The use of the fishfinder makes the fishing easy for most of the anglers. Therefore, if you own a fishfinder and want to learn mounting fishfinder on kayak, then you have reached the right place.
The fish finders can be used for many occasions like bay fishing, ice fishing, shore, fishing, bridge fishing, reef fishing, kayak fishing, and for diving etc. sometimes, many of the anglers and fishermen does not like to use the fishfinder technology. They think these gadgets are hard to use, but the truth is actually the opposite.
Both the traditional and side imaging fish finders are relatively simple and their basic principles are easy to understand for a common fisherman.
The main thing to consider is that without proper installation, you might not be able to see the clear images from your fish finding device. Hence, you can take the help of the professionals to get it to work correctly.
Now without wasting another moment, let’s dive into the study and learn how to install a fish finder on a kayak. This is a step-by-step guide to make it easy for you to understand the whole process and improve your fishing experience for the better.
Mounting Fishfinder on Kayak – How to Do That?
After purchasing the best fish finder on the market, the biggest problem you will face as of how to use a fishfinder on a kayak. In this guide, I will give you an in-depth and step-by-step process and tips to install and use fishfinder on kayak.
Ultimately, you will get the best performance after installing your fishfinder properly and make sure the success as a professional or a hobbyist. I can bet your fishing experience will thoroughly change and ultimately the number of catfish will also increase in the end.
Here we go through the step-by-step guide to mounting a fishfinder on your kayak:
1. Mounting the Display (Binnacle)
In the first phase, you need to install the display or binnacle on the fish finder. The display is used to see the readings. It is the pattern that the transducer receives. The display of the fish finders needs a proper set up to work in a reliable collaboration with the transducer.
In order to install the display on the fish finder, you all need some of the basic and compulsory tools and equipment that comes in the packaging. It will cover some screws, a drill and some others.
Further, you need a clean, sturdy and even area on the kayak to mount the display properly. Then, you need to place it on the area, mark the holes for drilling and finally stitch the display on the board.
2. Mounting the Transducer
There are seemingly endless variations with these useful tools. In fact, this is the main problem you can face while installing the transducer.
Furthermore, you will also have to choose the right type of transducer. Some of the anglers want the holes to be drilled, but others need a specific kind of stuff in order to be utilized.
There are three most popular transducers you will come across. The most common type is the transom mount transducer. This particular transducer comes with most of the fish finder tools. This is simple and easy to use. Under the following headings, we will discuss in detail all of the three types of the transducers.
The transducers need the least amount of work and make the process of installing fishfinder on kayak easy.
a) Transom Mount
The plastic-made transom transducers are high in popularity and cheaper to manufacture. Although transom transducers are little low in quality, they are very versatile and providing all-around performance for every use.
The transom transducers are fit for every situation, but generally, you are not advised to use them in water vessels with 30 feet level. Further, they can move between 3-degree and 16-degree and you need to adjust it slightly inward.
While mounting fishfinder on kayak, you must not use the transom on the high-speed vehicles. This will demolish the quality in construction due to the long drag.
Next, you also need to attach the transom mount to the transom. Although this is a crucial part but fairly easy.
b) In-hull Mount
These are the easiest type of transducers to install and use. In-hull transducers do not need the holes to be drilled. Furthermore, the in-hull transducers are very specific and it requires the hull to be material that sonar waves will further penetrate.
In-hull transducers are also known as the shoot-through transducers because they shoot sonar waves through the hull. They create 0% extra drag as they are not placed on the bottom of the water vessel.
Although in-hull transducers are really easy to install but they are not as powerful as through transducers. Just see that either your fishfinder is working properly with this transducer or not. If it is good, you can move with this type of transducer.
c) Through-Hull Mount
Through-hull transducers are far better to give accurate and precise results at high speeds. You will see that while installing a fishfinder on a kayak, the through-hull transducers are sturdier and reliable throughout their life span.
In addition, these transducers are available with long range. They are the strongest kind of transducers with a bit high price value. Before installing it, you can check it to see either it is working properly or not.
The best place to install through-hull transducers is close to the centerline of the kayak. You need to keep all the protrusions at least 1 foot away from the through-hull transducer.
Finally, you have finished with the installation process of the transducers, now we also need to check out the positives and negatives of various transducers in the actual practice.
The transducer must be close to the center line of the boat but not too close that it is getting regular interference from cavitation.
Further, your experience with both the in-hull and through-hull will be much amazing, if you follow the instruction mentioned in the guide attached in the packaging. Some are cheap while others are a little expensive but with quality work and satisfaction.
3. Testing the Installation and Fixing Issues
Now is the time to test your transducer after installing it on a kayak. If it produces constant noise, you can find it on your display. Other errors may also occur in the starting phase.
After going through the whole process as of how to install fishfinder on kayak, if you still face any problem, you can resolve it yourself. Keep it in mind that most of the transducers are hard to replace if you have to do it on a regular basis.
The installing process may be somewhat hard initially, but if you have proper resources, you can complete it in an hour.
Conclusion
Hence, you can see that the process of mounting fishfinder on kayak can be complicated for the beginners. But after some practice you will find it comfortable and simple.
To install the fishfinder on the boat will be a worthy decision and this will also benefit you a lot. Just go through to make a great choice of the transducer and implement it on the board to produce the unmatched results. Take the help of the professionals if you find it necessary.
I hope you found this guide on how to install fishfinder on kayak helpful and will be motivated to go for this gadget for your boat.