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Marty S.
June 6th, 2004, 12:27 AM
Has anyone here used the Fishing Buddy clamp-on fish finder? I think
there's 2 or 3 models, and I'm looking for feedback about clarity of the
display in sunlight, ease of use, and the quality of the information that
you get from the display. I have a 12' jon boat and I'm not looking to add
a permanently mounted fish finder but I saw these Fishing Buddy clamp-on
units in the Bass Pro Shop.

Any feedback? Thoughts? Any other ideas for a portable fish finder? I saw
the Smart Cast units (the ones that you toss out like a lure and that you
wear as a watch or on your rod, but I don't think those would work for me.

--
Marty S.
Baltimore, MD USA

alwaysfishking
June 6th, 2004, 03:50 AM
get the fishing buddy, It's a good unit and the screen is very clear, the
side finder works well and while sometimes picks up sticks and such as fish
is pretty accurate. Worth the money

-
"Marty S." > wrote in message
...
> Has anyone here used the Fishing Buddy clamp-on fish finder? I think
> there's 2 or 3 models, and I'm looking for feedback about clarity of the
> display in sunlight, ease of use, and the quality of the information that
> you get from the display. I have a 12' jon boat and I'm not looking to
add
> a permanently mounted fish finder but I saw these Fishing Buddy clamp-on
> units in the Bass Pro Shop.
>
> Any feedback? Thoughts? Any other ideas for a portable fish finder? I
saw
> the Smart Cast units (the ones that you toss out like a lure and that you
> wear as a watch or on your rod, but I don't think those would work for me.
>
> --
> Marty S.
> Baltimore, MD USA
>
>
>

Marty S.
June 7th, 2004, 07:48 AM
What about the 9degree viewing cone? Isn't that pretty small? Don't most
other fish finder/sonar units have 20 or even 60 degree "viewing" cones?

--
Marty S.
Baltimore, MD USA


"alwaysfishking" > wrote in message
...
> get the fishing buddy, It's a good unit and the screen is very clear, the
> side finder works well and while sometimes picks up sticks and such as
fish
> is pretty accurate. Worth the money
>
> -
> "Marty S." > wrote in message
> ...
> > Has anyone here used the Fishing Buddy clamp-on fish finder? I think
> > there's 2 or 3 models, and I'm looking for feedback about clarity of the
> > display in sunlight, ease of use, and the quality of the information
that
> > you get from the display. I have a 12' jon boat and I'm not looking to
> add
> > a permanently mounted fish finder but I saw these Fishing Buddy clamp-on
> > units in the Bass Pro Shop.
> >
> > Any feedback? Thoughts? Any other ideas for a portable fish finder? I
> saw
> > the Smart Cast units (the ones that you toss out like a lure and that
you
> > wear as a watch or on your rod, but I don't think those would work for
me.
> >
> > --
> > Marty S.
> > Baltimore, MD USA
> >
> >
> >
>
>

Jim
June 7th, 2004, 04:32 PM
On Sat, 5 Jun 2004 19:27:42 -0400, "Marty S." >
wrote:

>Has anyone here used the Fishing Buddy clamp-on fish finder?

<snip>

Yes, I've got one of the early models. It comes in very handy. I
have used it off many small boats and it helps find fish. My only
complaint is the clamp is not adjustable for angled transoms (so the
finder is not perfectly vertical), but I think the newer ones do have
adjustments. I keep it in the truck all the time.


Jim

Marty S.
June 7th, 2004, 05:13 PM
Jim...
What about the narrow viewable area? Isn't that a problem, especially in
shallower water?



--
Marty S.
Baltimore, MD USA


"Jim" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 5 Jun 2004 19:27:42 -0400, "Marty S." >
> wrote:
>
> >Has anyone here used the Fishing Buddy clamp-on fish finder?
>
> <snip>
>
> Yes, I've got one of the early models. It comes in very handy. I
> have used it off many small boats and it helps find fish. My only
> complaint is the clamp is not adjustable for angled transoms (so the
> finder is not perfectly vertical), but I think the newer ones do have
> adjustments. I keep it in the truck all the time.
>
>
> Jim

Jim
June 7th, 2004, 06:20 PM
On Mon, 7 Jun 2004 12:13:57 -0400, "Marty S." >
wrote:

>Jim...
>What about the narrow viewable area? Isn't that a problem, especially in
>shallower water?

There's always something better, and you can always find shortcomings
in what you have...... however, I remember fishing before we had
depthfinders, let alone fishfinders. I'm damn glad for the
improvements in the last 40 years and don't consider it "a problem"..

