Category: fish finders

what is a good sonar unit to hook on your electric trolling motor? I have a helex 10 on the back. regards Mark

Posted on October 7th, 2021

There are many good sonars that you can hook-up to your electric trolling motor. My choice for the last 5-yrs or more has been the Raymarine line. Most recently it’s their Element7″ model. I find it compact, powerful and very accurate…God bless you.

Make sure to check the fishing videos on our Italo Labignan YouTube channel and if you have any questions just email them to me at Ask Italo throughout our website.

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Hi, Italo, I have a question about your Motorguide xi5 trolling motor. It appears you have your transducer mounted to your motor. I have an xi3 and would be very interested to see or hear how you have run the cable from your transducer back to your head unit. Thanks very much. Love your show!

Posted on January 8th, 2021

Hi Farrel,  I have used the Raymarine electric motor transducer mount for the Element7. I simply mount the transducer onto the head of the electric and then run the cable up the shaft. I use a nylon pull-tie to secure the cable just above the electric motor head (so that the cable does not interfere with deploying/raising the electric), and then I use a nylon pull-tie at the top of the electric to secure the transducer cable loosely just below the top of the electric. This leaves me plenty of room to raise or lower the motor shaft as required.

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Hey ItaloI just bought a new hummingbird piranahmax fish finder for my kayak. I want to mount the transducer on the flat inside bottom of my kayak however i dont know how to attach it in place. I have read to use apoxy or resin however i dont want to as it will be permanent and i cant ever change or move it. I was thinking to use silicone, as i have heard people have good success with it, and it can be peeled away without damaging the kayak or transducer. Do you recommend silicone or anything else that can be peeled/ cut off if needed to be moved?

Posted on July 2nd, 2019

Hi Jack, I suggest you purchase an Scotty arm ( https://scotty.com/product/no-141-kayak-sup-transducer-arm-mount-w-gear-head-adapter-3/ ), where you can hang the transducer off the side and lift it out of the water on-demand. I use this system and it works great. You may also want to look at the additional Scotty kayak accessories they offer…God bless you.

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For ice fishing which portable ice fish finders would you recommend, the least expensive one, and I don’t want flash finder?ThanksALOrillia,ON

Posted on February 6th, 2019

Hi Al, tough to suggest an inexpensive “screen” ice fishing kit fish finder. The problem with may of less expensive ice units is that they do not give you a good signal. I work with Raymarine and they just introduced the Dragonfly7Pro Ice Fishing Kit. That complete kit has a higher price point, but you can buy one of the smaller screens like the Dragonfly5Pro Gold with GPS as low as $299. (SAIL)  and then you can buy the portable ice kit that includes the carry bag, handle, transducer, battery and charger for $199. That would be my suggestion…God bless you.

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I recently purchased a new fishing boat it has a hummingbird helix 5 with gps but no down image. Can’t seem to be able to identify any fish on screen not sure what am looking at. Any help would be awesome thanks

Posted on August 25th, 2018

Humm, fish on any high-quality fishfinder set on “conical-sonar” (fishfinder mode), or DownVision like on the Raymarine units will mark fish as either streaks (fish are moving and a part of the fish passes under the sonar sound cone), or hooks (if you go over stationary fish completely that is not moving).

Dragonfly7Pro

The above shows a classic baitfish school suspended in the mid water column.

bass structure break

Above is a clear example of fish laying just inches off the bottom.

bass flat

And a stationary fish holding over a rocky structure, above.

If your sonar is not marking either it could be because the transducer is not angled right, or there is an issue with the “gain-setting”, or another issue with your sonar.

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What is a good GPS for marking my spots – for ice fishing on a lake I can’t find my hotspots again I tried marking on my phone but no luckCan you recommend a GPS that doesn’t cost to much 100 to 200

Posted on January 12th, 2017

Hi Dean, there are many hand-held GPS that you can use to mark your spots for $100-$200, but if you are serious about ice fishing, I would encourage you to spend $300-$400 and purchase a portable fishfinder that has a build in antenna/GPS where you can see your location over a hydrographic chart and mark any spots you want.

buckhorn_walleye_bass

One of the best on the market is the Raymarine Dragonfly4Pro that sells for $269. Well worth the investment. Most portable fishfinders with GPS can also be mounted on a canoe, kayak or boat which is a real asset and justification for the investment…God bless you.

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I am looking to upgrade my fish finder in my 14 foot boat what do you suggest is a good brand with features. I want to be able to get a good look and what is under the boat for structure and if fish or bait fish are there.

Posted on June 23rd, 2016

Hi Tim, I would encourage you to consider getting the Raymarine Dragonfly.

italo_raymarine_pike

I is one of the most accurate fishfinders on the market. In it’s DownVision mode no fish or structure can hide from it.

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