Questions regarding Fish Finder - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

The pelican · 02-11-2014, 09:03 AM

I agree the HDS5 is a great unit for the money. I have the Elite 4x and like it just fine for a basic unit for fishing La Jolla. There are things you can do to get better performance at a good cost if $600 isn't in your budget. Mounting the transducer directly in the water made a huge difference. Not trying to contradict myself but if you're getting into the sport, it can pay to just go for the better unit from the get go. I can't tell you how much money I wasted starting out kayak fishing because I wanted to save a few bucks on some cheaper gear and then upgraded later. Hope this helps.

jorluivil · 02-11-2014, 10:52 AM

I started off with the Eagle Cuda 350, it was only $175 out the door. It's a pretty basic unit but it has what you'll need (GPS & Sonar). If you're just getting into the sport I would start off with something basic, this way if you decide kayak fishing is not for you you're not going to lose much.

After a year or so I went ahead and purchsed a Gen2 HDS-5, If I remember I believe I paid roughly $800 out the door including a two year warranty from WestMarine.......its an awesome unit. If you decide to pay a top notch unit buy it from a reputable store like WestMarine. If you decide to buy from WM get yourself on their mailing list and wait for a sale, a coupon or manufacturer rebate.

YakAttak · 02-11-2014, 11:12 AM

Don't know if it helps, but the HDS-5 + Lake insight is slightly cheaper on the digital oasis website for $569. Free ship & no tax to CA. You can use the extra 50 bucks to add 3 years warranty if you like.

YakMedic · 02-11-2014, 11:58 AM

Jorge nailed it, start with something that provides FF/GPS capabilities. Once you've decided this is a sport your going to stick with you can upgrade to a higher end lowrance or humminbird unit. As far as specific units it comes down to personal preference. I love my h-bird 597hd/di but the new raymarine dragonfly will be my next unit

Bert Vega · 02-11-2014, 12:27 PM

I am pretty new myself. I went with the elite 5 gold. It was $300 from West Marine. So far so good. I have not had any issue with it. Standard sonar and GPS. I am still learning the features and how to use it properly.

socal_matt · 02-11-2014, 05:24 PM

If you want to go super basic, just buy the Garmin Echo 100. $80 at West Marine. I've used it for 3 years now, works pretty well for me.

l8kerz42 · 02-12-2014, 12:29 PM

Thanks guys, I really appreciate you taking the time to school a newcomer. I decided to go basic and bought a Lowrance x-4 black and white unit. Have to figure out how its going to be mounted (transducer as well) but I'm sure I'll figure something out!

02-11-2014, 10:52 AM	#2
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	I started off with the Eagle Cuda 350, it was only $175 out the door. It's a pretty basic unit but it has what you'll need (GPS & Sonar). If you're just getting into the sport I would start off with something basic, this way if you decide kayak fishing is not for you you're not going to lose much. After a year or so I went ahead and purchsed a Gen2 HDS-5, If I remember I believe I paid roughly $800 out the door including a two year warranty from WestMarine.......its an awesome unit. If you decide to pay a top notch unit buy it from a reputable store like WestMarine. If you decide to buy from WM get yourself on their mailing list and wait for a sale, a coupon or manufacturer rebate. __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

02-11-2014, 05:24 PM	#6
socal_matt Cruisin' Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 123	If you want to go super basic, just buy the Garmin Echo 100. $80 at West Marine. I've used it for 3 years now, works pretty well for me. __________________ There's no such thing as overkill, its just called being prepared for the best.

02-11-2014, 09:03 AM	#1
The pelican Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: La Jolla Posts: 82	I agree the HDS5 is a great unit for the money. I have the Elite 4x and like it just fine for a basic unit for fishing La Jolla. There are things you can do to get better performance at a good cost if $600 isn't in your budget. Mounting the transducer directly in the water made a huge difference. Not trying to contradict myself but if you're getting into the sport, it can pay to just go for the better unit from the get go. I can't tell you how much money I wasted starting out kayak fishing because I wanted to save a few bucks on some cheaper gear and then upgraded later. Hope this helps.

02-11-2014, 11:12 AM	#3
YakAttak Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 82	Don't know if it helps, but the HDS-5 + Lake insight is slightly cheaper on the digital oasis website for $569. Free ship & no tax to CA. You can use the extra 50 bucks to add 3 years warranty if you like.

02-11-2014, 11:58 AM	#4
YakMedic Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wrightwood Posts: 623	Jorge nailed it, start with something that provides FF/GPS capabilities. Once you've decided this is a sport your going to stick with you can upgrade to a higher end lowrance or humminbird unit. As far as specific units it comes down to personal preference. I love my h-bird 597hd/di but the new raymarine dragonfly will be my next unit

02-11-2014, 12:27 PM	#5
Bert Vega Tail Chaser! Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Murrieta Posts: 627	I am pretty new myself. I went with the elite 5 gold. It was $300 from West Marine. So far so good. I have not had any issue with it. Standard sonar and GPS. I am still learning the features and how to use it properly.

02-12-2014, 12:29 PM	#7
l8kerz42 Junior Join Date: May 2013 Location: North Torrance Posts: 11	Thanks guys, I really appreciate you taking the time to school a newcomer. I decided to go basic and bought a Lowrance x-4 black and white unit. Have to figure out how its going to be mounted (transducer as well) but I'm sure I'll figure something out!