Thread: fish finders on float tubes

Hi Guys

Is it really worth putting a fish finder on a float tube. Some people say it is only efective if you are going a certain speed. As well if it is worth while can someone tell me where i can get a fish finder that will suitably work for a float tube. I have seen the sea khayak fishermen mostly use Eagle Cuda 168 fish finders,are they any good and how do you mount your transponder under the tube.

Hey carp king
I have a fishfinder on my tube.i am using a garmin 400c and have had no problems with it yet.i use it mainly to find structure not just fish.my transducer is on the left hand side of my tube which is fastened onto a frame which i built out of 50mm pvc tube.
Hope this can help you a bit.

Carp King,

One of our honourary members here, Robdog, has a Lowrance HDS5 on his float tube. (StructureScan Ready!)

For the less bold I suggest a FishEasy 245DS for R1700.

If this unit is suitable, send me a PM or visit Welcome to FishTec

Hi Carp King,
To see what's underneath you, yes it helps - a lot! Sometimes the water is so murky you think it's deep, then you put your finder on and find you're in less than 1m of water (doh!).

I used to think the finder was used to find fish - might sound like the unit actually helps you locate the fish. But you need to catch it!

I found that the finder helps find structure under water, holes, crevaces, and sometimes even shows fish! lol ...... Then it is up to you to use your knowledge and throw the correct lure in the area.

Nice thing about it is that it is portable. I can put it on my tube or my Mariner 4. Or my boat.....

If you are on a tube with a foam seat there is a very easy way to mount your transducer. Simply cut out a bit of foam the same size as the transducer, slide in the transducer and slide the foam back in.

Some may ask if it works through the canvas. As long as there is no air it works fine and believe me the bottom of your chair is always underwater. This method saves you from having things hang overboard creating drag and most importantly nothing gets caught up in the grass. Search the forums for "pimping your tube" I posted photos on how I mounted mine.

Hi Guys thanks for all the advice. Pomerob and madporra please could you advise me which finders work best on tubes and are portable enough to move between my tube and soon to be Mariner 4

Originally Posted by Fishton

Carp King,

One of our honourary members here, Robdog, has a Lowrance HDS5 on his float tube. (StructureScan Ready!)

For the less bold I suggest a FishEasy 245DS for R1700.

If this unit is suitable, send me a PM or visit Welcome to FishTec

carp king, the 245DS should be your starting point.

Originally Posted by pomerob

carp king, the 245DS should be your starting point.

Hey Carp King, I am not too clued up on finders, so would take pomerob / Fishton's advice.

One FishEasy 245DS left.

OK- so a 245DS costs R1700 to kit you out, right? How much would a Lowrance HDS5X cost (fully kitted) for a float tube with approximate costs?