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Comprehensive Guide to Kayak Fishing Depth Finder Mounts

What are the Pros and Cons of Mounting a Fish Finder on a Kayak?

Pros:
– Improved Fishing Efficiency: A fish finder significantly enhances your ability to locate fish, understand bottom structures, and navigate through waters more effectively. This can lead to a higher catch rate and a more enjoyable fishing experience.
– Detailed Information: Fish finders provide real-time data on depth, water temperature, and the presence of fish, allowing for more informed fishing decisions.
– Versatility: Modern fish finders often come with GPS capabilities, enabling you to mark favorite spots and navigate more easily.

Cons:
– Interference with Paddling or Stability: The installation of a fish finder and its components can sometimes interfere with paddling or the stability of the kayak, especially if not mounted correctly. For instance, a transducer mounted too far back can create turbulence that affects paddling.
– Space Constraints: Kayaks have limited deck space, which can make it challenging to find an optimal mounting position for the display and transducer without obstructing the paddler’s movement.
– Additional Weight and Complexity: Adding a fish finder increases the overall weight and complexity of the kayak, which may require additional adjustments to maintain balance and stability.

What are the Factors to Consider when Choosing the Right Side to Mount Your Fish Finder?

  • Kayak Design: Modern fishing kayaks often come with preinstalled gear tracks and flat areas designed for mounting electronics. These areas are typically located near the cockpit to ensure easy access.
  • Personal Preferences: Paddlers may prefer the display to be mounted in the center of the kayak, forward of the cockpit, to keep it out of the way but still within easy reach. Pedal kayakers often mount displays closer to the seat on gear tracks along the gunwales.
  • Accessibility: The mounting position should allow for easy access to the display without obstructing paddling or fishing actions. Adjustable arms on gear track bases are popular for this reason, as they enable quick removal and adjustment of the display.

What are the DIY Options for Mounting a Transducer on a Kayak?

Scupper Mounted Transducer:
  1. Materials Needed:
  2. Transducer
  3. Scupper mount kit (specific to your kayak model)
  4. Silicone sealant
  5. Cable ties or wire management clips
  6. Instructions:
  7. Identify a scupper hole that is ahead of the cockpit and not affected by paddle or pedal turbulence.
  8. Insert the transducer into the scupper mount, ensuring it is flush with the bottom of the kayak.
  9. Secure the transducer with the provided hardware and apply silicone sealant around the edges to prevent water ingress.
  10. Route the cable to the display unit, securing it with cable ties or wire management clips.
Arm Mounted Transducer:
  1. Materials Needed:
  2. Transducer
  3. Adjustable arm mount
  4. Gear track base
  5. Stainless steel bolts and lock nuts
  6. Silicone sealant
  7. Instructions:
  8. Attach the gear track base to the kayak’s gunwale using stainless steel bolts and lock nuts. Apply silicone sealant around the bolt holes.
  9. Mount the adjustable arm to the gear track base.
  10. Attach the transducer to the end of the adjustable arm, ensuring it hangs over the side of the kayak and is flush with the bottom.
  11. Adjust the arm to minimize turbulence and ensure clear sonar signals.
In-Hull Transducer:
  1. Materials Needed:
  2. Transducer
  3. Foam dam material
  4. Silicone sealant
  5. Drill and drill bits
  6. Instructions:
  7. Carve a foam dam to fit inside the kayak hull where you want to mount the transducer.
  8. Apply a generous amount of silicone sealant to the foam dam and attach the transducer.
  9. Insert the foam dam into the kayak hull, ensuring the transducer is in contact with the hull material.
  10. Allow the silicone to set before using the fish finder. Note: This method is less common and may not work well with side-scan transducers.

Estimated Costs:
– Scupper Mount Kit: $20-$50
– Adjustable Arm Mount: $30-$70
– In-Hull Transducer Kit: $40-$100 (including foam dam material and silicone sealant)

Reference:

  1. Guide To Kayak Fish Finders And Sonars – Kayak Angler Magazine
  2. Rigging Guide: Mounts & Gear Tracks For Fishing Kayaks – Kayak Angler Magazine
  3. Kayak Fish Finder Installation Guide – Kayak Fishing Blog.

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