I've posted this on another forum. Some of you may visit both. I'm sorry for the repeat if you do.
I've been lurking here for a bit and have decided that I want to learn to catch kokes. I have a boat (although not the best...fiberglass bass boat) and am going to make do with what I've got as a new boat is out of the question (for the short term..might be more of an option in 3-5 years). Santa recently brought me a down rigger (currently working on some ideas on how to retrofit the bass boat for that) and am working on picking up a second one. Also have picked up a decent trolling rod/reel. (older) Bass boat has an electric trolling motor that I'm going to try and troll with.
Finally, to the question. My current fish finder is dead and (IMO) a new one is needed. I'm considering two models with a third a possibility. Looking at the Hummingbird line:
(a) #581 - 5" , black & white, 640 x 320 pixel, 2,000 watt peak to peak, GPS
(b) #385 - 3.5", color, 320 x 240 pixel, 2400 watt peak to peak, GPS, $50-$100 more than the bigger black & white
or possibly
(c) #587 - 4.5", color, 640 x 480 pixel, 2400 watt peak to peak, GPS, $100 more than the smaller color
Which would you choose and why? The #587 is really about $150 more than I have to spend but I might be able to set it aside by April/May when the fishing starts to pick up.
Is the color screen worth another $100 over the black and white even though you're giving up 1.5" of screen size?
Is 400w peak to peak going to provide that much greater detail (either b or c)?
Will these work as middle of the road machines and find kokes?
Anyone that fishes Idaho's Lucky Peak, Arrowrock Reservoir, or Anderson Ranch have any advice?
Obviously, if I win the lotto I'm buying a new boat and installing a $2500-$3500 Furuno but until then I'll have to figure out how to make what I've got work.
Thoughts?
Thanks for your time and have a Happy New Year!
~ AO
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