What type of finder do you have on the bow???

[gspman]

Hey folks,

I bought a 1750 Crestline Fishhawk last year and would like to put a flasher or graph in the front so I'm not fishing "blind" up there. What do you guys use on the bow and why? What advantages and disadvantages are there for your choice? I have a Minnkota bow mount with Universal Sonar so I'd like something that could take advantage of that. By the way, I'm a multi-species fisherman if that makes any difference.

One graph I'm looking at for this is the Eagle Fish Easy 320C color graph. What would you think of this graph for this purpose? Is the screen big enough to see when you are on the casting deck? The reason I'm looking at this model is that I have it's big brother the Lowrance LMS-330c on the console and love it.

I also have a Marcum flasher I could use if they would ever make an adapter for the Univ. Sonar.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

gspman

[Northlander]

Lots of guys run flashers up front for the real time data it gives you. With your universal sonar this may not be compatable. I think you have to run a different ducer but Im not sure. I run my Lowrance LMS-320 on the bow and the X-15 on the dash with a X-87. Its nice because then I have GPS in front and back. If you troll a lot like we do on Lake Superior its nice to have GPS in both spots. Great for following past trolling passes and channel edges etc.

[Fastlane]

I just e-mailed Marcum regaurding the adapter for use on the Minnkota universal sonar. They said that they have given the info to Minnkota to make an adapter. Marcum said that Minnkota might not make the adapter.

I'm going to send Minnkota an e-mail to get their answer why they do not have one for Marcum on the adapter list. I suppose it always helps if more than one sends Minnkota their concerns . I'd be perfectly happy to use my Marcum up on the front (don't want to have to use a puck if I don't have to)

[gspman]

Fastlane,

I just did the same as you and emailed Marcum. Here is the text of their reply.

Clark,

Our engineers have supplied Minkota with every thing they need to make an adapter. Unfortunately, I have recently been told that Minnkota is not going to release any type of adapter for our sonar units. Feel free to contact Minnkota and voice you displeasure on this as it was their decision not to have one available.

MarCum Support

In any case I'm going to create a new post regarding this to hopefully drum up some support and bend Minnkota's ear a little bit.

[Fastlane]

I've already shot Minnkota a message from their HSOforum. I'm still waiting for an answer.

[Wayne Ek]

I run Lor.x-15's on both the bow and console. However on the console I have an in-dash FL-10 flasher, that is great when I'm running hard. I have located a number of small humps that I would have run right over, if I was not keeping an eye on that FL-10.

[SteveWilson]

On my Lund 1800 Fisherman I have a Minkota with Universal Sonar on the bow. In the rear I run a Lowrance X-125 with a transom mounted transducer. On the bow I have a Lowrance X-125 that uses the Minkota transducer; I find that it's not sensitive enough for me so I installed another Lowrance transducer on the transom. I use a Vexilar for ice fishing and have bought the cable to allow the Vexilar to use the Minkota's transducer - we'll see how that works this summer. If it works well then I'll wire in a Vexilar power cable on the bow and get another Johnny Ray mount for the Vexilar. If not then I probably just use my IceFishing rig amidship and drop the narrow transducer over the side when I'm jigging or drifting.

[Fastlane]

Here is the answer I got from Minnkota regaurding the adapter for the Minnkota universal sonar, maybe someone can figure out if it means they won't sell enough or it won't physically work....

"You are right, the Marcum depth finders are not compatible with our system. I am not sure as to why they are not adaptable, but I suspectit is because it has been determined that the call for the adapter cables for that particular brand would not be enough for it to be economically feasible. I do not foresee a change in this outlook,though anything is possible."

[gspman]

I got basically the same answer. Not enough demand to merit creating a Marcum adapter. Bummer.

[WALLEYENUTZ]

I use a Fl-8 on the bow. I really like the real time info it gives me. I also use a x97 on the transom.

[KidWalleye]

Agape, I am thinking of getting a fl-10. Did you install it yourself, and if so where did you put the transducer? I've heard you can use a through the hull trans on aluminum hulls. Also would you do it again? I used to run my fl8 on the bow of my other boat.

[guideman]

I run an X15 on the bow of my boat it does a good job and I get compliments from my customers all the time. I can't see why you would need to have a flasher, if your moving on the trolling motor, the short 2 second delay on a LCD display really shouldn't be a problem while fishing that slow.

