Fish finder help - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Seabass · 08-15-2014, 06:42 AM

New to the sport and confused about purchasing a fish finder?
Looking at the Raymarine dragonfly and the lowrance elite 5/ 7.
Any recommendations?
I appreciate the help

Cadillyak · 08-15-2014, 07:41 AM

I say go Lowrance HDS-5. I have fallen in love with the unit and I am sure you would too. Just as important, purchase from a reputable buyer. May I suggest West Marine, and don't skimp on the extended warranty. In this sport, our gear takes beating, and when the time comes, you want to have options. I purchased an inferior sonar, and wasn't satsified but had the extended warranty. 3 months after realizing I wanted the HDS, all I had to do was take it in, find one I wanted, and pay the difference. That easy.

bolocop · 08-15-2014, 10:16 AM

I'm a Humminbird fan. I've always liked the capability of having two frequencies on one screen. You're able to see the 83/200 cones at the same time.

Whatever you get (I have a Lowrance X-4 pro also), make sure you get at least the 83/200 transducer for LJ. I went with a 200/DI transducer and that's no good in LJ. I see everything with 83/200. I have stayed away from DI for LJ.

The pelican · 08-15-2014, 11:23 AM

I agree w Cadillyak. HDS 5 has served me very well. I also had the Elite 4 (non DSI) and that did the trick for LJ where I fish. It worked much better when the transducer was directly in the water with the mad frog arm (vs through hull, which I used initially). Mostly, I use my finder for GPS, depth, and finding bait. The HDS 5 is better, but I got what I needed from the Elite 4 at a cheaper cost. You might consider that if you're starting off and want to save some money. West Marine frequently puts the HDS5 on sale down to $450. Thats how I bought mine and got one for a buddy too. I suspect labor day will be an excuse for a sale and you'll see it marked down at least $100. The extended warranty, as Cadillyak also said, is the way to go. Like any insurance, it's priced to reflect the costs West Marine expects to pay out in repairs on average, plus some profit. Basically West Marine prices the warranty for boaters who make up most of the buyers. We yak anglers have a much higher risk of using the warranty for obvious reasons. We're in direct contact with salt water, making surf launches and landings, etc. You pay the warranty price for the average person but have a much higher likelyhood of using the coverage because you're on a kayak. Its a good deal in my opinion. Also, dont forget the dialectric grease!

Pat

PescadorPete · 08-15-2014, 02:23 PM

West Marine has the HDS-5 w/transducer on sale for $399 8/21 thru 9/1.

Too bad they didn't fix the depth contour lines for LJ. Slackers!

alanw · 08-15-2014, 05:04 PM

I just got a Dragonfly and used it only two times so far but it's pretty sweet. It seemed easier to use with a cleaner interface and less buttons and options to dig through, and the imaging is awesome. The HDS seemed to have way too many options (engine, Sirius, networking, etc..) that I didn't need for a kayak, but it has some great abilities. So far I'm happy with my purchase. Go to WM and try them out side-by-side before you decide. Either will do a proper job.

bmercury · 08-16-2014, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PescadorPete

West Marine has the HDS-5 w/transducer on sale for $399 8/21 thru 9/1.

Too bad they didn't fix the depth contour lines for LJ. Slackers!

Great deal, might pick one up, but my ideal budget for a sonar/gps combo is under 300. any thoughts?

ptn · 08-21-2014, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PescadorPete

West Marine has the HDS-5 w/transducer on sale for $399 8/21 thru 9/1.

Too bad they didn't fix the depth contour lines for LJ. Slackers!

Thanks for the heads up, just picked one up

YakDout · 08-16-2014, 07:27 PM

You will use 200 much more than 50 or 83

tsugg · 08-16-2014, 07:56 PM

I will be at the harbor as we'll I would love to meet and put faces with names. Tomorrow is the maiden voyage for the dragonfly. And my wife is coming along in her outback(tan) I'll be the old fart in the olive PA. IM PLANNING ON FISHING INSIDE the harbor mañana. But I would love to plan a trip out to the reef with you sometime.

Seabass · 08-17-2014, 10:47 PM

Kayak is still not ready for its first voyage.
I do appreciate the invite TSUGG, but I got 2 kids and no life vest?!
Missing out on an epic bite, but safety comes first.
I still have not purchased fish finder, bait tank or a few other items that would be needed.
Can't freakin wait to get out there though.
My buddy Bwana has been helping me out big time putting my kayak all together.
Thanks dude and thanks everybody for the help.
Ballast Point 6 packs of Scullpin are on sale at Sprouts for 10 bucks each...awesome!

Cadillyak · 08-18-2014, 12:12 AM

Damn good sale there !!

bus kid · 08-18-2014, 08:59 PM

I have had a lowrance elite 5 hdi, gold with the 83/00 455/800 transducer since march of this year and Im pretty happy with it.

