Dugout Dashboard Graph Mount

[Koz]

A lot of you have seen the DIY U-shaped wing mount I made for my UHD93SV. The idea was to have a center console that was out of the way and this fit the bill. But after using it for months I found that my neck was sore from looking down at FFS. Other issues was that it was a bit far away to reach to switch screens, mark waypoints, etc. Lastly, even with my glasses it could be hard to see the detail on the FFS.

 

Along with this unit, I had a Helix 7 on the rail for Lakemaster mapping. Here's what it looked like:

I had looked at crossbar mounts before, but I have been afraid that with the graphs sitting higher they would interfere with my fishing. I looked at a lot of the crossbar mounts that would fit my AP120. The most popular seems to be the Sasquatch bar. But they are hard to find and I was hoping for something less expensive since I may not even like it. That's when I found the Dugout Dashboard Graph Mount. Best of all, it was only $79.

 

While the price was great, it does have one pretty big disadvantage from the Sasquatch bar - you have to drill holes in the bar to mount your graphs while the Sasquatch bar has tracks. If you don't like cutting into or drilling metal, this bar is not for you. I suppose you could use a metal router to cut your own tracks, but I don't have that equipment so I drilled instead. Here's the new setup:

 

 

The bar comes with four T-bolts and knobs and the AP120 version fits perfectly into the tracks. Instead of using traditional nuts and bolts to mount my graphs, I used some extra T-bolts and knobs that I had laying around. I did have to drill the holes in the plastic graph bases just a bit wider.

 

I don't have a garage at my house and my kayak sits outside under my kayak cover. With that, I don't leave my graphs in my kayak. Also, when I travel with my kayak and stay at a hotel I pull the graphs and the FFS black box from my kayak. By using the T-bolts and knobs for the graph bases I can leave the Dugout bar on my kayak and quickly remove the graphs. I still need to adjust and harness the wiring for its new position and clean things up a bit.

 

 

While I just installed this tonight and haven't had it out in the water yet, I did climb aboard my kayak to get a feel for it. With the 9" and 7" units it doesn't appear to be obtrusive. I'm really looking forward to trying this out on the water.

[Koz]

My first impression about dual graphs getting in the way of fishing and catching fish was completely wrong. This setup is fantastic!

 

 

I met up with @hook2jaw at Little Ocmulgee Lake today. I ended up with 5 small bass and one bowfin. The bowfin was kind enough to spit the hook after I netted it.

 

I had no problem casting, fishing, or landing fish and there was plenty of room on the deck. It was also still low enough for me to step over to get to the front hatch.

 

Little Ocmulgee was interesting. It’s very shallow with big patches of weeds throughout and cypress trees near the banks. My AP 120 was not very happy with those weeds.

 

FFS wasn’t much of a help today, but I caught a couple in open water thanks to FFS targeting.

 

Normally I keep a Weedless Wedge prop in my hatch for these occasions, but either it scooted out of reach or I left it at home. I ended up raising the motor and paddling a bit today.

 

It was still a good day out there with @Hook2Jaw today and I’m really happy with the Dugout Dashboard.

[Hook2Jaw]

The setup is awesome, it was eye opening watching fish swim around on your graph.  As for my day, I missed in the area of ten fish, lost two bowfin and two bass at the boat, and managed to land three bass, including a pretty decent 19".  All my fish came off a half ounce Chatterbait Elite EVO trailered with a Spunk Shad or a Freeloader.

 

 

Good fishing with you as always, @Koz

[TnRiver46]

 

thats pretty slick!!!!