Depth finder help

[Jdkxtreme]

I'm in the market for a simple depth/fish finder. I am clueless to them. My current set up is , 14/36 sears flat bottom Jon boat. Trolling motor in the rear and one up front. Small deck up front. No pedestal seats just yet. But coming.

I really have no idea how they work. Do they only view what's under the boat or what? I typically don't venture far from the ramp since I only have a trolling motor. I guess I just need someone to tell me what I need. I hate to spend a fortune.

Thanks for all the help. And sorry for having to ask such silly question. But I'm great full to have such good info from local people..

[Travis C.]

Basically they work like this:

Depthfinders use a signal is cone shaped getting bigger as it travels further from the boat. That signal goes down then bounces off the bottom and returns images within it to the transducer. The size of the signal depends on your cone angle. A bigger angle will mean more coverage but you lose strength. Most have a dual cone (two cone angles you can choose from or its auto).

Think of a flashlight on and hold it out facing down. The flashlight represents your transducer. The circle of light represents your cone angle coverage. As you walk around holding the light anything that pass in the beam would show up on your screen left to right in addition to showing bottom contour/depth.

[Travis C.]

http://www.basspro.com/Humminbird-PiranhaMAX-150-Fishfinder/product/10200001/

http://www.basspro.com/Lowrance-X4-Fishfinder/product/10210251/

of if interested in color:
http://www.basspro.com/Lowrance-Elite4x-Color-Fishfinder/product/11090805011713/

I'd lean away from Garmin unless they have gotten their act together. Reading the screen and pictures on those used to be a pain in the butt.

If all you want is to see the bottom, depth, temp and whats between for good cost these will work. Of course, you can go as deep as you can reach in the back pocket if you wanted.

[Jdkxtreme]

The links don't work. So is there any advantage for me to get one if I never venture too far from the ramp?

[Travis C.]

The links don't work. So is there any advantage for me to get one if I never venture too far from the ramp?

You don't have to use a sonar to catch fish. Does it help yes but not as much for knowing where the fish are but knowing likely structure to hold the them.

Honestly, if you feel your successful now in what/where you fish then don't waste the money.

[lilmule]

Requires a simple depth finder get any entry level with a transducer that fits on the trolling motor,