Best fish finder mount for non lowrance ready kayaks - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Kevin · 05-19-2019, 05:58 PM

Been off a kayak for the last 10 years and came across a great deal on a OK prowler. I've already made a bait tank and tested it out in DP yesterday. Now I need to add a fish finder. I have to say, fish finders have changed a lot in the last 10 years. Back then building a moat and filling it with two part plastic epoxy was a pretty good method. Now there's so much more tech with the transducers?

So what is the best method?

1. Duct seal? will this work with down scan imagining?

2. Over the side mount? Ram or scotty? is this method a PITA? or not too bad?

3. What about rigging something off the rudder mount hole? Bad idea?

And is down imaging, side imagine really worth it? would it be better to just pick up an inexpensive Garmin Striker 4 with GPS, duct seal it in and be done with it?

Roscoe · 05-19-2019, 06:32 PM

I went with the Garmin striker 4 and duct seal method. And so far so good.
Over the side wouldn’t work for me as I tend to paddle over a lot of kelp.
Not sure about the down scan shooting thru the hull. I would think being in the water would give the best readings.
The Garmin idea for me was quick not to expensive and an easy install.
That’s my two cents worth

YakDout · 05-19-2019, 08:02 PM

Definitely opt for GPS over down scan and side scan. I’d go at least 5” color unit. As for mounting, in hull if you don’t care about water temps, ram ball over the side mount if it will be out of your way. It will hang up on things though. Someone was raving about some type of magnetic transducer mount a while back, something to look into.

Kevin · 05-20-2019, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roscoe

I went with the Garmin striker 4 and duct seal method. And so far so good.
Over the side wouldn’t work for me as I tend to paddle over a lot of kelp.
Not sure about the down scan shooting thru the hull. I would think being in the water would give the best readings.
The Garmin idea for me was quick not to expensive and an easy install.
That’s my two cents worth

Thanks I ordered the Garmin unit. Seems like an easy install. That unit looks a 100 X better than the Humminbird Matrix I used to have 10-15 years ago.

I really just want something to locate bait, know depth, speed and find my way home in the fog. Seems like this will fit the bill without spending a small fortune.

sculpins4bait · 05-20-2019, 11:05 AM

goop

Quansters · 05-20-2019, 04:32 PM

I’m also planning to get a garmin striker plus 4. I’m planning to have a thrull hull mount with duct seal. However, what kind of mount would you recommend for the fish finder itself? Any advice on battery placement? Is there any battery that would fit into the side pocket of a malibu stealth 12?

Roscoe · 05-20-2019, 05:47 PM

I have the Malibu stealth 12 with the Garmin striker 4 plus.
If you want I can send you some pics of how I have it set up.
I used the yak attack gear track 4 inch size with their fish finder mount. If you go that route make sure it’s for the Garmin one.

Quansters · 05-20-2019, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roscoe

I have the Malibu stealth 12 with the Garmin striker 4 plus.
If you want I can send you some pics of how I have it set up.
I used the yak attack gear track 4 inch size with their fish finder mount. If you go that route make sure it’s for the Garmin one.

Sure, I'll love to see it if you have time for the pics

NICKWORN · 05-21-2019, 08:47 AM

I have done them all, goop, duct seal, etc.

I ended up going with the Scotty over the side mount and love it. It does catch eel grass and such but i simple just pull it off. The readings are far truer then through hull and the drag is minimal.

YakDout · 05-21-2019, 10:26 AM

https://youtu.be/vSk0g7AwvWw

Amish Ed · 05-22-2019, 07:53 PM

I too have used most of the methods at some point or another. And, I too use the over the side method, but I use Mad Frog Gear. I don't fish kelp very often and it is easy to clean off anyways. It's nice to have true water temps and clear sonar readings.

Kevin · 05-23-2019, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NICKWORN

I have done them all, goop, duct seal, etc.

I ended up going with the Scotty over the side mount and love it. It does catch eel grass and such but i simple just pull it off. The readings are far truer then through hull and the drag is minimal.

I just ordered the Scotty mount on amazon. for $23 Its worth a try. If I don't like it, I'll mount it in the hull.

aftahour · 05-26-2019, 07:34 PM

when i had my xfactor i used 3m double side tape and worked good. i had no luck with the goop method.

05-19-2019, 05:58 PM	#1
Kevin Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 78	Best fish finder mount for non lowrance ready kayaks Been off a kayak for the last 10 years and came across a great deal on a OK prowler. I've already made a bait tank and tested it out in DP yesterday. Now I need to add a fish finder. I have to say, fish finders have changed a lot in the last 10 years. Back then building a moat and filling it with two part plastic epoxy was a pretty good method. Now there's so much more tech with the transducers? So what is the best method? 1. Duct seal? will this work with down scan imagining? 2. Over the side mount? Ram or scotty? is this method a PITA? or not too bad? 3. What about rigging something off the rudder mount hole? Bad idea? And is down imaging, side imagine really worth it? would it be better to just pick up an inexpensive Garmin Striker 4 with GPS, duct seal it in and be done with it?

05-21-2019, 08:47 AM	#9
NICKWORN Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: SANTUCKET Posts: 629	used them all I have done them all, goop, duct seal, etc. I ended up going with the Scotty over the side mount and love it. It does catch eel grass and such but i simple just pull it off. The readings are far truer then through hull and the drag is minimal.

05-22-2019, 07:53 PM	#11
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,903	I too have used most of the methods at some point or another. And, I too use the over the side method, but I use Mad Frog Gear. I don't fish kelp very often and it is easy to clean off anyways. It's nice to have true water temps and clear sonar readings. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

05-19-2019, 06:32 PM	#2
Roscoe Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Camarillo Posts: 91	I went with the Garmin striker 4 and duct seal method. And so far so good. Over the side wouldn’t work for me as I tend to paddle over a lot of kelp. Not sure about the down scan shooting thru the hull. I would think being in the water would give the best readings. The Garmin idea for me was quick not to expensive and an easy install. That’s my two cents worth

05-19-2019, 08:02 PM	#3
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Definitely opt for GPS over down scan and side scan. I’d go at least 5” color unit. As for mounting, in hull if you don’t care about water temps, ram ball over the side mount if it will be out of your way. It will hang up on things though. Someone was raving about some type of magnetic transducer mount a while back, something to look into.

05-20-2019, 11:05 AM	#5
sculpins4bait Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: SD Posts: 104	goop

05-20-2019, 04:32 PM	#6
Quansters Junior Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 21	I’m also planning to get a garmin striker plus 4. I’m planning to have a thrull hull mount with duct seal. However, what kind of mount would you recommend for the fish finder itself? Any advice on battery placement? Is there any battery that would fit into the side pocket of a malibu stealth 12?

05-20-2019, 05:47 PM	#7
Roscoe Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Camarillo Posts: 91	I have the Malibu stealth 12 with the Garmin striker 4 plus. If you want I can send you some pics of how I have it set up. I used the yak attack gear track 4 inch size with their fish finder mount. If you go that route make sure it’s for the Garmin one.

05-21-2019, 10:26 AM	#10
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	https://youtu.be/vSk0g7AwvWw

05-26-2019, 07:34 PM	#13
aftahour Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: torrance Posts: 155	when i had my xfactor i used 3m double side tape and worked good. i had no luck with the goop method.