whats the best fishfinder for bottom fishing and wreck fishing?

[FLwrecker]

I don't want to break the bank, but I don't want cheap junk either. I do mostly reef and wreck fishing and i want to maximize my equpment, so I'm looking to see what you all use.

[Radiater]

You don't mention how deep so I'll assume less than 300'.

Furuno 585 (or better Furuno unit) or networked furuno unit (3d or VX2 with black box ff1 or if commercial bbf3) with one of the new Airmar tilted element transducers ie 200 khz wide angle (larger areas,schooling fish) or 200 khz narrow angle if trying to concentrate on small areas. 1kw is best and through hull installation.

If you are looking deep ie over 300' then tilted element 50 khz again in 1kw. Again through hull installation.

The newer tilted element ducers are very good and have a small foot print on the bottom of the hull vs a 1kw B260 type ducer unless you have a premolded pocket for it in the bottom of the hull. With the tilted element units you can install with a hole saw if your hull does not have a pocket for the larger B260 type ducer.

The b260 1 kw thru hull is also very good has 50 and 200 khz abilities.

If looking for commerical ability out deep then 3kw transducers come into play...chaching.

The transducer and how it is mounted are the big keys to the best returns with it but I still would give Furuno the nod on best fish finder out there.

R

[Free Spirit]

I make a living using my Raymarine Digital FF on my charter boat. It works well and there is no adjustment needed. I can split screen zoom to 10 feet off the bottom and count the fish as long as they are slightly up off the bottom. I have some screen shots if you are interested. Just Email me and I'll send them on.

[Nomad]

I don't want to break the bank, but I don't want cheap junk either. I do mostly reef and wreck fishing and i want to maximize my equpment, so I'm looking to see what you all use.

I have always been more than happy with Furuno. As an example only (and I know this is not even useful for your application), I noticed that my DFF3 was tracking the bottom at trolling speed in 3,700' of water. Then I went into deeper water, and still got bottom at over 4,000 feet. If I messed around with some of the settings, I think the picture would be even better.

[FLwrecker]

Nomad, Radieter and Freespirit, Thanks for the replies, Nomad thats pretty cool shots, but I don't fish that deep, Deep dropping is too much like work. Radieter is more on track with the depths.

Nomad what unit are you using?

Free spirit what model are you using?

Radieter, what brand through hull is the b260? is there a differnce or anything I should look for in a transducer?

Thanks for the replies

[Free Spirit]

I have used the C series, A series, E series and the c wide. They all use the same sounder module. I will try to add a screen shot from my collection of sea bass in 80 or so feet. If you email me, I will send you a few actual screen shots.

[Radiater]

Nomad, Radieter and Freespirit, Thanks for the replies, Nomad thats pretty cool shots, but I don't fish that deep, Deep dropping is too much like work. Radieter is more on track with the depths.

Nomad what unit are you using?

Free spirit what model are you using?

Radieter, what brand through hull is the b260? is there a differnce or anything I should look for in a transducer?

Thanks for the replies

Airmar makes the B260. They make the transducers for almost everyone, just make it specific to the brand...ie Furuno, Raymarine,etc.

As long as you stick with Airmar you will be fine. Again check out their website to get a better idea about their products.

Just kind of wanted you to avoid getting the old 600kw transom mounted puck style transducer and being unhappy.

[fishinsurfer]

Does anyone know if the tilted Airmar ducers are adjustable?
From what i have seen they come with either 12 degree or
20 degree down angle. What happens if you need ie 17 degree?
Thanks for any replies.
Rick

[Nomad]

Nomad what unit are you using?

Furuno DFF3 / NavNet3D, with 3kw transducers at 50 & 200 khz.

[NavShack]

Fishinsurfer - Don't know if you ever got an answer to your tilted transducer question but here's the deal. The internal element is fixed in the housing and can't be moved to a different angle but the effective angle can be adjusted by rotating the transducer. However, +/- 5 degrees from the rated angle is acceptable. i.e. a 20 degree transducer is good for 15 - 25 degrees and the 12 is good for 7 - 17. That pretty much covers deadrises from 7 - 25 degrees by selecting the right xdcr.