fishfinder recommendations?

just got my new Dave Scadden Outlaw Escape--anyone have a recommendation on a fish finder? The Hummingbird Fishnbuddy seems to be about all I can find. Thanks for any input.

Great question zebramidge! Welcome to the forum,I'm kinda new at float tubing and was thinking the same thing today at work. These guys on the site are very informitive and a great bunch of guys.

Those Dave Scadden boats look awesome. You can adapt just about any fish finder to work on a tube. The Fishnbuddy is convenient because all you need to add is the optional tube mount and your batteries. No wires to worry about. It's not the best for pixel count or sensor angle. For the same price you can get a higher quality fish finder, small 12v battery, and adapt it to work on your tube.

I just rigged one up for my tube and I went with a Garmin Echo 200 (it was on sale at Bass Pro) and an ATV battery from Walmart. It has dual sensor angles so I can see fish and structure in a much wider circle around my tube than the Fishnbuddy.

There are plenty of fish finders to choose from. Humminbird, Lawrence, Garmin etc. all make good ones.

Good Luck with you new tube.

zebramidge0 wrote:just got my new Dave Scadden Outlaw Escape--anyone have a recommendation on a fish finder? The Hummingbird Fishnbuddy seems to be about all I can find. Thanks for any input.

Any fish finder unit that can be mounted in a boat can be mounted on a tube. You just need to make the transducer mount and head unit mount. I use a Cuda 300 powered by 8 AA batteries. I can get a full 10+ hours on the water before the batteries die.

I use a Hummingbird 570. If you need help with the mounting of the unit and transducer, let me know!

Thanks for all the help--I will check out all the suggestions--it it great to know what works from you guys with the experience--thanks again

sonarbp wrote:

zebramidge0 wrote:just got my new Dave Scadden Outlaw Escape--anyone have a recommendation on a fish finder? The Hummingbird Fishnbuddy seems to be about all I can find. Thanks for any input.

Any fish finder unit that can be mounted in a boat can be mounted on a tube. You just need to make the transducer mount and head unit mount. I use a Cuda 300 powered by 8 AA batteries. I can get a full 10+ hours on the water before the batteries die.

I would be interested to hear your feedback on the Scadden boat.

I have a Lowrance Mark 5 FF and I do the same power supply as Sonar. I think it cost me 7 bucks for the parts and if you use rechargeable AA's you might save more cash over time. Super compact and super easy set up.

Waxon--thanks for the reply. W/regard to the Scadden Escape, I took it out last night for the firest time for an hour. I was very impressed. I had installed cargo bags and seat at home, deflated it and stuck in the back end of my van--it would fit easily in the trunk of most any car. When I got to the lake, i inflated it using a 12v blower, then topped it off w/hand pump--about 2 minutes total. I loaded 2 rods,oars, fly boxes, etc, fins, a 10 lb anchor, and a can of beer onto the boat, and easily carried it 150 yds to the water(I am 74) On the water it handles very well--you can turn 360* in the diameter of the boat w/fins, and it rows extremely easily. A winner

zebramidge0 wrote:Waxon--thanks for the reply. W/regard to the Scadden Escape, I took it out last night for the firest time for an hour. I was very impressed. I had installed cargo bags and seat at home, deflated it and stuck in the back end of my van--it would fit easily in the trunk of most any car. When I got to the lake, i inflated it using a 12v blower, then topped it off w/hand pump--about 2 minutes total. I loaded 2 rods,oars, fly boxes, etc, fins, a 10 lb anchor, and a can of beer onto the boat, and easily carried it 150 yds to the water(I am 74) On the water it handles very well--you can turn 360* in the diameter of the boat w/fins, and it rows extremely easily. A winner

That is good to hear and thank you for your input. I am looking at it closely and have a big interest in this one. Is this the model you can stand up on? If so, have you tried to do so?

How do you like using an anchor? I am currently using a form of anchor in the harbors and it is really working out well. I know the jury is out on this concept but its a plus in my book...at least in the harbors.

I like the looks of the Escape on the website and YouTube videos that I have seen. It looks like a top of the line float tube/small pontoon. As a float tube, it looks like it has weight capacity to spare.

One of the larger models with a frame would be perfect for standing for sight fishing, but there is quite a jump in price from the Escape to the next model up.

I guess I ran out of space. One other nice thing about the Scadden--you sit high, and I used it without waders, and didn't get my butt wet. Looking forward to putting it on a river
Thanks for input on fishfinders--I really don't want to mess with 12v battery, recharging, etc, so I am looking a dry cell battery operation. I welcome all suggestions. Thanks again for all the input.

zebramidge0 wrote:I guess I ran out of space. One other nice thing about the Scadden--you sit high, and I used it without waders, and didn't get my butt wet. Looking forward to putting it on a river
Thanks for input on fishfinders--I really don't want to mess with 12v battery, recharging, etc, so I am looking a dry cell battery operation. I welcome all suggestions. Thanks again for all the input.

