Best Fish Finder

[DDS]

I spent about 20 hours researching this over that past couple of months, but I don't know if we are shopping for the same stuff....
I was coming from a RayMarine WiFish - so even further down the ladder than the dragonfly as I had to use an iPad in a waterproof case as a screen...

I ended up with a RayMarine Axiom and a Airmar Chirp M285HW transducer...probably overkill but I like to shop once and keep it for a long time.

Happy to help with any other questions if I can, I am far from an expert. I used the new rig at the Heroes on the Water event this weekend and while I caught no halibut I felt like I could SEE way better under the water - found bait easily, saw structure, now I just need to learn how to fish better...

BerleyPro is a great resource for fitting various transducers in the hobie mount on the bottom of your yak if you have a hobie
https://www.berleypro.com/product-category/hobie/

Some great background information on fish finders and sounder info in general
http://www.furuno.com/special/en/fishfinder/topic8.html

Some Great discussion of the current crop of finders and all their positives and negatives
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...ghlight=simrad

Another long article by same Aussie (about 4 posts down) that discusses various sounders and MFDs
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...owrance+garmin

Some fairly detailed info on the technology - bit long - but good late night reading....
https://www.thehulltruth.com/marine-...explained.html

[tstephens3232]

Great stuff. Thank you for all the information. Did you look at the Dragonfly's? if you did, did you consider the upgraded transducer? I think it's the CPT 60.

[jorluivil]

The best fish finder is the one you can afford

[DDS]

Originally Posted by jorluivil

The best fish finder is the one you can afford

True,
but there are multiple fish finder solutions at various price points from the big makers..so if you can afford one you can probably afford enough that you have a choice, and that is when it gets complicated

Simrad/Lowrance/B&G all one company
RayMarine
Humminbird
Garmin

Lowrance seems to dominate our kayak market (and has a good relationship with Hobie). Their current crop of finders has been out almost 3 years though - I hate buying tech that is that old for the same price as it was when it was new.

Lowrance newest stuff is there Hook2 Line

[DDS]

Originally Posted by tstephens3232

Great stuff. Thank you for all the information. Did you look at the Dragonfly's? if you did, did you consider the upgraded transducer? I think it's the CPT 60.

I did look at the dragonfly line, it was good, but I actually wanted a transducer with 3d capability (I sometimes fish lakes as well...plus I'm a tech dork) so I went higher up the line. It will also let me add a second transducer later if I like.

If you want the easiest plug and play solution with the most other people using it so that you can get guidance and tips - I think in the kayak world that is Lowrance.
At the depths we are fishing for Yellowtail and WSB most of the fancy features (3D, Downimaging, HD Downimaging, Side Imagining, yada yada yada) start not working as well. Over 100 ft most of these technologies start to have reduced benefits and they are pretty useless over 150 feet.

I'm just getting used to my new toy so I will have to report back more later if it was worth the additional cost.