Transducers - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Geoffkoop · 02-21-2010, 02:22 PM

Can you guys post pics (or link to a thread) of transducers mounted directly in the water off the side of the kayak etc.

I am trying to figure out the best way to do this and don't find much when I use the search.
Thanks

mrJB · 02-21-2010, 02:41 PM

Here's one:
http://kayakfishinggear.com/liberato...tincluded.aspx

Geoffkoop · 02-21-2010, 02:45 PM

looks like a good one. Anyone do something like this with PVC out there?

Mr GreenJeans · 02-21-2010, 03:16 PM

h2ofishfo · 02-21-2010, 04:10 PM

dude that post of the wet transducer by bob seems like the way to go that hobie rudder mount gives unneeded drag

Geoffkoop · 02-21-2010, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h2ofishfo

dude that post of the wet transducer by bob seems like the way to go that hobie rudder mount gives unneeded drag

Yeah I agree that Bobs creation seems best. I am now in the process of creating it!
I'm just getting sick of people saying "dude look at that bait ball under us"....when all I see is a blank or innaccurate screen.

Mr GreenJeans · 02-21-2010, 05:37 PM

The drag seems like it should be about the same (to me, anyway). Both have a transducer in the water. On the rudder, it's mounted a little deeper, but I taped over the cable, so that should minimize any extra drag from the extra length. When the transducer is mounted on the apparatus up front, you have the mounting rod sticking down in the water, creating extra drag probably about equal to having a rudder. And since I already pull the rudder around anyway...

Besides, if you have a rudder it hardly makes sense to spend the extra bucks and mount the extra apparatus up front. Of course if you don't have a rudder, the choice becomes easier.

I think either should work well. To each their own.

dsafety · 02-22-2010, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoffkoop

Yeah I agree that Bobs creation seems best. I am now in the process of creating it!
I'm just getting sick of people saying "dude look at that bait ball under us"....when all I see is a blank or inaccurate screen.

If you are planning to build a version of my wet mount design, see if you can find a piece of clear pipe to use instead of the ABS material that I used. My setup works fine but it would be nice to be able to visually check to make sure there is water in the well. I think using some sort of clear material would solve that issue.

One thought I had was to give some heavy duty Tupperware a try.

If you go that route, please post pics.

Bob

peguinpower · 02-22-2010, 09:13 AM

I like that rudder concept.

Fabricating a new rudder to fit the transducer out of marine ply, sealed with fiberglass and epoxy should not be too much work. Hmmmmmmmmm.

/bing

h2ofishfo · 02-22-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoffkoop

Yeah I agree that Bobs creation seems best. I am now in the process of creating it!
I'm just getting sick of people saying "dude look at that bait ball under us"....when all I see is a blank or innaccurate screen.

yeah just dont buy a cheap one saves time when trying to locate bait & makes it easier to see with a bigger screen i have the 787c2i gps hummingbird with the navionics card love it and never had problems

Gino · 02-22-2010, 07:52 PM

You think that Rudder mounted transducer really creates that much drag in a Hobie Adventure?

SteveK · 02-22-2010, 08:37 PM

Guys the rudder mount is a BAD idea, the fish your are marking will be behind you, secondly your gonna pick up your paddle/pedal interferance.
You don't see it but I have a sideimaging unit and you won't beleive the interference you paddle/ pedal wake makes
Don't forget, 1 foot of water depth equals a 1 foot circle of coverage.
Your transducer should be under your butt or infront of you. never behind you.
Over the side like the Mad Frog mount allows is a good setup, the drag is near nothing.

I attach mine to a Ram ball, I can take it from kayak to kayak

Hypoxic1 · 02-22-2010, 08:41 PM

Im setting up my lowrance hds 5 with the transducer placed inside a pelican box that has had the bottom side removed. We found that the box needed a slot cut in the top to allow for the transducer wire to run with no pressure. A hobie rudder post and cotter pin holds the transducer at the correct angle. fill with water, and presto.
Then when finished the transducer is removed from the box easily so no wires and waterproof connections need to be opened to completely remove the unit from the kayak.
this pelican box is clear so its easy to see the water.

SteveK · 02-22-2010, 09:00 PM

Dosen't the HDS need to be external? like the Humminbird side imaging units

Fiskadoro · 02-22-2010, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoffkoop

Can you guys post pics (or link to a thread) of transducers mounted directly in the water....

I started with the over the side but went to a in the hull set up.

No added drag, no rigging hassle, no leaks, and superior performance.

I didn't bother to shorten the transducer cable but tied it off.

I just connect the finder to the connection above and it's on.

it's just a standard transom mount transducer with depth and temp with an dual operating frequency of 200 and 50 kHz, since I never fsh over 300 feet I keep it set with a beam width of 15 degrees at 200 kHz, but even at that setting I can read fish at 500 feet.

