Fish Finder Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mlcatlopez]

I want to purchase a new fish finder for my 17' boat. I have no idea what model to choose nor do I know why I would have to buy a transducer ( whatever that menas?) as an additional purchase. Can someone educate me on fish finders?

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Fish Finder Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Very broad topic... Some more info would help... <br /><br />It all depends on the type of fishing you do... There are different depth finders for different applications... If you could tell us more about what you want the unit to do and the type of fishing (fresh water bass fishing? salt water bottom fishing? ect.) you plan to use it for...<br /><br />All depth finders must have a transducer in order to opperate... The transducer shoots a sound signal to the bottom, the signal then bounces off the bottom and the transducer picks up the signal again to measure the time it takes for the signal to return..... <br /><br />Same as depth finders, there are different transducers for different applications..<br /><br /> http://depthfinders.net/

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: Fish Finder Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mlcatlopez,<br /> All fish finders or sounders(sonar) require the use of a transducer.Transducers are what send and receive the sound signal(or pulse) from the bottom/objects or fish.The fish finder interperts the signal(the amount of time it takes to send/recieve the pulse at the transducer) into a display in which you can see/read.Lowrance makes nice fishfinders.You can also get a GPS/fishfinder combo.Two displays on one screen to show you the fish and your position....

 

[Beaux]

Re: Fish Finder Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just to follow up, since it sounds as if you are new to the boat gadget world. Most fishfinders come with a transducer in the box. FOr most people, the transducer used is a transom mounted style that is screwed onto transom and allows transducer to skim just below water level when sitting or running around. The other types include one that actually shoots thru the hull of your boat from the inside and one that actually mounts thru the bottom of your boat by drilling and installing it. On a 17' boat, the transom mount is by far the most common and cheapest as well(usually included). On another note, if you simply want to know bottom depth and see structure, just about all b/w ones will work for you. IF you are salt water (SERIOUS) bottom fishing man then you may want to consider a color finder but they are $$$. Most people don't use them nor need them, and if they have one sometimes don't read them properly to get the benefit! Good luck

 

[mlcatlopez]

Re: Fish Finder Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Snapperbait, Reel Appeal and Beaux<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your knowledge about transducers. I'm a salt water bottom fishing person who sometimes, dives into the water with mask and fins to see whats going on down below, but when tempertures change in the winter months I stay onboard.<br /><br />Thanks again for your help,<br /><br />mlcatlopez

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Fish Finder Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mlcatlopez: For serious bottom fishing get the best depth finder you can afford.... <br /><br />A color depth finder is best as it will allow you better fish finding ability... It will allow you to determine the difference between large schools of bait fish and an actual large fish by showing the difference in the density of the fish represented by different colors on the screen... Same things apply to bottom hardness....<br /><br />An LCD monochrome(non color) depth finder will allow you to find structure and fish, just not as detailed... Go for the highest screen resolution(usualy 240X240 or higher # of pixels is good) and most power(watts) you can get....<br /><br />The differences between the big name brands are very minor.... Some are easier to use than others... Most marine retailers have them on working display so try em' out first....<br /><br />Leave a few snapper for me....