First of all I want to thank everyone who posts here... I've been fishing seriously for over 30 years and still learn a lot on these forums.

I have no experience with fishfinders whatsoever but am ready to buy my first one. I'd appreciate any advice you folks could offer on which one to buy in the $100-$150 range. Most of my fishing is done in a local lake that is only about 20 feet deep at it's deepest point.

Thanks in advance...

water temp and breaks in the bottom,are what u look for i wouldnot go overboard on my selection

hummingbird fishfinder 535, it is about $135. great fishfinder.

I use a Hummingbird Pirhana.Works really well.

fatback, are you looking for a portable finder?  If so I've  2 eagles..Fisheasy II and the 320.  like both of them.

Thanks DAVMAC, by portable do you mean the type that clamps on? I thought i was looking for the type that mounts more or less permanently but maybe that's something to consider...

fatback

The clamp-on that I had was  called Fishin' Buddy....the portables that I use in my one man or two man boats have a suction cup on the transducer. I wouldn't recommend it for high speeds, but for 1 & 2 man boating  they're great.  I have never had a problem with the Eagle products.  I have noticed some complaints on this board from guys who have used other brands.  Hope this helps you, especially if you're looking for a portable unit.

One other thing, Fatback, earlier this year I had to replace all my equipment and I  daily searched all the fishing forums I could find for advice on everything. This is the most friendly and helpful board out there in my opinion.  Anything you need or want to know you can find here.  Good fishing!!

***Pssst: Just between me and you...I don't think Glenn or J.T. really catch any fish. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

i have a fishin buddy from bottom line, its ok, but in hindsight i should have just bought a fish easy,cheaper and just as good

Many thanks to everyone that replied...

On Davmac's advice, I'm looking into a portable unit. Sounds like it would be ideal for the River Hawk boat I got on eBay a few weeks ago.

Oh, and Davmac, I agree. This is a great forum and the forum users are absolutely fantastic.

Tight lines,

Fatback

(Bethlehem, GA)

Fatback, go to fishfinder-store.com to see some comparisons.  I am also looking for one, but a portable like davmac uses.

Good luck

I looked at that fish finder. com to see what kind of prices they have. You might want to compair their prices to BPS and Wal Mart because they are ripping people off. For example I use a Eagle Cuda 168ex. It sells at Wal Mart for $117 and BPS for $120. On fishfinder-store.com they have it on sale for an all time low price of $196.

The Eagle fishmark 320 is a great finder. Has temp and is speed compatiable. It also has a large screen which makes it easier to see. I have two of them and I love them. I purchased mine from Bass Pro Shops. I paid $100.00 for each.

fishfinder.com is good only to compare...their prices are definitely too high.

Fatdaddy, do you have the portable 320 Fishmark?

OK guys, I ended up with a FishMark 320 finder. Cool since it can be used as a portable with a battery pack or can be mounted to my boat and hooked up to the trolling motor battery. Took the boat out this afternoon for a couple of hours just to play with my new toy... This thing is great! I have a lot to learn as far as interpreting what I'm seeing, but can see already that just leaving it in "auto" mode will help a lot.

Thanks again to all who replied, your advice is invaluable and I'm learning a lot just reading other topics here (shows that even an old f*rt like me can still learn new tricks).

FatBack

(Bethlehem, GA)

Way to go Fatback.  The bass in your area are already in the skillet...they just don't know it yet!!!

 Remember there is a website you can download to practice or  learn just  about anything you will need to know with the 320.  Go git'em.

Davmac, this thing is great! I checked their website tho, and unfortunately those downloads are only for PC's (I'm a hardcore devoted Mac user). Hopefully I'll be able to figure this thing out as I go...

Fatback

Bethlehem, GA