Sonars

[fishboy2]

Hey all, I had an intrigueing discussion with a fellow angling friend of mine about sonars. I prefer to use one. I am going to be getting a new set up for myself for christmas, funds allowing.
My question is who out there is using a sonar, and for what purpose. By that statement I mean is anyone out there using one simply for depth and temp, or using it more for its structure finding abilities.
With that said what should I look for in a sonar?
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[flygoddess]

I use one for structure and depth. Mine doesn't have temp or speed which I don't want to know how fast I am going..LOL
HUMMINGBIRD all the way.
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[ydoc]

GREAT question!! (I was just wondering the same thing!)

Oh great Float Tube Forum tubers, answer me this, on your FLOAT TUBE...

1. Do you use a "normal" finder with a corded transducer, or do you use the "stick-kind" (i.e. Fishing Buddy)?

2. Why did you choose the one style over the other?

3. How did you mount the unit/transducer?

4. How do you power it?

(I saw a "'Cuda" at the "Bargain Cave" <for only $80 as I recall> at the local Cabela's, but was afraid to get it because I didn't have answers to the questions above.)

THANKS!!!!!!!
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[flygoddess]

[quote ydoc]GREAT question!! (I was just wondering the same thing!)

Oh great Float Tube Forum tubers, answer me this, on your FLOAT TUBE...

1. Do you use a "normal" finder with a corded transducer, or do you use the "stick-kind" (i.e. Fishing Buddy)?

2. Why did you choose the one style over the other?

3. How did you mount the unit/transducer?

4. How do you power it?

(I saw a "'Cuda" at the "Bargain Cave" <for only $80 as I recall> at the local Cabela's, but was afraid to get it because I didn't have answers to the questions above.)

THANKS!!!!!!![/quote]


1. I use the regular boat style (with the cord). But since Hummingbird bought the Fishing Buddy, they are much better.

2. At the time I got mine, the Fishing Buddy's were terrible and way over priced. Boat style gave you more for your money. I got mine (many years ago) for Christmas and at the time top of the line. Which is a good thing cause it is still up to date and does what it is suppose to do.

3. Mount...on my pontoon I have a Ram Mount for the sonar on my foot peg and a square aluminum piece bolted to the deck for my transducer which is also bolted on Square aluminum pipe.
With this set up and the addition of the tube mount for the Fishing buddy (a piece of PVC with straps to go around tube) I can quickly switch to my H3.

4. Power...with out the motor one of those small rechargeable batteries like for home alarms. With my motor...off the boat battery.

Like I said...I have only owned Hummingbird and it has always been there for me...sorry can comment about the Cuda....
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I have been using "eyes" on my tubes for almost 30 years. Started with an old Humminbird flasher powered by two 6 volt lantern batteries wired in series. Bulky and heavy but got me hooked.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have worked my way through many different sonars since then and have researched a lot of ones I never bought or tried. Fished with the Eagle low wattage models for quite a few years. Worked through several of the Cudas. Those up through the 168 did okay. The last Cuda (300) I tried was terrible. Poor bottom readings and too many false readings on fish. It went back to Cabelas after a couple of trips.[/#0000ff]

[#0000ff]Have been using (and loving) the Humminbird 565 for several months now. It has proven to be a much more reliable "fish finder" as well as showing better detail on bottom conditions. Also has temp guage. One of the big plusses for me is the dual cone sonar...both 20 degree and 60 degree. It shows fish right below you but also ones nearby...in a different display. It also has real time sonar on the side and functions like a flasher to show what is right under you...including your jig when ice fishing. I am including links to posts I put up on mounting the 565 as well as the 168EX a while back.[/#0000ff]

[#0000ff]The kind of sonar you get should reflect the kind of fishing you do. If you are a trout fisherman you might want to look at a unit with side-finding capability. Trout suspend or cruise well above the bottom at times and it is helpful to be able to look around you to find nearby fish and know which direction to cast for them.[/#0000ff]

[#0000ff]Most of the fish I target are on or near the bottom so I prefer a unit that shows me good depth and bottom readings...and picks up fish close to the bottom. My Humminbird 565 actually shows fish hiding in the weeds at 30 feet at Starvation.[/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=514351;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;page=unread#unread"]HUMMINBIRD 565 REVIEW[/url][/#0000ff]

[url "http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=400401;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread"]CUDA MOUNT ON SFC[/url]
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[ydoc]

TD...

Thanks for your reply... I fish mostly for LMB in (very) small lakes (100 acres or less) and "farm-ponds". As such, MOST of my fishing/casts are directed to the shoreline and/or other cover.

But, most of the ponds... and even moreso, the small lakes (flood control reservoirs) have deep spots, channels, underwater road beds etc. that I can't "find" just sitting in my tube. Thus, my reason for asking.

Due to limited access, I use the tube exclusively on the farm ponds. But, in addition to my tube, I also have a small (14') aluminum boat and (18hp outboard). I will also use it on the same "smaller" lakes as well. But when the wife has the SUV (the one with the HITCH), then it's back to the tube - not a bad thing! []

Ironically, I also have a Humminbird 565 on my boat. I have it rigged with Velcro on the base (sticks to a piece of carpet secured to the seat), so that I can remove it if the boat is "out" for any length of time.

