Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Pond Electronics (fish finder)?

Favorite electronics for a pond?


Situation:
19 acres. Mini-pontoon that never leaves the water. Electric trolling motor.
Fish either vertically with jigs, or casting to weed-line for bass.


Want's:
Want to see structure and fish.
Big and bright enough screen that I can see it easily on sunny days.
Want it to stay on boat. Don't want more stuff to haul around. Taking tackle and a battery is all I want to mess with.


Max $500. Would prefer $300 or less.


Brands to absolutely stay away from?
Brands that you can't go wrong with?


I have never owned electronics for fishing. Have no clue what I want or even the differences between what's on the market. Someone tell me what I need/want?

Thanks catscratch for putting up the thread idea we had been discussing.

For our pond experts that are going to reply, can you also include the Aquavu type underwater cameras to the discussion if you think there is a chance that would be more beneficial to catscratch?

I think seeing the species, size of the fish, and their orientation to cover would be very revealing in our ponds and small lakes. However, there must also be limitations to those systems?


[catscratch, if you do NOT want this discussion in your electronics thread, send me a PM and I will delete it. If you do want added discussions of those systems, what is your average secchi disk reading, or what is your expected reading when you might be trying to visually evaluate your underwater conditions? I think that is critical info for the ability to use the camera systems.]

I am no expert on sonars or underwater cameras, but did recently buy a very inexpensive Aquavu type camera off of Tik Tok (The constant adds incited me over the winter). The camera only cost about $30 and I was expecting a total piece of junk. I took it out crappie fishing a month ago on my kayak to give it a try. This BOW is muddy, visibility of 1- 2 feet, and my hopes were not high. Once I found a school of them, I dropped the camera below and was beyond impressed to see multiple of them in and out of some lily pad sprouts. Camera was quite clear and was easy to ID the fish, indicate structure, and determine the substrate. I have not used it in any clear water yet, but with positive murky water results I'm sure it only preforms better in clear waters.

The downfalls I have found so far is the need to keep the unit charged. After running this unit for 2 1/2 hours the battery level had not dropped, but it is something to keep in mind (Bring a portable charger with you). The only other down fall I have found is its buoyancy. In my opinion it takes far too long to sink, but that was easily fixed with a 1 oz trolling sinker I had on hand.

It also has IR lights for low light situations, but I have not run into low enough light levels yet to test.

For around $30 it was a steal to ID what I'm seeing on my fish finder and see how the fish are interacting with my jigs/bait. I unfortunately do not have any pictures of the video quality and do not know the longevity of it yet as I have only had it out a hand full of times this year. The next time take it out I will try to remember to snap a few shots.

If you stay with traditional fish finders, either a Humminbird or Lowrance unit in a 5" screen will give you basic 2d sonar and ability to see cover and fish below the boat and fit your budget. A 5" screen is pretty small but definitely useable. For new units you are probably out-budgeted in the 7" and up screens. There are some places that sell working used units they take on trade ins, but those places vary wildly with having stock of the cheaper units and they go quickly when they are in. The Lowrance Hook 5 is on sale at Cabelas/Bass Pro for $200 right now. Ideally you could get to a sporting goods store that has some available to preview, but I don't know if that's possible or not.

Well, that leaves the Livescope option off the table then.....

Like was said, new is pretty much out of the question. I'd look at used equipment. Make sure that the transducer also comes with the unit.

I'm not really interested in used. Since I don't know what to look for I'd be afraid I'm just buying someone else's problem.

I play with display models at Cabelas once in while. It leaves me jonesing for a $2k unit. Suppose I could quit looking at supermodels and put some beer goggles on. I was hoping this would be simpler (silly, I know better) and someone would say "this one is perfect for you"...

This one is perfect for you...
Side scan, down scan, structure scan with overlay-most importantly-EASY to use.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1165519354...dIA81aR8ujg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5CMqNLZZQ



I do some Beta testing for Lowrance, used everything they've made in the last 20 years, this unit will do everything plus what you need and want. You can map your entire lake, build your own bathymetry maps of your own lake.

Thanks Snipe! I now have something to shop for!

On my main fishing boat, I have 4 graphs: Lowrance and Garmin at the console and a Humminbird and Garmin at the bow (I primarily fish off the bow).

Garmin has the best maps and I feel like the best FFS (live imaging). They're also extremely user friendly. Humminbird has the best side imaging and down imaging. Lowrance is solid all around, but I use mine mostly just for the waypoints I've stored over the years.

Based on the way the original poster is fishing, I'd suggest going with a Humminbird. IMO they have the best side imaging/down imaging/2D sonar combo. A Humminbird Helix 7 would in your price range. Look around for sales, or wait until black Friday, you can typically get a good deal on graphs that aren't the newest and latest and greatest - but still very, very good graphs.

Just a quick note, it's really difficult to see fish in weeds. But side imaging will help you find weed edges, and down imaging will show you the depth the weeds go down to as well as the type of weeds - - if you spend enough time on the water and become accustomed to your graph.

For jigging, the combination of side imaging and standard 2D sonar or down imaging is incredibly valuable IMO.

Livescope for the type of fishing you'd be doing is a game changer - but still quite expensive, although Lowrance just came out with a much more affordable unit (I believe in the $1000 range).

I finally broke down and bought a livescope setup for my boat, I had to do some you tubing to figure out how to use it, nobody seemed to have the time to go out with me and show me some pointers but I got it somewhat figured out.

I mostly got it to map and find the brush in my pond, I have an astronomical amount of sunken brush, treetops and more falling every windstorm that I couldn't keep track of it all.

As for the op, Catscratch, the first thing to do if you want to have less work involved in taking stuff into and out of the boat, the first heavy cumbersome thing to leave in the dang boat is the battery, a simple little solar panel setting on the hand rail or seat of your boat will have your battery fully charged in no time and ready to hit the water again before you are.
I started doing the solar panel thing and haven't lifted that dang heavy battery out of the boat since, been several yrs and Ive never looked back and wouldn't consider going back to messing with the battery, connect a couple of clamps onto the battery posts and bingo, shes charging.

Thanks for the replies gehajake and Vermillion!

I went ahead and bought the one Snipe posted. It's great, and in my price range but now that I've played with it some I'm jonesing for a Livescope.

I have a solar panel and charger sitting in the garage. It's just waiting on me to put it together and set it out.