This is what I use.

I use a 140c it is my third fishfinder over the years I have had a Garmin and a Fish Eagle that I mounted on a (L) bracket and a batttery pack that I rigged up from Radio Shack it took 4 (D) batteries or a large rectangle batterey I still have those units and they work fine. My newer unit is the hummingbird 140c the color version. I have used the unit in both salt and freshwater. You can buy other units that are better and rig them to fit your float tube but it is hard to beat the convenance of this unit just add double (AA) batteries and your good to go. They make a item to hold it to the float tube (to purchase seperate) but I used the item that is designed for a boat and attached it my my rod holder it works great the unit drops right into the holder.I only had to drill one hole into the rod rack. The hold and a heavy duty (C) clamp came with the unit (for boats) I keep a rod holder on each side but only carry three rods and use the other openings for tools like nets, fish grip, pliers etc.
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Great pictures and video--hooking up the AA cell pack looks pretty straight forward. Now I understand how you can use a regular 12v finder with the batteries. One other question--how do you mount/hang/?? the transducer?
With regards to the anchor, I haven't used it much yet. but last time out I used it when I was re-rigging, and it kept me from being blown across the lake while I got ready, and I didn't have to keep kicking. I am going to get a small bucket to store it in to keep water, mud, etc. from gettin in/on the boat.

waxon67 wrote:

zebramidge0 wrote:I guess I ran out of space. One other nice thing about the Scadden--you sit high, and I used it without waders, and didn't get my butt wet. Looking forward to putting it on a river
Thanks for input on fishfinders--I really don't want to mess with 12v battery, recharging, etc, so I am looking a dry cell battery operation. I welcome all suggestions. Thanks again for all the input.

This is what I use.

Wow, I thought I was doing good running mine off a 4lb glass mat ATV battery. 8AAs in that set up would hardly be noticeable in the pocket of my tube. I may be headed back to the drawing board.

zebramidge0 wrote:Great pictures and video--hooking up the AA cell pack looks pretty straight forward. Now I understand how you can use a regular 12v finder with the batteries. One other question--how do you mount/hang/?? the transducer?
With regards to the anchor, I haven't used it much yet. but last time out I used it when I was re-rigging, and it kept me from being blown across the lake while I got ready, and I didn't have to keep kicking. I am going to get a small bucket to store it in to keep water, mud, etc. from gettin in/on the boat.

I took two piece of hard plastic and cut them to fit the base . Both the same size and shape. I took a piece of 1" closed cell foam and cut it to the same shape and size as the two plastic pieces. I marked and drilled holes to line up with the base of the FF. I made a strap with plastic buckles out of webbing. I sandwiched the strap between the foam and the bottom piece of plastic. I used Teflon toilet seat cover bolts and nuts to mount the base to the foam sandwich and strap. I strap the FF to one pontoon on my tube. At the bottom of the strap I have a PVC "T" 1" I think. The strap goes through the T and I feed the transducer wire through the top. So the strap holds the T to the bottom of the tube and the transducer hangs firmly and level from the T on the bottom of the tube. The excess wire I just wrap neatly and stick in a pocket on the tube. Transducer is level, below water line and unobstructed. I get great images. The whole set up will float and nothing to corrode. I'll post a picture when I have a chance.

I think the kids today use PVC. but I used a metal (L) bracket and set the unit on top of the L and on the bottom the transducer was attached. You can do something similar with PVC and possibly run the wires inside the pipes. My (L) bracket has a rubber coating to protect the float tube. the battery pack is kept dry inside one of the pouches on the float tube. Im sure you will get plenty of good ideas on this site. Photos and ideas courtesy of [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] and Blog.
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RetsofNV wrote:

waxon67 wrote:

zebramidge0 wrote:I guess I ran out of space. One other nice thing about the Scadden--you sit high, and I used it without waders, and didn't get my butt wet. Looking forward to putting it on a river
Thanks for input on fishfinders--I really don't want to mess with 12v battery, recharging, etc, so I am looking a dry cell battery operation. I welcome all suggestions. Thanks again for all the input.

This is what I use.

Wow, I thought I was doing good running mine off a 4lb glass mat ATV battery. 8AAs in that set up would hardly be noticeable in the pocket of my tube. I may be headed back to the drawing board.

I went to Radio Shack yesterday and picked up the parts I needed to run my Garmin Echo 200 on 8AA batteries. I spent a little time working on my rig tonight. Easy as pie to set it up and it works great. The connectors come in a 4pack and I bought two of the battery holders. With a 16 pack of Energizers, I now have two small 12v battery packs that I can swap out. The weight and space savings over my ATV battery is the best part.

