02-01-2018, 03:12 AM
So I just picked up the Garmin Striker 4 and took it out on Sat to Pineview to test it out. At the time I just had the unit and no bag/box/way to carry it. What a pain that was trying to use a bucket with a battery, long cable, transducer and head unit tipping over on the ice.
So I decided to make my own. I picked up the small tool box for $13 on amazon and modified it. I mounted the bracket on the top that the head unit can snap in and out of. I also made a notch for the transducer cable. I had to notch it because the ducer wont fit thru a small hole, and this unit came with a long cable because it is for use in a boat too. I bundled up the extra cable and zip tied it tight so it also wont fit thru a small hole. The other side I drilled 2 holes, one for power, the 2nd for the transducer cable. Took me all of about 30 minutes to do this (with some help from my sons lol), and I think it will work well.
As far as the fishing we were there on Saturday, north of cemetary point. We started in 35-40 feet of water and had no bites. Moved in to around 20-25 and my boys caught 2 small perch and 1 catfish. It was slow but as long as the boys get a few we are good, and we got to test out the new Garmin. Ice was about 7 inches and the edges were good then.
I think this Garmin unit is a great deal for around $120. You can also get the unit with a carrying bag, battery, charger, etc for around $200. It can mark waypoints/has GPS, has traditional sonar for use in a boat or kayak, and also a flasher mode. It definitely helped us catch those 3 fish, compared to fishing blind.
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So I decided to make my own. I picked up the small tool box for $13 on amazon and modified it. I mounted the bracket on the top that the head unit can snap in and out of. I also made a notch for the transducer cable. I had to notch it because the ducer wont fit thru a small hole, and this unit came with a long cable because it is for use in a boat too. I bundled up the extra cable and zip tied it tight so it also wont fit thru a small hole. The other side I drilled 2 holes, one for power, the 2nd for the transducer cable. Took me all of about 30 minutes to do this (with some help from my sons lol), and I think it will work well.
As far as the fishing we were there on Saturday, north of cemetary point. We started in 35-40 feet of water and had no bites. Moved in to around 20-25 and my boys caught 2 small perch and 1 catfish. It was slow but as long as the boys get a few we are good, and we got to test out the new Garmin. Ice was about 7 inches and the edges were good then.
I think this Garmin unit is a great deal for around $120. You can also get the unit with a carrying bag, battery, charger, etc for around $200. It can mark waypoints/has GPS, has traditional sonar for use in a boat or kayak, and also a flasher mode. It definitely helped us catch those 3 fish, compared to fishing blind.
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