BigBendFishing.Net

Looking for some thoughts on electronics (i.e. fish finder) for aluminum boats (16'-18' range). I'm sure I'm not considering something, but it seems that if you do the majority of your fishing in the flats, creeks, etc.... that a big, colorful, expensive fish finder may be overkill and underutilized. Recommendations on brand/type with functionality/capability being the main consideration?

I've got a cheap fishfinder on my aluminum boat. I put it on there when I bought the boat thinking I would need it. I seldom even turn it on , only when I'm in deep water, and thats extremely rare. Usually I can look over the side of the boat and see the water depth. I'm glad I bought a cheap 1.

Spend your money on a good mapping GPS.

Spend your money on a good mapping GPS.

That's what I was thinking, BD. Thanks.

That's the reason BD doesn't catch many fish.Water temp is very important(as well as Depth). If no other reason get one to keep up with water temp. 1 or 2 degrees can make a big difference.

I've whipped your azz more times than you've whipped mine, Ole Timer.

I agree water temp is important, but you can also make this game more complicated than it needs to be and spend a lot of time riding and staring at a fishfinder screen when you should be fishing.

I WOULD NOT PUT TOO MUCH $$$$$$$$$$$ IN A FISH FINDER FOR THE FLATS, I HAVE A 17' STARCRAFT AND I PUT A EAGLE FISH FINDER ON IT , THE ONLY TIME I USE IT IS FOR WATER TEMP. AND DEPTH. UNLESS YOU ARE IN 20' OF WATER , THERE IS A VERY SMALL AREA OF VIEW UNLESS YA GET THE SIDEWINDER. YOU WILL NOT SEE MANY FISH ON THE FINDER ON THE FLATS. IT IS NICE TO KNOW WHERE THE THERMOCLINE IS , BUT WHEN THE WATER TEMP. IS IN THE UPPER 80'S THERE IS NOT MUCH OF A THERMOCLINE SEPARATION IN WATER 4' OR LESS. MY .02 CENTS.
PA THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA

Pa, I'm not talking about thermocline,I'm talking about surface temp. I have moved a quarter mile and found 1 to 2 degrees temp difference and caught fish as opposed to the temp nearby. The water depth would still be the same. Whether the difference was cause by wind or current I don't know.

birddog wrote:I've whipped your azz more times than you've whipped mine, Ole Timer.

I agree water temp is important, but you can also make this game more complicated than it needs to be and spend a lot of time riding and staring at a fishfinder screen when you should be fishing.

We're not talking about the times in your dreams,but the times on the scoreboard.
Secondly,I usually ride on the front of the boat.( no bottom machine) The only question I ask is what is the temp. Except, if the water is not clear I ask the depth,only so I know the coutdown for a grub or the length of a Equalizer or whether or not to use topwater. I only ask that in unfamiliar water.

You can buy an aquarium thermometer a hellava lot cheaper than a fishfinder.

I ketch fish purty good and have no "finder". Whether fresh or salty water.

I don't fish in aquariums.

To answer your qustion, Ron, Most any locator has temp. You can buy a Garmin depth finder for about $100 that will give you depth and temp. You can spend as much as you want on a GPS. I started with a $99 GPS. I now have a color chartplotter. I have no regrets spending the money on a good GPS.

Like everone (most everyone) else says : Cheap one will do the trick. If you get an expensive one you might curse if it gets busted. Keeep it simple and cheap !

As usual, I got what I was looking for on this site. I have a functional, low-cost finder I'll stick with, and will focus on a better GPS system. Thanks all!

Like Birddog's idea of the aquarium thermometer. I had a pool thermometer on a string that I used to use for this type of thing.

A pushpole for depth.

Mask, fins and snorkel for determining structure and bottom composition.
Take a speargun in case you get charged by a rogue sheepshead, mullet or flounder.