The fishing buddy has helped me locate fish, and I've caught some fish
that I wouldn't have even pursued if the finder hadn't located them
first. I've got no complaints.

Jim

alwaysfishking
June 7th, 2004, 10:17 PM
It's not a state of the art fish finder but if fishing from a small boat it
gives a good deal of information,


hey what do you want for something that runs on 3 "c" batteries. It has a
nice nightime light on it and it's not too bad even in direct sunlight to
see, Like I said earlier the sidefinder is really neat. see a fish 30 feet
out make a cast and when you feel that fish bite, it makes the whole thing
worth it. I used it quite a bit last year just cruising shoreline and when
the alarm would beep just stop cast and reel the fish in, now it wasn't
always that way the fish have to cooperate too but a good way to see if
different colors or presentations are working. For use on a small boat where
you need it to be portable it's well worth it.




"Marty S." > wrote in message
...
> What about the 9degree viewing cone? Isn't that pretty small? Don't most
> other fish finder/sonar units have 20 or even 60 degree "viewing" cones?
>
> --
> Marty S.
> Baltimore, MD USA
>
>
> "alwaysfishking" > wrote in message
> ...
> > get the fishing buddy, It's a good unit and the screen is very clear,
the
> > side finder works well and while sometimes picks up sticks and such as
> fish
> > is pretty accurate. Worth the money
> >
> > -
> > "Marty S." > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Has anyone here used the Fishing Buddy clamp-on fish finder? I think
> > > there's 2 or 3 models, and I'm looking for feedback about clarity of
the
> > > display in sunlight, ease of use, and the quality of the information
> that
> > > you get from the display. I have a 12' jon boat and I'm not looking
to
> > add
> > > a permanently mounted fish finder but I saw these Fishing Buddy
clamp-on
> > > units in the Bass Pro Shop.
> > >
> > > Any feedback? Thoughts? Any other ideas for a portable fish finder?
I
> > saw
> > > the Smart Cast units (the ones that you toss out like a lure and that
> you
> > > wear as a watch or on your rod, but I don't think those would work for
> me.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Marty S.
> > > Baltimore, MD USA
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Uncle Dave
June 11th, 2004, 02:44 AM
f.y.i.
There's a review of the Humminbird SmartCast & the Norcross Marine Hawkeye
portable on my website.
There's also a list of 64 fishfinders (including 3 models of Fishing Buddy)
with a short description and price comparisons.
Uncle Dave
Uncle Dave's Fishin' and Lyin' Emporium
http://www.commonfolks.com/UncleDavesFishin

"Marty S." > wrote in message
...
> Has anyone here used the Fishing Buddy clamp-on fish finder? I think
> there's 2 or 3 models, and I'm looking for feedback about clarity of the
> display in sunlight, ease of use, and the quality of the information that
> you get from the display. I have a 12' jon boat and I'm not looking to
add
> a permanently mounted fish finder but I saw these Fishing Buddy clamp-on
> units in the Bass Pro Shop.
>
> Any feedback? Thoughts? Any other ideas for a portable fish finder? I
saw
> the Smart Cast units (the ones that you toss out like a lure and that you
> wear as a watch or on your rod, but I don't think those would work for me.
>
> --
> Marty S.
> Baltimore, MD USA
>
>
>

Backyard Renegade
June 11th, 2004, 02:35 PM
"Marty S." > wrote in message >...
> Has anyone here used the Fishing Buddy clamp-on fish finder? I think
> there's 2 or 3 models, and I'm looking for feedback about clarity of the
> display in sunlight, ease of use, and the quality of the information that
> you get from the display. I have a 12' jon boat and I'm not looking to add
> a permanently mounted fish finder but I saw these Fishing Buddy clamp-on
> units in the Bass Pro Shop.
>
> Any feedback? Thoughts? Any other ideas for a portable fish finder? I saw
> the Smart Cast units (the ones that you toss out like a lure and that you
> wear as a watch or on your rod, but I don't think those would work for me.


Yup, went fishing with my bud the other day at the club. This guy is
the real deal, he can put you on the fish, every time, any place. A
few weeks back against his better judgement he bought one of these
units and took it on the lake. He loves it, he has already marked 3
new holes/structures he never knew were there. I have a cheap finder
on my skiff and his display is better. I don't really count on them to
"find" fish, just show me the bottom so I can find em'. Anyway, he got
his at Basspro for about $100, a good spent penny in my opinion.
Scotty