Wanting a fish finder

My wife just surprised me with an Ascend 10T kayak for my birthday.  It has 3 accessory mounting rails pre-installed and I wanted to get a fish finder for it.  I have budgeted approximately  $200 for the finder. I will be doing most of my fishing on lakes around Sacramento area.  Never used a fish finder and need advice on selecting one.

The Lowrance elite 3x is a great little fish finder and is pretty cheap. It's a very kayak friendly fish finder.

The Lowrance elite 3x is a great little fish finder and is pretty cheap. It's a very kayak friendly fish finder.

Most of us just follow Matt and his brother around. Best fish finders ever.

Has anyone submerged their 3X. If so did it survive? 

I think west Marine and Dicks sporting good still has the hook 4 for $199.

I think west Marine and Dicks sporting good still has the hook 4 for $199.

Today for west marine is last day.  Make sure you get the gps one.  I am presently installing this one.

$199 plus battery and connectors pushes it over $200...

The 3x is a darn good fish finder, and for someone who's never used one before it has everything you need.  Garmin is budget-friendly and are becoming more popular all the time.  There are also small-screen Humminbird finders well within your budget.

Go to a store, keep your budget firm, and look at the screens.  Pick the one that looks most clear to you.  Remember that you'll need a battery, and way to hold the battery, a way to mount the finder's head unit and some cable connectors (those two-pin waterproof SIE trailer connectors work great).  That can add another $50+ to the cost of the finder.

Don't do what I did and start with a unit with all the bells and whistles, or you might spend the day looking more like you're playing video games than actually fishing...  DAMHIK.

And congratulations on the new kayak and for your luck in marrying an understanding wife.

^+1

I have an Elite 4x brand new that i never installed.

I'd like 140 for it if you're interested, includes 83/200 broadband transducer.

I have an Elite 4x brand new that i never installed.

I'd like 140 for it if you're interested, includes 83/200 broadband transducer.

I just picked up one their great it was a good recommendation from the site

I have an Elite 4x brand new that i never installed.

I'd like 140 for it if you're interested, includes 83/200 broadband transducer.

Thank you for the offer, but I have $60 in credit at basspro which I was going to apply to this purchase.

I am using a Garmin 4DV. I have taken a couple of waves over the bow, (one launching off the steps at Shelter Cove with crazyfisher), and the thing keeps working. I like it but am still learning it.

I have the 3x. My first fish finder. Very user friendly and works great. It has been soaked a few times and still works.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk