Finally got around to installing a FF/GPS combo unit on my kayak. It's a humminbird 176i. It has dual beam technology and internal GPS for marking waypoints and creating tracks. I had some other things to fix on the YAK from the last time out this past June during Circus Mexicus week. The live bait tank had stopped working. Bought a new battery and shes turning on a least. Now I have a separate issue with the bilge pump not mustering up enough juice to suck the water all the way up into the tank. All in all, everything is pretty well complete. I have a pretty nice dry/speaker box that has excellent sound for playing music while I'm out there. I have the live bait tank, and now the FF/GPS combo. Going out to Plez this weekend to test it all out and play around with it. Looking to hit Lobos for YT sometime in February, perhaps sooner.
Hey Mexico Joe, we have a 12ft aluminum boat with a 5hp Mercury out on Las Conchas. We go out a couple hundred yards and do a little fishing/drinking for reef fish. Sometimes we actually bait the hook :-)
I was thinking of getting a fish finder but heard that the scan width in relatively shallow water wouldn't really give us an idea of whre the fish were
We fish with lightweight gear so even bigger triggers would be fun if we can find them.
Hey Mexico Joe, we have a 12ft aluminum boat with a 5hp Mercury out on Las Conchas. We go out a couple hundred yards and do a little fishing/drinking for reef fish. Sometimes we actually bait the hook :)
I was thinking of getting a fish finder but heard that the scan width in relatively shallow water wouldn't really give us an idea of whre the fish were
We fish with lightweight gear so even bigger triggers would be fun if we can find them.
Any advice?
Others on here know a lot more about depth finders than I do but the reason why I wanted one was to be able to see what the bottom looks like. I wanted to know the depth that I was fishing and what the bottom structure looks like. Too many times I'm wasting away fishing over sandy bottoms when I believe there is rock under me. I want to know for sure that there is something under the boat that could possibly hold fish. Now I'll know whats under me and not waste time fishing sandy bottoms. I also wanted the capability of marking waypoints. That way when I do find something on the bottom I can return to that exact location without having to guess where I was last. I can't wait to try it out. I think it's going to make the fishing better and give me more quality trips out. I would recommend one. I know the Humminbird Pirhanna Max series can be had for as little as $65. I paid $100 for mine but it has the built in GPS.
The term "Fish Finder" is misnomer. Can they really show you where the fish are? The answer to that is "How much do you want to spend?" Joe's stated purpose is spot on and is the best way to use any sounder -- to look for structure, rocks, reefs, etc. While my GPS is extremely accurate, the value a sounder adds is to show you exactly when you're approaching or on top of a reef or other structure. You can also see bottom composition on most sounders - soft strata (sand, muck, etc.) appears as one color (usually a light blue) while hard bottom (rock, reef) appears in a different color (usually red). As far as showing you individual fish down there? Well... perhaps, but it's not something you can rely on to any degree. Some sounders will show arches to indicate a fish, while others will show you a fish icon, size based on the degree of return signal from supposed fish. My sounder (a Furuno unit) will show bait schools suspended at various depths and often indicate individual or groups of fish hanging near the bottom, even on the deeper reefs to 300 ft. or so. The smaller sounders like Joe's are not as powerful, but do a fine job in shallower water. Well worth the investment of $100 or so for a kayak or smaller aluminum boat. The biggest advantage you get is not wasting valuable fishing time on non-productive areas, i.e., sandy bottoms. Unless of course, you LIKE catching lizardfish!
Like any piece of electronics, it's only valuable if you take the time to read the manual, go out and use it, and learn to interpret the information it's showing you. Experiment with different ranges and modes, if yours has those features. Commonly, bottom lock is a feature on most sounders that is valuable because it keeps the beam focus on the bottom. You may also have a zoom feature which amplify and enlarge the picture for you. If you have the ability to change frequencies (commonly 50khz and 200khz), make sure you try both those modes to.
