Advice on purchasing a fish finder

[Jake]

I am planning on purchasing a fish finder, but do not really know which one would best suit my needs. I have never owned a fish finder so I really don’t know what I am looking for. I am going to be going out on any deep or large lakes, in fact the main reason I want it is because I am going to be using it on a lot of little uncharted lakes in the U.P and want to know what the structure is that I am fishing above. Some of the ones I have looked up online go to depths of 800 feet, but they seem too high powered for I will be using it for. As I have mentioned I am going to be mounting it to a row boat with a trolling motor on it (thanks to my fishing mentor uncle) and only using it on smaller inland lakes. I would like to get away with spending $250 or less, so if anybody can recommend any products and/or advice on what to look for I would really appreciate it.
Jake

[JJ Mac]

The eagle fishmark series in the 320 and 480 would suit your needs and be well within your budget. The 480 is about $200 and the 320 is $150. Another option would be to go with the portable eagle fish easy id. They run on batteries and have a suction cup to quickly pop on and off the transom of your boat. The fish easy id can then also be used for another boat or ice fishing as well.

[MiketheElder]

I took my Lowrance x67c ice fishing fishfinder on a Trip to Canada recently and used the transducer that came with it (200 degree I think). I wrapped a piece of sealed foam (Like you might get when you buy a small appliance) around the cord and floated it next to the boat. I also put a round swing weight that golfers used to use to warm up. It has a slot that the power cord can pass through. However an interesting thing happened. While traveling to another spot I put the transducer on the floor of the boat without turning off the finder and it read right through the bottom of the boat. It costs $300 but you can use it for your present application and for ice fishing too.

Big Mike

[Dedge]

The Eagle fisheasy 320c got real good reviews from F&S and is only about 220 bucks and it is color. Not a huge display, but if it is going to be mounted in a row boat, then I would imagine that you will be able to see it fine from just about anywhere you are sitting.

Dan

[ESOX]

Geez Jake, you really need a fish finder in Iraq?
For your uses I would look at a Bottom Line with side finder, a little pricier than you want to spend, but worth every penny.

[Jake]

You should see the fish and the fishing they do at one of Saddam's palaces (I guess I should say USED to be one of his palaces) in Baghdad. One of my buddies just made a ru down there and he was telling me they keep the rods right out on the deck. If only I could get down there......

[Czarthree]

I picked up a Bottomline 480 max for the bow mount from Bass Pro for $139. Reeds has it on sale at that price too. I copied the add and went to Bass Pro and they honored the price. Nice unit. No side finder on the new units though. The only new model Bottomline with sidefinder is the top of the line NCC 6300. A little much for your needs. Go to Bass Pro or a store with alot of choices and check them all out. There are close out Bottomlines with sidefinder available. I have the Tournament Master HR w/ GPS on the helm and love it. Good luck with your purchase.

[Papa Smurf]

You may be interested in the Bottom Line Fishin' Buddy 1101 for $99.99. It clamps on the side of your boat. You have to lift it out of the water when you move the boat around, however. I have one for my canoe and I'm perfectly happy with it.

Fish Finder (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/common/search/search-results1.jhtml?hasJS=true&_D%3AhasJS=+&%2Fcabelas%2Fcommerce%2FCabelasCatalogNumberFinder .giftCertificateURL=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Ftemplates%2F giftcertificate%2Fgiftcertificate.jhtml%3Fid%3D000 5586990011a%26podId%3D0005586%26catalogCode%3DIB%2 6navAction%3Djump%26indexId%3D&_D%3A%2Fcabelas%2Fcommerce%2FCabelasCatalogNumberF inder.giftCertificateURL=+&QueryText=Fishin+Buddy+1101&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jhtml.8&Go.x=9&Go.y=6&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=Fishin+Buddy+1101&noImage=0)

[ESOX]

Jake,
The guys around here are the best. Joel, NEMichsportsman has given me a nice Lowrance to give you when you get home from Iraq. Thanks Joel!!:)

[sfw1960]

Now that's reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally K00L!
:D

[Jake]

I just wanted to thank everybody for the advice, it was really appreciated. I especially want to than NEMichsportsman for the extremely generous gift; it is really going to help during my two week leave (6 days and a wake up then I HOPEFULLY get on a plane :D ).

[ulrichdebrus]

http://www.fishfinder-store.com/smwififi.html

I recently received one of these for my birthday and I am happy to say that it works wonderfully and is reliable as to locating actual fish.

*

Good luck!