Portable fish finder?

[steel_beaver]

Does anyone use one? Which kind do you use? The ones that look like a cane, or the conventional ones? I'm thinking of gettting one for my float tube and I think the "cane" type will be better? what do you think?

Thanks:cheers:
S_B

[AndyK]

I'm going to be giving away one of my "secrets" here. I have both a Hummingbird Smartcast and a Bottomline sidefinder.

The Smartcast is probably one of the best aids for fishermen. It tells you what is "over there" not what is under your boat. I remember Silverfly's surprise a couple years ago when he saw a baitcasting reel in my boat. He said he thought I was a fly fishing purist. Then I showed him how it worked. I would cast it out and the fishfinder would not only tell me where there were fish, but how deep they were. Then I just needed to cast to them and adjust my "countdown" to get the fly to the fish's depth.

The sidefinder works well also, but it only tells you the depth of the fish directly under the boat.

If I were only going to get one, I would get the smartcast. You don't need a rod to cast it; just attach it to a line and throw it out.

[SilverFly]

Yup, when I saw that baitcasting rig, I thought, "ah-HA!, AndyK speaks with forked tongue!" :wink:

Andy and I both take a "scientific" approach to the challenge of flyfishing, but he is far more disciplined and methodical than I am (I'm more of a "hunch" guy :rolleyes:). I was pretty impressed with how well it worked, and think I might even get one for myself this year. It is a very useful tool, but it doesn't put fish on the hook for you. It is most useful when applied with good water reading skills. Actually I think it is more valuable for revealing the underwater topography and structure, than for actually showing you where the fish are. As we all know, a great spot may or may not have fish in it at a given time. Recognizing what makes a good holding spot and remembering it, is where this tool really shines.

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[TheCamel]

steel_beaver:
I have used a BottomLine Fishin' Buddy for over ten years. Not to find fish, but to know how deep the water is and what the bottom structure is like when flyfishing. It also has a sidefinder, but I usually turn it off. If jigging for Kokanee, it does a good job of locating the fish.

[steel_beaver]

thanks a lot guys for the quick replys :bowdown:

Andy, how long have you had yours? I saw a spec that said 400 hrs life .... :shrug: it sounds kind of cool :cool:

Thanks again :cheers:
S_B

[PDXSteelhead]

I just picked up the Bottomline Fishin' Buddy for the same reason - depth, and water temp mostly. I figure it'll help out if I'm taking a trip to some unfamiliar lakes.

[AndyK]

Andy, how long have you had yours? I saw a spec that said 400 hrs life .... :shrug: it sounds kind of cool :cool:




I've had mine for two years. The "portable" transducer I originally bought is still working. I also have a second one in channel "B".

You need to remember to dry it of when you are not using it to prevent battery drain.

The transducer on the Smart Cast has a wide sonar cone, so it covers a wide area. The bottom line has a narrow cone (about 15 degrees), good for determining the depth, but not for locating fish.


I use both in combination. I use the sidefinder to locate fish and then toss the smartcast out to determine how deep the fish is. For instance, the sidefinder might tell me there is a fish located 50 feet away from my boat. I will cast the smartcast out past the fish (so I don't spook it) and then bring it back until it is over the fish or shows the fish on the depth finder. I will then know the depth of the fish.

[steel_beaver]

it sounds like I'm getting the smart cast. Thanks a lot for the help everyone! You guys rock :cheers:

S_B

[uhmw]

I bought my brother one as sort of a joke for his birthday -cause he is a gaget freak-the kind you cast out and the sonar relays the signal to your watch-screen. he lives by the river and now swears that its realy good for spoting bass in the willy by the shore. He wont leave home without it now???

[boxofrain]

How ya'll are!?,
I am fishing from a kayak in the ocean mostly, I think the bottom line fishing buddy is for me. All I want to know is if the bottom is rock or sand and how deep.
Does anyone know where I can purchase one of these jewels?
Thanks in advance

[PDXSteelhead]

I got mine at GI Joes

My understanding is if it's a soft bottom, it absorbs more sonar as opposed to a rock bottom. So you should be able to get an idea of the type of bottom.

Not sure the effective max depth of these fish finders.

[TheCamel]

Not sure the effective max depth of these fish finders.


According my my owner's manual, the effective depth range is up to 240 feet. I have the model 2250 (middle of the line), and it gives a great read of what the bottom structure is like.

Most larger sporting goods outlets carry at least one of the BottomLine Fishin Buddy models, and lots to be found for purchase on the internet.