Fish finder from Hobie

Does anyone have experience with the FF package from Hobie:

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/1346/Hobie-Fish-Finder-Package.html

Is it hard to rig for someone totally new to this?  Any tips on a better way?

Also - if going the milk crate way - is this good on a Hobie Outback and where do you buy/find a milk crate?

Thanks.

As far as milk crates go,
I asked the guy at 7/11 and he told me to take what I needed (always best to ask)

As far as the FF,
In April some lucky angler at Clear Lake will take home a new Lowrance X-4 Pro
http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Marine/Compact-Sonar-Fishfinders/X-4-Pro/

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper

Don't be in too big a hurry.  You can match the RAM mount to almost any FF.  Check out their site---it is usually slow but accurate.  Does your outback have a sailing mast hole right in front of the front hatch?  If so you can mount the FF on the ram ball that goes in the mast hole.  Go with the 1 1/2" diameter balls on everything.  Come up to Clear Lake for Yakhopper's event on 4/10----you will get to see all kinds of rigging on outbacks, revos and adventures, along with all the paddle boats.----Jeff

thought you might like to check this vid out.  great yak-pimping ideas in this vid.

You have many options. Don't rush and do a search on this topic. Pimping your yak is part of the fun. Good luck.

I'm looking at a bunch of milk crates outside of my office right now, but I'm not sure if it's worth your time to drive up and pick one up from me in Union City.

ernest

Though I have made some other mods to this crate, namely a back rest and a few scotty mounts to use for rod holders and my downrigger, its basically the same as when I first built it:






At first I used screws, nuts&bolts but now i'm just using zip ties for everything    Carry some extra zip ties and you can fix just about anything that can go wrong with your crate 

Awesome thanks guys - I appreciate the pics Al.

Does anyone have experience with the FF package from Hobie:

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/1346/Hobie-Fish-Finder-Package.html

Is it hard to rig for someone totally new to this?  Any tips on a better way?

Also - if going the milk crate way - is this good on a Hobie Outback and where do you buy/find a milk crate?

Thanks.

I decided to go big with my FF.  I'm not a fan of the in hull installation.  I figure if I'm going to spend good $$$ then I'm going to get the best results possible.  I took a piece of PVC pipe, routed it into one of the scupper holes below my seat and ran the transducer wire through.  I then mounted the transducer under my boat.  It's not the smoothest looking setup but I can see my 1/64 oz weight on my graph when it's below my boat.  I'll be sure to take a pic of my setup this week.

I'm not sure about the ff (I use the Humminbird 385CI), but as far as the milkcrate thought I should chime in before you have a bunch of stuff lying around the garage like I did last year when I started this hobby. Since you have an Outback, what about the Hobie bait tank? If you plan on doing ocean fishing, you'll probably need a bait tank to hold live bait and after buying and building my own, Hobie's can't be beat. When I do go into the ocean and don't need the bait tank it acts as a waterproof milkcrate/lunchbox and has 3 built in rod holders for extra rods.

For tackle storage look at the Hobie Tupperware style that drops into the center hatch. It has enough room to hold enough tackle for a days outing and if additional storage is needed there is plenty of room behind the seat. Over time I have become a follower of the "less is more cult" and have looked at minimizing the amount of stuff I take out each trip.

I would suggest that whichever ff you do purchase, you install it with the Ram mount you have in the Austin Kayak ad. It helps to be able to position it out of the way and still close enough to read. I believe the sailing mast point is too far to reach and mark waypoints easily.

As far as your other posts go, I only fish Loomis rods (except Orvis fly rods), but if you are going to fish Loomis only fish IMX surf, or GLX/NRX casting/spinning or the warranty doesn't really pays for itself. You'll throw $100 for a warranty replacement on a $200 rod. Also while you're on Austin's website purchase some rod leashes.

Dean

For starting out, i'd use a bait tube or floating minnow bucket vs buying or building a livewell.  Personally never had the need for a livewell, but they are pretty neat.

To be honest I didn't know live bait nose hooked was legal in CA/Nor Cal.  I thought for sure it wasn't.  That sounds kind of cool - so nose hook a live minnow for bass?  Hmm, I have much to learn.

To be honest I didn't know live bait nose hooked was legal in CA/Nor Cal.  I thought for sure it wasn't.  That sounds kind of cool - so nose hook a live minnow for bass?  Hmm, I have much to learn.

Certain lakes you cant use live bait, except for worms.  All the EBMUD lakes and East Bay parks lakes included.  Berryessa, clear lake, delta, etc.... MINNOWS!!! It's a beautiful thing!

Sorry, I should have mentioned somewhere in my post that so far I've limited my yak fishing to saltwater. Yes I know that some of the members use live minnows for bass, crappie and mudsuckers for stripers and this would be a good use of the bait tank. For me I've used mine exclusively for sardines, anchovies, and kingfish. I normally fish out of Capitola and make my own bait for the days fishing. It's pretty cool having to first find and catch your bait before turning your attention on your target species.

This is where having a ff pays off. It's much easier to locate and stay on top of the bait ball instead of relying on luck. Just about every time I've gone out I've either been shadowed by guys in the rental skiffs or asked where the bait ball is. I don't mind helping them out, but would not try it without my ff.

I mentioned that I use the Humminbird 385ci, I selected this model because it has a portable option which I purchased to use in the rental skiffs when I take them out a couple of times a year.

Al, thanks for the store bought milk crate set up looks great.
Just a friendly warning you guys do what you want but the stores don't have authority to give out milk crates that belong to milk co. I was personal witness to a driver calling the sheriff on a guy in possession of one. Read the side of the crate, these things do cost the co. a lot of money. 

I see milk crates thrown in dumpsters all the time, thats where I got mine and an extra one.