Picking a Fishfinder for Ocean Salmon

I'm trying to pick a new fishfinder for chasing ocean salmon on my AI. Here is where I am right now:

• I think I want a 7" or 9" screen.
• I know I want a basemap with high resolution shaded relief bathymetry. I think this means getting Navionics Platinum+, although Garmin (who owns Navionics) may use the same data for their Bluechart G3 product. Not sure?
• Side-scan sonar seems like it would be useful for locating bait balls that are off to one side and navigating around reefs. Does it work well in the ocean?
• If I get side-scan sonar the transducer won't fit in the "Lowrance Ready" pocket and will need an adapter/cover, so if I go that route Lowrance doesn't have a compatibility advantage with my hull.
• I'm willing to pay more for features that make a difference, but specifically for ocean salmon since that is my focus.

Anyone have wisdom to share? Jacksonbigtuna has already given me some helpful tips.

Krishna

Some of my advice:

1. A 7" is probably sufficient, a 9" is eventually heavy, more expensive if you lose it, and may hinder entry from water.
2. Do not get a touch screen, get one with buttons.  You are on an AI, that could create more splash than necessary and water does not do well with touch screen.
3. While we're talking about splash, I recommend that you have a splash guard behind and around your fish finder.
4. If you have enough auxiliary speed (i.e. motor or sail), a 3D scan may be beneficial.  But that's probably only beneficial to 3% or so kayakers.  A 3D sonar will tell you location of the fish (distance, left or right, or up/down water column).  You will need to guesstimate what kind of fish and likely not increase your ability to catch.  But at least you know where they are and make you wonder what they are and what opportunities you may be missing 
5. As far as mapping goes, definitely get a map offering, I use Navionics.  However, their maps do not necessarily reflect real time contour due to changing environment (I would guess they are 70-80% correct).
6. As far as sonar size, you probably need to judge what's ok or not.  A 3d sonar in general is large, long, and will shave off some speed. 

7.  The basics need to be there, FF that is geared toward smaller boat (i.e. more water proof), GPS, maps, side scan, down scan (chirp and traditional), split screen, etc etc.


I would go with Lowrance of your choice or Raymarine Element 7.

I just installed a new Raymarine Element 7. I don't have it on its optimal settings and cant comment on fish readings. I went with a BerlyPro transducer cover and its big, 12 inches long and 2 inches deep. Something to think about when transporting your yak.

When I was trying out different units, I considered which has the best water protection for the micro sd card reader cover for your chart chip. IMO, Raymarine and Lowrance had the better design with a rubber cover. Humminbird and Garmin to me seemed to have filmsy covers.  Again something to consider with all the water splash hitting your FF.

I got the Garmin Striker for my Outback. Very soon later I replaced it with the Helix 7 from Humminbird. Exactly for two reasons: Chrome and navigation. I’m really happy I upgraded. It cost me $800.
My model has traditional sonar, mega downscan, and mega sidescan. It has several maps I can choose: Navionics, sonar charts, and auto chart. Sonar charts are from sonar sources. Very fine resolution. Auto chart is like a live update. It will plot the contour based on the current scan and overlay it on the existing map. Very useful when you circle an area and need to make your own map or compare with existing map.

The side scan is super useful for locating bait. Sonar converts a 3D cone to a 2D image so it’s impossible to get this kind of information from traditional sonar. Downscan is also useful when you travel over bait.
There are many different views that combine all this data. I mostly use the navigation-sidescan view and the sidescan-sonar view.

I’ve used my Helix the entire season (since probably May) and I love it. I use the Noctua battery and it lasts 2 trips and some. The transducer has a super small footprint and low drag.
BerleyPro make mounts for the transducer, but it’s no good (seaweed will get snagged in it, and sand will trap inside and mess up the scan signal). I have cut out the Hobie transducer plate and will improve my improve to make it work.

The head unit is big, but really nice to use. I don’t cover it, but I got the Humminbird rubber cover to protect the unit during transport. If water slashes over the screen, it’s hard to see, so I just use a lightweight squeegee to wipe it. I put a small piece of electrical tape over the SD card cover because it doesn’t look too sturdy. But I only take the card out once a year so that’s a non issue.

Other really nice features:
Boots up fast. Buttons very responsive.
SD card for software and map updates
Highly customizable.
You can set a course and get alerts if you are off course
Alerts on low battery, alerts on depth, etc.
Snapshot feature allows you to store screenshots (something to post on NCKA

1. A 7" is probably sufficient, a 9" is eventually heavy, more expensive if you lose it, and may hinder entry from water.
2. Do not get a touch screen, get one with buttons.  You are on an AI, that could create more splash than necessary and water does not do well with touch screen.
3. While we're talking about splash, I recommend that you have a splash guard behind and around your fish finder.
4. If you have enough auxiliary speed (i.e. motor or sail), a 3D scan may be beneficial.  But that's probably only beneficial to 3% or so kayakers.  A 3D sonar will tell you location of the fish (distance, left or right, or up/down water column).  You will need to guesstimate what kind of fish and likely not increase your ability to catch.  But at least you know where they are and make you wonder what they are and what opportunities you may be missing 

  Haha! Tormented by the big mystery marks that won't bite.

