Fishfinder...How many watts do I need????

[imported_Warren]

Hello, my buddy needs a new fishfinder for his boat. Its a 16foot aluminum and he's going to fish in freshwater only. The lakes by my house are 300+ feet deep and he needs to see fish clearly down to the bottom. I have an Eagle Fishmark 320 and it only reads fish to about 75. How many watts do we need to see that deep????My 320 will read the bottom fine but thats about it....Thanks for any help. I know the saltwater models will work but he dosen't want to spend $1500+.......Warren

 

[bob58]

Re: Fishfinder...How many watts do I need????

Garmin's fishfinders from the 120 series up go past the depth you are looking for.<br />the 120 boasts 600 ft. 100 W (RMS) 800 W (peak to peak)<br />Suggested Retail Price:$127.99 U.S.D. <br /><br />the 160 boasts 900 ft. 400 W (RMS) 3200 W (peak to peak)<br />Suggested Retail Price: $194.49<br /><br />source Garmin.com<br /><br />iboats mega malls sells fishfinders.<br /> web page is here type fishfinder in the search box and click search. the description button to the left of each item gives more details of that item.

 

[ahein]

Re: Fishfinder...How many watts do I need????

I love my Eagle SeaFinder 320DF fishfinder. It has 4000 watts peak-to-peak, 500 watts RMS compared to the Fishmark's 1500 watts peak-to-peak, 200 watts RMS. It has a dual frequency transducer (200 kHz & 50 kHz) with built-in speed and temp. It's rated for 1500' and I've seen fish at over 200' (as deep as I've fished with it).<br />The two units look exactly alike and have the same features, so it would be very easy for you to use if you're familiar with the Fishmark. Boatersworld.com has the SeaFinder 320DF on sale for less than $200, including the DF transducer.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Fishfinder...How many watts do I need????

If your going that deep, one word.... Furuno.... Tried and true in the deep stuff!<br /><br />You can pick up a Furuno LS6100 in the iboats megamall for the same $$$ as an eagle or garmin... Don't let what seems like a low 300 watt/2400peak watts of the 6100 fool ya... Those are REAL watts!

 

[kopy kat]

Re: Fishfinder...How many watts do I need????

Just received my new Eagle SeaFinder 240DF--dual freq.at 50/200 kHz and rated to 1300 feet at 300 watts RMS--Bass Pro has these for $149.99 with free shipping at this time. Haven't mounted it yet (boats covered with snow) but all the specs were right on the money for fishing Lake Tahoe with a downrigger--hurry up spring time! <br />Larry

 

[Boatist]

Re: Fishfinder...How many watts do I need????

Warren<br />I usually devide by 3 from what the manufacture claims. I think you need at least 400 watts RMS (3200 peak to peak) with a 20 degree 200khz tranducer. If you go with a 8 degree transducer or 50KHZ units then you can get by with less power.<br /><br />When buying a fish finder you need to consider use as well as depth. If you will be trolling with down rigger then I suggest a dual frequency unit so you can run a transducer with a 45 degree cone and see your down rigger weights. This makes it easy to see if you are trolling at the same depth as the fish marks you see.