Humminbird Smartcast

[DrownedDesertRat]

Hey, what's the possibility of getting some sort of review or test results on the new Humminbird Smartcast Depth/Fishfinder tested? Supposedly you slip it onto your fishing line and it transmits the readings up to 100 feet to the screen. It's featured with animation on their website, www.humminbird.com.
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[MOBass]

I had a chance to play with a pre production model and it was interesting. You tie the transducer onto your line and cast it out and then retreiv it slowly to see the bottom, structure, and fish. The transducer has a wet switch that activates it in the water. After the battery runs out (400 something hours of use) you buy a new sensor. The sensor is not meant for ice fishing so keep that in mind. If you have two people using these close to each other you need to buy an alternate sensor. If your feeling brave you can tie off a bait below the sensor and use it as a bober. At $20 a piece I wouldn't take the chance of breaking it off if you hook a big fish. Overall I would say it worked pretty darn good! If you fish the bank this thing could be a real help finding points, humps, brush, and fish.
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[DrownedDesertRat]

Sounds good! Without a boat it sounds like something I could definitely consider using. Would you suggest one line with just the transducer on it and another line for the actual fishing action?
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[MOBass]

I would pick up a less expensive combo to use just for the transducer and a second rod to fish with. If you are fishing bait you can cast out our bait rod and let it sit while you probe different areas with the transducer. You can also cast the transducer out over a brush pile or the end of a point to keep tabs on fish that might be on the structure while you work it with a jig.
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[DrownedDesertRat]

Thanks much MOBass!! I forgot one major question though. What is the cost of the monitor that goes with it?
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[MOBass]

The unit with one sensor runs about $170. You will also have to buy the 8 "AA" batteries to power the screen. The transducer runs about 400 hours and then you have to buy a new on for about $20. The good thing is the transducer only turns on in the water so you should be able to get a lot of fishing time out of it.

Hope this helps!
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[DrownedDesertRat]

[]Thanks for all your information! I'm hoping to see it at the SportShow at the Mpls Convention Center today. If not, hopefully on Sunday. Hmmm, I best balance my checkbook to see how much I can spend.
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