Black Friday itch to purchase a second/bow Fish Finder!!

Tin Man · Nov 28, 2024

Got that Black Friday itch to purchase a second fishfinder!!!!

My boat is not set up for bass fishing, per se, as I primarily fish for (troll/flycore) Stripers in local SoCal reservoirs and CO river.
I mainly troll A rigs and flycore and occasionally throw swimbaits, spoons, etc. I fish primarily at rear of boat.

I do have a new Terrova 24V with iPilot (not a quest model). There may be some benefits to having a bird connected to it.

I currently have a Lowrance HDS Live 9 at console with 3 in 1 AI transducer mounted at transom.

I've been considering adding a FF at bow for the time I do fish for Bass and panfish.

BPS has a Black Friday sale on two FFs I am considering, the....Humminbird HELIX 12 CHIRP GPS G4N Fish Finder/Chartplotter
and the Lowrance HDS PRO 10 with HD 3 in 1 transducer

My thoughts are to put the larger screen at console, since its my primary fishing area...wether it's the new Lowrance HDS PRO 10" or the Bird 12"

12"
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/humm...r-chartplotter

10"
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/lowr...soc=Wired2Fish

Thanks and thoughts?

Ray Clark · Nov 28, 2024

I'd like to put one at the bow on my boat, too, though I'm thinking a lot less sophistication (and $$) than the H-bird Helix 7 G3N I have on the back. Maybe something along the lines of a Garmin Stryker 4 that I can hook to the US2 transducer on my Minn Kota Powerdrive. I'm only looking for 2D Sonar. All the other yadda yadda is available with my Helix 7.

The main thing would be to have a bright 2D display for when I'm fishing the forward position.

FuzzyGrub · Nov 28, 2024

If your Terrova has an internal transducer, probably will only work with the HB. It may be able to network to it, as well. Otherwise, both will require mounting to the bottom of the trolling motor, which can be a pain managing the cables.

If the new Lowrance is compatable with the existing transducer, that might provide some value being able to swap back and forth. But, with only 1" difference in sie, maybe not.

If everything else is equal, the larger screen would win out. At the console, usually running with a GPS splitscreen.

We have a bow mount hook-up for an old HB. It uses the 2D sonar in the trolling motor. For our shallow water fishing, don't bother to plug in, most of the time. When we do, it is just on the 2D screen with "large" digits enabled. ie it is just used for depth. Deeper water verticle jigging, it is nice to have.

Bow mount is usually further away from your eyes, so details might not be clearly seen. Also, don't want to mess with it that much, bending over to adjust.

Might also consider a 2nd station for it at the console. You can run it full gps screen and use the larger for 2D, SS, or DS. ie get more use out of it vs just pan and bass fishing. Depends if you have the room at the console.

MrGiggles · Nov 28, 2024

I'd say get the 10" Garmin/Livescope bundle.

Tin Man · Nov 29, 2024

I decided to go with the tried and proven Lowrance HDS PRO 10. I figure with my limited knowledge about these new FFs, I better stick to learning one brand!

My TM does not have a transducer built in, so I'll have to mount it to bottom of TM. I'll see how that goes.

I'm going to move my 9" to bow and install new 10" at console.
BTW....my local reservoir is between 150'-250'. I do fish shallower reservoirs, but this one is closest to home.

MrGiggles · Nov 30, 2024

I have a Livescope transducer on the bottom of my Terrova. For the most part, it works pretty well.

I have the cable zip tied tightly to the very top of the motor housing, where the shaft meets it, and at the top around the depth collar, with a loose coiled section between encased in a rod sock. I also have a loose ziptie around the motor base plate, which keeps the cable from getting caught or wrapped in something, but still allows it to slide up and down with the shaft.

You have to keep an eye on it when using spot lock as mine tends to wrap the cables up occasionally.