Setting up my kayak:Opinions needed!

I have an OK Drifter and I am setting it up for fishing. I plan on doing some ocean fishing after I have the necessary safety gear. As far as fish finder goes I am thinking about picking up a Lowrance Hook 4x while it’s on sale for $159.99. As far as a vhf can I pick up a decent vhf for around $100? Thanks for the advice!

The Lowrance Hook 4X doesn't have GPS capability.  GPS is really valuable whenever you are fishing more than a few yards from shore, because it allows you to return precisely to fish that you have seen on your sonar or to bottom features.  Spend a bit more money and get a fish finder with GPS capability.

IMO, get the best VHF you can afford if you're going on the ocean.  I had the unfortunate experience of trying two, one of which had to be returned because there is no point in a radio that doesn't last long enough to work when you need it.  I also agree with pete, get the GPS feature.  The first time you have a fog roll in you'll be glad you have it even if you never use it otherwise.  Also, great for marking crab pots.

+1 on a GPS unit, either as part of the fish-finder/chartplotter or hand-held.

The Standard Horizon HX300 is a solid and popular VHF radio.  Its price on Amazon has been bouncing around from $99 to the current $109 for weeks.  Keep an eye on it:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AJVXA5W/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I111490JY1WLNU&colid=2T7U2CG566Y3J&psc=1

I was hoping to get a fish finder with a gps in it but I have biart gift cards and They don’t currently carry anything with a gps built in. I do however have a hand held unit, i would never go out in the ocean without a gps I have been out when the fog rolls in way too many times! Has anyone used the Hook 4x?

I think Bi-mart can special order for you.

Maybe I will head over ron bi mart today then because it would be much easier to mark waypoints on a chart plotter than trying to pull out my hand held unit and not get it wet

GPS is also very helpful in knowing what speed you're trolling at, and also measuring the speed of the current, etc.

Lowrance just released an update to the Hook series (Hook2), so I would expect the cost of the first gen to go way down as they clear them out. 

The MSRP on the Hook 4 with GPS is now $179.  You should be able to get it for less than that, bringing it very close to the price of that Hook 4x.

I got a Garmin Striker 4 - color with GPS, just about a clone of the Hook 4, for $89 earlier this month from Cabelas. Crazy.

I got a Garmin Striker 4 - color with GPS, just about a clone of the Hook 4, for $89 earlier this month from Cabelas. Crazy.

with maps??   That is CRA CRA    you shoulda posted that in the super deals thread!!

The striker 4 is one that I’m going to see if bi mart can order, I’m also interested in the hook 4 if bi mart can get that one. I’m leaning towards getting a ff that has gps, even though I have a handheld gps a built-in one sure would make dropping waypoints on reefs much easier. I also did not take into consideration the importance of knowing my speed if I plan on trolling. Bi mart use to have the hook 4 in stock but now they only have the 3x, 4x, and I think 5x.

GPS is nice for returning to your crab pots as well as finding the LZ in the fog.

I got a Garmin Striker 4 - color with GPS, just about a clone of the Hook 4, for $89 earlier this month from Cabelas. Crazy.

with maps??   That is CRA CRA    you shoulda posted that in the super deals thread!!

Ah, no maps. Just waypoints and routes. That’s why it’s so cheap.

I bought it as a gift for a friend who current ff is like playing early 70’s Pong, so it is a major step up.

And really, do you really need a map to find the dam on Hagg ?