From the last three trips you went for kayaking, you got total two fish and one torn long boot. While you took it to the beach, you saw your friend. He is holding a bucket of fish and a fish finder on his kayak. The puzzle is solved. Next step before kayaking, you will need to buy a portable fish finder and power it on your kayak. Here’s how to go about it.
Prerequisites for a kayak trip
A kayak trip is an organized and well-planned trip. You have to make a check list for your personal gear, for your safety and of course for your storage tank. After all the preparation you can enjoy kayaking by having following activities.
What you can enjoy during kayaking
You can enjoy lots of fun activities on a kayak besides kayaking itself. You can paddle around and enjoy diving, racing in it and of course fishing. You may make fishing experience more memorable by using the portable fish finder.
What is a fish finder?
It is a simple device. As its name suggests it is used for finding fish under waters. Whether you are a professional fisherman a or otherwise, you may use it for as kayak fishing (Driftsun Kayak) etc.
Prerequisite for installing a fish finder
- Mounting points
Before you start installing a fish finder you have to look for the mounting points. Most of the latest kayaks have in built mounts in them. Some of kayaks do not have it so you have to make arrangements for it. Look for a flat surface for this.
- Tools and supplies required
You need to collect the following items. They are a depth finder, mounts and their adapters, a holding plate for them, electric tape for holding the wires in place, steel screws and silicone for fixing, a battery supply unit, wire caps, heat gun, power drill for making holes for mounts etc. Some tools such as screwdriver, socket wrench, wire stripper, different types and sizes of bits. Use stainless steel screws, nuts and bolts to avoid rusting from waters.
- Are you fishing in deep or shallow waters?
They work best in waters that are 8 meters or deeper. So, don’t bother to spend extra bucks if you are planning to kayak in shallow waters. However, they become handy in deep waters.
- Selecting a sight for your fish finder
You have to keep in mind a few things before you finally power your finder. You would have to keep in mind the sudden swish movements you have to make to get the fish, sun glare is another problem.
Both the finder and paddling shouldn’t cross each other. So, keeping all these in mind, it is advisable that you use moveable tracks for installing them. Its preferable to use temporary fittings so you can remove them when in shallow waters or when you don’t want them. This helps in shifting them to your friends kayak too or getting one from him too.
- Power supply for the finders
Though most of the finders use very little supplies. Mostly they require 4 mill amperes only. So, depending upon your trip length, you will require 8-12 amperes supply. Lithium and lead acids batteries are two main options. Lithium though expensive but are worth it as they last longer, give better charging consistency and above all are light in weight.
- Finders with advanced GPS features
You can get them for better results and navigation assistance.
How to power the fish finder
- Select a site for mounts
Some kayaks have built in mounts usually on the storage tanks. Some have mobile tracks for mounting them. In case you have an old one, don’t worry just get hold of a flat surface.
- Locate your transducer scupper
Transducers are responsible for locating the fish and beeping them on the fish finder screens. So, they are the link between fish in waters and your fish finder screens. Better is their location in waters, better chances of a good catch.
Most of the modern kayaks have fixed in built scupper for holding the transducers. So, they are genuinely fixed under waters for desired results. However, some old versions of kayaks may not have them and you need to fix a position for them.
- Installing the transducer
Before installing it, you have to remove all the seats and storage supplies from the kayak surface. Now turn it upside down. Clean and dry the area rigorously. After cleaning, you have to apply the adhesive.
These adhesives can be silicone based. When you put your transducer base on the silicone layer, make sure that there are no air bubbles. As they can affect the adhesive quality of the transducer. Put some weight on it. This weight helps in gripping the adhesive better. You can let it dry for about 24 hours.
- Installing the fish finder monitor
You have to fix the rods on the mount for support and holding it upright. You have to drill holes and pass wires through them. They would be connecting to the transducer. You can do it permanently or for temporary period as per your requirements. The wiring should be secured at all points. Finally, you can install the monitor on the base mount.
- Installing the power supply
Once done with all the above steps, now you are left with connecting a power supply for your device. Choose a site where it is protected from salt water as it can rust away the terminals and leave them good for nothing.
Connect the fish finder with the battery. All wire joints should be soldered and protected.
- Checking the connection
After all arrangements check your connections by turning on the device. Once it starts working you are ready to go baiting.
Pros
The best pro is your big catch and bucket full of fish.
Cons
It has few drawbacks. These are not serious enough to halt you from using them. They are a bit expensive than the amount of time they are used. But some people weigh its dollars with the weight of fish caught. So, they find it worth buying. They need charging. So, a longer trip may require some precautions with battery charging.
Conclusion: Fish kayaking with a fish finder on it is best for fishing in deep waters. Though it is costly but it can serve your purpose and make your trip fruitful.
Installations require some technical basics but not as much to require a skilled labour. Do it yourself and enjoy.
