch, etc.   

You should be able to get a 5” screen and stay within your budget. 

[pickardjw]

Slight hijack here...

Who has side scan and is it worth it? Thinking about upgrading my unit...

[Stein]

I have it and never use it.  It's a shallow freshwater thing I believe.

I would second the notion of going Garmin, it all depends on your budget from a couple hundred to a couple thousand.

[dog]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Think I’m probably going to go with the striker. I’m considering the echomap, but it may be more than I need.

[fowl smacker]

Slight hijack here...

Who has side scan and is it worth it? Thinking about upgrading my unit...

I do and use it all the time.  Super helpful for me coho fishing to find them hiding in the cover they like.  Also great for bass/crappie/bluegill/Perch fishing.  If you're just fishing bays or the big C probably not worth getting though.

[CP]

Went by the candy store today.  Lots of nice toys there.

[dog]

Was looking at the stern saver. Has anyone had good luck using these on an aluminum boat? Seems kind of iffy getting plastic and aluminum to glue together.

[MeepDog]

Was looking at the stern saver. Has anyone had good luck using these on an aluminum boat? Seems kind of iffy getting plastic and aluminum to glue together.

I've never used a stern saver. I just drilled it and used 5200 sealant and you couldn't get it to leak if you tried. I wish I learned about that sealant sooner.

If you're going to get the Garmin striker 4 at least get the 4cv since it has down imaging for only $160.

[pickardjw]

Stern saver has been fine on my aluminum boat. Just follow the instructions (sand and clean) before applying.

[Skillet]

I've never used a stern saver. I just drilled it and used 5200 sealant and you couldn't get it to leak if you tried. I wish I learned about that sealant sooner.

If you're going to get the Garmin striker 4 at least get the 4cv since it has down imaging for only $160.

In the marine/boating world, the adhesive materials property hierarchy is:

1: 5200
2: Welding
3: Splash Zone
4: 4200
5: Any "temporary fix"

[plugger]

side scan is an amazing tool. Use it all the time looking for walleye. It takes a bit to figure out what you are looking at as you are looking for shadows to determine size, depth they are at, that sort of thing. but with a little practice, its worth every penny. Its more of a searching tool, need to be going a couple miles an hour minimum for best results.

[MeepDog]

With side scan, how picky is it when it comes to transducer location? I have a small boat and I'm worried the side scan is going to hit the lower unit of the outboard and ruin the picture. Just bought a used Garmin sv7 and am waiting for it to arrive. Any thoughts for location on a 14foot valco?

[Stein]

Stern saver has been fine on my aluminum boat. Just follow the instructions (sand and clean) before applying.

If you use 5200, it has a cure time of two days, don't try to do it just before you leave your house.  Trust me on that one.