[mikeh]

I picked up a humminbird smartcast and I have been using it to map out bottom structure and depth on some of my local fishing spots. Overall its pretty simple to use, just cast out the sonar unit and start watching the LCD on the receiver for depth and structure info. Not sure that it would be much use as a real time fish finder, but it has enabled me to map out some sunken logs and holding trenches under heavily stained water from the shoreline, which has also enabled me to catch a few nice surprises there recently.

Anyone else tried one of these units out?

[NADO]

What kind of line are you using with it? It would suck to lose something like that to a snag, what did it cost?

I wonder if it would be legal to use two fishing rods in this situation one with the finder, the other with your bait so you could use it as a fish finder.

[mikeh]

The emitter looks like this...

 smartcast.jpg (23.79K)
Number of downloads: 3

I have it on serious braid and a steel leader, and I cast it out on a old heavy action telescopic rod. It floats around and sends back a wireless telemetry to the reciever. A replacement emitter is around 25-30 bucks if you lose one. I dont think it counts as a second fishing line as there's no hook or bait of any kind, plus I dont use it when I'm actually fishing, (just on reccy's before hand).

It was a gift but I checked (just in case) and it was less than a hundred bucks.

There is a second attachment point on the underneath, presumably for fishing a drop shot line and using the emitter as a float, but there's no way this would be an option on my light tackle.
I'm not convinced that it would be much use as a fish finder....unless I happen to be over a big pike or one of those hugeass downtown carp.

[mikeh]

I've been out a few times with this unit now, so I gave it a bit of a write up here....

http://fishontoronto...onar-fishfinder

[Garfield the Cat]

Hey guys. Im finally seeing people out there using this model but i have the watch instead. I've had the smart cast for about 7-8 years but three years i left it in an old tackle box. Changed battery an finally this fall bought a new sonar. I had used it for bass, salmon at piers, slow river and even ice fishing. The only helpful info i can give you is dry the bobber off an take the battery out when you don't use. Save battery an receiver.