Down Imaging and Structure Scanning - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Jimmyz123 · 03-08-2013, 12:32 PM

Are any of these really that effective from a Yak? I have read a lot of posts where people have bought the DI units and get mad because after about 150' the readings start to get messed up. Now if you're staying shallow I can see how that would be great.

As for the structure scanning doesn't the ducer have to be in the water, not shooting through the hull?

I'm looking to upgrade here soon and haven't quite jumped fully at the DI systems yet.

JeffB · 03-08-2013, 03:45 PM

I've been out in LJ with the Hummingbird 798si and it worked fine everywhere I fished. It was my buddy's though, not mine. The transducer does need to be in the water for down imaging. To my knowledge, structure scan and Di/Si are all the same thing. Just different companies call them different things.

jorluivil · 03-08-2013, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmyz123

Are any of these really that effective from a Yak? I have read a lot of posts where people have bought the DI units and get mad because after about 150' the readings start to get messed up. Now if you're staying shallow I can see how that would be great.

As for the structure scanning doesn't the ducer have to be in the water, not shooting through the hull?

I'm looking to upgrade here soon and haven't quite jumped fully at the DI systems yet.

Ful-Rac can tell you all about it, he has the HDS-7 with structure scan. I've seen the images that it produces and they are absolutely amazing.

HiLife619 · 03-08-2013, 03:55 PM

i have a pa 14 and have a hds5 gen2 was thinking of getting a structure scan but I just dont know where to put that other transducer...any ideas? because both transducer have to be close together when installed...

ful-rac · 03-08-2013, 04:38 PM

Yes quite amazing! Whats even more incredible is structure map

salty pirate · 03-08-2013, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmyz123

Are any of these really that effective from a Yak? I have read a lot of posts where people have bought the DI units and get mad because after about 150' the readings start to get messed up. Now if you're staying shallow I can see how that would be great.

As for the structure scanning doesn't the ducer have to be in the water, not shooting through the hull?

I'm looking to upgrade here soon and haven't quite jumped fully at the DI systems yet.

http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Produc...HDI-en-us.aspx

as far as di i have only used the unit once. di is nice but i can see being bent if thats all you have. in lj 60-130 ft of water i had the ducer set to 455khz(not the best quality) it was ok.800khz (best quality) looked like s**t. it might need some tweeking to fix though. time will tell. conventional sonar was great. overlay of both is nice 2.

imo i would not buy a di only unit.

Jimmyz123 · 03-09-2013, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffB

I've been out in LJ with the Hummingbird 798si and it worked fine everywhere I fished. It was my buddy's though, not mine. The transducer does need to be in the water for down imaging. To my knowledge, structure scan and Di/Si are all the same thing. Just different companies call them different things.

Acutally I believe there are differences between Down Imaging and Side Scan. According to Humminbird it states that for DI you can shoot through the hull, but I have read many posts on here where Side scan HAS to be in the water in order to work.

regardless I have seen both the DI and Side Scan in action on a buddies boat. I think I know which system I'm going to get and it will be the best of both worlds.

ful-rac · 03-09-2013, 07:21 AM

Just as a warning if you dont already know....in order for structure scan to give you a good picture of whats going on down there you have to be traveling at least 2-3 knots consistently for however long you want to scan the bottom. Its probably going to be pretty difficult at best on a paddle kayak. Gotta remember your also going to be dragging the huge LSS2 transducer in the water as well. But if you figure out how to make it work....

Jimmyz123 · 03-09-2013, 07:41 AM

So here's a link I found form a post that Andy did about Down imaging and Structure scanning.
http://www.stripersonline.com/t/7961...aging-in-a-yak

You can do Down Imagine through the hull but side scanning has to be in the water. Paddling at 2 to 3 knots is not difficult, trust me I have done it. Paddle kayaks are only as slow as the paddler wants them to be. I think I know what system I'm going to pick up now, just need to save up a little more.

ful-rac · 03-09-2013, 07:56 AM

Paddling 2-3 knots is not the problem no but but paddling + dragging the LSS2 and trying to stay on course is not going to be easy...its going to be a challenge thats for sure.