Most Lowrance and Eagle units already have a flasher display built into the unit. Then you are all set with a Minkota adapter. I have found that my X15 on the bow, (with the Minkota adapter) reads better than the one on the dash.

"Ace"

[LocalGuide]

I have '03 Alumacraft Tourny Pro 185 with a MinnKota Universal Trolling motor up front. For the trolling motor I use a Vexilar Fl-18 and on the counsel I use a X-87.

When my dad and I first got the boat it had a adapter for the X-87 that was on counsel and they just moved that back and fourth. Well I use my Vex all the time in the winter and figured I would just spend the $20 or w/e and get a adapter for it. Plus it is nice to have a real time flasher up front and a graph in the back to get a easier visual of what your going over. IMO its just nice to have to different types of fish finders in the boat.

Also the Bottom Lock feature on the Vex is nice too. Its easy in a glance to see how far off the bottom the weeds are and/or the fish.

[Mark Christianson]

Flasher.

Zercom Clearwater Classic

I love it. The LCD is easily seen from any position in the front of the boat.

I don't like the Vex because of the cone it has around the display. You nearly have to looking straight down at it in order to see the display.

[ChuckN]

I have a 350A and FL-8 on the bow.

To reduce glare and really see the screen on the FL-8, find a small coffee can, it fit nice and snug onto the FL-8/18. Then paint it with Flat Black spray paint.

I hope to install my LX-3 on the bow of my boat this summer.

[Fishook]

I have a Lowrance 2330B flasher I use up front. I bought it new and it has served me well for the last 20 years. I am looking for a replacement tranducer for my 2330 just in case anyone can put me onto one. If I need to replace the whole unit, I am looking at a flasher for both open water and ice fishing so the Vexilar and Marcum units are under study!

[sami0115]

Zercom up front..

[MT Net]

I am also looking into a new sonar unit for the bow of my boat.

I'm leaning towards the moderately priced Lowrance X135, unless somebody talks me out of it. I have an X51 on the dash along side a GPS.

The nice things about these graphs is it displays a record of where you've been on a constant basis. So, if you're trolling around you have a few moments to monitor the screen to see if you have passed over some sort of structure.

You don't get that with a flasher. But IMO, a flasher will better show you fish tight to the bottom. And as Northlander pointed out, the flasher is in real time. So, that may lead to a 3rd spot with mounting the Vex somewhere and hope for no interference.

Now to go shopping, and get the boat rigged before the Opener.

[Wayne Ek]

Kid walleye, sorry for the late response. I was fishing hard the past week and hunting yotes. Fishing great, yotes not so great.... I use the FL-10 all the time. Mine was installed by Alex. Marine, who does all my work. I run a 520 ranger and all my console units are shoot through the hull. I did just read an article on shoot through the hull on alum. boats, but I can not remember which publication. And yes I would do it again, I have found to many small humps/rock piles while scooting across the lakes that my x-15 missed.

[castmaster]

i run pinpoint 7520's front and back. absolutley love em! you can use the n'sync cable to combine the 2 together. that way if you want to you can split the screen on both of them to show what the others transducer is picking up. no more having your buddy in the back asking "how deep is it up there"!!!

[Ray Esboldt]

I will be using a MarCum LX-1 this year on the bow. So, I will actually be able to see the depth in direct sunlight. That's quite a concept. In fairness to my old flasher, it was 16 years old.

As far as the flasher versus LCR argument, use whatever you're comfortable with. I've used flashers all my life and am far more comfortable with them than the things that show little fish pictures.

[MinnesotaMuskie]

Castmaster...I am looking at buying a used 7520. Could you shoot me an e-mail so I could ask some questions?

[email protected]

[rscabin]

I have a Hummingbird on my boat but always wanted to use my FL-18. I have the suction mounting kit for it. Any different ways or suggestions on where or how to mount it.

[Ray Esboldt]

rscabin,

You could purchase a high speed tranducer for your unit. They come with a mounting bracket. Just run some screws into the transom to mount the bracket, gob some silicone on them, and you're set.

[MinnesotaMuskie]

Just picked up a Pinpoint 7520 from Val...looks like I will have that on the bow this year:)