transducer question

[dwightschroot]

It's been a while since I have been with bft, but it's nice to be back. I used to be known as "el guapo." Due to e-mail changes, forgetting passwords, blah, blah, blah.... I needed to start fresh.
I do have a question for the experts. I just picked up a new fishfinder (nothing fancy-$40 Cabelas special) and am looking for the best way to mount the transducer. I have seen some guys create an "X" to go across the hole, but I never really paid attention to the piece going down into the water. What do you all use, and how did you set your rig up?
By way of reports, I went up to the Rock last week, and again on New Years. The fish are definitely schooling and you have to either move to find them, or be really patient and wait for them to come to you. On New Years, the fish were really picky. I didn't see many people catching fish. I was lucky and found a school and grabbed several from it. Other than that it was really slow. I had a good time talking to a couple of guys up there and was sold on the idea of getting a fish finder for the ice. My brothers and I have one on the boat, but I don't want to take the transducer on and off. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

Dwight Schroot a.k.a el guapo
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[FishN2Dmax]

Welcome back.

As far as a transducer mount for the ice, I used 3/4" PVC pipe to build a ice hole transducer mount. Using standard PVC water sprinkler pipe and fittings, I configured an "H" shape of approx 12" high and the top and bottom legs of the "H" are also 12". The "H" shape is placed over the ice hole. In the dead center of the "H", I placed a tee coupler with threads in the center hole. Using a straight 2' piece of PVC pipe with a 3/4" thread on one end, I screw this into the center of the "H". On the other end of the 2' pipe, I mounted the transducer. What is nice about this configuration is it is cheap, small, compact and light weight. Once I get the ice hole drilled, I simply screw in the transducer/ pipe to the "H" and drop the transducer down into the hole. As far as a cheap finder mount, I used the small $9.99 cabela's zippered bag and a gel cell 12V battery. I placed the charged battery and finder into the bag for transport. On the Ice, I placed the finder on top of the bag ( connected to battery inside the bag) and hooked up the transducer - I did this for years with great success. Today I use a pricey Lowrance portable pack that comes with a battery pack, transducer and portable finder mount designed specifically for my lowrance finder.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]If you have the "skimmer" transducer, here are some pics.[/#0000ff]





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[CROSSINEYES]

I JUST CAME UP WITH A NEET ONE. IM LOOKING AT MARKETING IT. EVERONE WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANSDUCER WILL LOVE IT. CHUCK SAW THE PROTO TYPE LAST WEEK AND INSTANTLEY SAW THE ADVANTAGES OVER PVC.
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[macscabin]

Hey thanks TD. Those pics are just what I have been looking for. I am headed to Home Depot right now. Been trying to figure that out for a while now.
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[dwightschroot]

Thanks for the advice and pics. I just got back from that orange store for do-it-yourselfers. Just waiting for the kids to hit the hay so I can work without the extra help. They don't know it yet, but their dad can screw up a project all by himself.

-d.s.
"In persuit of a fishing Dundie"
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