Yes jimmy, I know paddling 2-3knts is not difficult....trust me...I've owned a kayak or two in my day...I also know that dragging an LSS2 transducer is not going to be easy, because I have one, im just trying to help, structure scan is a big investment and it would be fucked if it didnt work for you.

StinkyMatt · 03-09-2013, 08:45 AM

I think that maybe a duo trip is in order. JimmyZ sits in Tonys front hatch and they map out the sea bottom together.

Now that is teamwork.

That big 10 incher(sidescan transducer). Takes two men to use properly.

maui jim · 03-09-2013, 03:40 PM

Tow em Jeorge.....

03-08-2013, 12:32 PM	#1
Jimmyz123 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,385	Down Imaging and Structure Scanning Are any of these really that effective from a Yak? I have read a lot of posts where people have bought the DI units and get mad because after about 150' the readings start to get messed up. Now if you're staying shallow I can see how that would be great. As for the structure scanning doesn't the ducer have to be in the water, not shooting through the hull? I'm looking to upgrade here soon and haven't quite jumped fully at the DI systems yet. __________________ No better time than being on the water, God Bless, JimmyZ

03-08-2013, 03:45 PM	#2
JeffB Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: La Jolla Posts: 1,216	I've been out in LJ with the Hummingbird 798si and it worked fine everywhere I fished. It was my buddy's though, not mine. The transducer does need to be in the water for down imaging. To my knowledge, structure scan and Di/Si are all the same thing. Just different companies call them different things. __________________ If you're looking for me I'm

03-08-2013, 03:55 PM	#4
HiLife619 Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: San Diego, CA USA Posts: 47	i have a pa 14 and have a hds5 gen2 was thinking of getting a structure scan but I just dont know where to put that other transducer...any ideas? because both transducer have to be close together when installed... Last edited by HiLife619; 03-08-2013 at 04:02 PM.

03-08-2013, 04:38 PM	#5
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Yes quite amazing! Whats even more incredible is structure map __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

03-09-2013, 07:21 AM	#8
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Just as a warning if you dont already know....in order for structure scan to give you a good picture of whats going on down there you have to be traveling at least 2-3 knots consistently for however long you want to scan the bottom. Its probably going to be pretty difficult at best on a paddle kayak. Gotta remember your also going to be dragging the huge LSS2 transducer in the water as well. But if you figure out how to make it work.... __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

03-09-2013, 07:41 AM	#9
Jimmyz123 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,385	So here's a link I found form a post that Andy did about Down imaging and Structure scanning. http://www.stripersonline.com/t/7961...aging-in-a-yak You can do Down Imagine through the hull but side scanning has to be in the water. Paddling at 2 to 3 knots is not difficult, trust me I have done it. Paddle kayaks are only as slow as the paddler wants them to be. I think I know what system I'm going to pick up now, just need to save up a little more. __________________ No better time than being on the water, God Bless, JimmyZ

03-09-2013, 07:56 AM	#10
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Paddling 2-3 knots is not the problem no but but paddling + dragging the LSS2 and trying to stay on course is not going to be easy...its going to be a challenge thats for sure. Yes jimmy, I know paddling 2-3knts is not difficult....trust me...I've owned a kayak or two in my day...I also know that dragging an LSS2 transducer is not going to be easy, because I have one, im just trying to help, structure scan is a big investment and it would be fucked if it didnt work for you. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog. Last edited by ful-rac; 03-09-2013 at 08:10 AM.

03-09-2013, 08:45 AM	#11
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,169	I think that maybe a duo trip is in order. JimmyZ sits in Tonys front hatch and they map out the sea bottom together. Now that is teamwork. That big 10 incher(sidescan transducer). Takes two men to use properly.

03-09-2013, 03:40 PM	#12
maui jim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cypress, CA Posts: 789	Tow em Jeorge..... __________________