Conventional or DSI FF???

[Trout Tracker]

Does anyone use a DSI FF for koke fishing? I hear they don't show fish especially in deeper water. Looking at the Lowrance Elite 5 or the Elite 5 DSI combo FF/GPS units. I know bigger is better but these fit the budget.

 

[dragonfly]

my opinion is if you want to see structure go with dsi if you want to see fish go with furuno and an airmar transducer thats what I run and am very happy because when kokanee fishing I am not looking so much for structure like the bass guys, just fish but if you have a chance, actually go out on a boat that has it and test drive one to see if that is what you want the adds look good but in real life I wasn't sold, yet. with the new chirp tech coming down the line I am waiting to see how that pans out before I update. dfly

 

[KokeRook]

Tracker...fwiw...Being new to this Im adding electronics to my little boat.

I plan on adding the lowrance elite 7 HDI...has all three GPS...DI and sonar. Sure it costs more $699 with 83 ducer...from what I have seen , read, and understand it is a great unit.
To me a couple hudred bucks more...a lot of money now...will be a drop in the bucket a few months from now.

Just this rookies two cents fwiw.

 

[SilverBullets]

The majority of koke fishing is done chasing suspended fish that are nowhere near structure. The fishfinder is usually adjusted to only read just above and below the thermocline layer (to see the area in more detail)... most of the time you'll never see the bottom/structure anyway.

 

[Bogey]

I totally agree with KokeRook about the Elite 7 HDI - it has everything I want for every kind of fishing I do...been saving my $$$$ and was planning on picking one up at the end of the month... until my black lab ate an egg hook/egg/leader my fishing buddy laid down on the deck while he fixed a tangle in his reel. My pooch is in the vets and I am waiting for an update... So, yes, in my research the elite 7 looks like a great unit, but it looks like my $$$ are going somewhere else now. (which is OK with me, I just want her fixed!)

 

[Trout Tracker]

Thanks for the help. I'm not going for the DSI as I'm not too concerned about bottom structure. The elite 7 is a little out of the budget though. Bogey sorry to hear about your lab and hope everything works out.

 

[kok-head]

SilverBullets is right on with his advice

most people who are very serious about kokanee would never skimp on a finder and on the 1 to 10 seriousness scale (10 being the most serious) I'm at least a 7 even though I run an old entry level humminbird, honestly I've never felt I've needed more than what I have, I can see how deep the fish are and if I get off course at all and close to hanging up on the bottom I can reel up before its too late

I've been laughed at before at the launch with my $80 humminbird, but when I take out and do as good or better I laugh back

you obviously get what you pay for but in my opinion you can compensate with your adaptability to the other factors like speed, scent, changing lures, slight lure depth changes, turns, leader lengths, etc., spend some bigger money if you want to but don't feel like you have to spend hundreds of dollars to get kokanee into the boat

 

[jacksonlaker]

I think having GPS on your fishfinder is more important than DSI. Having the ability to mark spots and backtrack on your trail to catch fish is more useful than seeing trees on the bottom. I don't know how we ever fished without GPS. !!! I have a navionics chip which is O.K. For most lakes. It will show bottom contours and channels, something you may need when chasing Kokanee.

 

[Bogey]

Thanks Trout Tracker - she basically ate a $500 hook and leader, but after a LONG time with the endoscope, they got it right before they gave up and went to surgery! She spent the day in the place she HATES, but is looking pretty good. (as a side note, I just ordered my new elite 7 today...)

 

[KokeRook]

Thanks Trout Tracker - she basically ate a $500 hook and leader, but after a LONG time with the endoscope, they got it right before they gave up and went to surgery! She spent the day in the place she HATES, but is looking pretty good. (as a side note, I just ordered my new elite 7 today...)

Glad to hear about your pup...My lab is 13...she's getting quite old now.
Enjoy the Elite 7