fish finder suggestions

[just ducky]

This may not be the right place for this post, but I thought I'd start here as long as there isn't much ice to keep us talking about actual fishing.

I've been reading some of the posts about various fish finders for ice fishing. I want to buy one, but since I only ice fish maybe 8-10 times each winter, I would like one that I can also use on my boat in the summer. Buying two separate ones just doesn't seem economical. My fishing is mainly for panfish or walleye on the typically shallower waters in the inland lakes, as well as the shallower parts of Lake St. Clair and Saginaw Bay. Any advice on what I should buy would be appreciated.

[scottyhoover]

a vex will pull double duty just fine, i use it in my boat. you won't need the pretty lcd picture. my 2 cents.

[Kevin]

I heard on the radio this past weekend that if you already have a fishfinder for your boat, there is a bell-shaped adapter to the transducer you can get to use it for ice fishing.

[Herb C.]

I have a older Humminbird graph that I put in a portable case for winter use. Works great for both seasons. If you look on E-Bay you should be able to pick-up a used portable Humminbird fairly cheap.

[just ducky]

I was reading some of the posts on Vexilars, and just wondered if they would work in both summer and winter. What about the portable versions of many fish finders that they sell? Is it worth getting a portable, or do you guys just do like Herb C. posted and put them in some kind of case for the winter use?

[No Mas]

I am not sure what type of fishfinder you have, but I have an old Eagle Ultra Classic from my old boat. I went to Franks in Linwood on Sunday to find out if I could do the same thing and they told me that it would roughly cost $120.00 to buy the hard case, bracket, battery and transducer to convert it to a portable unit. So it can be done.

[MiketheElder]

I use a portable Eagle and I'm probably going to buy a Vex Ultra. But to put that in perspective, I'm a guy that buys stuff just to have stuff so bear that in mind.

The Eagle Portable Fish ID just doesn't seem to give the separation that you need for ice fishing. I think the transducer cone is too narrow, the fish symbols and especially the fish alarm after a while will drive you crazy because it's reading your lure as a fish. Have to turn the alarms off.

I've used it several times last year and a couple times this year. Not very impressive.

Big Mike

[Cherokee]

Marcum's LX3 is adaptable to both hard and open water. You'd like this flasher. requires different transducer and an accessorie bracket. The Vex would work too.

[Houghton laker]

I'm probably going to buy a Vex Ultra. But to put that in perspective, I'm a guy that buys stuff just to have stuff so bear that in mind.
Boy.....I wonder who else that sounds like :lol: :lol: :D

[MiketheElder]

HL

You're my HERO! I've got a loooooonnnnnnggggg way to catch up to you.

Big Mike

[Houghton laker]

LMAO !! :lol:

[Capnhook]

My Vex sits on the front of my boat all summer long, and does a bang up job. I got an extra transducer that goes on the front trolling motor. You can get extra transducers for all of them. Saves you a bundle. Capnhook