DS Electronics

[Redbone]

I have seen it posted before but I have to ask myself.  I have a 565 on my bow and it works ok for drop shotting. But the cone seems small and i'm not that happy with the signal consistancy. I really only use it for the depth. If I was in the market for a finder that is real nice for ds what should I get? I would just go for the SI, DI screens but if I did that I would rather have it at the console. Then I need two. One for the bow and one for the console. 

Is that my best bet? Maybe just an HD?  Hmmm Any suggestions on a farly modest setup? Under $1000?

[LennyB]

The way I rig my boat as far as electronics is as follows:
At the consol I like two units, the first is a basic depth finder (under $200) for monitoring the depth when running on plain. You don't need anything fancy for this. The second is my Side Imager/GPS. That Side Imager has been well worth the investment. It has saved me a lot of time looking for isolated weed patches and stuff on vast flats that I would have never found. I also like the basic one in case the second unit at the console fails while I'm on the water.

On the bow, I don't see the benefit of side imaging. For SI to work correctly you have to be going a constant speed and in a reasonably straight line or the image will be grossly distorted. I would differently recommend that the front unit have GPS and be interlinked with the console unit for sharing data like gps points. This is a big benefit and time saver. I have a HB 778 Combo, (without SI), in front linked to a 997SI/GPS at the console and also a basic Garmin depth finder at the console and would recommend that set up to anyone.

As far as what unit is the best for dropshotting??? All units are only as good as the user. The real key is to learn your unit inside and out and how to use it.

[Redbone]

Why do you use the garmin?  Does the SI screen not show accurate depths?

[LennyB]

The Humminbird is great but the Garmin came with the boat originally and was mounted in the dash so I left it. I like having the SI on a Ram mount so I can take it off quickly for overnight at motels when traveling. I also like using the full screen for the GPS when running fast or in rough water and still have the basic unit showing the bottom/depth .  
Another thing is being able to shut it off and leave the basic depth finder on for the guy on the back deck for a few reasons:
1) to conserve on batteries
2) once I had a guy I drew in a tournament that kept poking around in it trying to grab waypoints (not cool).
3)Another time a guy I drew kept trying to adjust it and managed to change the interlink and transducer settings.
4) Another guy managed to cast a spinnerbait into it shattering the screen.
Now if I see them even getting near it or anytime I shut the big motor off and head up front to fish with someone on the back deck casting, I shut it off and rotate it down.

[Waterfoul]

You can get a y-cable and second transducer that you epoxy into the bottom of the boat in the bilge area for your 997.  Most of us over here in the GR area have done this and it works great.  Shows the depth on the GPS screen at any speed, the unit is then smart enough to automatically switch to the side imaging transducer when you drop off plane.  Works like a charm.

My boat is set up with a 797 at the bow, 997 at the console, interlinked, second transducer in the bilge.  And as anyone will tell you, I'm a drop shot MONSTER most days of the week.  If you play with the settings on your bow unit you can watch your bait bounce around while you shake it... see the sinker drop, etc.... at times I even watch fish come up and hit my bait... call my shots just like Babe Ruth!!

[1javelin]

Maybe I'm a little off here, but I still like having the 898 up front just for the size of the screens when I split my gps and DI on it.  I'd go as big as you can afford, then go a little more. 

1jav

[djkimmel]

I'm still trying to get over the image of draw partners messing with your electronics?!? I don't think I've ever touched the boaters electronics! Your the first person I've heard who had his screen shattered too! All I have is some motor cover smacks and a few faded bruises on the my back and the back of my head!

[LennyB]

It's amazing sometimes what lame brain things people will do. I was at the ramp once and saw a boater going berserk when his 400 pound partner thought the side console windshield was part of the boarding system. By the time he learned the windshield wasn't a ladder it was to late. Those things can be funny when they're not happening to you.

[Waterfoul]

I only touch a boaters electronics if I'm familiar with them and AFTER I ask.   But I don't change any settings.... just screen views.

[djkimmel]

It's amazing sometimes what lame brain things people will do. I was at the ramp once and saw a boater going berserk when his 400 pound partner thought the side console windshield was part of the boarding system. By the time he learned the windshield wasn't a ladder it was to late. Those things can be funny when they're not happening to you.

I'm not even able to begin to figure this one out??