Which finders find fish?

[CTD]

I had decided to buy the Eagle 480df because it had a dual range transducer, temp and speed plus 480x480 resoulution. Then I saw this...."If you need a deep water finder this is the right one, however, if you are fishing inland waters a dual frequency unit is the wrong choice, you should select a single frequency unit because on high sensitivity it has a 60 degree 200 Khz cone verses the dual frequency that only has an 8 degree 200khz cone. The 200khz is the only frequency that sees fish.<br /><br />The Dual Frequency is great in deep water and very poor in shallow because the 50khz in the dual frequency shows deep bottom structure but not fish." <br /> Is this true do I need to get a 200khz transducer to see fish?

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Which finders find fish?

Does the person who wrote that also believe in the flat earth? That may be one of the most patently absurd propositions I've seen in quite some time. If you want speciality transducers you can buy them to fit your fishing desires but that doesn't mean that there is any reason at all to limit yourself to a single frequency fish finder - if you can find one.<br /><br />Thom

 

[CTD]

Re: Which finders find fish?

This was on this site...http://www.fishfinder-store.com/ease481.html, I think he is saying the 8 degree cone on the 200kz part is too small and the 50kz won't show fish. I understood the 50kz had a wider cone (35 degree) but assumed it had the sensitivity to find fish also. The 480 DF seemed like the best deal because of the speed, temp, dual frequency, and 480 resolution for the same price as the furuno 4100 without the speed feature. I don't need to see over 200ft max, actually I never fish over 100ft. Maybe I should be looking at the tri finder with a 150 degree cone. Although it would be nice at deep lakes like lake Tahoe in Ca to be able to see bottom in most places, I think its 1700ft deep.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Which finders find fish?

They will all show fish. When they make one that will tell me what kind of fish it is or in fact it is a fish and not a beer can or log, I'll consider turning the fish symbols on. LOL

 

[Boatist]

Re: Which finders find fish?

CTD<br />Both 200 khz and 50 khz will show fish. The 200Khz is better at seperating targets, like a fish lying on the bottom or two fish together. The 50 khz may see the Sturgeon laying on the bottom as part of the bottom, and the two fish together as one fish. In the water depths you are talking about under 100 feet the 200khz 20 degree transducer will work better for you with one exception. The exception is if your are running down riggers and trolling. The 50Khz transducer will have a wider cone angle usually 45 to 50 degrees. The wider cone angle make is eaiser to see your down Rigger ball.<br /><br />The 50Khz unit is at home in deep salt water. At over about 250 feet of salt water you are not likely to see fish with a 200khz transducer. The 50Khz will see fish out to at least 500 feet.<br /><br />You are right that some manufactures think if you buy a dual frequency unit you must be fishing salt water. Then they give you a transducer that works better in salt water. Lowrance / Eagle is one that does give you a transducer that works better in salt water. This means Their dual frequency transducer is 12 degrees at 200khz and 36 degrees at 50khz. A 200khz 20 degree transducer with average power will show fish in salt down to about 200 feet. A 200Khz 8 degree transducer will see fish to about 350 feet of salt water.<br /><br />If your not going to fish deep salt water or run down riggers them get the 200Khz unit not the dual frequency unit. If your in California and think you may want to do some saltwater rock fish or bottom fish be aware that you can not fish over 180 feet deep. Central California you can not go deeper than 120 feet. The 200Khz transducer works good at 120 feet.<br /><br /> http://www.lowrance.com/Tutorials/transducerguide.asp <br /><br /> http://www.lowrance.com/Tutorials/Sonar/sonar_tutorial_01.asp <br /><br /> http://www.eaglegps.com/Products/Accessories/search.asp