Blade

How did you settle on the Garmin?

That depth off an Gen 2 HDS 8 is impressive, if the specs I have for that unit are correct it was 250w RMS max head unit, unless you we running an amplifier?

Thanks, that looks like an HDS Gen 2

The Lowrance unit referred to above was it an HDS12? If so which generation?

The Garmin unit in my price range is the echoMap UHD 95sv, which is a 600w output unit with the same screen res as the Furuno and Lowrance. If I wanted to get the 1kw Garmin the only option in my price range would be the 752xs HD which has a 800 x 480 res screen so the same as the Furuno/ Lowrance I have read good things about the GT51 ducer and it seems to offer the best versatility. Is it possible to add an amp to the echoMap UHD 95sv if I wanted to run a 1kw later? I also need to consider the law of diminishing returns I don't fish in more the 150m of water often so is a 1kw necessary?

I am seeking any advice from any Raiders who have experience with either of the above units. I am looking to upgrade my current HDS Gen 1 to something more modern with more power (enough to power a 1kw ducer when I am able to afford one) 80% of my fishing is done around the Jibbon Bommie, Stanwell, the Peak and 12 mile reef. As such the depths range from 15m to 150m. With the occasional trip to the FADs and deeper. Target species are: Snapper, Kingfish, Mulloway. The planned sounder transducer pairing is as follows. Lowrance- 3in1 transducer and I will use my current HST DFSBL deep water 50/200 600watt for anything deep than 50m Furuno- Airmar P66 When I can afford it I will look to go with either an Airmar TM260 or TM275LHW 1kw ducer on either unit. A further question is can I network my current HDS Gen 1 with either of the above units to share waypoints between the units. Thanks in advance

Okay so the search (and confusion) continues. I have eliminated the Garmin as it is not a 1KW unit, so options to upgrade the transduce later are limited. The Furuno Gp1971F is still in the mix. The confusion has come about due to the Lowrance Elite FS9- it is a 1KW unit, can do side and down imaging (the Furuno cannot) it can be upgraded to do 3d structure scan (the Furuno cannot), It can be networked to my Motorguide XI5 which will allow me to Spot lock on marks that I have on the sounder.(Only possible on Lowrance and Simrad units) All of this looks great on paper but here is where I need some help from Raiders who know more about sounders than me. 1. Is side scan and down scan useful for the fishing I do (I fish the Jibbon Bommie, The Peak, 12 Mile reef, Stanwell humps in 70-90M water, FAD's on occasion) 80% of my fishing is in less than 100m of water. 2. Is 3d structure scan useful (even though I am not going to buy it now should this factor into the decision when deciding Furuno vs Lowrance?) Or is it a gimmick 3. Can I network the Elite FS to my current HDS gen 1 to share waypoints. 4. Will the Elite FS9 connect to my current HST DFSBL (P6376) Transducer (I will have it unplugged and just plug it into the head unit as and when I need it for deeper water) 5. Is the Lowrance comparable to the Furuno in terms of pure sounder capabilities, most of the Lowrance advertising is aimed at Bass fishing while Furuno is more saltwater focused.

I am starting to think about and research my options for a new mid range finder. I currently run a Lowrance HDS5 Gen 1- it works well and holds bottom at full speed, it is a good unit but the screen is a bit small to run split screen modes so I was thinking of using this unit for navigation only and getting a 9 inch finder to run side by side. The units that I have been most interested in are the Garmin Echomap UHD 95sv https://buy.garmin.com/en-AU/AU/p/690358#specs(it has been suggested to me to go for the GT51 transducer vs the standard https://buy.garmin.com/en-AU/AU/p/537004) and the Furuno GP-1971F https://www.furuno.com/en/products/chartplotter/GP-1971F. My fishing is varied from 15M up to 200+M I dont fish in the bays or rivers. Hoping someone has had some experience with both of these units.

Hi Raiders, I have some friends in town this weekend and the plan is to take them for a fish, I checked the swell FC for Saturday and it is not looking good, so I was thinking about hitting Botany Bay and trying for some squid and then kings. Are they still around? Has there been much action in Botany Bay post the heavy rain? Thanks in advance

It's an Ali boat

Hi Raiders, The floor in my boat is starting to sag and spring in a few places. I am looking to redo the whole floor at the same time. It is a 5.5m boat beam is around 2.2m I was thinking of the following 1. Put a 3mm ali checker plate floor in. 2. Replace the floor with 17mm form board covered in carpet. 3. Replace with the same that is in the boat now 12mm ply wood that has been sealed and carpeted. For option 2 and 3, can anyone make a recommendation of who would be able to do the work for me. I am in Sutherland Shire. Thanks in advance

Hi Raiders, I was at the FAD on Monday and there wasn't much happening. I am planning on going out tomorrow and was thinking of one of the following.(no specific order) 1. Giving the FADs another go 2. Getting down to Stanwell for some Snapper 3. Chasing some kings Does anyone have any updates on any of the above options I. E. Reports from the FAD or Stanwell and or if there have been any Kings around Bate Bay. Thanks in advance

Great report, how was the water is it clearing up?

