Have I got a toy for you

[Bear]

About a month ago I went along to a SWOFFER meeting here in Perth and a few of the guys mentioned a sounder that could be used from both the boat and by shore based fishos.

Well, managed to get a look at the one that Humminbird have just bought out called the Smartcast. This sucker uses a cordless transducer. Great idea.

The idea is that you can actually have an A or a B transduer if you want to actually run 2 from the one module. You can actually switch from one to the other from the one unit.

All units are delivered with an A and a B can be purchased for $65. It uses the Piranha mobile stand and is about the same size. The unit retails for around $399, which is less than we thought at the meeting.

The range is 100' radially and 100' down. Had all sorts of idea running through my head looking at it.

When will the toys end

Pics to follow.

[Bear]

[Bear]

[Craig H]

Bear... pardon my ignorance, but could you briefly explain how shore-based anglers could use these?

[Bear]

One of the things the SWOFFER guys were talking about was the ability to see drop offs and so on in murky water. You can have this on a handline and get feedback to the unit. It's fully portable and battery operated. It also works with the Piranha fittings if you want it on the boat.

Being cordless it can go anywhere. Off the jetty it can be used to survey the bottom structure and so on. Not a bad idea I thought. Not for everyone, but I love gadgets.

[RUSS]

There was a write up on these little fellas in the last DohDohDoh mag. You attach the little green thing to your line and cast it to where you wanna know whats underneath. No wires its radio frequency or somethin. (just tie a good knot)

[Lizardboy]

What I want to know is can you point it at a snag to see if theres a big fat lure munching bream sitting under it?

Lizard

[Bear]

One of the things I have found the sounder good for is when the Bream sit out from the snags on the drop offs. Thought this would be ideal for that either from boat or shore.

[corey]

I want one!
How cool is that I been doing web searches for about a week now trying to find info.
The Bream Master websight again comes up with the goods
so glad I joined!!!!!!!!
Corey

[MATTY]

bear,
any idea on range from module to transducer? what are its limits in regard to rough water either off a beach or rock ledge ?
could be interesting putting one under a balloon! although could be expensive if a 20kg mackie took a shine to it!

[Bear]

30m out from the base station and 30m down.

You can get replacement transducers for $65 as well as other bits to go with it.

Not a bad idea from shore or boat.

[RUSS]

G'day bear,
Any idea on how much the green bit weighs for casting purposes?

[Bear]

Not sure of exact weight, I've got it for the weekend so I'll check for you. It is heavy enough to get a good cast out though. I'll have one down for the boaters if anyone wants to check it out.

[yaker]

Had a look at them at the Tackle and Tinny show in Brisbane today. All I have to say is "I want one!" Reckon they'd be the bees knees from my kayak.
Tony
Kayak Fishing in SE Queensland

Humming bird sounders are very innovative I've had a 3D sounder with a side looking transducer as well via a switch for 4 years now and it has found me lots of fish.
The 3D uses 6 transducers to produce a 3D image of the bottom and covers 120 degrees or 6 times that of all other sounders on the market, these features are excellent for identifying structure, dropoffs etc, the side looking transducer has 3 beams, 1 beam of 20 degrees looking down for depth and 2 side looking beams angled down at 15 degrees from the horizontal. I can look under moored boats, into pylons, under jettys, up to 20 metres each side of my boat.
I think what Bear is using will be very useful for shore based anglers.
Another approach that a friend of mine uses is to mount the Transducer onto a long pole and while quietly drifting past a snag searches for fish by panning the transducer around and up and down. quite successful.