INTRODUCTION + F.F REC’S

Hello NCKA crew,

This is my belated introduction message. So I can view more forums. I am based in the Santa Cruz / Watsonville area. Regularly spear and kayak fish Monterey and Santa Cruz. Need more kayak free diver buddies, hit me up! With that being said putting in a fish finder on my rugged but trusty Ocean Kayak Drifter. Was just wondering if anyone had any brand/size/recommendations on F.F’s on the kayak. Currently looking at pulling the trigger on a 7inch Lowrance Eagle with side imaging. Worth it or not? Looking forward to some feedback. And with that being said if anyone wants to go drift for butt’s when it gets warmer or dive soon hit me up! Cheers NCKA 

Welcome aboard Sam 

Welcome Sam to NCKA 

Welcome.

I have an old and fairly basic Garmin FF. It does everything I need and it has proven to be virtually indestructible.

Welcome!

I love my Garmin Striker 4.
Relatively cheap, simple, right-sized.
No complaints, but I’m not a scoper. 🤷‍♂️

Welcome.

I have an old and fairly basic Garmin FF. It does everything I need and it has proven to be virtually indestructible.

Gotcha. Yeah I figured going anything over $500 in an FF set up with all said in done is a little aggressive unless you have a RIB or smaller center console. I mean it’s hard enough running two rods while paddling/drifting. I don’t think I would use the side scan stuff, but marking recent spots on reefs that were productive is something I want on one. Really into the new lithium ion battery’s you can recharge off Amazon. Compared to a 12V that you’d put on a trickle. They’re compact. If money was no object and I had a Hobie I’d go balls to the wall and buy a touch screen Simrad or Lowrance Lolll  thanks for your guys’ opinions. 

Welcome!
With fish finders I think less is more. I use a 5" because it is easier to stow for surf launch/landing and is more out of the way. Especially when  crabbing. I have never felt it was too small. It's really close after all. I also want my transducer protected either inside the kayak or in the protected cavity provided on most kayaks these days. I would be concerned with a side imaging transducer since it has to sit below the kayak. Even with a setup that pulls it up I'm sure I would forget it down. I use a Humminbird Helix 5 and really like it. I have also use a Lowrance and it was fine. I had a Raymarine and hated it. The signal was noisy and I had to go through a few screens just to make a waypoint. I just want hit a button to make a waypoint. Also think about warranty and repair support. I dunked my Humminbird one too many times and it died but they fixed it for a very reasonable price (out of warranty). They just sent what I assume was a reconditioned unit but it looked brand new.

Hi Sam, welcome to the group. I'm also in the SC area, in Bonny Doon.
In also in the market for a new FF, after having gone without for a couple years.

I've used humminbird for years but the power cables are prone to corrosion (I've replaced mine every 2 years or so). I believe lorance and/or Garmin have much better protected connections.

Welcome and howdy from Monterey. I run the 5” Eagle and I like it. It’s an upgrade in both size and features from the current Lowrance 4” and previous Hooks and Hummingbirds I have used. Plenty big enough, couldn’t really imagine needing anything bigger, so easily in my dry bag for launch and landing. And other than viewing schools of baitfish, not sure how the side scan in the 7”+ would benefit me in 25-100ft of water, so I’m quite happy with down scan only at this time. I went with the C-Map Discover charts package  , between that and the CMap app (which has shaded relief) I’m pretty well set. But I continue to have my eye on the C-Map Reveal upgrade if there’s a good sale somewhere.

Welcome!
With fish finders I think less is more. I use a 5" because it is easier to stow for surf launch/landing and is more out of the way. Especially when  crabbing. I have never felt it was too small. It's really close after all. I also want my transducer protected either inside the kayak or in the protected cavity provided on most kayaks these days. I would be concerned with a side imaging transducer since it has to sit below the kayak. Even with a setup that pulls it up I'm sure I would forget it down. I use a Humminbird Helix 5 and really like it. I have also use a Lowrance and it was fine. I had a Raymarine and hated it. The signal was noisy and I had to go through a few screens just to make a waypoint. I just want hit a button to make a waypoint. Also think about warranty and repair support. I dunked my Humminbird one too many times and it died but they fixed it for a very reasonable price (out of warranty). They just sent what I assume was a reconditioned unit but it looked brand new.

I have a Raymarine Element 7 thats close to 6 yrs old that keeps on running. There's a red Waypoint button thats very to use. It was very effective finding RF and structure when fishing the 50 fathom line regs in past few years.

I have a Raymarine Element 7 thats close to 6 yrs old that keeps on running. There's a red Waypoint button thats very to use. It was very effective finding RF and structure when fishing the 50 fathom line regs in past few years.

Wish mine had that red button. They must have gotten a lot of feedback from people like me with older/different versions.

Yo NCKA crew, haven’t been on here in a while but…. Just pulled the trigger on a Lowrance Hook Reveal 5”, off marketplace came with a transducer, chip, and wires for $150 score. My rigs are ready, now prepping my kayak for the upcoming halibut season. Anyone in the Monterey/ Santa Cruz area want to link up in the next few weeks and hit the pajaro poo lines with a somehow launch??? I don’t have the balls to go out solo out there. Of course after this salmon opener!!! Anytime I’ve came across a white shark while surfing has been between marina and Aptos. So looking for a buddy to hit pajaro river mouth/ zmudowski area and risk it for the biscuit! Of course on a good condition window. PS I don’t know/ understand how to post or make a thread.. other than this introduction I made. Hope to get some insight or a kayak buddy soon for this area! Cheers boys 

Hi Sam, welcome to the group. I'm also in the SC area, in Bonny Doon.
In also in the market for a new FF, after having gone without for a couple years.

I've used humminbird for years but the power cables are prone to corrosion (I've replaced mine every 2 years or so). I believe lorance and/or Garmin have much better protected connections.

Yo Piscean! My buddy brendo Mcvey always kayak fishes near pigeon point with some stories that make me not want to go out there with him lol (taxmen). Do you regularly fish out there or come into town? We should hit up some halibut soon. Need more kayak buddies!

Anyone in the Monterey/ Santa Cruz area want to link up in the next few weeks and hit the pajaro poo lines with a somehow launch???

Early season, Capitola is likely to be just as good as Pajaro, and it's almost certain that there will be other boater/kayakers around in Capitola. If you do launch from Moss Landing, pay close attention to the tide swing, as the current can rip thru the jaws faster than you can paddle/pedal--not to mention that it is usually a very bumpy ride.

Welcome, Sam.  I've gone through lots of fishfinders and am hard on gear.  I prefer the cheap-o's, like the Lowrance Hook 4x - they're only around $130.

I used to dive Pigeon and Franklin Points - and once at Ano Nuevo...  Very cool area down there, but I'm content to stay in Humboldt most of the time.

Good luck out there.