What's a good fish finder that can be quickly mounted/dismounted on a rental boat? (Page 2): Here… https://www.fishfinderguy.com/best-portable-fish-finders-kayaks-small-boats/...

Shutupandfish Loc: Transplanted roots back to Wyoming

Here…

https://www.fishfinderguy.com/best-portable-fish-finders-kayaks-small-boats/

brucewhitten11 Loc: Burleson Tx

Shutupandfish wrote:

Just mentioned the portable mounts, too many to list/personal preference and will hold many different fish finders/transducers and something one piece integral like the fishing buddy mentioned is good if there is something similar made…

A buddy of mine bought search fishfinder called deeper cheap. It was a castable sonar device and I was really surprised how well it worked and it Bluetooth to his cell phone

Shutupandfish Loc: Transplanted roots back to Wyoming

brucewhitten11 wrote:

A buddy of mine bought search fishfinder called deeper cheap. It was a castable sonar device and I was really surprised how well it worked and it Bluetooth to his cell phone

Always thought about castable, could even see a use for it fishing a hole behind the boat..

mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

Shutupandfish wrote:

Here…

https://www.fishfinderguy.com/best-portable-fish-finders-kayaks-small-boats/

Thanks. Good to know there are more options than just Garvin, and cheaper. I only get out once or twice a year if I'm lucky.

brucewhitten11 Loc: Burleson Tx

After seeing his work I’m going to get one for my self

No boat and fishing now from shore and a new state need all the help I can get

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

bapabear wrote:

I have a 9 inch Lowrance with side and down view. I have a clamp on mount with transducer on bottom and unit head on top. I attached alligator clips to the power wires. Being an extendable foot, I can use it with a no leak motorcycle battery on almost any boat. I switch it regularly between the 14 foot alum. boat, kayak and Avon. It's pretty much a no brainer.

This is the unit I used, $30.00 at Bass Pro. All I has to do was drill two holes in the upper mount and matching holes in the screen bracket. Two alligator clips and good to go. If you plan to rotate for side mount or aft mound, just drill a wood or aluminum plate to mount between top bracket and rotating mount for screen.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

bapabear wrote:

This is the unit I used, $30.00 at Bass Pro. All I has to do was drill two holes in the upper mount and matching holes in the screen bracket. Two alligator clips and good to go. If you plan to rotate for side mount or aft mound, just drill a wood or aluminum plate to mount between top bracket and rotating mount for screen.

If you plan to clamp on side of boat just use an l bracket mounted sideways where the transducer mounts

mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

Stupid question maybe, does the transducer/sonar have to be mounted to anything or can I just hang it off the side of the boat? I'm guessing if it's flopping around while I'm moving I won't get good readings.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

mistred64 wrote:

Stupid question maybe, does the transducer/sonar have to be mounted to anything or can I just hang it off the side of the boat? I'm guessing if it's flopping around while I'm moving I won't get good readings.

Yes, the transducer needs to be fixed and pointing down in order to give you an accurate depth.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

There are many versions of the Garmin Striker 4 and can be as simple ($99)or as complicated (up to $300) as you like. A clamp mounting bracket and a power source (battery) is about all you need. You could also make it portable by putting it in a small cooler if you have one lying around?
Put your hands on one of the demo models at Bass Pro or Cabela’s and choose the one with the features you think you may need. Good luck!

Ken Rhoads Loc: Peru, Indiana

I use two Garmin Striker 4's on my Ranger 390V and they work great. Have them set up to easily take them off when boat is parked.

DanK58 Loc: Englewood Florida

Hey KG, Have you checked out Deeper Sonar? They are designed as a portable and use a cell phone/iPad for screen The have a couple models ranging from around $100 to $300. I have used one bank fishing in up state NY.

Sandlotkid Loc: Chicago

Has anyone ever used one of those bobber blue tooth fish finders?

KG Loc: Treasure Coast, Florida

bapabear wrote:

This is the unit I used, $30.00 at Bass Pro.

Yeah, I've seen it in various on-line listings. I think it's good for an aluminum boat with thin hull. Might not work on a fiberglass hull with thicker stern. That clamp, I believe, has max opening width of 2.5 inches. Might not be enough.

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

KG wrote:

Yeah, I've seen it in various on-line listings. I think it's good for an aluminum boat with thin hull. Might not work on a fiberglass hull with thicker stern. That clamp, I believe, has max opening width of 2.5 inches. Might not be enough.

You are so right. You can pick up any size channel aluminum at a metal supply store and make a wider bracket. Aluminum cuts like hardwood using the same tools. Then again you can buy the more expensive units. I am a do it yourselfer, so I already have a drill and tap. I also have a few broken transom mount trolling motors so I could use a bracket from one of those. The truth be told, I only use my portable on the 14 foot aluminum boat and Inflatable, so the store bought bracket is fine. I did make a couple wood spacers so that I had more to clamp on than a thin sheet of aluminum. I still have not figured a good way to mount a trolling motor to the front of the Avon. I am always open to suggestions.