Mad frog liberator/SlideTrax (anyone using?) - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

min-va · 08-07-2012, 10:37 AM

Just want to see if anyone using the liberator/SlideTrax to mount their transducer on their outback or revo, it looks really easy to install and compact, but i just don't see any hobie owner using it anywhere.

Can anyone is using it or used it can give me some good or bad feedback?

mtnbykr2 · 08-07-2012, 10:52 AM

Gman had one when he first set up his FF he said it the FF worked great because the xducer was direct in the water, but it wasn't worth the hassle of
kelp and grass getting caught and having off the side was cumbersome, I would look into a wet mount before I did that...imo

andrewtp · 08-07-2012, 10:58 AM

I'm curious too. I've got to mount my elite 4 soon

In water vs wet mount? Is the difference significant ?
Wet mount is convenient and easy, but I heard that you lose performance

mtnbykr2 · 08-07-2012, 11:24 AM

Check the "innovations" a bunch of different techniques and materials to do a wet mount, yes a through hull direct in the water is best, however much research has been documented the wet mount works well for this application
I have a wet mount for my HDS5 works awesome, no loss of performance,
clean install and reliable...

Gman · 08-07-2012, 12:24 PM

Yep it does work great you will never get a better more accurate reading of the water, Depth Etc,Etc Than Deploying a Transducer directly into the water beneath your Kayak, But like Mtnbykr Said it gets caught on the Kelp and not only that but Paddeling is made harder on that side & having something dragging through the water makes your Yak turn and slows you down like having a Livewell with the Pump on the side.

G,Man

Today, 12:24 PM	#4
mtnbykr2

Today, 12:24 PM	#4
mtnbykr2

CheapPelican · 08-07-2012, 01:19 PM

I can see how it would gather kelp, eel grass, plastic bags, etc., but I don't think it will cause much drag. Bait tubes are much larger and are hardly noticeable.

An over the side mount should be within easy reach and retractable so you can pull it up before paddling through kelp.

CheapPelican · 08-07-2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by min-va

Just want to see if anyone using the liberator/SlideTrax to mount their transducer on their outback or revo, it looks really easy to install and compact, but i just don't see any hobie owner using it anywhere.

Can anyone is using it or used it can give me some good or bad feedback?

What's wrong, doin feel like cutting a hole in the bottom of this kayak for another flush mount?

min-va · 08-07-2012, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CheapPelican

What's wrong, doin feel like cutting a hole in the bottom of this kayak for another flush mount?

Actually i didn't even do it on the tarpon at the end, i made a mount that fit on the rudder metal bracket, which is really good, the transducer is right under the water shooting straight down, no drag or slow speed issue, that's why i can't go back to goop or wet mount.

But i don't think i can do it on the Revo rudder, so don't know what to do now...
Don't really want goop or wet mount.

mtnbykr2 · 08-07-2012, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by min-va

Actually i didn't even do it on the tarpon at the end, i made a mount that fit on the rudder metal bracket, which is really good, the transducer is right under the water shooting straight down, no drag or slow speed issue, that's why i can't go back to goop or wet mount.

But i don't think i can do it on the Revo rudder, so don't know what to do now...
Don't really want goop or wet mount.

Scupper mount? HB and Lowrance, and I believe someone has a DIY scupper mount, check innovations, I think Teamfish did one

min-va · 08-07-2012, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnbykr2

Scupper mount? HB and Lowrance, and I believe someone has a DIY scupper mount, check innovations, I think Teamfish did one

Thanks for the idea, i did think of that too, but then i can't use my hobie plug in wheel..

andrewtp · 08-07-2012, 04:11 PM

I may do this for my Revo....

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/in...?topic=21431.0

Not sure yet either..

mtnbykr2 · 08-07-2012, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by min-va

Thanks for the idea, i did think of that too, but then i can't use my hobie plug in wheel..

Yes if you locate the through hull under your seat

min-va · 08-07-2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewtp

I may do this for my Revo....

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/in...?topic=21431.0

Not sure yet either..

