Help me add electronic and rig my new boat. Getting son ready for HS Bass fishing tea

Never posted here just lurked, looking for good advise.

So after 20 years it time for a new boat. Buying a 18 foot Alweld Center Console with a 115 Yamaha. I have typically been a catfish and bream fisherman. My boat electronics has been simple, never set up correctly, and I never fully understood how to use. My son is 14 and wanting to join the Bass fishing team at school. So I though I would set the new boat up with as good of electronics as I could afford. Giving him the best advantage as I could. I have been leaning towards Garmin, from my limited research its the best bank for your buck. Hoping his age and generation will aid us learning and understanding how to use them.

So here is my question. Bass Pro has the 106sv for 999.97 and the 93sv for 699.97 both come with GT 54 transducer. I want to run a unit at the console and a unit up front with live scope. Would there be a advantage to having the 106sv at the console and the 93sv upfront or vice versa. Or should I save 300 bucks and just put 2 93sv in. Or would I see that much gain from having 2 106sv.

Trolling motor wise I am leaning towards a Minkota 24 volt with autopilot and spot lock. Something like the Terrova which right now is 2299 at BP. Question for the bass fisherman is the cable control that much better.

All advise and help is greatly appreciated. Last thing I want to do buy something we will not be satisfied with.

Im not real up to date on the garmin stuff and it might be just me but,if the graphs your looking at are able to link to the garmin force I’d be looking at the garmin trolling motor. When the troller and graph work with each other “linked” it makes fishing a whole lot nicer, marking waypoints, on the screen fish,weeds,rock,etc and going back anytime and the troller takes you right to the spot,creating routes to follow,ect.

I would go 2 106's.
Pixel count is greater on the 106 than the 93.
Doesn't sound like much, but the 1 inch makes a big difference.
Plus the 106 has 2 network ports, 93 only 1. You can add livescope and still network both units. It can be done with the 93, but you will need a network expander.

:hesaid

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Originally Posted by SuperDave336

:hesaid

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Definitely get the added conveniences of a "Smart" trolling motor. They certainly make fishing a lot easier

:popcorn

The thing about the Terrova is that the foot pedal isn’t good for detailed turning, and I end up using the handheld remote most of the time. I’m actually swapping back to a trolling motor with a better foot control for my slow trolling. Used Ultrexes are out there; 36V are easier to find than 24V. If you are buying Garmin electronics, the Garmin Force is a good option.

I think you may want to try a place like bass boat central forum, that will have tons guys will have been in your exact situation.

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A couple things I think i can help with though.

You will want to network the fishfinders and livescope, and to network two 93sv+ LS you will need the $300 network box and 2 cables at $50ea. But... The 106 has two network ports, so you can run that up front and plug your LS into one port then run a $50 cable from the other port to a 93sv on the console and you will not need the box. Essentially you are getting a screen size update for free after you run the numbers.

And for trolling motor, bass fishemen usually hate the terrova.. he may also, I dont know. You can learn to use it very well, but you still have to periodically look down at it to see where it is pointing instead of using the feel of the foot pedal. Cable steer (or electric cable steer) is the way to go. You also cannot mount LVS to a terrova without Jerry rigging, something to think about.



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Adding on to what [mention]Kevin22 [/mention]said about mounting an LVS to a Terrova, the 360 and LVS mounting options aren’t great and really expensive for for what you get. Instead I have my LVS32 and 360 on a PVC mount that I fabricated to allow me to drop the 360 into the water the same time as the LVS32 and manually aim, since I’m a crappie fisherman who normally trolls. Bass fishers aren’t going to want to do all of that.

If budget is a problem, downgrade to a Fortex or Motorguide that won’t be connected but have better pedal feel and options to mount the LVS32 to the shaft of the trolling motor on the cheap.

Also, Bass Boat Central has a lot more opinions on what to get and how to mount, especially for bass fishing, and they will have a lot more people selling stuff, too.


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Not to rain on your parade plans, but that's a huge investment to compete at that level. I don't know how many years he has been fishing, but all the fancy equipment and gear is no substitute for time on the water. New and shiny stuff is nice, but it does not catch fish- skill and persistance does. The latest equipment usually makes fishing more comfortable and efficient- not necessarily more successful. Bragging rights about a nice new boat soon disappear at the weigh-in spot if you know where to find and hook a big bag!
Just trying to help you weigh all the benefits of spending a lot of $$$ when you don't bass fish much. Throwing out my advice after 60+ years of fishing. Feel free to disregard anything I have offered.
Good luck to you and your son on the quest.

no clue here , but sure wish my dad did that for me , good on you bro ....:highfive

Thanks for the replies. So I have settled on 2 Garmin Ultra 126 SV. And I am adding the latest version of live scope.

