Thread: Advice on fish finder for Florida lakes

Humminbird 597c hd - di work ok can use on trolling mtr as well as transom, gives
good down image

Humminbird 798 c hd -si work ok for side image - best used on transom - need
to be running 3-4 mph area for best results vs slower speed with down image 597

Are now at workable pricing vs couple years ago.

Best also make sure you also have "Navonics Southeast chip" run about 140.00
extra. Has good contour lines for most lakes in Florida.

Definitely need color to distinguish bottom hardness. I personally believe in having at least one SI model on my boat to scout for structure and find bream beds. Florida is the ideal state for the advanced features as many lakes are grass bowls with limited structure. You find a hump, ditch, or tree and you hit the fish. The GPS system can be the most important feature. Helps you find your spots in fog, get back to landing, and stay on open water structure.

If on a budget I would consider the Humminbird Helix models to get more bang for your buck.

I just got the HB 859DI with 10% off at BP.

Looking forward to playing with it.

Side imaging for brim beds and the minor changes in the otherwise salad bowl. Charts and contour lines are essential. I've had the Humminbird xxx8 and xxx9 units as well as a couple Lowrance Elite series. I just ordered the Garmin 93sv. I think it has the most bang for the buck in a 9 inch screen unit. At the lower price point, I would go Helix all day.

I have a Humminbird 998Si up front on the trolling motor and 898Si on the console, used to just move the 898 back and forth as needed but got tired of doing that and found a used one at a good price. The Nav Map is invaluable when running new lakes and rivers and saving waypoints and tracks that have been productive, you can find drops and deeper holes from the house the night before to give you good starting points on new lakes. The Side Imaging is pretty amazing but there is a steep learning curve with these units. I mainly use the advance stuff when bass fishing but have seen some great views of some brim beds that others have mentioned. You can look for used and save some money, mine have been very reliable. Good luck with what ever you end up with.

Know you mean on moving them back & forth from console to trol mtr.
Use the Di mostly up front...597
Side 798 is used to cover water mark points of interest.

Pricing of these units over past couple years has become affordable.
and can be found in e-bay without putting mortgage on wife or home.

I've recently picked up a new Helix 5 SI GPS. Hard to pass up the most affordable SI on the market, but can't provide any feedback because I still have not gotten around to installing it yet.

The next major brand with SI abilities is over a grand, but this Helix is $499. (DI,SI,GPS)

I'll try and get some feedback this weekend, but the new Helix line appears worth a look.

Best of luck!

Originally Posted by CrapSlabStu

I've recently picked up a new Helix 5 SI GPS.

Would like to know how you like it, been thinkin about getting one.