Final piece of advice? Unless your transducer is mounted in the middle of your kayak/boat, keep in mind that what you're seeing on the display you've already passed over! Mine's on the stern of my boat, so this is very true, given speed and processing time. Turn around and go back over the object to relocate it, then mark it on the GPS. Have fun!
man you got that thing dialed in now. good luck hope to see some good pics after or better yet gopro footage. I need to get some accessories on the ocean kayak we keep down at the condo. Im just lucky my rod sits nicely in one of the scupper holes for when im paddling.
There was a shark in the bay in Lobos, by the cliffs, the same size as the Kayak, following us around in a 14 foot cartopper. I was like holy shite. Never saw a shark that close to shore. So much for swimming that day.Ha Ha
Wow, that's a nice rig. That live bait well is making me jealous.
I have the pirhanamax 170 FF on my 'yak. I wish it had gps so I could mark the good spots. I guess I could use my phone.
Still sometimes it seems that chasing birds is about as productive as anything.
You might want to flip that kayak in fresh water, really get water in there to make sure all your connections are watertight. Last time down, the salt water got into my battery box and that was the last of the fishfinder for that trip.
Wow, that's a nice rig. That live bait well is making me jealous.
I have the pirhanamax 170 FF on my 'yak. I wish it had gps so I could mark the good spots. I guess I could use my phone.
Still sometimes it seems that chasing birds is about as productive as anything.
You might want to flip that kayak in fresh water, really get water in there to make sure all your connections are watertight. Last time down, the salt water got into my battery box and that was the last of the fishfinder for that trip.
I dont do anything half ass, it's water tight. Marine GOOP is your friend...
Joe ,boat looks real nice ,Good job. Going down 13th thru 15th ,coming back 16th of Feb. Come on down. You can camp at our place .Plenty of room.Leigh
Leigh, I think I'm going to take you up on that offer! I need to catch a YT!!!!! No more wasting money to fish RP. I'm coming down! The whole shark the size of a kayak thing has me a little worried though lol
Leigh, I think I'm going to take you up on that offer! I need to catch a YT!!!!! No more wasting money to fish RP. I'm coming down! The whole shark the size of a kayak thing has me a little worried though lol
You still have room on the back for a depth charge.
Sorry I relooked at your set up and see the pump on the end of your dip tube. Mine is the same design and it works? Might try a larger pump.
Second thought if you do get it to work be sure to have an easy access switch as it will use a lot of power. Look for an automatic interment sw.
I have that yak. Be aware, the padeyes break quite a bit so buy a few extras and a pack of extra rivets (both are sold at bass pro). The front and rear carry handles broke almost instantly (old broom handle or some 1" PVC works fine as a sub). The hatches don't seal 100% but this isn't much of an issue. Overall though the hull is a little slow, but good for fishing and very light which is nice for getting it out into the surf! Good luck!
I have that yak. Be aware, the padeyes break quite a bit so buy a few extras and a pack of extra rivets (both are sold at bass pro). The front and rear carry handles broke almost instantly (old broom handle or some 1" PVC works fine as a sub). The hatches don't seal 100% but this isn't much of an issue. Overall though the hull is a little slow, but good for fishing and very light which is nice for getting it out into the surf! Good luck!
Padeyes you mean the seat?
I bought a humminbird 170 for $99 last night on ebay new. $40 cheaper than amazon. Should have all the things set up for the next time down. Plus fits in the back of my short bed truck nice. Plus bought scotty anchor rope lock for the bow to make it easy for dropping and retrieving an anchor from your seat.
Would be nice to figure out where to put a cooler for the fish.
I bought a humminbird 170 for $99 last night on ebay new. $40 cheaper than amazon. Should have all the things set up for the next time down. Plus fits in the back of my short bed truck nice. Plus bought scotty anchor rope lock for the bow to make it easy for dropping and retrieving an anchor from your seat.
Would be nice to figure out where to put a cooler for the fish.
Got ya. It looks like they fixed that problem. They are using hex screws with nuts and metal eyes now. How old is yours?
Oh nice! That will seriously make your life so much better; nothing worse than being a mile out and your seat rips out from behind you. Mine's about 3 years old.
