Tired of fishing blind when I know there are so many good hidden humps, drops, ledges, flats, etc that I just cruise right over. I have studied a topo map of my lake exteniously and know of a lot of general structure features, but I really want to find those perfect spots within the already good spots. Can any of you point me in the direction of a decent portable depth/fish finder that I can easily use with a rented row boat? I appreciate the help.

I guess I should add that I'm in pursuit of the biggest gals. I want to pin down their location so I can anchor up and fish strictly for that one, big bite.

I gutted a bow mount trolling motor and put an old depth finder on it with the transducer at the bottom of the shaft. Works perfect ,   just connect it to the battery .

Any depth finder can be made portable. Mount the transducer to a 1X2 board and clamp the board to the transom of the row boat with a C clamp. Hook the power cord up to a small, 12 volt rechargeable battery. I took an old cheap tackle box that held the battery and depth finder. I used screws and wing nuts to mount the depth finder bracket to the top of the box. Everything (except the board) fit in the box for transport.  Took that to Canada on many fly-in trips.

Google "Humminbird Fishin' Buddy".

Like Scott said, you can make any unit portable. I use an old six pack cooler. 7ah battery inside, and screw the FF head unit to the top. I've used all sorts of mounts for the ducer. It be as simple as a plank c-clamped to transom of a rental boat, or a gunwale mount arm made for this (Mad Frog Gear makes them). Believe it or not, I roll with helix 5 SI model. Can put it on two kayaks and a rowboat.

I have a portable setup for a Humminbird 10" Side Imaging unit that I use for demo on other's boats.

 

Great ideas above!

I've used a Fishin Buddy for about 5 years in rented jon boats.  But I don't recommend it very highly.  You will get depth and surface temp but little else.  It is very hard to learn and follow contours and bait balls, fish and submerged trees all look the same.  It is certainly far better than nothing, but the modded examples above with a better unit will serve you far better.   Had I realized it would be so easy to do, I'd have gone that route years ago.  In fact, I'm so inspired by JF's post that I'm going to make a unit that I can use in my kayak, but transfer to other boats when needed.

I'll try to get some pics of it up here.

Great ideas above!

I've used a Fishin Buddy for about 5 years in rented jon boats.  But I don't recommend it very highly.  You will get depth and surface temp but little else.  It is very hard to learn and follow contours and bait balls, fish and submerged trees all look the same.  It is certainly far better than nothing, but the modded examples above with a better unit will serve you far better.   Had I realized it would be so easy to do, I'd have gone that route years ago.  In fact, I'm so inspired by JF's post that I'm going to make a unit that I can use in my kayak, but transfer to other boats when needed.

 

While I suggested the Fishin Buddy I do agree with Mr. Choporoz.  It's good for depth changes and surface temp but that's about it.  I've used one for the past 5 years on vacation with a rental boat, but all I'm using it for is to find ledges.

http://www.amazon.com/Lowrance-ELITE-4X-HDI-200-455/dp/B00F5ENKLW/ref=sr_1_1?s=marine&ie=UTF8&qid=1437489535&sr=1-1&keywords=elite+4x+hdi

 

I'm a long way from understanding the different units, transducer options, etc.  But....I'm jumping in ahead of myself here.  Found a good deal on this unit ^

Is this a good unit to work with for a clamp/board/jerry-rigged portable for kayak, rowboat, jon boat?

http://www.amazon.com/Lowrance-ELITE-4X-HDI-200-455/dp/B00F5ENKLW/ref=sr_1_1?s=marine&ie=UTF8&qid=1437489535&sr=1-1&keywords=elite+4x+hdi

 

I'm a long way from understanding the different units, transducer options, etc.  But....I'm jumping in ahead of myself here.  Found a good deal on this unit ^

Is this a good unit to work with for a clamp/board/jerry-rigged portable for kayak, rowboat, jon boat?

 Yep, regular sonar and Down Scan. A lot better than the Fishin Buddy.

Heres my Eagle mounted on an old trolling motor. Just clamp it on . Whats funny about that pic is that its very similar to my avatar pic taken 40 years ago .Look at how I m holding the stringers . LOL

 

 

Going back to the Lowrance flasher (green box), I used portable depth sounders for rental boats in Canada.

About 10 years ago, I noticed that the market for portable sounders was drying up, so I purchased a backup unit.

I still have that unit, which was never used (still in the box). It's an "Eagle Fish Mark 320" Portable depth sounder,

if you're interested in the unit, drop me a PM.

 

Roger

You guys are all awesome! I love this site! Thanks for more sound advice

heres my set with a helix 5 SI/GPS unit but can be done with anything .....