Boat Rigging

So earlier this spring I purchased my first boat and I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to rig it with. I need some advice I have a ranger 692 and I’m trying to figure how to rig up the rod holders so as to avoid tangles. I am trying to set it up for walleye trolling so if I put 3 rod holders on each of the rails with two of them having planar boards and the other having a dipsy diver would this work. Also I am planning on using ram rod holders. Another problem I am having is which fish finder I am torn between the lowrance HDS series and hummingbird. Also is the side scan necessary like does it really make a difference. Any advice on this is much appreciated.

This is just my opinion, and yes...I know, everybody has one!

As to rod holders - the Ram's would work, we have them on our other boat and they have been there for a few years and seem to be holding up alright, BUT they don't see heavy trolling like on Erie. We had the Cannon "composite" holders on our boat that we use on Erie all of the time and they basically wore out after 2 years. (the spline shaft kept popping out of the mounting base, almost causing lost rods!)
I would recomment Big Jon's or Craig's.

As to Sonar...if you're just running the open water of Erie, my PERSONAL thought is that the side-scan is pretty much a waste of money since the bottom is pretty much barren and featureless...no "structure" to target for the eyes. HOWEVER, if you plan to use the boat in other places it might be a value to have side-scan.
We run an HDS-7 (older, without side-scan)and it does a decent job for us...now that we have all of the latest software upgrades for it!

On more thing...do yourself a big favor...get a marine radio with a decent antenna! It may save your life someday!!! (cell phones don't always work out on the big water!)

HTH

Thanks for the advice. I do have a question about the big john rod holders I plan on using inline planar boards so wouldn't I have the rod holders horizontal which I would feel the rod could easily fall out that is the only reason why I hadn't considered them. Also I will definitely get a marine radio I hadn't planned on going out without it. Any recommendations on which one is a good one and is an antenna needed I hadn't looked into the radios yet and don't know too much about them.

Horizontal? - we usually run ours at about a 45 degree angle.

To reduce the risk of rod loss, I just use a 13" elastic bungee strap to hold the rod in the holder. On the single holders I just used cable ties to attach the lower end of the bungee to the tube, on the triple holders, there were holes drilled into the base plate that I put the bottom bungee hook through and bent the hook closed.

The hook on the far end can then be bent open a wee bit and conveniently hooked over the reel cage to keep it in the holder tube.

I am just curious are you using this with inline planars or the regular larger planar boards. Also which is better for fishing erie?