It can be a good idea, but should get a sailing rudder.

min-va · 08-07-2012, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnbykr2

Yes if you locate the through hull under your seat

I should take a look tonight, just got my Revo for few days, thanks!

mtnbykr2 · 08-07-2012, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewtp

I may do this for my Revo....

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/in...?topic=21431.0

Not sure yet either..

I actually like this set up, you usually know if you got a kelp critter ridin along
the only draw back I foresee, is if you get in less than 2 feet of water with the rudder down, doesn't happen often except landing but the rudder should be up anyhow that and the weight on the rudder when retracting, the twist and stow on the Outback can be temperamental, but I like the concept, and only one hole in the rudder if you don't like it

Dennis · 08-07-2012, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by min-va

Just want to see if anyone using the liberator/SlideTrax to mount their transducer on their outback or revo, it looks really easy to install and compact, but i just don't see any hobie owner using it anywhere.

Can anyone is using it or used it can give me some good or bad feedback?

I use the liberator attached to a ram mount, but not on a hobie. Mainly because I wanted to use one to keep my fishfinder portable. It does catch eel grass, but its not a problem to clear. Its mostly clear out in LJ, so there is next to no drag. Hope this helps.

PapaDave · 08-08-2012, 07:21 AM

I used one on my PA for a few trips, went back to the hull mount, it's not as easy as some would think to keep it clear of kelp. Very much a pain in the arse.

andrewtp · 08-08-2012, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapaDCh

I used one on my PA for a few trips, went back to the hull mount, it's not as easy as some would think to keep it clear of kelp. Very much a pain in the arse.

So I'm now thoroughly confused... Is the wet mount in hull a significant performance difference than an in water transducer?

mtnbykr2 · 08-08-2012, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewtp

So I'm now thoroughly confused... Is the wet mount in hull a significant performance difference than an in water transducer?

No...

andrewtp · 08-08-2012, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnbykr2

No...

So is the the consensus? I liked my in hull wet mount with my eagle 350 but never but it in water to compare...

08-07-2012, 10:37 AM	#1
min-va Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Hacienda Heights Posts: 216	Mad frog liberator/SlideTrax (anyone using?) Just want to see if anyone using the liberator/SlideTrax to mount their transducer on their outback or revo, it looks really easy to install and compact, but i just don't see any hobie owner using it anywhere. Can anyone is using it or used it can give me some good or bad feedback? __________________ www.vapercompany.com

08-07-2012, 10:52 AM	#2
mtnbykr2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newbury park ca Posts: 2,323	Gman had one when he first set up his FF he said it the FF worked great because the xducer was direct in the water, but it wasn't worth the hassle of kelp and grass getting caught and having off the side was cumbersome, I would look into a wet mount before I did that...imo __________________

08-08-2012, 07:21 AM	#17
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,468	I used one on my PA for a few trips, went back to the hull mount, it's not as easy as some would think to keep it clear of kelp. Very much a pain in the arse. __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...

08-07-2012, 10:58 AM	#3
andrewtp Awesome Possum Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Riverside Posts: 187	I'm curious too. I've got to mount my elite 4 soon In water vs wet mount? Is the difference significant ? Wet mount is convenient and easy, but I heard that you lose performance

08-07-2012, 11:24 AM	#4
mtnbykr2 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newbury park ca Posts: 2,323	Check the "innovations" a bunch of different techniques and materials to do a wet mount, yes a through hull direct in the water is best, however much research has been documented the wet mount works well for this application I have a wet mount for my HDS5 works awesome, no loss of performance, clean install and reliable... __________________

08-07-2012, 01:19 PM	#6
CheapPelican Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Too far from the launch. Posts: 443	I can see how it would gather kelp, eel grass, plastic bags, etc., but I don't think it will cause much drag. Bait tubes are much larger and are hardly noticeable. An over the side mount should be within easy reach and retractable so you can pull it up before paddling through kelp.

08-07-2012, 04:11 PM	#11
andrewtp Awesome Possum Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Riverside Posts: 187	I may do this for my Revo.... http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/in...?topic=21431.0 Not sure yet either..