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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2017 19:24:21 GMT -5
Just bought my first fishing boat, however it didn't come with a fish finder.
I need some help in my research.
Do I need to buy maps separately for some fish finders? (I noticed map packages you can purchase)
What are some specs I should look for?
Any specific brands or models I should look for?
* Looking to stay under $400 all in
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Post by duff on Dec 10, 2017 19:37:43 GMT -5
What kind of fishing you plan to do?
I think you have to buy maps as they are regional based. At least when I was looking a few yrs back.
I did not get maps or GPS. Lots of changes in the past few years.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2017 19:50:10 GMT -5
Looking to do a mix of bass and crappie.
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Post by nfalls116 on Dec 10, 2017 20:16:13 GMT -5
How many different lakes will you be fishing? Do
You want gps and sonar?
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Post by GS1 on Dec 10, 2017 20:33:39 GMT -5
You will probably have a hard time getting a mapping capable unit and maps for less than $400.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2017 20:39:22 GMT -5
How many different lakes will you be fishing? Do You want gps and sonar? Looking at doing pretty much just Indiana. I did notice that some of the ones in looking at say they are pre loaded with like 18000 maps. Also lets say I buy a GPS capable unit, if I don't buy maps I would assume most will still allow me to use sonar |
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Post by treetop on Dec 11, 2017 10:53:28 GMT -5
Bought one at bass pro this spring has all that for under 250 bucks this spring mine is a movable unit I have three boats up north so I just move it from boat to boat but they have fixed units I'll post the brand model when I get home not sure if I have though I may of left it
Up north it does not have maps but with gps u can mark waypoints
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Post by treetop on Dec 11, 2017 12:31:04 GMT -5
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Post by nfalls116 on Dec 11, 2017 14:06:21 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2017 16:27:44 GMT -5
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Post by duff on Dec 11, 2017 17:27:38 GMT -5
I like a 5 inch screen or better. Lots bigger fish finders these days and resolution is much better.
I want a system that I can trust the marks and discern fish from structure and hard bottom from soft etc...
I really wish I had GPS.
I am not interested in maps but could see the desire.
I am getting a desire for side imaging but want to make sure I could use it.
I think you can get good options under 400
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Post by steiny on Dec 13, 2017 9:56:53 GMT -5
I would get as large of a screen as you can afford, color. $400 is on the low end, so in this price range, I'd probably focus on just getting a good color fish finder with decent sized screen, probably Hummingbird, forget the lake maps, make sure it has surface temperature.
I use Lowrance equipment with the Navonics lake maps / GPS and love it. You can buy a chip for a large area of the midwest including Indiana and surrounding states for under $100. Run your machine on split screen so half displays the lake map and depth contours while the other displays the fish finder read out. Once you do find an isolated weed bed or piece of structure that holds fish you can mark it on the lake map and come right back to it time and time again. In a large lake when you are way off shore it is pretty difficult to consistently locate something like this without good electronics.
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