Your opinion really I dont have one on my kayak and seem to be very succesful locating fish! I usually refer to a lake map when I go to big lakes. I really use my backround knowledge of locating fish through the seasons. I'm sure ill get a depth finder eventually because I know its important to see alot of things under the water. But im fishing on a budget! So what do you guys think?

I do just fine without one.

Oh, forgot to mention that I bank fish!

A fish finder? You probably don't need one of those. A depth finder though will help. If you are fishing shallow rivers from your kayak a depth finder won't be as useful as it will be on a lake. There are probably humps, edges, holes and other structures in the lakes you fish you are not aware of. Today's depth finders all have built in thermometers so you always know what the surface temps are. Even the least expensive models do a great job of showing depth, how hard the bottom is, and the location of weeds and weed edges. It's great you're catching fish without one but you'll wonder how you did it after you've had a depth finder for a while. They are a great tool that will only add to your fishing experience.

I did ot without for 20 years...i just got one this year...cant wait to play wih it and find some offshore spots

Always knowing the temp and depth will be nice too!

Rather than calling that device a "Fish Finder", it's much better to think of it as a "Depth Sounder"

that may also display gamefish & bait. When the cover and bottom contour is ideal, the fish are there

whether you see them or not. If you own a boat, your depth sounder ranks right behind your engine 

 

Roger

I also fish from a kayak and I have had a Humminbird mounted since the early 90's. Two types of places I fish. First are reservoirs (max depth around 60 feet) where the fish finder is a huge asset. Second, shallow Tidal Rivers where I could get by without the fish finder.

Rather than calling that device a "Fish Finder", it's much better to think of it as a "Depth Sounder"

that may also display gamefish & bait. When the bottom contour is ideal, the fish are there

whether you see them or not. If you own a boat, your depth sounder ranks right behind your engine 

 

Roger

 

Agreed.

 

After you've owned one and become proficient with it, the confidence developed from that will make Any fishing trip Without one feel like you are fishing BLIND.

 

You'll see.

 

A-Jay

It really depends. I have a Garmin setup for my

kayak, but I honestly don't take it out much now.

 

Probably because, like you, I've been successful 

without it -- in the reservoirs I fish.

 

There are times I want to try a "new" area out in

the same reservoir and I'll find it useful for bottom 

contour, etc.

Agreed.

 

After you've owned one and become proficient with it, the confidence developed from that will make Any fishing trip Without one feel like you are fishing BLIND.

 

You'll see.

 

A-Jay

 

Probably the key here: "proficient with it"

 

I do not consider myself proficient with mine.

 

I imagine if I did feel that way, I wouldn't leave 

home without it.

Just as with presentation requirements of depth & speed control being paramount to your success, I believe the sonar to be up there right after your boat & motor. You can be successful without one, but your success will be increased exponentially with one.

A depth finder and fish finder are the same thing too me. In addition I own a boat and a kayak used to have one on the boat just didn't use it alot except for bottom compistion. I'm more of a flipper then anything since I live in FL so I'm more of a shallow fisherman

I have a 4x hdi lowrance on my kayak. makes finding fish/structure so much easier. My Catch rate has gone up tremendously after installing the fish finder.

I use mine mostly for temperature, finding baitfish, and finding oddball humps & structure. I've often found that my sonar helps me find places NOT to fish more-so than places TO fish. It keeps me from wasting time fishing dead areas. 

ok here is my idea.  my fish finder mount is on my boat(going to sell the boat)  i want to place the mount on top of a 6 pack cooler -the lid.  then remove the transducer and  place it on a "1 by "1 3-4 ft long  "stick".  at the other end a C clamp to fix on the side  of a boat(i rent) i dont want to travel with the "stick" in the water, but use it slow at places to pin point some areas.  using 2 6V batteries, place them in the "cooler"  then finish w/ attachment of a + to - on the batteries and then +/- w/ the locator.  were not using this for a long time.  any tips?  think this is possible?  it is a '90s hummingbird.  fairly basic.

Depends if you just bang the banks or fish deeper.

ok here is my idea.  my fish finder mount is on my boat(going to sell the boat)  i want to place the mount on top of a 6 pack cooler -the lid.  then remove the transducer and  place it on a "1 by "1 3-4 ft long  "stick".  at the other end a C clamp to fix on the side  of a boat(i rent) i dont want to travel with the "stick" in the water, but use it slow at places to pin point some areas.  using 2 6V batteries, place them in the "cooler"  then finish w/ attachment of a + to - on the batteries and then +/- w/ the locator.  were not using this for a long time.  any tips?  think this is possible?  it is a '90s hummingbird.  fairly basic.

These might be easier when all is said and done. 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Humminbird-reg-Fishin-Buddies/735123.uts?productVariantId=1211481&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=41-33531934-2&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=02550553&rid=20

 

http://www.basspro.com/HumminBird-PiranhaMax-155-PT-Fishfinder/product/1409291742/