Category: fishing electronics

Hi Italo,I have a 10 1/2 foot Pescador Pro 10 fishing kayak. I want to add a trolling motor and was wondering if you can advise on what type/size I should get and what battery I should get for it.Thanks, Paul

Posted on January 26th, 2023

Hi Paul, looks like you can mount a transom mount at the back. I would suggest a Motorguide or Minn Kota 30lb thrust, 30″ shaft should produce plenty of thrust. You can use any deep-cycle battery but for efficiency and less weight I would suggest you look at a https://www.lynaclithium.com/product/12-8v-30ah-battery/ . Weighing just over 7lb it would give you lots of power for your fishing outings…God bless you.

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I’m interested in picking your brain about real vision and the use on the Great Lakes. I’ve got a place in Manistee, MI. I was directed from the dealer to not go w/ real vision transducer as it would work in deep water. It looks like it’s working rather well for you. Can you tell me what transducer your using?I’ve got a 32 Tiara and it’s currently running a through hull (actual model slips my mind).Any and all intell would be greatly appreciated!Regards,Ric810-210-6999

Posted on March 2nd, 2022

Hi Riccardo, I have been running the 360-Read Vision with my Raymarine Axiom’s both for saltwater and freshwater fishing. That feature really helps me to locate suspended fish in deep water where I often troll for Salmon/Trout in the Great Lakes and fish for “pelagic” saltwater fish species in the Gulf of Mexico that feed from the surface to the mid water column.

That feature allows me to mark baitfish schools and predators 360-degrees around the boat. I can place a waypoint on the location I see and then I adjust my drift/troll accordingly to intercept those fish.

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 www.canadian-sportfishing.com website.

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Hi Italo. I’ve been watching your show (and enjoying it greatly), and I notice you use a Motorguide xi5 trolling motor. It appears you have the transducer mounted on the motor, as I see the wire going down the motor shaft. I use an xi3, and would also like to mount the transducer on the motor. I would be very interested to see how you have routed the wiring to avoid interference while stowing, deploying, and using the motor. Thanks very much and God bless!

Posted on December 19th, 2020

Hi Farrel, I use the Raymarine Element with the trolling motor transducer mount on my Motorguide Xi5. I simply use nylon pull-tie right at the electric motor head and cover it with some electric tape. This has worked well, no issues…God bless you.

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Hi ltalo many of us are glad you do what you do,thank you.My question is about chart speed on my sonar, what do you recommend it should be set at,l fish out of a kayak with a trolling motor .

Posted on September 18th, 2019

Hi Gino, when I’m kayak fishing I usually target bass and pike in smaller lakes and for the most part I am fishing for them along structure breaks and weedlines less than 10′ of water. I use my Raymarine Element more to locate the end of submerged weeds and shallow-water structure where I know fish will be feeding. Normally I don’t mark the fish, just the “McDonald’s” where thy move on and off to feed. Not sure what fish finder you use but most have default settings to increase scroll as speed is increased. I move pretty slow in the kayak so the default screen speed is fine….God bless you.

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Hi Italo What do you recommend for a sonar for the Bow.I Tried looking into the Dragonfly but can’t seem to find them. THX Mark

Posted on February 7th, 2019

Hi Mark, I’m surprised you couldn’t find a Raymarine Drgonfly fishfinder. If a local retailer doesn’t carry them you can always order them online. I have a feeling that all you would need is the Dragonfly4Pro. For example you can order them from SAIL, https://www.sail.ca/en/raymarine-dragonfly-4-pro-gold-chirp-206028?fee=1&fep=238061&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5s_g4Kus4AIVj7fACh18jAzeEAQYASABEgJcmvD_BwE …God bless you.