So, for this discussion, I DO HAVE access to a decent finder already. The help I could use from you would be on the order of how to convert/transfer/attach it to my tube. The links you provided may show that... but I don't want to open them here at work. <shhhhhhhh <g>>

I'd be VERY interested in how you mounted it, and how you incorporate the transducer... since it's just a cable connecting the two.

There must be 10-12' of cable... in my boat, I just have it "coiled" and then the coils secured. And I've fashioned a large suction cup to secure the transducer to the transom (most of our waters are no-wake, so the suction-cup holds it secure enough).

But I can't visualize how to run/rig the transducer "puck" to something while in the tube. What do you use? How (or did you) shorten the transducer cable?

Power... I have the 565 connected to my trolling motor battery in the boat, so how do you rig the 12v needed for the 565 when in your tube?

I'm thinking that by just getting an extra transducer/cable and mounting it to my tube, I could just move the 565 from boat-to-tube-to-boat! That would be SWEET!!

I'm all ears...

(Thanks in advance!)

Bob
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[flygoddess]

I was just going top say, get an extra transducer. Not sure on the price, but I am sure it will pay for its self.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]I checked on the Humminbird website to price extra transducers. Couldn't find one listed for the 565. I think they are "upgrading" and probably no longer sell them. Bad move on their part. But, if they did I'm sure those dual cone transducers would be spendy.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Lots of guys get double or triple duty from a single sonar unit...including ice fishing. The key is how you set up the main connector for the display. I have mine mounted to a small plate and a piece of 1/2" PVC connector on the bottom. Then I mount vertical risers of 1/2" PVC wherever I want to stick the display...on my tube, on the console of a boat or inside and/or on top of my sonar box I take out on the ice.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The transducer can be mounted to a PVC shaft, as in the attached pictures, and can also be used on boat, tube or ice fishing box. Look at the pics and I will be happy to fill in any blanks.[/#0000ff]
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[ydoc]

TD... well, the "fishing gods" may have blessed me and I didn't even know it!

Earlier this summer, my "custom" transducer bracket caught on a stump (while on my boat). I needed ONLY a the transom mounting bracket. Being also a member of the Nebraska Fish & Game forum (NEFGA), I found a guy selling a "ruined" 565 (had a cracked display and had gotten water inside) for sale for $10... including the transducer/cable and transducer mount. Well, I snatched that up pretty quick!!

So I already HAVE an extra transducer, mount (got my 'original one' fixed), cables, base, etc. (The head-unit is all that's bad.)

In other words, I'm all set to go with a 565 transfer setup!!! [cool] Just didn't realize before this thread, the practicality of doing a transfer to the TUBE!! hehehehe

TD, will look at your pics tonight and PM you with any questions. THANKS!!!

Bob
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[MaDFisher55]

Cabela's has the Hummingbird 565 for $179.99. They have 7 in stock as of today. I was just there "decking the halls" with my sweetheart. (dont any body tell my wife!)[]

I saw a 570 at Sportsman's in Grand Junction Co over the weekend for $199.00. That may be a replacement for the 565. It looked like it had a little different shape but most of the specs were the same.

Here is the link for the 565 transducer from Hummingbird site. Its the top one.

http://humminbird.factoryoutletstore.com...ucers.html

Just thought ya might want to know.
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[SHigSpeed]

Hey TD,

I mount my 'ducer way out back of my tube at the apex between the two bladders. Do you "see" your fins on your screen ever with your 'ducer mouted up front that far? I know sometimes if the drift is right I see my anchor and line, but not my feet even though I have the dual cone type 'Bird.

Thanks!
_SHig
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[MaDFisher55]

[quote TubeDude][#0000ff][/#0000ff][#0000ff]I have mine mounted to a small plate and a piece of 1/2" PVC connector on the bottom. [/#0000ff][/quote]

TD, what is the small plate that is on the bottom mount? Chunk of hard plastic?
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[TubeDude]

"Do you "see" your fins on your screen ever with your 'ducer mouted up front that far?"

[cool][#0000ff]I never kick my feet back under the tube. With the transducer slightly below water line, at about the midpoint on my seat, the fins never enter the cone of the 'ducer.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I used to mount my 'ducer further toward the back too. But I have found that I have less cable to tangle if I keep it up front near the display and the coil of excess cable. Also easier for me to raise and lower the shaft when needed.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Like everything, it is a matter of personal experimentation and preference.[/#0000ff]
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[TubeDude]

"TD, what is the small plate that is on the bottom mount? Chunk of hard plastic?"

[cool][#0000ff]To be precise, it is a short piece of white plastic baseboard...cut and sanded to fit the corners. But, anything will work. A piece of 1/4" plywood would work as well.[/#0000ff]
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[MaDFisher55]

[quote TubeDude]"TD, what is the small plate that is on the bottom mount? Chunk of hard plastic?"

[cool][#0000ff]To be precise, it is a short piece of white plastic baseboard...cut and sanded to fit the corners. But, anything will work. A piece of 1/4" plywood would work as well.[/#0000ff][/quote]

Thanks Pat, by looking at the profile thats what I thought it was but thought I would ask.

I have been a very good boy this year and put a 565 on the top of my Christmas list along with a new bass boat, an airplane and motorhome. We'll see how it all turns out.[]
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