5. As far as mapping goes, definitely get a map offering, I use Navionics.  However, their maps do not necessarily reflect real time contour due to changing environment (I would guess they are 70-80% correct).

I have Navionics+ on my Hook2, but the accuracy of the contours is poor in many areas. I've attached a screenshot from the Navionics mobile app that demonstrates this: the shaded relief shows tons of detail and the contour lines (the part you get with Navionics+) show a smooth slope. As far as I can tell you have to spend $200 for Platinum+ to get the high resolution data, and it won't work with some fishfinders such as Hook Reveal.

I just installed a new Raymarine Element 7. I don't have it on its optimal settings and cant comment on fish readings. I went with a BerlyPro transducer cover and its big, 12 inches long and 2 inches deep. Something to think about when transporting your yak.

Hey Mel!  Another mention of the Element 7 -- I guess I should look at it.

I think Mark L has the Element 7?

The replies here have been really helpful.

If I follow yakyakyak's advice and eliminate anything with a touch screen, I think Lowrance is out of the running (the Ti2 is touch and the Hook won't support shaded relief).

The mapping options for Garmin are confusing, but it looks like if I want high resolution relief shading it isn't included in their BlueChart G3 and requires BlueChart G3 Vision: https://www.navionics.com/usa/charts-garmin?format=Regular&charts=BlueChartg3Vision. I think that eliminates them unless someone knows better.

Unless I'm missing something that leaves two main contenders:

• Raymarine Element 7
• Humminbird Helix 7

I've had both Raymarine and Humminbird.  My Humminbird died because I got dunk, water came in through the card reader slot.  Make sure you waterproof as much as you can and install fuse on your battery.  I would say the Humminbird is simple and straight forward, but the Raymarine is more fancy and provide better images.  BTW, next time you are on the water, eyeball the 7" screen and see if the size will suit you.

As far as the high resolution shading from the map, I wouldn't rely too much on them as things change, but it is very nice.


Also, why not Lowrance?  Although I dont know anything about it other than browsing the internet, it appears that they have units with touch buttons.  Ideally you should have both.

The three features I used the most that I can use without touch screen is 1) Mark waypoint (probably the first thing you should do when you get bit), 2) Zoom in/out, 3) Power On/Off.    It is very nice to be able to pinch and rotate using touchscreen, but I don't think its required.   


I also forgot to mention, the unit should have the ability to track (and preferably mark the current and past tracks with different colors).  You can compare your tracks and form a patter after awhile.  But I would assume this is standard nowadays.

Lastly, I would wait until late January/February time frame to buy one, you can save some dough.  In the meantime, you can over analyze during winter 

Krishna,

Why are you so set on shaded relief if the primary use is for salmon? I see it as a bonus for bottom fishing, but am missing the importance for targeting salmon. They do look cool however

Cheers,
Brad

I use a 12V 12AH Amped Outdoors Lithium LIFEPRO4 battery.  The Raymarine Element 7 draws 15 w.

12 x 12 = 144
144 / 15 = 9.6 Hours

Approximately 9.6 hours battery life is good enough for me.

Following this thread with interest...I'm in a similar boat (yak) with looking for a new FF.

I currently have a Humminbird Helix 5 but like what Victor mentioned, it doesn't do well when it gets wet and you have to seal the card slot.

Also, why not Lowrance?  Although I dont know anything about it other than browsing the internet, it appears that they have units with touch buttons.  Ideally you should have both.

Ah, OK-- I am hearing from other people as well that a touch screen is great. I guess you just want buttons for basic functions when the screen is getting splashed? I guess Lowrance is back in the running.

I use a 12V 12AH Amped Outdoors Lithium LIFEPRO4 battery.  The Raymarine Element 7 draws 15 w.

Good to know. I am getting a Chet battery so power draw isn't really a concern. 

Why are you so set on shaded relief if the primary use is for salmon? I see it as a bonus for bottom fishing, but am missing the importance for targeting salmon. They do look cool however

That's a good question! Here are my reasons:

• I sometimes want to be able to troll around reefs and pinnacles, and Navionics+ (at least the version on my Hook2) does not have accurate enough contour lines to help much with this. Sand features can move around, but hard reefs change very little year-to-year, so accurate bathymetric data would be pretty cool for this.
• There are almost 6 months of the year I'm not allowed to fish for salmon, and I think a really accurate map will help a lot for other species.
• High-resolution images of the seafloor are beautiful and fascinating. The data is publicly available (paid for by you and me), but the chartplotter/basemap companies just don't have their act together enough to make it readily accessible.

Hey Krishna - Here's the best deal I found on the Element 7 and with Black Friday more deals should be available.  It comes with Raymarine's Lighthouse Chart but I swapped it my own Navionics Updated chip.  Good luck choosing a new FF!!
 

https://www.boemarine.com/marine-navigation-instruments/gps-fishfinder-combos/raymarine-element-7-hv-combo-w-hv-100-transducer-lnc2-chart-w-fishing-hot-spots.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIguKfq4uZ7AIVUr7ACh3HYAIYEAQYDCABEgLH7PD_BwE

These videos are a great help learning the unit: