04-02-2017, 10:32 PM
[#0000FF]I have not researched it but there are a couple of sonar systems available that operate on your smart phone. Not sure about what is used as a transducer. I have seen some comments on them but the general consensus is that they provide only minimal detail.
Most sonars that have good "grayscale" will show you the bottom contours...and composition. That is generally sufficient for me. There are times I would like to be able to count the spots and fin rays on the fish but that is non-essential if you know the basics. Still, a matter of personal wants, needs or preference...and the budget to back it up.
I understand the tradeoff between floatation and flexibility...in areas with a lot of fishing venues. I used to pack into the Sierras in California. There were some treks where I targeted one or two larger lakes. Others where I moved quickly between several smaller lakes in one or two basins. In those (olden) days my float tubes were of the truck tire inner tube persuasion. Bulky and heavy...especially after adding the waders and fins. So I reserved going afloat for short day trips where I could pack the inflated tube on my back and carry the other gear wrapped and stowed inside.
I cannot remember many high lakes on which I would have likely done much better in a tube than fishing from shore. Some, but not many. I usually did best at the inlets or outlets...or sometimes around narrow points or points extending into the lake. And, as you pointed out, it was usually easy to see the fish and observe what they were doing.
Here are a couple of pics from the past...distant past. Been a long time since I have been able to run around in them thar hills. One is a few golden trout kept for dinner. The other is a rogue brown that was hanging out in a tiny lake full of brookies. Kept him for the taxidermist. Pretty fish.
[inline "PAT - GOLDENS.jpg"]
[inline "PAT - SIERRA LAKES.jpg"]
[/#0000FF]
[signature]
Most sonars that have good "grayscale" will show you the bottom contours...and composition. That is generally sufficient for me. There are times I would like to be able to count the spots and fin rays on the fish but that is non-essential if you know the basics. Still, a matter of personal wants, needs or preference...and the budget to back it up.
I understand the tradeoff between floatation and flexibility...in areas with a lot of fishing venues. I used to pack into the Sierras in California. There were some treks where I targeted one or two larger lakes. Others where I moved quickly between several smaller lakes in one or two basins. In those (olden) days my float tubes were of the truck tire inner tube persuasion. Bulky and heavy...especially after adding the waders and fins. So I reserved going afloat for short day trips where I could pack the inflated tube on my back and carry the other gear wrapped and stowed inside.
I cannot remember many high lakes on which I would have likely done much better in a tube than fishing from shore. Some, but not many. I usually did best at the inlets or outlets...or sometimes around narrow points or points extending into the lake. And, as you pointed out, it was usually easy to see the fish and observe what they were doing.
Here are a couple of pics from the past...distant past. Been a long time since I have been able to run around in them thar hills. One is a few golden trout kept for dinner. The other is a rogue brown that was hanging out in a tiny lake full of brookies. Kept him for the taxidermist. Pretty fish.
[inline "PAT - GOLDENS.jpg"]
[inline "PAT - SIERRA LAKES.jpg"]
[/#0000FF]
[signature]