Not for the faint of heart but it works for me.

Jim

SteveK · 02-23-2010, 06:19 AM

Jim, Very Cool, one of the best I've seen.

Hunters Pa · 02-23-2010, 08:39 AM

I did mine Jim Day style and, yes it is NOT for the faint of heart but I can watch my swimbait all the way down in 90 ft

Geoffkoop · 02-23-2010, 10:07 AM

Pretty cool guys! I am in the process of creating the wet mount. Seems like it should work better than the goop method. I'll let you know how it works.

Fiskadoro · 02-23-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunters Pa

I did mine Jim Day style and, yes it is NOT for the faint of heart but I can watch my swimbait all the way down in 90 ft

Have you had an issues at all?

I've had none.

One guy emailed me that he did it and had a few drops of water leak in but that was it. I can't imagine how that would happen. If it's done right (I saw your post and you did a great job, nicer then mine..LOL) I can't see how it could leak.

I tried goop and a wet mount inside the hull and I was always having to mess with it and the results were sub par in my opinion. Then again I have higher expectations because I'm used to installing them on boats.

The thing I like about it is it's trouble and hassle free and I never have to do anything or think about it. It works just as well as the transducer on my skiff, and requires no maintenance. One less thing I have to worry about...LOL

Jim

Hunters Pa · 02-23-2010, 03:46 PM

I have not had a drop! I think what was key was predrilling & not skimping on the 5200.

& thx for the compliment!

02-21-2010, 02:22 PM	#1
Geoffkoop Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: So. Orange County Posts: 302	Transducers Can you guys post pics (or link to a thread) of transducers mounted directly in the water off the side of the kayak etc. I am trying to figure out the best way to do this and don't find much when I use the search. Thanks

02-21-2010, 03:16 PM	#4
Mr GreenJeans Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The OC Posts: 58	Rudder Mount

02-21-2010, 05:37 PM	#7
Mr GreenJeans Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The OC Posts: 58	Extra Drag??? The drag seems like it should be about the same (to me, anyway). Both have a transducer in the water. On the rudder, it's mounted a little deeper, but I taped over the cable, so that should minimize any extra drag from the extra length. When the transducer is mounted on the apparatus up front, you have the mounting rod sticking down in the water, creating extra drag probably about equal to having a rudder. And since I already pull the rudder around anyway... Besides, if you have a rudder it hardly makes sense to spend the extra bucks and mount the extra apparatus up front. Of course if you don't have a rudder, the choice becomes easier. I think either should work well. To each their own.

02-21-2010, 02:41 PM	#2
mrJB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: O.C. Posts: 352	Here's one: http://kayakfishinggear.com/liberato...tincluded.aspx

02-21-2010, 02:45 PM	#3
Geoffkoop Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: So. Orange County Posts: 302	looks like a good one. Anyone do something like this with PVC out there?

02-21-2010, 04:10 PM	#5
h2ofishfo Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Santee Posts: 821	dude that post of the wet transducer by bob seems like the way to go that hobie rudder mount gives unneeded drag

02-22-2010, 09:13 AM	#9
peguinpower bing! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: socal Posts: 246	I like that rudder concept. Fabricating a new rudder to fit the transducer out of marine ply, sealed with fiberglass and epoxy should not be too much work. Hmmmmmmmmm. /bing

02-22-2010, 07:52 PM	#11
Gino Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 520	You think that Rudder mounted transducer really creates that much drag in a Hobie Adventure?

02-22-2010, 08:41 PM	#13
Hypoxic1 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oceanside Posts: 215	Im setting up my lowrance hds 5 with the transducer placed inside a pelican box that has had the bottom side removed. We found that the box needed a slot cut in the top to allow for the transducer wire to run with no pressure. A hobie rudder post and cotter pin holds the transducer at the correct angle. fill with water, and presto. Then when finished the transducer is removed from the box easily so no wires and waterproof connections need to be opened to completely remove the unit from the kayak. this pelican box is clear so its easy to see the water.

02-22-2010, 09:00 PM	#14
SteveK Junior Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 22	Dosen't the HDS need to be external? like the Humminbird side imaging units

02-23-2010, 06:19 AM	#16
SteveK Junior Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 22	Jim, Very Cool, one of the best I've seen.

02-23-2010, 08:39 AM	#17
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,359	I did mine Jim Day style and, yes it is NOT for the faint of heart but I can watch my swimbait all the way down in 90 ft

02-23-2010, 10:07 AM	#18
Geoffkoop Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: So. Orange County Posts: 302	Pretty cool guys! I am in the process of creating the wet mount. Seems like it should work better than the goop method. I'll let you know how it works.

02-23-2010, 03:46 PM	#20
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,359	I have not had a drop! I think what was key was predrilling & not skimping on the 5200. & thx for the compliment!