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Originally Posted by cddogfan1

Thanks for the replies. So I have settled on 2 Garmin Ultra 126 SV. And I am adding the latest version of live scope.

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That's an awesome set up!!

I can tell you what i just rigged my xpress h17c out with and i love it and so does my son. He is also wanting to fish on his HS team. Granted i rigged it for sacalait (crappie) but i can still fish bass if i would like to. Much like you my entire life ive never used electronics or knew how to read a fish finder other than the depth. But it is fairly easy to learn, it does take seat time to learn the species of fish you see, but learning how to operate and understand it is simple even for your son. I have set back at the console watching the 93sv seeing what he sees on the 126sv in the front and kind of coaching him through it. Hes hooked! and i rarely get to fish anymore lol

I put the Garmin 93sv flush in the console and networked it with my 126sv on the bow (they are networked so you can view both screens from either location).

The gt54 transducer is on the bow of the boat i use at the steering wheel for Clear Vu and Side Cu (Down and Side imaging) looking for structure, brush piles, etc.
The LVS34 transducer is on the trolling motor shaft with a 0 degree garmin mount.

I put the 126sv on the bow with a stowaway xl mount which is really great i like it. It raises up to around 32" if im not mistaken.

I put the 24v Minn Kota Ultrex 80# with US2 for 2d sonar in as the trolling motor (I have not got to use this yet, as it was just installed a few days ago.

(2) 12.8 100aH Power Queen Lithium Batteries powering the trolling motor.
(1) 12V 50Ah Ionic (only supplying power to the Livescop and 126sv)

I added the millenium rod transport racks I think these are a must for any boat they are nice, i use my rod storage for misc. storage ( If i used normal size rods i would probably use rod storage but my jigging rods are pretty long)

I really like the garmin stuff, i know ive heard side imaging and maps are better on hummingbird, and they may be but im content with Garmin for that for what i need it for. I may upgrade in the future to try it out , but before i do that i think i will add power poles and/or crappie brakes.

Maybe this will give you some ideas and good luck

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Originally Posted by jdk426

I can tell you what i just rigged my xpress h17c out with and i love it and so does my son. He is also wanting to fish on his HS team. Granted i rigged it for sacalait (crappie) but i can still fish bass if i would like to. Much like you my entire life ive never used electronics or knew how to read a fish finder other than the depth. But it is fairly easy to learn, it does take seat time to learn the species of fish you see, but learning how to operate and understand it is simple even for your son. I have set back at the console watching the 93sv seeing what he sees on the 126sv in the front and kind of coaching him through it. Hes hooked! and i rarely get to fish anymore lol

I put the Garmin 93sv flush in the console and networked it with my 126sv on the bow (they are networked so you can view both screens from either location).

The gt54 transducer is on the bow of the boat i use at the steering wheel for Clear Vu and Side Cu (Down and Side imaging) looking for structure, brush piles, etc.
The LVS34 transducer is on the trolling motor shaft with a 0 degree garmin mount.

I put the 126sv on the bow with a stowaway xl mount which is really great i like it. It raises up to around 32" if im not mistaken.

I put the 24v Minn Kota Ultrex 80# with US2 for 2d sonar in as the trolling motor (I have not got to use this yet, as it was just installed a few days ago.

(2) 12.8 100aH Power Queen Lithium Batteries powering the trolling motor.
(1) 12V 50Ah Ionic (only supplying power to the Livescop and 126sv)

I added the millenium rod transport racks I think these are a must for any boat they are nice, i use my rod storage for misc. storage ( If i used normal size rods i would probably use rod storage but my jigging rods are pretty long)

I really like the garmin stuff, i know ive heard side imaging and maps are better on hummingbird, and they may be but im content with Garmin for that for what i need it for. I may upgrade in the future to try it out , but before i do that i think i will add power poles and/or crappie brakes.

Maybe this will give you some ideas and good luck

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Thanks this is great info. Kind of backs up the direction I am headed.

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Originally Posted by cddogfan1

Thanks this is great info. Kind of backs up the direction I am headed.

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one thing I accidentally left off is you will want to install a shut off switch on your livescope battery and black box because it constantly draws. Simple install, it’s the red switch in the picture
Attachment 491537

Throw on a cheap used Hummingbird to network to the Minn Kota. You can use it for 2d sonar while using the LVS and then use the it to take full advantage of the ipilot and use it to follow contours or go at a certain speed down a bank or from point A to B.