FF for pontoon

[saltyseadog]

any you guys recommend a cheaper FF for a pontoon? dont really want to spend alot. was looking at a portable unit from humingbird. mark can you help me out?

[fear_no_fish]

Look into the fishing buddys with clamps on them
i got one from a trout derby, never really used it but seemed like a nice unit
they run somewhere around 100 - 200 buck depending on which model you get

[guitarfisher]

I use the Humminbird Fishin' Buddy 140c (color display) on my pontoon boat. I rigged the "C" clamp that comes with it on the boat frame and it works great. It does burn through AA batteries (6 ea), but I get 2-3 full days on the water from one set. The 140c retails for $290-ish, but can be had for less if you shop around. The black & white display models go for significantly less - maybe half the price of the color.

[saltyseadog]

hey thanks alot guys im shopping around right now... about to get a toon ff and moter plus battery....
i know we talked about it before but what about batterys on pontoons? full size or like golf cart? i got no idea???:cyclopsan

[Mike Carey]

I've had two Fishin Buddies. The first one the screen burned out after a couple years, the second has poor connections for the batteries and is getting kinda dodgy. I'm not sure I would buy another. They are a nice, simple design and work well on a toon, but at least for me they haven't been very dependable.

That said, I think you can jury-rig a standard FF and run it off a small motor cycle battery and do just as well. Secure the transducer to a board and let it float along as you go maybe.

[Marc Martyn]

I know two people who have had fishing buddies and they both had problems with them. I have also been told by other people they have had issues also.

If you are just starting out and don't want to spend a lot of money, the Piranha is a fairly good little unit for not to much money.

http://store.humminbird.com/products/30 ... nhaMAX_180

You can mount the transducer in a similar fashion to the frame as I did (Bottom left of photo) I also mounted a "deck" for my FF mount on the frame with pipe clamps (second photo)

As far as a battery goes, get a deep cycle. I got mine from Les Schwab and it is working out well. I can run my 30# thrust motor (not continuous) and fish finder all day and have plenty of power left in the battery at the end of the day.

http://www.lesschwab.com/batteries/rvdeepcycle.asp

[Anonymous]

I have that piranha unit, it's served me well. I think I will use it for for my pontoon boats since I upgraded my FF on my larger boat. I do need a smaller battery though for my single person pontoon.

You have a very nice set up Marc.

[guitarfisher]

I've had two Fishin Buddies. The first one the screen burned out after a couple years, the second has poor connections for the batteries and is getting kinda dodgy. I'm not sure I would buy another. They are a nice, simple design and work well on a toon, but at least for me they haven't been very dependable.

I guess I got lucky! I've had no problems with mine so far in nearly two years of steady use. It's worked well every time I've fired it up. I guess we'll see in the long run...

I have been able to adapt the Fishin Buddy for use on my 16' boat, 9' pontoon and float tube, but will no longer need it for the 16-footer. I just purchased a Humminbird 597ci HD Sonar/GPS Combo. I plan to install it today and take it for it's virgin run tomorrow (Lake Stevens, most likely).
I just love new toys!

[saltyseadog]

marc thanks so much for the info love it! what toon is that? and do you have a pic of how you mounted your downrigger. i guess im starting out in toons starting out fresh.. just tired of using my bros motor and ff got to run got a new baby at home...

salty

[Marc Martyn]

marc thanks so much for the info love it! what toon is that? and do you have a pic of how you mounted your downrigger. i guess im starting out in toons starting out fresh.. just tired of using my bros motor and ff got to run got a new baby at home...

salty

It's a Buck's Bag South Fork. I bought it about '98 and it has served me well. I like the older frame like mine, because you have more areas to mount accessories like rod holders and a down rigger, which I use as an anchor system.

I used a Scotty rod holder mounting bracket and the matching adapter to mount it on the round rail of the frame.

http://www.fish307.com/scotty241rodhold ... acket.aspx

http://www.fish307.com/scotty242rodhold ... aptor.aspx

[Fish_Bait111397]

Dont buy a fish finder. Heres what ya need.

[wolverine]

I use a Lowrance X-67C color unit. I move it between my toon, kayak, and pram. I like the color because it allows me to fine tune a bit more. It's also a fairly small unit so it doesn't get in the way. I've tried the Fishing Buddy sounders (twice) and had mediocre performance and reliability from them. If you're fishing from a float tube the Buddies are really the only practical option, but on a toon there is always room for a battery.

[saltyseadog]

thanks wolverine looks awsome. i might go with that.... need to get the toon first about 500 is my max for the toon. i wish costco still stocked them thats what i had#-o