Oh nice! That will seriously make your life so much better; nothing worse than being a mile out and your seat rips out from behind you. Mine's about 3 years old.
Barely enough cerveza in all of Reggie's to drown my sorrows for it! :)
Good luck out there, in October I launched from Las Conchas and ended up pulling all my lines and gear in very quickly as a whale shark that was bigger than the 'yak decided he wanted to check me out up close and personal. Having a 'yak opens up a lot more opportunities that's for sure!
I bought a humminbird 170 for $99 last night on ebay new. $40 cheaper than amazon. Should have all the things set up for the next time down. Plus fits in the back of my short bed truck nice. Plus bought scotty anchor rope lock for the bow to make it easy for dropping and retrieving an anchor from your seat.
Would be nice to figure out where to put a cooler for the fish.
I bought a humminbird 170 for $99 last night on ebay new. $40 cheaper than amazon. Should have all the things set up for the next time down. Plus fits in the back of my short bed truck nice. Plus bought scotty anchor rope lock for the bow to make it easy for dropping and retrieving an anchor from your seat.
Would be nice to figure out where to put a cooler for the fish.
Rob, congrats on the purchase my man. Kayak and the Sea of Cortez go together like peanut butter and jelly. I'm having an issue with my FF as well. Might have to buy a new head unit. One of the copper pins on the male end of the battery cable broke off inside the female on the head unit so no power to my unit and already bought new cable. I will pry stick with Humminbird but definitely put some electric grease on the battery connection and clean well after use if and when immediately possible is my new note to self.
I haven't been down fishing since last May so hopefully I'll be able to get down a few times this Spring. Let me know if you want meet up and fish buddy.
As for a fish cooler. I forgot who makes it but search for kayak bow fish cooler bag. It straps to the bow of the boat and looks pretty clean. I think it's made by Seattle Sports. For FF install and any other rigging ideas search google for some of the good Kayak forums and there's lots of ideas, pics, write ups on them. Less is more in the kayak Im starting to learn however, a must will always be fish finder, music, beer, food, fishing gear and a GREAT seat. The top quality seat is a must.
Rob, congrats on the purchase my man. Kayak and the Sea of Cortez go together like peanut butter and jelly. I'm having an issue with my FF as well. Might have to buy a new head unit. One of the copper pins on the male end of the battery cable broke off inside the female on the head unit so no power to my unit and already bought new cable. I will pry stick with Humminbird but definitely put some electric grease on the battery connection and clean well after use if and when immediately possible is my new note to self.
I haven't been down fishing since last May so hopefully I'll be able to get down a few times this Spring. Let me know if you want meet up and fish buddy.
As for a fish cooler. I forgot who makes it but search for kayak bow fish cooler bag. It straps to the bow of the boat and looks pretty clean. I think it's made by Seattle Sports. For FF install and any other rigging ideas search google for some of the good Kayak forums and there's lots of ideas, pics, write ups on them. Less is more in the kayak Im starting to learn however, a must will always be fish finder, music, beer, food, fishing gear and a GREAT seat. The top quality seat is a must.
CHOLLABAY4LIFE
I was thinking about that electric grease also. Im putting it all together this weekend. Have everything but life vest waiting for that in mail. I will for sure get with you when Im coming down.
I would look on ebay seen a few for sale with just the head for sale no other parts. Must of been floor model displays.
I was thinking about that electric grease also. Im putting it all together this weekend. Have everything but life vest waiting for that in mail. I will for sure get with you when Im coming down.
I would look on ebay seen a few for sale with just the head for sale no other parts. Must of been floor model displays.
Just bought a Humminbird 165 head unit on Ebay brand new $35. It's essentially the same one I had without the GPS. Good call on Ebay...
Cool deal, picked up my stainless steel screws this morning ready to put it together tomorrow.
Rob, I put mine on a Scotty mount with post that you take off put back on with a Scotty flush mount that I installed on the kayak. Going to Mexico leaving the kayak locked in the bed of my truck at night I could not have the FF installed directly to the kayak.
