The 36 acre lake across the street I fish in a 9 1/2' kayak.  On other lakes in the area I use my deep V aluminum.  The deep V has a finder near driver.  I would like a portable to use in the kayak and also in the front of the V.  Is anyone using one with any success?  There are several models available

I am also wondering about portables.  Most of my shallow water fishing is done in a 6-man inflatable with an electic motor, or rowing in lakes where motors aren't allowed.  The only fish-finder I can find that's suitable is the "Fishin' Buddy".  Has anyone used it?  Are the more expensive models worth the extra cost?  I hate wasting fishing time over empty water, but I hate wasting money even more.

i have a fishin buddy, not  worth it. i fish small lakes and the cone angle shows very little of the bottom. the water is just too shallow. if u do get one think about the depth and go cheap temp is important

I have a Portable Garmin Fishfinder 100 (I think that's the number) that I used to use all of the time. For some reason I never even took my little (12') boat out this year. I just used my Triton TR20 every time.

Anyway the Garmin unit is pretty decent. It has a nice display and it also shows the temperature. The Transducer is on a suction cup mounting thing right now but they also offer this little arm type deal with a C clamp on it that works really well. I think I will have this unit for sale on Ebay in the near future (unless I change my mind again).

JT Bagwell

JT, I saw that unit in a Bass Pro Catalog last night.  Do you use regular batteries in it or did you buy a special battery I heard is available?  Are you confident with the suction cup?  Could the transducer be permanently mounted to a piece of plastic and hung overboard on a line, and still be effective?

PS

Anyone have any experience with the portable Hummingbird?  Not the pole or wrist mounted.

Bassin101,

I always used the regular batteries in the portable unit. I would go to the dollar store and load up on them for a small amount of money.

The suction cup works great when the back of the boat is clean. I am not sure how well it would hold up to high speeds because I have only used it on my little boat.

I never tried the transducer on a string trick but I would imagine that it would work as long you were moving slow. The most important part would be to make sure the transducer is pretty level just below the surface of the water.

JT Bagwell

JT, how long could you go on the 8 D Cells?  Have you ever used rechargeables?  I think the cup would be fine for the kayak...I'm slow.

On the other boat, Im thinking I would use the Hummingbird on the dash to get where I want then attach the cup for the Garmin so I would have a finder on the bow to use with the trolling motor.

What do you think?

I have the Bottom Line  'Fishin Buddy 1200'  LCD panel display unit that runs on several flashlight batteries for up to 40 hours of use. It drops in a bracket that mounts/demounts from my canoe or jonboat easily. You can paddle with it or troll slow , but any speed at all puts pressure on it (the shaft is 8" under water ). It has temperature, depth, bottom composition, sidefinder 'cone' view out to the side and auto and manual modes for scaling the surface to bottom depth increments. It's useful to help 'map out' the holes and the depth of the river channel as you move.  I like it and it does mark fish with a symbol. It works and is $100.  

The Lowrance X67C at $250 for color and great display looks attractive too! l