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Italo, Happy New Year! I’ll try and make it short and sweet. My brother and I are enjoying the ice fishing season very much! Looking for your opinions/ suggestions on devices such as the Hawkeye DT1H Handheld Depth finder/temperature device as well as a more advanced product – Deeper PRO Smart Portable Sonar – Wireless Wi-Fi Fish Finder. Both products much different in uses. We want a versatile device that can tell water depths as well as a quality sonar, fish finder, with a good, clear, advanced detailed, picture. Is there a recommended product to suit all needs while priced reasonably? The Hawkeye has many reports of an inability to read depths while ice fishing and/or debris in path of handheld to the ice surface itself. The Deeper Pro smart or comparable items we would want to be useful for open water as well as ice fishing. Is it best to have or purchase these products for separate uses? Is there a handheld competitvely but quality advanced device that could serve both purposes? Also wondering your strategy with line strength while ice fishing with Pike around. We have lost a few through the ice and wondering if you sport simply a wire leader to 6lb mono line or a braid of some sort. Always appreciate the time and expertise Italo. CHRIS+BEN LEUSERHamilton

Posted on January 17th, 2019

Hi Chris & Ben, a belated Happy New year to you and your family also.  I have only used quality ice-sonars that are not hand-held. I find ice-sonars very useful not just in spotting fish but also my lure and how they respond to it as I try and catch them. If you are serious ice anglers I would suggest you check the Raymarine or Vexilar ice-sonar kits,

http://www.raymarine.com/dragonfly/accessories/ice-fishing-kit/

https://www.amazon.com/Vexilar-FL-8se-Genz-Degree-Flasher/dp/B002SW68V8 

Both are very accurate and well built. With regards to ice lines. I would suggest you stick to a monofilament line and add a wire leader for pike. Braided lines are fine for ice fishing if the weather is not sub-zero. In really cold weather they tend to really ice-up.

 

 

 

 

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Hi Italo !I have a question about fish finders. I served in the Royal Canadian Navy as a Sonarman a while back and have a complete and thorough understanding of how this sound emitting equipment operates.. My concern is, “Why does the fishing industry continue misrepresent and to refer to a fish finder as sonar when they do not transmit sound of any sort.Sonar in fact stands for (So)und, (Na)vigation and (R)anging S.O.N.A.R.Now we all know that fish finders do NOT emit sound and CAN NOT be used for navigation purposes. So, could could the fishing world please refrain from this misrepresentation. I is just wrong in every sense of the word.I feel that the fishing industry has some explaining to do.

Posted on November 8th, 2018

Hi Calvin, the boating/fishing industry indeed refer to fishfinders/sonar to identify the electronics used to mark underwater objects like bottom, aquatic vegetation, suspended material and fish. Fishfinders operate using a single frequency transducer, dual frequencies, multiple frequencies or a broadband CHIRP system. In general, higher frequencies give the finest detail resolution, the least background noise on your screen and the best view from a fast-moving boat, but don’t penetrate as deeply as lower frequencies. Shallow-water inland anglers generally choose higher frequencies of 200kHz, 400kHz or 800kHz. For maximum depth, use lower frequencies. We recommend 200kHz or higher (up to 800kHz) for water depths up to 200′ and 80kHz or 50kHz for deeper waters….God bless you.

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Hi Italo,I am thinking of upgrading my sonar\chart plotter\DI. What are you recommending? Looking for a 7″ screen.Thanks!

Posted on May 10th, 2018

Hi Roberto, I am using the Raymarine Dragonfly 7 pro at the bow of the boat and the Axiom on the consul. I would strongly recommend you check out the Axiom, you will be blown-away by it’s resolution and the RealVison3D, amazing technology!

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Hello Italo, I would first like to say that I have been watching your show now for about 30 yrs. And have spoke with you at a couple club meetings and dinners. My question is, my father and I are looking to purchase a minkota Terrova with GPS and i-pilot. Where would be the best place to get the best price. All the best to you ThanksSean

Posted on April 8th, 2018

Hi Sean, thank you for your kind words. I don’t know of any one retailer that has the lowest price but I do know SAIL can order one for you at a good price.

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What is the best colour of sun glasses to buy ,so you can see your Fish finder on sunny day.?

Posted on June 22nd, 2017

Hi Robert, I must tell you it’s not the sunglasses, it’s the brightness/clarity of the fishfinder screen. Most fishfinders are hard to view sunglasses. Amber lenses help, but having a bright screen is best. For example the Raymarine screens are as visible with or without sunglasses….God bless you.

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