YakDout · 08-19-2014, 05:32 PM

That's a really small transducer compared to my HDI. Looks clean.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-15-2014, 06:42 AM	#1
Seabass Junior Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lake Forest, Ca Posts: 12	Fish finder help New to the sport and confused about purchasing a fish finder? Looking at the Raymarine dragonfly and the lowrance elite 5/ 7. Any recommendations? I appreciate the help

08-15-2014, 07:41 AM	#2
Cadillyak Team Get $$ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 841	I say go Lowrance HDS-5. I have fallen in love with the unit and I am sure you would too. Just as important, purchase from a reputable buyer. May I suggest West Marine, and don't skimp on the extended warranty. In this sport, our gear takes beating, and when the time comes, you want to have options. I purchased an inferior sonar, and wasn't satsified but had the extended warranty. 3 months after realizing I wanted the HDS, all I had to do was take it in, find one I wanted, and pay the difference. That easy. __________________ The "Y" is silent 2012 Olive PA 12 2011 Papaya Outback

08-15-2014, 05:04 PM	#6
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	I just got a Dragonfly and used it only two times so far but it's pretty sweet. It seemed easier to use with a cleaner interface and less buttons and options to dig through, and the imaging is awesome. The HDS seemed to have way too many options (engine, Sirius, networking, etc..) that I didn't need for a kayak, but it has some great abilities. So far I'm happy with my purchase. Go to WM and try them out side-by-side before you decide. Either will do a proper job. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

08-16-2014, 07:56 PM	#10
tsugg LOWSPARK Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: CARLSBAD Posts: 251	Oside on Sunday maxfli123 I will be at the harbor as we'll I would love to meet and put faces with names. Tomorrow is the maiden voyage for the dragonfly. And my wife is coming along in her outback(tan) I'll be the old fart in the olive PA. IM PLANNING ON FISHING INSIDE the harbor mañana. But I would love to plan a trip out to the reef with you sometime.

08-18-2014, 12:12 AM	#12
Cadillyak Team Get $$ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 841	Damn good sale there !! __________________ The "Y" is silent 2012 Olive PA 12 2011 Papaya Outback

08-15-2014, 10:16 AM	#3
bolocop Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 332	I'm a Humminbird fan. I've always liked the capability of having two frequencies on one screen. You're able to see the 83/200 cones at the same time. Whatever you get (I have a Lowrance X-4 pro also), make sure you get at least the 83/200 transducer for LJ. I went with a 200/DI transducer and that's no good in LJ. I see everything with 83/200. I have stayed away from DI for LJ.

08-15-2014, 11:23 AM	#4
The pelican Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: La Jolla Posts: 82	I agree w Cadillyak. HDS 5 has served me very well. I also had the Elite 4 (non DSI) and that did the trick for LJ where I fish. It worked much better when the transducer was directly in the water with the mad frog arm (vs through hull, which I used initially). Mostly, I use my finder for GPS, depth, and finding bait. The HDS 5 is better, but I got what I needed from the Elite 4 at a cheaper cost. You might consider that if you're starting off and want to save some money. West Marine frequently puts the HDS5 on sale down to $450. Thats how I bought mine and got one for a buddy too. I suspect labor day will be an excuse for a sale and you'll see it marked down at least $100. The extended warranty, as Cadillyak also said, is the way to go. Like any insurance, it's priced to reflect the costs West Marine expects to pay out in repairs on average, plus some profit. Basically West Marine prices the warranty for boaters who make up most of the buyers. We yak anglers have a much higher risk of using the warranty for obvious reasons. We're in direct contact with salt water, making surf launches and landings, etc. You pay the warranty price for the average person but have a much higher likelyhood of using the coverage because you're on a kayak. Its a good deal in my opinion. Also, dont forget the dialectric grease! Pat

08-15-2014, 02:23 PM	#5
PescadorPete Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Leucadia, CA Posts: 261	West Marine has the HDS-5 w/transducer on sale for $399 8/21 thru 9/1. Too bad they didn't fix the depth contour lines for LJ. Slackers!

08-16-2014, 07:27 PM	#9
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	You will use 200 much more than 50 or 83

08-17-2014, 10:47 PM	#11
Seabass Junior Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lake Forest, Ca Posts: 12	Kayak is still not ready for its first voyage. I do appreciate the invite TSUGG, but I got 2 kids and no life vest?! Missing out on an epic bite, but safety comes first. I still have not purchased fish finder, bait tank or a few other items that would be needed. Can't freakin wait to get out there though. My buddy Bwana has been helping me out big time putting my kayak all together. Thanks dude and thanks everybody for the help. Ballast Point 6 packs of Scullpin are on sale at Sprouts for 10 bucks each...awesome!

08-18-2014, 08:59 PM	#13
bus kid Team Keine Zugehörigkeit Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Way out there Posts: 2,854	I have had a lowrance elite 5 hdi, gold with the 83/00 455/800 transducer since march of this year and Im pretty happy with it. __________________ Não alimente os trolls------------Don't feed the trolls---------------インタネット荒らしを無視しろ

08-19-2014, 05:32 PM	#14
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	That's a really small transducer compared to my HDI. Looks clean. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk