HaHa HaHa:  0
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 24

Thread: If you HAD to decide on only one

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2023
    Location
    Lockport
    Posts
    25
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default If you HAD to decide on only one


    I've got an older boat, a 94 Spectrum fish & ski. The trolling motor and both fish finders are going on about 10 years old at this point. Fish finders work great for showing depth and bottom features but don't have the new technology like side scanning or livescope. Trolling motor works fine, but it's all foot controls- no spot lock, GPS features, or remote.

    If you could only upgrade one of these this year- a trolling motor or the fish finder, which would it be?
    (I'm leaning towards the trolling motor. Spot lock or following a depth/contour seems like a game changer). I can still find humps, holes, points, fish cribs, etc w/ the fish finder as-is. Just doesn't do great at actually showing the fish themselves, which I don't feel like I totally need at this point. IDK, just looking for other perspectives on if I'm not thinking about this right.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    camden,tn
    Posts
    5,546
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Tooth View Post
    I've got an older boat, a 94 Spectrum fish & ski. The trolling motor and both fish finders are going on about 10 years old at this point. Fish finders work great for showing depth and bottom features but don't have the new technology like side scanning or livescope. Trolling motor works fine, but it's all foot controls- no spot lock, GPS features, or remote.

    If you could only upgrade one of these this year- a trolling motor or the fish finder, which would it be?
    (I'm leaning towards the trolling motor. Spot lock or following a depth/contour seems like a game changer). I can still find humps, holes, points, fish cribs, etc w/ the fish finder as-is. Just doesn't do great at actually showing the fish themselves, which I don't feel like I totally need at this point. IDK, just looking for other perspectives on if I'm not thinking about this right.
    Livescope setup,with livescope you know 100% sure your fishing for a fish.

    Sent from my SM-S515DL using Tapatalk
    Likes justinp61, Roy LIKED above post

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Benton, KY
    Posts
    1,038
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Spot lock TM, then try to work forward facing sonar with a compatible head unit in your budget. Should be able to get a deal on Lowrance Active Target very soon, as they are introducing new technology.
    Thanks SpeckledSlab thanked you for this post

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    Dayton Tennessee
    Posts
    39,771
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Depends on the type of fishing you do. For shooting docks give me the spot lock trolling motor. I have side scan. But I don't feel handicapped if it stopped working. The trolling motor I don't want to live without
    The love for fishing is one of the best gifts you can pass along
    Likes SpeckledSlab, Redge, Tradbow LIKED above post

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Iowa
    Posts
    1,805
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    That trolling motor is fine to me. I would go for a good depth finder. Oh and give me foot control any day of the week over those others.
    Likes SpeckledSlab, Redge LIKED above post

  6. #6
    NIMROD's Avatar
    NIMROD is offline Crappie.com Legend - Kids Corner Moderator
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Plainview, / Russellville , Arkansas
    Posts
    16,740
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Livescope . I don't use spot lock . I have my transducer on my trolling motor (foot controlled ) . It works great fishing cover
    or chasing open water fish .
    Moderator of Beginners n Mentoring forum
    Takeum Jigs

    Likes CrappiePappy, blueball, GrumpyLoomis LIKED above post

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    1,833
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I would get the Livescope/sonar first.I had a very basic trolling motors for years and it worked well for how I normally fish.Now that I got an Ultrex with all the extra features,I find I still use it the same as my basic motor most of the time.
    Likes GrumpyLoomis, Jimmyjigs LIKED above post

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Midlothian, VA
    Posts
    2,675
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by blueball View Post
    Livescope setup,with livescope you know 100% sure your fishing for a fish.

    Sent from my SM-S515DL using Tapatalk
    I agree 100%!!!!!!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Midlothian, VA
    Posts
    2,675
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by blueball View Post
    Livescope setup,with livescope you know 100% sure your fishing for a fish.

    Sent from my SM-S515DL using Tapatalk
    I agree 100%!!!!!!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    KY
    Posts
    1,705
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I'm in about the same boat. My depth finders are older as is my trolling motor, the trolling motor probably has less than 15 hours on it though. I do have side and down imaging that I'm content with. My next move will forward looking sonar, the decision now is Lowrance or Garmin and what unit to run it.

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

BACK TO TOP