Kayak Fishing

Eagle Cuda 300 Fish Finder
SKU: 0182-0268

• New for '09!
  
• Simple to use with excellent performance and resolution at a fantastic low price with the new, affordable Cuda 300 fishfinder!
  
• 4" (10.2 cm) diagonal screen
  
• 240Vx160H Film SuperTwist LCD
  
• 4-level grayscale
  
• Depth capability to 600 ft (183 m) with 800 watts of peak-to-peak power
  
• High-performance, low-profile 200 kHz Skimmer transducer with built-in temp delivers a wider, more effective fish detection area of up to 60° with high sensitivity settings - Operates at boat speeds up to 70 mph (61 kts)
  
• Hands-free ASP operation, GRAYLINE, Advanced Fish I.D., FishTrack
  
• Completely sealed and waterproof, even for use in harsh saltwater environments
  
• Full one-year warranty

Its under 100 bucks. The one I want has a gps and its 199bucks at cabelas. Here is the link for the gps http://www.cabelas.com/link-12/product/0065672020560a.shtml In fact Im going to order this one today.
fishon

I did come across this basic buyer's guide for fishfinders:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/community/product_features/buyers_guide/pages/hardgoods/marine/ross_sonar_guide_bg.html

Bman -
 
I have an older model Pirahna on my kayak.  It does what you want it to (shows you the depth and if there is some sort of bottom structure).  Not sure how accurate the fish detection is (on any "fish finder" that I have seen, but shows them too).  I'm sure they are fish, just don't think it is a "fish catcher" as I was hoping it would be...  It's nice, and for under $100, you're not going to go wrong.
 
I'd personally go the route of what Jfishon is saying with the GPS combo.  Especially if it has the lakes, ect. loaded into it that you fish the most.  It doesn't look like it has an SD slot for additional software, but might?  A basic handheld GPS with the lake maps loaded alone is $200+.  If you can get both the GPS and depth finder for $200, especially with the lake contour maps preloaded, I wouldn't hesitate to go that route.  I added a portable GPS to my side console boat, and is about as useful (fishing wise) as the depth finder.
 
I used an old 12V Black & Decker Firestorm drill battery to power mine, which ran it fine for 10 hour stretches.  Nice and light, and easy to recharge.  Also easy to connect with the female type of connector in the link below.  That GPS combo might use a bit more juice, but most run on 12V.
 
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/woeimages/Electrical/54665.jpg

Get what jonny said. I have a 12ft native if anyone wants to do a float for some smallies,I'm in.I float the allegheny alot.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nice! I would like one for lakes and some strip mines. Like you said, hands free. I use my manta ray,to float rivers to wading spots. Those rudders would be beat up on the rocks. Can you take them off,and just use a paddle?

Yep, I can go any where with them. The rudder flips up onto the back of the yak with the push of a lever. If you push one of the pedal foward, It hugs the kayack bottom. I can go in 6inchs of water with the pedals up.Its a killer fishing kayak.If its real shallow, I just turn the knobs and the pedals slide right out.  I just put them in the back under the bungees and off I go. Nick kayak btw.

From reading up on it that seems like a better finder for only a few bucks more. Go for it. one bill, nice.

Beerman, that looks like a winner. I may get one for my yak. You can always get a hand held gps.I fish Shenango myself. Ever try Goddard? Moose, I am from Sharon, been in Mercer five years. Live in the country off Clintonville rd. Love my manta ray.

ORIGINAL: beerman

Thanks to all for the input and opinions! Since I mainly fish my kayak on the Shenango Lake,
I don't really see a need for a combo unit with GPS/maps. So...after educating myself the past
couple of days I'm leaning towards buying this fish finder: (anybody use this model?)



http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=product&cmCat=Related_IPL_020559&id=0065673020147a

Today I drove to the Cabelas Store near Wheeling WV. I purchased the Humminbird 170, a mount and a battery with a charger.
Good day to be out and about. It was sunnier the further North one was.

actually, that is a little different than the one I have. My hummingbird runs on 8 AA batteries and has a suction-cup probe on a 10 food cord. Mine is completely portable.

Beerman, I have been looking for it but can not find it. I have dish, might be whats wrong. What time and day is it on. I belong to a forum, Kayak Fishing Stuff.com. They have a section of rigged kayaks, with lots of pics.They are more into salt water. There is a Pa section also.