Thanks for the feedback. I went out to the Sydney South FAD this morning, water was pretty clean out there 25 degrees and had the FAD to myself. Tried with live baits and trolling lures. One nibble on the lure but that was it. Guess I will have to wait until next year.

Hi Raiders, I have the week off and I have been planning to get to the FAD since Nov last year but have always lucked out. With the forecast looking good for tomorrow I am wanting to get to the Sydney South FAD. Has anyone been out there post the rains? Is there blue water out there or still brown water? Any other suggestions of places I could get to where there is blue water? Thanks in advance.

I am not looking to fish the hacking. I would launch probably at Wallys Wharf and head straight out (slowly of course just in case) I would then fish the back of the bommie out to about 100m of water. I was thinking it would be okay out there?

Hi Raiders, I was thinking of getting out for a fish in bate Bay this weekend and next week (have leave booked) Understanding that Hacking will be mess with the rain is it worth giving it a go or am I better off postponing my leave to the following week? Advice appreciated.

I see they have a three battery solution too. That would be ideal for me to have 1 cranking battery and the x 2 deep cycles running in series for the trolling motor. I could then leave the other electronics connected to the cranking battery.

Hi Raiders, After months of contemplating if I should get a trolling motor I made the call that I should and placed my order for a 24v 80lbs motor. (due to arrive mid to late Feb) While I wait for the motor to arrive I need to figure out what route to go with regards to charging the batteries. As far as I know there are two options. 1. Shore power to on-board 12amp ProSport dual battery charger 2. From the outboard to an onboard DC to DC 24v dual battery charger (not sure what Amps are available) Some additional context. 1. I have no choice but to park my boat in the street (the neighbours are not the happiest about it but they tolerate it.) As such I would need to run an extension cable from my house to the boat and leave the cable there over the foot path over night. Are there any rules regarding this I. E. Trip hazard? 2. My motor is a 2001 2 Stroke 3 cylinder 90hp Mercury, the manual notes the alternator output is 16amp at 4500rpm 3. I have two batteries currently installed, a cranking battery and a dual battery, the cranking battery is getting a bit old now and may need to be replaced in the near future. 4. I am planning on adding 2 140ah AGM batteries for the trolling motor. The options I have thought of are: 1. My ideal set-up would be to have the inboard DC to DC charger, but will the charge be sufficient? 2. I could set up the batteries so that they can be removed and charged in my garage but that is not ideal. 3. I could do a hybrid where I install a DC to DC charger and make the batteries easily removable for when the charge drops below 50% I can then remove and charge them on my existing battery charger (it will take a long time because it is only a few amps and one at a time but hopefully the DC to Dc charger keeps them topped up) 4. I go with the ProSport shore power charger and see if I can make it so that there is no trip hazard and discuss with the neighbours. Another question I have is If I rewire the boat to have a dedicated cranking battery and wire all other electronics which I don't think draw much (sounder-always on, VHF radio- always on, 12v USB charging port- only used when needed to charge phones, nav lights - all nav lights are led only used for 2-3 hours at a time, live bait tank pump-only runs when the boat is stationary for a long time, bilge pump-only runs when needed but my boat doesn't take on any water so it is only in an emergency) . to the trolling motor batteries, I can do away with one battery which will reduce weight and save space. If you made it this far thanks for taking the time to read through my situation. Any advice or experience with the above is appreciated. Cheers

Hi Raiders, Looking for some recommendations for aluminum welders in Sutherland or the surrounds. My immediate need to to have a grab rail repaired (it is a small job just two L shape brackets that need to be welded onto the grab rail). I am also considering the option of mounting an electric trolling motor so would like to take it to someone who an offer me some advice on what my options are in terms of mounting the trolling motor. Any suggestions/referrals appreciated. Cheers

@Botany Bay Fishing nice video, I live in the Sutherland and have never fished Botany Bay but have decided to give it a go. I looked at some of your other videos and was hoping you could point me in the right direction as to where to get some squid, I will be launching at the Foreshore boat ramp. Any help appreciated, looking forward to more videos. Cheers

I looked on Navionics and it says no anchoring in that area am I looking at the wrong place?

Hi Raiders Planning to launch from Foreshore ramp and head out to the peak and maybe 12 mile. I haven't done any fishing in Botany Bay so I am looking for some spots to try for some yakka and squid in the area. Any help appreciated. Cheers

Hi Raiders, Has anyone ventured out to the SSFAD yet? I read a report that there were Mahi Mahi at the Northern FAD but wondering if they have arrived at the Southern FAD? Thanks in advance

Tried Salmon Haul this evening unsuccessfully. It looks like it could be a very good spot, loads of sea weed/grass and small bait fish but 0 squid this evening. Will try again another time.