Anyone here use Humminbird Helix synced with iPilot?

quote:

---

Most of my depth finder use is for crappie so evaluating structure is important. Is the Down Imaging best for this vs Side imaging?

---

If they're shallow and you're moving around trying to locate them, side-imaging can be very helpful. It only works worth a damn while moving though.

For vertical fishing deep structure, you want down-imaging.

They each have their place and it's dependent on the type of water you normally fish. I know guys who will cruise around a cove or bay a couple hundred feet from the bank looking for shallow structure and schools of crappie to target with spider rigs or pushing cranks. They live and die with side-imaging.

On the flip side, I know guys who exclusively target brush piles in 15'+ water in main lake areas and they have no use for side-imaging but couldn't catch a fish in a bucket without their down scan.

I run the Helix 9, and a 899, and the ipilot all linked with the Ethernet hub. We mainly use down imaging, we fish a lot of crappie tourneys, and this set up works great. I don't have the 360, which was going to be the next addition.
But now that the Garmin Livescope is out, I'm going that route as soon as I can.

But the Helix set up is good, you can set follow the contour, to stay in certain depths, record and save tracks, etc. But you will need the Lakemaster card to do that. Navionics cards are good too, I've got both, but to run the follow the contour, gotta have Lakemaster card. And if you want to make your own maps, you have to get another card. It adds up quick, fishfinders, cables, dongles, Ethernet hub, cards, mounts, not to mention the ipilot.

I have the 7 linked to terrova. It’s a game changer IMHO. From brush piles for crappie to break lines for snapper it is awesome. I only have one unit at my center console and it aids in so many ways. Example is I can now spot lock and take my time getting ready to leave if strong wind/tide. When ready I crank up put motor in gear and stow trolling motor with calmness. Also save a spot lock position over a brush pile and being they are linked the helix will tell TM go to spot lock. Love the linked feature. I have Lowrance units also and prefer them but not over having the 2 linked.

Yes, Lowrance links with motorguide.

quote:

---

How much would it cost to get a medium quality set up with depth finder and trolling motor? Ballpark?

---

Can you be more specific? What are you fishing for? What size boat?

18 foot bass boat, fishing under 20 foot of water.

Mainly want to just be able to hold spots or follow contours in fairly shallow water, so I can take two kids fishing and not lose my mind.

quote:

---

My current one is like 15 years old so I have no experience with the newer stuff. Any opinions appreciated

---

I have helix 9s ipilot linked to an ultrex.

I was like you in that my stuff was older. There is a definite learning curve with the new technology. Especially for someone like me who has gotten used to fishing a certain way over the years. You have to be open minded and learn to rely on the equipment rather than your intuition as far as locating fish. That's been a big challenge for me.

Definitely get the Mega imaging. It's a very clear representation of what's down there.

Yes sir, excellent pics.

Are those crappie above the tree at 17.5 feet in your bottom pic?

Those are some good ones. That's a perfect shelf before it drops off deep. Did you get to fish for them?

That lake will definitely teach you to play it safe.

Maybe they will hold there for the next time you get to go out.