Making a locator portable

[smallies24]

This summer I'll be heading to Canada for some fishing and will be using different boats. We have to bring our own locators/flashers. What ideas do you guys have for making these portable so I can attach them to different boats as needed?

It'll be a week of fishing so I don't need anything too fancy. I have a FL-8 with the ice and puck 'ducer ad a couple older eagle flashers I can use with transom mount transducers.

[Guest]

Your fl-8 will work fine. If your in a boat without a raised floor you can just put some water in the bottom and read the depth through the bottom of the boat with you puck transducer. I did buy a transom mount transducer for my fl-8 to bring to the BWCA. I used a medium sized wood clamp, a dowel and some duct tape to make a transducer assembly that I could install or remove from the boat. It workes pretty good. I put my flasher and transducer assembly into a back pack and I am ready to go. There is even enough room for rain gear and some snacks. I would like to get one of the new humminbird smartcast fish finders to take up instead. I have not yet heard how they work.

[FullTilt]

A mason's tape measure works great for mounting a transducer. I drill a couple holes vertically in the end of the tape and zip-strip the transducer to the end. The tape is collapsable and easily fits in a pack or tool box. I uses a wood clamp to attach it to the boat. I bought an inexpensive plastic tool box to keep everything in, a small lawn tractor battery fits perfectly with everything and the depth finder can sit on top with the lid closed. The mason tape also works great for ice fishing, just make into a "T" and stick it in the hole.

[Swamp Scooter]

I have done the set ups for both my locators to go to Canada. I just buy a cheap tackle box that the locator will fit in with the lid shut. I punch 2 holes in the bottom to screw the unit to and then set the battery next to it in the box. I use zip ties to secure the battery. There are portable transducer mounts that you screw on. I got one at a couple of different places. The whole set up should be less than $30 if you buy the portable holder. It covers everything up and you do not have to worry about forgetting or losing things.

my .02 worth.

[smallies24]

Think I'll just throw the vex in a backpack...had that figured out. What I was thinking is attaching some dacron line or something to the top of the 'ducer (using duct tape or something) and running that to a clamp. This would take the pressure of the 'ducer cord and allow gravity to keep the 'ducer pointed down all the time when I'm not running accross the lake. Thanks for all the input. I like the mason's tape idea though for when we're cruising to locate a hump or somehting. Any other ideas?

[MNBIGBEAR]

I have an aluminum canoe and I also have an Fl-8. I found that as long as there was a little water contact the transducer read right through the hull of the canoe.

[LOGDOG]

I use part of a stainless steel crutch. The part that telescopes in and out. Transducer on one end and a clamp attached to the other end. Since it adjusts you can adapt to many different uses, fresh water and hard. Hope this helps.

[smallies24]

Thanks to the replies...figure I'll just shoot it through the hull if works and use a bracket when going after lakers, I assume the sensitivity decreases if you shoot it through the hull.

[tonyjor]

FullTilt-

What does a masonry tape measure look like and where can I find one? I have a transom mount ducer but the holes for the bolt broke off. I want to use it for my ice fishing unit because it's a humminbird wide eye portable. I just need the ducer to hang straight in the hole. As of right now it hangs crooked because the cord is attached to the back side of it. Also, do you think it will sill read through zip ties or duct tape? Thanks for any help!