Hummingbird Smartcast

[Fishfoote]

I see the wrist-watch type of the Hummingbird Smartcast is down to $89.99 on the Cabelas site store. Anyone own one of these? Does it work well? Looks kind of neat - would make a good gift for someone that fishes the banks.

[andy capp]

Just dont forget to open the bail:D

[FishTales]

These might be a good idea for ice fishing. You would have a floating transducer that can be removed easy enough to get it out of the way. Might even work right through the ice.

[CGA97]

every time you snag and break your line, you lose a transducer. They only cost $20 for replacement, but thats $20 less you have to spend on better things.
A buddy of mine says, "I would never buy Hummingjunk!"

[Fishfoote]

GCA - I've got a Hummingbird dash mount that seems to work ok, I use the vexilar on the bow more for finding fish though. As far as losing the transducer due to a snag or line break, they do float, so retreiving them shouldn't be impossible. It would be great if they could shoot through the ice. I don't know if they do. I know my vexilar does in most cases where the ice is clear. I would be easier to pull a tranducer out of your pocket to check depth on your wrist that hauling around the vexilar. But according to the product description, the transducer doesn't work unless it's in the water - it shuts down to save batteries when out. Thus unless there was water on the ice, you'd have to carry some water to get it to work - might as well carry the vexilar.

Now, if you had two transducers (A&B), that might help monitor other holes. I usually cut about a dozen holes in the area I'm going to set up in and move around tring to find fish over the course of a couple hours. You could drop the A & B transducers in holes out away from you (75 ft according to the specs) and IF the fish alarm actually worked, you could monitor your area better. IF.

[jk hillsdale]

I've owned a Smartcast for three weeks.

It's attached to a dedicated pole with very heavy line and I'm using it to "scout" the areas that I'll be casting to. I don't plan on attaching it to the line of anything that I'm fishing with.

It works great to provide a clear definition of the depth and bottom structure. Haven't yet attempted to use it to spot fish. May or may not work well for that.

If I remember correctly, I believe the owner's manual had several cautions of why it was not appropriate for ice fishing. The explanation of why it wouldn't work well for ice fishing is fuzzy in my mind, it's even possible that I'm completely mistaken on its applicability for ice fishing.

Anyway, to date, I'm very pleased with it.