Choosing a livescope transducer mount for trolling motor
Getting the solid livescope transducer mount for trolling motor setups is usually usually the very first thing on the checklist after you drop a couple associated with grand on the new Garmin system. It's one of all those things where you realize pretty rapidly that the technology is only simply because good as the way you've got this pointed. If your own mount is loosely or positioned weirdly, you're just heading to be searching at a display screen full of expensive blur. Most individuals wish to jump right in and start seeing fish, yet taking an additional 20 minutes to consider exactly how that transducer sits on your motor will save you a massive headache when you're actually out on the particular water.
Exactly why the trolling motor is the go-to spot
Almost all guys choose the trolling motor for their Livescope due to the fact it's just intuitive. You're already making use of the motor to steer the vessel and find areas, so it can make sense that your "eyes" under the water follow the exact same direction. When you've got a livescope transducer mount for trolling motor use, you're generally turning your motor head into a directional pointer. You discover a stump upon the screen, you point the motor at it, and you also know exactly exactly where to cast.
But generally there is a slight trade-off that nobody tells you about till you're mid-lake. In the event that you're using "Spot-Lock" or any kind of electronic anchoring, your motor will be going to be twitching and switching on its personal to maintain you in place. If your Livescope is mounted directly to the shaft, your view will be spinning all more than the place as the motor tries in order to fight the wind. It's not a dealbreaker for everybody, but it's some thing you've got to maintain in mind when you do a large amount of stationary fishing within breezy conditions.
Different styles of mounts you'll operate into
When you open the, you're usually going to see the regular hardware Garmin provides you. It's decent, but it's certainly not the just way to do items. Most people begin with the basic shaft mount. It's simple, it's sturdy, plus it puts the particular transducer right exactly where it needs to be. You just grip it on, tighten the bolts, plus you're ready to go.
Then there's the perspective setting mount . If you haven't seen this particular yet, it's a bracket that allows you to flip the transducer sideways. Instead associated with looking in a narrow slice within front of or below the motorboat, it provides you the top-down view associated with the shallow drinking water. It's killer for flats fishing or looking for mattresses in the spring. Many of the aftermarket livescope transducer mount for trolling motor choices available now are usually designed to create switching between these modes much faster, so that you aren't fumbling having a wrench whilst the fish are usually biting.
Barrel or clip vs. Shaft increasing
You've basically got two areas on the motor to pick from: the barrel (the motor part at the very bottom) or the base (the long pole).
Installing to the barrel will be a bit of the old-school move. This keeps the transducer as deep as you possibly can, which can help with surface clutter or air bubbles. However, this also places the most expensive portion of your consumer electronics right in the "impact zone. " If you hit a rock or even a submerged log, the transducer is taking the hit first.
Most individuals stick to the shaft mount. It's tucked away a bit more, and it's easier to adjust the particular depth. You can glide it up if you're fishing really shallow or slide it down in order to get a clearer image. Just be sure you don't mount it therefore high that this hits the mounting brackets once you draw the motor away of the drinking water to stow it.
The head ache of cable management
I can't stress this plenty of: how you run your cable is just as important as the mount itself. The livescope transducer mount for trolling motor setup involves quite a thick, expensive cable that doesn't such as being pinched. If you just zip-tie this tight to the shaft and contact it a day, you're probably going in order to snap a cable the first time you deploy the particular motor.
A person need to keep what we should call a "service loop. " This is just the bit of extra slack near the particular top in which the motor rotates. You desire sufficient play so the motor can spin 360 degrees without tugging on the connection. I've seen guys use electrical record, specialized cable videos, or even these plastic spiral wraps. Whatever you use, just make sure it's not so tight that it's forcing the rubber casing from the wire.
Aftermarket mounts compared to. factory hardware
The stuff that will comes in the particular Garmin box is okay for starters, but a lot of serious anglers turn out upgrading to some thing a bit more "pro. " Right now there are companies out there that make light weight aluminum mounts that are usually way tougher compared to the factory plastic ones. These are great if you're a power fisherman who spends a lot of time in heavy timber or even rocky areas.
A few of these aftermarket livescope transducer mount for trolling motor designs also offer a "0-degree" offset. The factory Garmin mount usually includes a slight angle into it (usually eight degrees) to assist the beam very clear the trolling motor barrel. While that's helpful for some, a lot of guys find that will a 0-degree mount makes it easier to track their lure because the ray is perfectly vertical. It's a small detail, nevertheless you're trying to visit a tiny jig in 20 feet associated with water, every bit of accuracy helps.
Avoiding interference issues
One issue that drives individuals crazy is "ghosting" or interference upon their screen. Sometimes this comes from the particular trolling motor alone. Since your livescope transducer mount for trolling motor is correct next to the high-powered electric motor, it can pick up some electronic sound.
In case you begin seeing weird outlines every time a person step on the pedal, look at your wiring. You want in order to maintain your sonar strength cables as far away from your motor power cables because possible. Some guys even use the dedicated battery just for their consumer electronics to keep the ability "clean. " It's an extra little bit of weight in the boat, yet for the clearness you get, it's usually worth the trade.
Keeping things aligned
Once you've obtained your livescope transducer mount for trolling motor installed, you've have got to make certain it's actually pointed where you think it is. It sounds stupid, but it's easy to have it somewhat crooked. I suggest taking the motorboat out on the calm day, locating a bridge piling or a buoy, and practicing pointing at it.
If you point the trolling motor dead ahead plus the piling shows up on the particular left side associated with your screen, your own mount is rotated too far. Simply loosen it up, provide a tiny nudge, and verify again. You want it so that whenever your foot pedal is definitely straight, your beam is looking exactly where the boat is going.
Final thoughts around the setup
All in all, there isn't one "perfect" way to set this up because everyone fishes differently. Several guys love the simpleness of the stock mount, while others won't hit the water with no custom-machined aluminum bracket. The particular main thing will be to make sure your livescope transducer mount for trolling motor is secure, your own cables are safe, as well as your alignment is definitely true.
Don't be afraid in order to tweak it right after your first several trips. You might find that a person want it the few inches increased, or you might realize you require that perspective mode bracket all things considered. It's a bit of a learning curve, but once you've got that watch dialed in, it's like fishing with the lights switched on. Just take your time with all the set up, don't overtighten the plastic bits, and maintain those cables loose enough to shift. You'll be picking fish off individuals brush piles within no time.