Kayak fishing
Texas Fishing
Nov 25, 2022 16:32:06 #
Dirty Dog
Loc: Texas Coast
That sounds like a great move for you sir. If you get a chance come down to visit us in the Texas coastal region. Great people and great fishing. Love the Port O’Connor, Seadrift, Indianola areas myself. Lots of old cowboys in this area.
Dec 7, 2022 20:48:02 #
Well after lots of internet searches and research (and pricing), I finally decided on my choice for a kayak and purchased one. It is a Seastream Angler 120 PD. I think for all the accessories you get, it is the best price for my money.
What I'm interested in now is finding a fish finder with GPS, at a price that won't break my bank account. From all the info I can get together it seems like you have to buy (1) the fish finder, (2) mounting bracket, (3) bracket to hang it over the side, (4) battery with charger, and did I forget anything else? Do most of these items come in a package deal or do you have to buy separately? How can you be assured that what you buy will be compatible and fit together?
Need all the help I can get and I'm depending on you seasoned kayakers to get this newbie on the right path. Plan to do a lot of coastal fishing and some fresh water. I prefer the salt water above anything else.
Please respond if you have any helpful thoughts.
God bless, and keep you line tight.
What I'm interested in now is finding a fish finder with GPS, at a price that won't break my bank account. From all the info I can get together it seems like you have to buy (1) the fish finder, (2) mounting bracket, (3) bracket to hang it over the side, (4) battery with charger, and did I forget anything else? Do most of these items come in a package deal or do you have to buy separately? How can you be assured that what you buy will be compatible and fit together?
Need all the help I can get and I'm depending on you seasoned kayakers to get this newbie on the right path. Plan to do a lot of coastal fishing and some fresh water. I prefer the salt water above anything else.
Please respond if you have any helpful thoughts.
God bless, and keep you line tight.
Dec 8, 2022 10:04:42 #
Dirt57
Loc: SE Texas
Congrats!
There's a lot of good options out there for fish finders. Several 4" from Hummingbird, Lowrance, Garmin. Not sure about their GPS capabilities. I have a Lowrance Hook 5 Doubleshot (downscan and sonar, no sidescan) that has GPS, but I did not buy the version with maps. You can get them, though. It seems to do pretty well, probably similar to other units in its price point. You can buy other transducers, but most units in this price point come with transducer.
One option if you're not wanting to do side scan is to mount the transducer inside your hull. That's how I did in my Tarpon. Use duct seal to stick it (this is great because it really stays put but it can be removed). As long as no air is trapped between transducer and hull your signal doesn't suffer at all. Your temperature will be off a little, especially until you've been in the water a while, but that was not an issue for me. With in-hull mounting you can have your battery and wiring all in the hull and the only hole required is that to get cables to your unit, and there's several good cable seals out there that are easy to install. This approach keeps your fishing space less cluttered and means one less bracket.
Many newer models have a spot to put a transducer on the underside. My Hobie has this and a good design for protecting it, but I fish a lot of waters with debris/weeds and have learned I need to make a mod/adjustment to help keep stuff from sticking in there and fouling my readings.
If you want sidescan, that will put you into a higher budget and will almost surely require you to hang the transducer over the side.
Yes, you'll need a mounting bracket for the unit with either a base to screw to your hull or that will attach to your T-rail if you have them up front. Most have a quick-disconnect option--twas a must for me.
Some folks make brackets you can buy to hold your battery. If you're putting it in the hull, velcro is a cheaper alternative. I use a small sealed gel battery that will run my finder 2-3 days on a charge. Covered the bottom in velcro and stuck it to the bottom right behind my middle hatch hole, easy to get to and center of mass. It stays put even when I roll it over on its side to mount my trolley, dump water, etc. Use Anderson powerpole type quick connects for ease of removal.
There's a lot of good options out there for fish finders. Several 4" from Hummingbird, Lowrance, Garmin. Not sure about their GPS capabilities. I have a Lowrance Hook 5 Doubleshot (downscan and sonar, no sidescan) that has GPS, but I did not buy the version with maps. You can get them, though. It seems to do pretty well, probably similar to other units in its price point. You can buy other transducers, but most units in this price point come with transducer.
One option if you're not wanting to do side scan is to mount the transducer inside your hull. That's how I did in my Tarpon. Use duct seal to stick it (this is great because it really stays put but it can be removed). As long as no air is trapped between transducer and hull your signal doesn't suffer at all. Your temperature will be off a little, especially until you've been in the water a while, but that was not an issue for me. With in-hull mounting you can have your battery and wiring all in the hull and the only hole required is that to get cables to your unit, and there's several good cable seals out there that are easy to install. This approach keeps your fishing space less cluttered and means one less bracket.
Many newer models have a spot to put a transducer on the underside. My Hobie has this and a good design for protecting it, but I fish a lot of waters with debris/weeds and have learned I need to make a mod/adjustment to help keep stuff from sticking in there and fouling my readings.
If you want sidescan, that will put you into a higher budget and will almost surely require you to hang the transducer over the side.
Yes, you'll need a mounting bracket for the unit with either a base to screw to your hull or that will attach to your T-rail if you have them up front. Most have a quick-disconnect option--twas a must for me.
