Posts: 116
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2009
Reputation:
0
I'm just getting started with float tubeing, and just put a Classic Accessories Cumberland Float Tube on hold in tell I deside what to get.[url "http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat360010&id=0065164321020a&navCount=31&podId=0065164&parentId=cat360010&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233"] [/url]
I want to put a fish finder on it to help with locating fish, and depth/cover. I've read alot on this site along with many others trying to figure out what would be best.
I've narrowed it down to a couple of diffrent finders I'm trying to stay close to $100 for the unit. I don't really need anything fancey.
First is the Eagle Cuda 300.
[url "http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat602011&id=0065672020559a&navCount=35&podId=0065672&parentId=cat602011&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat602011&hasJS=true"]http://www.cabelas.com/...02011&hasJS=true[/url]
Second is the Humminbird PiranhaMax 160.
[url "http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat602011&id=0065673020148a&navCount=39&podId=0065673&parentId=cat602011&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat602011&hasJS=true"]http://www.cabelas.com/...02011&hasJS=true[/url]
I'm also planning on using it for ice fishing. I might get either one of these in the portable package.
Humminbird
[url "http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=product&cmCat=Related_IPL_020148&id=0065673020149a"]http://www.cabelas.com/...mp;id=0065673020149a[/url]
Cuda
[url "http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat601356_TGP&id=0065845020646a&navCount=47&podId=0065845&parentId=cat601356&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601356&hasJS=true"]http://www.cabelas.com/...01356&hasJS=true[/url]
[signature]
Posts: 175
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2008
Reputation:
0
I just got the Eagle 300. I have had it out once on a lake I guess I'm not allowed to go back to. It worked okay for showing the bottom and depth, but I had it on fish ID and it showed a ton of fish. I know there is no way there were that many fish there. I took it off fish ID and it went all screwey. so I think I have my transponder mounted wrong or something. Overall it worked well. I just have some tweeking to do with it. I also had it down to the Eagle 300 and the Humminbird. I looked at the 2 side by side and the screen resolution on the eagle was just so much better. Much clearer.
Jason
[signature]
Posts: 1,794
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2009
Reputation:
0
on a lake I guess I'm not allowed to go back to.
thats funny. why you not allowed at the lake anymore?
Just asking.
[signature]
Posts: 116
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2009
Reputation:
0
[quote rw02kr43] I also had it down to the Eagle 300 and the Humminbird. I looked at the 2 side by side and the screen resolution on the eagle was just so much better. Much clearer.
Jason[/quote]
I was thinking the same thing. I thought the Cuda 300 was alot clearer. I looked at it at Cabelas last night it was on demo mode so I didn't get a good feel for it i guess.
[signature]
Posts: 175
Threads: 0
Joined: Feb 2008
Reputation:
0
I can go fish there again, but not on my tube. I was out there for about 15 min last week testing my tube and fish finder and got a pretty good talking to about my tube. So, I can't go back out there again. I've been out there for a few years now and no one ever said a word. But now I guess they do. Oh well.
I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong when I try to get it to display by fish arch. It just goes all screwy and won't show anything at all. If there were as many fish down there as it said there were on fish ID then I would have been kicking them with my flippers
Jason
[signature]
Posts: 166
Threads: 0
Joined: Mar 2009
Reputation:
0
[quote rw02kr43]I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong when I try to get it to display by fish arch.[/quote]
I have a similar problem with my Fishin' Buddy 120. If I take it off Fish ID, I can barely make out anything at all. I do think the Fish ID is reasonably accurate, but I just wanna see some freakin' arches!
[signature]
Posts: 67
Threads: 0
Joined: Apr 2009
Reputation:
0
[quote rw02kr43]I just got the Eagle 300. I have had it out once on a lake I guess I'm not allowed to go back to. It worked okay for showing the bottom and depth, but I had it on fish ID and it showed a ton of fish. [#ff0000]I know there is no way there were that many fish there.[/#ff0000] I took it off fish ID and it went all screwey. so I think I have my transponder mounted wrong or something. Overall it worked well. I just have some tweeking to do with it. I also had it down to the Eagle 300 and the Humminbird. I looked at the 2 side by side and the screen resolution on the eagle was just so much better. Much clearer.
Jason[/quote]
Baitfish!
[signature]
Posts: 36,144
Threads: 273
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
62
[cool][#0000ff]I just bought a Cuda 300, but have not installed it yet. However, I have used the Cuda line almost exclusively for many years. They are all you need for float tubing.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]First, you will never see the arches on fish display. That only happens when you go over a fish with some speed...like in a boat. It measures the volume of a fish air bladder...first smaller and then larger as you pass over...and then smaller again. If you are stationary...in a tube or on the ice...you will only see a flat line...or something else.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That is why I keep my Fish ID on. Boaters give us a rough time about it, but that is the best mode for tubing. Yes, you do get false echos/fishy icons. Especially in shallow water. That is one fault of the low end sonars. But, once you get used to it and can correlate what you see on your screen with what you KNOW is going on below, you will learn to tune out the false signals. Also try adjusting the sensitivity on your menu.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I will be installing mine and giving it a good test this next week. I will shoot pics and post a report.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
Posts: 116
Threads: 0
Joined: Jan 2009
Reputation:
0
I ended up getting the Cuda 300 yesterday. I'm excited to get it rigged up, and giveing it a try. Never had a fish finder before.
[signature]
Posts: 36,144
Threads: 273
Joined: Sep 2002
Reputation:
62
[cool][#0000ff]Once you get your sonar hooked up and take it on the water it will be like suddenly being able to see after fishing blind until now. When you go back to your favorite spots, and compare what you see on your screen with what you imagined it to be down there, it will be amazing.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Good fishermen can catch fish without sonar, but sonar will help "average" anglers to become much better. Especially when you learn how to translate what you are seeing and to change your locations, lures and presentations accordingly.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have had a couple of occasions where I had to fish without sonar, but on waters I thought I knew pretty well. I was still able to catch fish but I really felt handicapped and kept looking at my blank screen...or where the screen should have been. Kind of like the absent minded professor who forgot to put on his watch before leaving home, and he kept looking at his empty wrist to see if he had time to go home to get his watch.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You are gonna love it.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
Posts: 4
Threads: 0
Joined: May 2009
Reputation:
0
have any of you guys used (or heard of) the fish finder from harbor freight. it's only 50 bucks and i really would just like to know bottom depth/contour. any idea if this one would work? thanks a lot.
-mike
[signature]
]