Humminbird combo sonar/GPS used for Ice Fishing

[Docked or Sea]

I just bought an ice tranducer, powercord and carrying case w/battery so I can use my Humminbird 787c2i sonar/GPS combo unit from my boat for ice fishing. Figured it would be awesome to have contoured lake maps and sonar all in one unit that I can use on the ice.

I have an option to display a nice looking flasher screen. My question is, has anyone outfitted their Humminbird like this? If so, any recommendations on settings? I have not taken it out on the ice yet (tomorrow). Any tips would be appreciated.

Thanks.

DR. C

[THavas]

how did this work for you?...i have been curious of doing the same thing.

[Corebelas]

Did it with my Lowrance HDS 5 and it works great!

[Itsa Pole Bender]

Docked or Sea - I did exactly what you are talking about with my 787c2i. Funny that you are doing that with the same finder. I customized an old tool box to carry it around in and have the mount on the top of the box. I have three ducers for it. The perm, the suction cup, and the ice. I don't have my own boat and this unit is much better than the one in my father-in-laws boat so we always hook mine up in his boat in open water. As for ice fishing, I love using the gps and contour maps. So convenient. The flasher however I have never had much luck with, although I just learned how to read a vexilar about three weeks ago so I am going to try and use the flasher again. When ice fishing I split the screen with the RTS window on the side of the screen. I was watching perch follow my jig all over the water column last time out. I absolutely love using the unit in the winter. Never had any issues with teh LCD screen either. Let me know how it worked out for you probably have been out since you asked your question.

[Itsa Pole Bender]

Docked or Sea - where abouts in MI are you from?

[Norm1980]

I am thinking of doing the same but with the humminbird 345c portable (doesn't have gps though). I would use it mainly during the summer but would be nice to know how the flasher on it would work for ice fishing? any ideas

[MN Greenheads]

My neighbor did it with a humminbird 587 and he loves it. I am going to get something like it when I get the $$$$

[WalleyeChaser]

How well does it work in shallower water say 10 ft. or less? I understand the cone angle will be very small but does the sesitivity allow you to adjust it down enough to eliminate weeds from cluttering the screen? And still be able to mark fish?

[Norm1980]

I checked out the 345c on the shelf at cabelas and you can adjust the sensitivity settings from 1-20 so i would think you could use it above weeds with out too much interferance. It also is dual beam capable with the transom mount in summer. I'm not sure about the ice fishing transducer though, I would think it also would be dual beam capable?

http://store.humminbird.com/search?q=345&t=products

[Itsa Pole Bender]

My ice ducer is also dual beam. I have also used it in less than 10' once (9') and it worked just fine. Sometimes weeds are an issue, but playing around with the sensitivity helps. I keep getting pushed to get a vexilar by my fishing buddies, but I am having a hard time justifying it when my current set up works great. The biggest draw back to my system is it does take up a little more space than a vex due to having it mounted on a tool box. If I remember I will post some pic tonight.

[WalleyeChaser]

You could always mount it on one of the blue boxes that the Vexs come on. I know i have seen them sold just by themselves some where. I have seen anything from simple fish finders to the 7in screen ones with external GPS antennas attached to these things. Makes me want to do it with mine seeing as i paid $600+ and only get to use it half the year. Even seen the Side imaging ones set up for Ice. Intrigueing(sp) in my mind!!

[RiverFish]

Check HSO-Classifieds for the blue vex boxes.

[Ed Carlson]

The NEW Humm'r 385ci will make an interesting portable unit.

Now with SD mapping Chip culpability, full GPS, LakeMaster SD Card compatibility, flash'r mode, with duel beam split graph....nice little package unit for under $400 (Open water package hi/speed ducer)...the ice-pack winter kit upgrade will run another $130.

We just got a few in at Gander, I tinkered with it, nice little unit...it will do well.

[Norm1980]

I just purchased the 345c basically the 385c with out the gps total with ice ducer i spent about $350. If i would have had the extra $$$ to spend i would have gone with the 385c. Going out to try it Wednesday or Thursday, so i should be able to let everyone know how it works for ice fishing by the weekend!!

[THavas]

I am anxious to see how this works out for you!!!!

[Norm1980]

went out with the 345c i just got the other day and it worked great. Didn't catch or graph many fish but those i did catch showed up on the flasher. Fished right next to a buddy with a vexilar and had no interference problems. My only complaint would be the lack of a good battery gauge?

[Fish&Fowl]

I have been looking at getting the Humminbird 385ci for both open water and ice fishing. For ice fishing I just want to use it as a GPS.

How do you guys power the unit when ice fishing? Can it be hooked up to a spare Vexilar battery?

[Ed Carlson]

Here is a bummer guys FYI, the new 385CI, will not run the new LakeMaster the way it looks.

It will run the new 2010 Navionics, but not the LakeMaster. Not sure if it will eventually be capable of an update, but I tried the new chip and...nope...it won't read the new Hummer LM chip.

Bummer!

[Norm1980]

fish&fowl ~

The 345c I purchased is a portable unit ~ comes with a case/battery. the 345c is the same thing as the 385ci just with out the gps so i would think you could also get the 385ci in a portable version (portable unit will cost extra $$$). I got the 345c because I plan on buying a seperate hand held garmin oregon 300 w/lakemaster chip for my gps. I do most of my ice fishing out of a wheelhouse and mainly use gps in the truck while looking for a spot to put the house down. IMO it would be a pain to have the 385ci out while in the truck.

The following link shows the 345c portable i purchased:

http://store.humminbird.com/search?q=345&t=products

If you still want the 385ci and don't buy the portable version, the battery my 345c came with is identical to the vexilar batteries so you should have no issues using a spair vexilar battery to power it.