Some folks make brackets you can buy to hold your battery. If you're putting it in the hull, velcro is a cheaper alternative. I use a small sealed gel battery that will run my finder 2-3 days on a charge. Covered the bottom in velcro and stuck it to the bottom right behind my middle hatch hole, easy to get to and center of mass. It stays put even when I roll it over on its side to mount my trolley, dump water, etc. Use Anderson powerpole type quick connects for ease of removal.
Dec 8, 2022 15:21:43 #
Thanks Dirt57, I really appreciate the info. Would still like to meet up and do some fishing, especially not that I have a kayak ordered. Just hard to be patient for to get it here and get all set up. Just completed a box made from milk crates for the back. Came out better than I thought.
Gos bless, keep your hook wet and your line tight.
Gos bless, keep your hook wet and your line tight.
Dec 9, 2022 09:06:54 #
I’ve been kayaking for about 5 years now and I have to say it’s unbelievable. I kayak fish durythe day and late night. It’s smart to kayak fish with other for safety reasons I guess but I kayak fish 95% of the time solo. Make sure to always wear your life vest. I also suggest going on YouTube for tips and tricks for fishing and safety on a kayak. Make sure to do your research before buying a kayak. I’m on my second one and my new kayak is just unbelievable. I purchased as Bonafide SS127 and couldn’t be happier. Paddles well and is very stable. Great seat height and you can standup and fish with confidence. I’m 30 miles north of Dallas if you ever in the area just send me a PM. Good luck to you.
Dec 9, 2022 09:53:12 #
Oldfisherguy
Loc: NE Kansas
Don't overlook the used market for a GPS capable fish finder. There are lots of finders available on craigs list and facebook market. The big companies bring out new models evey year and there are those who insist on the newest on their boat. Humminbird generation one and two modesl are available for pennies on the dollar of original cost. I have a generation one helix that performs perfectly for both down scan and sidescan with built in GPS maps of all U S waters. I use the tracking feature to fish all day in the backwaters of the gulf and just follow the track back to the launch site. Mounted mine on quick release Ram mount. My Hobie has the transducer mounted in the provided transducer location and my Old Town has the over the side type transducer mount. The over the side mount is a hassle and catches on brush and weeds when fishing shallow. Good luck with your search. I have a 18 foot Ranger that has not been in the water in 18 months. It's just too easy and fun to fish with my kayak.
Dec 9, 2022 16:48:15 #
TexasWomack, great looking rig. I might have to take some pointers from your photo.
Dec 9, 2022 17:22:10 #
Dirty Dog
Loc: Texas Coast
That’s some boat you got there Old Fisherman, I went with the smaller Tamarack Pro 103 paddler to get started. Not planning on mounting any fishfinders or gps to it because I have that on my johnboat and can just scout with it so no help there. Trying to learn the area first so not too worried about catching allot at this point with oyster season still in full swing! Dang they’re good this year…..
Dec 9, 2022 19:22:27 #
Really love fresh oysters, enjoy some for me. I looked at a Tamarack Pro 103, but just wanted some more room. I was also looking for a pedal drive. I don't think my back would allow me to paddle all day. We'll find out soon, I hope. Living so far from the coast, it hardly gives me time to scout an area. I have to get there and start fishing, discover places as I go.
Dec 9, 2022 22:10:08 #
Dirty Dog
Loc: Texas Coast
I’ve got a bad back as well but with my pier in the back yard I can get out for awhile and stretch. Requested a Chinook fishing PFD for Christmas so as soon as that comes in I’ll be set to get started. Can’t wait!
I’ve got your number saved so we’ll keep in contact. It’s been awfully foggy the last couple of weeks with the watt weather.
I’ve got your number saved so we’ll keep in contact. It’s been awfully foggy the last couple of weeks with the watt weather.
Dec 10, 2022 03:33:11 #
Old Fisherman 77 wrote:
TexasWomack, great looking rig. I might have to take some pointers from your photo.
Yes Sir
Make sure to post up some pictures once you pick it up. Good luck finding the right kayak
Dec 15, 2022 17:56:05 #
Dirt57
Loc: SE Texas
Nice rig and nice hawg, Womack (as usual). I really like the Bonafides--woulda been between that 127 and the Crescent Shoalie if we weren't gonna pedal.
We had a great day out on Rayburn Friday. Killin' em on the worm.
We had a great day out on Rayburn Friday. Killin' em on the worm.
Dec 23, 2022 15:32:01 #
Does anyone fish (kayak) Moses Lake? If you do, where do you launch from? See lots of YouTube videos showing some good fish being caught around the locks. Tried to search on Google Earth but can't really see a god site to launch from?
Merry Christmas to one and all, be safe have a wonderful holiday.
Merry Christmas to one and all, be safe have a wonderful holiday.
Dec 23, 2022 23:12:20 #
Dirt57 wrote:
Nice rig and nice hawg, Womack (as usual). I really like the Bonafides--woulda been between that 127 and the Crescent Shoalie if we weren't gonna pedal.
We had a great day out on Rayburn Friday. Killin' em on the worm.
We had a great day out on Rayburn Friday. Killin' em on the worm.
Good stuff right there 👍🏻
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