need help on bottom machine selection

[capt t]

I run a commercial grouper boat out of the nortern gulf of mexico. recently got a new boat. need suggestions on bottom machine/ transducers. Trying to do this on a budget. never fishing deeper than 300', but need to be able to mark 1 foot ledges and small pot hole in limestone. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[blackwell50]

foruno 202 with a 1KW transducer.You can zoom in in 15 foot range and see tiny ledges and it shows hard bottom very nice as well.

[capt t]

thanks. I cant find anything on a 202. did you mean282? if so That's what I had used before and have been unable to locate one other than on ebay and have been out bid in the last 5 seconds on three of them. And if you did mean 202 let me know where i can locate some info on one.

[Capt.Troy Crane]

I bought the furuno 585 last year and really like it. I only have the 600 watt transducer and I can mark the bottom in well over three hundred feet great.

This is in addition to my Navnet VX2 unit, I wanted a bigger display for the bottom machine with out having to split up the screen so much with the plotter and radar. I can't say enough good things about the unit.

Good luck !

[blackwell50]

thanks. I cant find anything on a 202. did you mean282? if so That's what I had used before and have been unable to locate one other than on ebay and have been out bid in the last 5 seconds on three of them. And if you did mean 202 let me know where i can locate some info on one.

yes i meant 282,sorry bout that.It has been discontinued.

[blackwell50]

http://www.furunousa.com/products/pr...a+Fish+Finders this is what replaced it.

[Free Spirit]

Any Raymarine unit will do the job well with no fumbling or tuning . You could use a 6oo watt transducer but the definition with a 1kw would be better. You can zoom down to 10 feet off the bottom that will allow you to see structures that are only 1 foot exposed. I'l attach a picture of seabass on a ledge. It is 77 feet of water but works just as well in deeper water.

[SeaBiscuit]

I use a Furuno 585 with 1KW transom mount transducer, recently upgraded from a 600 transom mount.
The 585 works great. If your boat is fast, I strongly recommend a transom mount transducer, if more of a slow commercial rig, then through hull is the way to go. Either way you need 1 KW at both the sounder and the ducer.

Good luck!
SeaBiscuit

[Squid]

I use a Furuno 585 with 1KW transom mount transducer, recently upgraded from a 600 transom mount.
The 585 works great. If your boat is fast, I strongly recommend a transom mount transducer, if more of a slow commercial rig, then through hull is the way to go. Either way you need 1 KW at both the sounder and the ducer.

Good luck!
SeaBiscuit

Ditto what SeaBiscuit said! If you're feeling frisky, the FCV295 with a 2kw or 3kw transducer could be in store. Then again your groupers may come up already cooked. The 295 is one heck of a unit and would be unbelievable in deep water with a 2kw or 3kw transducer. There is no substitue for more power!

[LuckyLady]

I run a commercial grouper boat out of the nortern gulf of mexico. recently got a new boat. need suggestions on bottom machine/ transducers. Trying to do this on a budget. never fishing deeper than 300', but need to be able to mark 1 foot ledges and small pot hole in limestone. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

All in the ducer, a 1kw is awesome but may not be needed if you are fishing in a 1000' of water or less.

Weed out the features you are looking for then pick the ducer from there

What is the material of the hull, that will hinder the ducer

What degree hull is it, deep v, etc

I have never grouper fished more than once in Key West, I am not sure what kind of enviroment they are in, I think they are kind of like tile fish and a side scan unit, on a absurd budget would probably be the best.

Do not invest or waste your time in cheap units, you will hate life. We tend to like Furuno units. I dont like raymarine sounders, new garmins are ok, i dont like any of the rest unless they are side scans.