Looking for recommendations for trolling/fish finder combo
I currently have a cheap Hummingbird sonar and a Motorguide X3 with a 36" shaft on a Lowe 175 Stinger boat. I almost only fish for Crappie out of this boat year round on the Thomas Hill reservoir in Missouri. The lake is no more than 35 ft in its deepest point. I have put out many of my own brush and PVC hotels but it seems like I spend more time looking for my crappie beds than fishing. I have two little girls, so my time on the water is limited and I need to make the most of it when I actually get to go fishing.
I was looking at upgrading the Sonar first. I am looking for some opinions of people that use this in the field and what recommendations they have. Next year, I will probably upgrade my trolling motor for a Minn Kota with iPilot, but it seems like you can only get shaft lengths in the mid 40s. That seems to be too long of a shaft for my small boat. I would move my cheap sonar to the trolling motor to help me see below as I am trolling over brush.
Sonar:
Helix 7 CHIRP SI G2N vs. Helix 9 MEGA CHIRP SI G2N
- Is the MEGA upgrade just for the HD transducer and is it ultimately worth it?
- What features are compatible with Minn Kota trolling motors?
- Minn Kota website seems to contradict FAQ on the Helix site about compatibility
I am also open to other Sonars, but side imaging is a must.
Trolling Motor:
I am looking for a Minn Kota for the iPilot features, but all the shafts are in the mid 40s. I am not sure if that is too long for my boat or is this not an issue. I would also like the transducer on this to plug into my old cheap Humminbird to mount on the front of the boat but is not required as I can move the old transducer to the trolling motor.
Any advice is welcome.
Thanks.