I also spent some time refining the PVC frame that I made for my Trout Traps Triad tube. With the frame I can cary three rods, a net, fish finder, and video camera. I'll be ready for a test run later this week. I just wish the heat would give me a break out here (Vegas). It's the hottest week of the summer with no sign of letting up.

I'm planning to be down at Willow Beach for a test run on Friday afternoon. I'll post some photos of my set up this week.

RetsofNV wrote:

RetsofNV wrote:

waxon67 wrote:

zebramidge0 wrote:I guess I ran out of space. One other nice thing about the Scadden--you sit high, and I used it without waders, and didn't get my butt wet. Looking forward to putting it on a river
Thanks for input on fishfinders--I really don't want to mess with 12v battery, recharging, etc, so I am looking a dry cell battery operation. I welcome all suggestions. Thanks again for all the input.

This is what I use.

Wow, I thought I was doing good running mine off a 4lb glass mat ATV battery. 8AAs in that set up would hardly be noticeable in the pocket of my tube. I may be headed back to the drawing board.

I went to Radio Shack yesterday and picked up the parts I needed to run my Garmin Echo 200 on 8AA batteries. I spent a little time working on my rig tonight. Easy as pie to set it up and it works great. The connectors come in a 4pack and I bought two of the battery holders. With a 16 pack of Energizers, I now have two small 12v battery packs that I can swap out. The weight and space savings over my ATV battery is the best part.

I also spent some time refining the PVC frame that I made for my Trout Traps Triad tube. With the frame I can cary three rods, a net, fish finder, and video camera. I'll be ready for a test run later this week. I just wish the heat would give me a break out here (Vegas). It's the hottest week of the summer with no sign of letting up.

I'm planning to be down at Willow Beach for a test run on Friday afternoon. I'll post some photos of my set up this week.

That's great man glad its all coming together! I'm hoping to see my brother in Las Vegas next month. Maybe we can put in a session?

You bet! Just let me know when you are available to fish and we can make a plan. Lake Mead is 30 miles away and Willow Beach is 50. I've been fishing at Willow Beach lately because the cold water is the only thing that makes fishing in triple digit heat bearable, but as soon as the temps start dropping, I'll start fishing Mead.

Great post.

I'm still in the process of rigging my new tube and this post will be very helpful once I get to the mounting stages after getting a FF.

However would you guys suggest getting a lowrance mark 5x (not the pro) for $100 now or just hold off until I can put some extra $$ aside and get a nicer color unit like Capt Kirks? I know ZERO about FF and not sure if a nice unit is really worth the extra cash or not for a float tube.

Hmmm, great stuff guys,
so here's what I 've learned over the years,....
1) Depending on wether you need your meter to actually locate fish (expensive meter) or just keep you in contact with bottom structure ( cheaper meter) Will help you determine which and how much you can, or need to spend. Some cool features that I like are a nice wide cone angle, (shallow water) nice bright backlight, (for night work) High contrast screen (day work), and the most pixs per square inch you can afford. Just like any other electronic device, the more features you have the cooler and more expensive it is.

2) Batteries...... After farting around with batteries for years the best ones I have found are the small 12v marine accessories batteries from Cabelas Marine or Batteries Plus. They are incredibly small, light , rechargeable, completely waterproof, and cheap! Mine will run my meter for months on one charge. The one I have now is 3"wide x 4"long x 2 1/5" tall.

3) Mounting... Heres the fun part (really). I have seen a million ideas and really cool rigs for mounting, but some of the best always had the transducer mounted behind you so the transducer was the leading portion of your boat over the bottom, and kept it completely out of the way. One of the best was the dagger board set up that worked as a transducer mount and drift steerage device simultaneously. THE best and simplest way I have used to mount the monitor is to get adhesive backed,waterproof ,industrial strength, 2 or 3" velcro ( refer Granger or McMaster Carr ) and put strips on the bottom of the monitor and on either side of your boat so you could move the monitor anywhere you needed it or out of the way.

4) just a couple of tips :
Try to mount your transducer as shallow as you can and still get a clear reading, and deep enough so it will not cavitate while under way.
Keep wires mounted tight to prevent snagging.
Tape all connections with waterproof tape
Be sure and keep the battery close at hand and the terminals clear of any possibility of shorting!!!!
( Actually had a friend of mine suffer a fire in his tube when his a lure contacted the battery terms. Not pretty!! )

bodfish

PS All the rigs I have been involved with were specific to the particular bag and the rigging is different for U boats than for round boats. PM me about your particular boat and I will help if I can.

12 volt sealed rechargeable batteries work well for fish finders. The small 4 to 5 amp hour batteries are small and provide power for an entire weekend if necessary. See this link to an Ebay seller. This is a perfect battery for the tube. I use a 7 amp hour battery that is about twice the size. I store it in a dry bag behind the seat.
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Best fish finder I found was my rod n reel!!!!

yep i let me lure tell me where the fish r