Thread: Were to mount my new fish finder...

I FINALLY got my 898si Humminbird (how in a bad economy is a $1500 fish finder is on back order for months??? Sorry for my rant) anyway, I bought a Ram swivel mount, and I'm not sure if I want to mount it by the steering wheel, or up front by the trolling motor , I am usually up front, but with a 7" screen, I'm wondering if I should just swivel it toward the front of the boat after I get to the fishing spot. It seems most pros have it up front, but that's probably because they can afford to have two units, unlike me!! Thoughts, suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Also, what is the best spider rig mount on the market that I can order on line??

Thanks in advance for your help!!

We're really going to be screwed now if you have a side image DF. This is really going to be unfair for the fish now.

I'm afraid I have been turning mine around for the past 17 yrs. As of this week, I am changing that. Tired of looking back. When you are on the search with SI and marking structure/fish gps waypoints.. you want it on the console I would think. Also, you can just throw out markers and come back with TM. However , you spend most of your time upfront when fishing. Maybe spring for a cheap 2d with wide cone 60deg for up front. On the other hand...you have 15/20 vision....so you can turn it around for awhile anyway. As for me being old.... I need big and fairly close.

sorry this wasn't much help.

Thanks for complicating my life hog....:D, I'm with you on the "keep turning around to see the screen", but if I mount it on the front, it will have to be to one side or another, so I will still be turning around one way or another. I was thinking (which is always a bad idea), if I am side imaging and see a brushpile, it would be easier to reach down and mark it from the front. Since you are moving yours up front, I going to chalk you up as "1 for putting it up front" to make it easier for me to make up my mind .

For rod holders look at these.

Home

If your still having a hard time figuring out where to mount it I have the answer. IN MY BOAT.

LOL

I would mount it on the console. The way I see it, if your on the TM you have rod in hand and are ready to fish (you have located your structure) I would think having it on the console would help you eliminate dead water, and aid you in searching for "fishy" spots. You would probably only ride around looking while driving your boat. I don't think you would get as much out of it if you had it up front.

Originally Posted by wilbur

For rod holders look at these.

Home

Do those work well for spinning rods as well, and do they keep the rod from going side to side? Other than that, they look perfect... Extra mounts are reasonable as well. Cyberhog, that idea is number 5 on the list... and there is no way I'm making it past option 2 :D. 79, you have a great point.

High Tide:

I have gone through the learning curve on both of these issues. Hi-Tek is the best way to go for spider rigging (and they are also one of the cheapest). I asked the same question, and the overwhelming response from the pros was Hi-Tek. They will work great with spinning reels.

You will need to mount your 898cSI back by the console. You will need to run at a slow speed (2-4 mph) with the outboard when side imaging. The trolling motor will not run fast enough. Secondly, any fast turns (like you make with a trolling motor) will produce a distorted image. Besides, this is where you will do your "hunting".

Last year, I mounted a 798cSI at the console and a 788c up front. I interlinked the two units which allows me to mark and share waypoints between the two. Transducer and antenna locations are critical as well. It can get confusing if you have never done it, and some guys end up with alot of extra holes in the boat.

I sent you a PM.

Originally Posted by 8upwithit

High Tide:

I have gone through the learning curve on both of these issues. Hi-Tek is the best way to go for spider rigging (and they are also one of the cheapest). I asked the same question, and the overwhelming response from the pros was Hi-Tek. They will work great with spinning reels.

You will need to mount your 898cSI back by the console. You will need to run at a slow speed (2-4 mph) with the outboard when side imaging. The trolling motor will not run fast enough. Secondly, any fast turns (like you make with a trolling motor) will produce a distorted image. Besides, this is where you will do your "hunting".

Last year, I mounted a 798cSI at the console and a 788c up front. I interlinked the two units which allows me to mark and share waypoints between the two. Transducer and antenna locations are critical as well. It can get confusing if you have never done it, and some guys end up with alot of extra holes in the boat.

I sent you a PM.

I sent you a response... thanks again for the intel!!

Originally Posted by High Tide

I FINALLY got my 898si Humminbird (how in a bad economy is a $1500 fish finder is on back order for months??? Sorry for my rant) anyway, I bought a Ram swivel mount, and I'm not sure if I want to mount it by the steering wheel, or up front by the trolling motor , I am usually up front, but with a 7" screen, I'm wondering if I should just swivel it toward the front of the boat after I get to the fishing spot. It seems most pros have it up front, but that's probably because they can afford to have two units, unlike me!! Thoughts, suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Also, what is the best spider rig mount on the market that I can order on line??

Thanks in advance for your help!!

You don't need two units. All you need is a transducer on the TM and take the unit where you are in the boat. I have the 797 unit and get prop wash distortion from the TM but the latest download is suppose to fix this but haven't got the boat out to verify. I don't know how the 898 deals with this issue. You can go higher speeds than mentioned above but you have to play with the chart speed. Oh ya, don't plan on fishing the first time out because you'll be AMAZED at what you are seeing. I recommend going to a lake that you THOUGHT you knew pretty good. Most natual lakes don't have very much structure unless it's manmade but reservoirs do and are always changing. Read the manual and reread it every ounce in a while. I've seen the fish you've caught and I feel soory for them now. Please leave some for the rest of us.