The Cheapskate Kayak Fisherman - Deals Thread

Solid deal on Tiger Elite rods:

https://fishfield.com/search?q=ugly+stick&type=product%2Cpage

Saw West Marine has the Lowrance Hook2 7 on sale for $299

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/lowrance--hook-7-fishfinder-chartplotter-combo-with-splitshot-transducer-and-us-coastal-charts--18799452?recordNum=22

That price didn't last long.  Price is back up to $529... 

I just clicked on the link and it is still showing $299.99 with limited availability (yesterday it was showing as sold out), says it ends 4/27.

Kevin

I just clicked on the link and it is still showing $299.99 with limited availability (yesterday it was showing as sold out), says it ends 4/27.

Kevin

That's funny, I just checked it at 06:00 and it said unavailable.   Well, I guess it is still available...

Now to decide if I want this one or a tripleshot model.

I think the Hook2 series is getting phased out for the Hook2 Reveal line, so my guess is pretty limited inventory.   Seems like Westmarine closes out fishfinders at pretty good discounts if you can catch them before they sell out.  I have bought both of mine on closeout at much reduced prices. 

I have had trouble with my hook2 losing bottom when I go from quick transitions in depth. That I am having trouble with the unit is apparently not too surprising.  I only got it since it was cheap and I already had an extra lowrance transducer so I could easily move the unit between boats.   I probably would not recommend it if starting from scratch

I bought the hook2 7 with ocean maps (exact same model) in June last year when it was on sale....Also 299 PLUS it came with a free $100 visa card. So effectively $199 and a better deal than the current offer. Worked fine in general initially but also had some glitches (like losing bottom, similar to what Shin09 describes, and also the screen display suddenly changing into a very dark color for no apparent reason - so dark that you could not see anything anymore).
That was last year.
Now the unit doesn't even power on anymore! Is still under warranty and I will need to ship it back. All in all surely no great experience and I also don't recommend this unit.   

In addition (and in hindsight): I found 7 inch is pretty big for a kayak. If i have to buy something new in future I will go for a smaller model.

Thanks for the insight guys, I was going to get one for my new Outback but I guess I'll look for something better.  Maybe I'll try a Hummingbird this time.

Look at the Hook Reveal before you go Humminbirdin'.  There's a $50 rebate on them right now.  (I have a Humminbird and I'm not quite ready to recommend them).

Thanks for the insight guys, I was going to get one for my new Outback but I guess I'll look for something better.  Maybe I'll try a Hummingbird this time.

I recently switched from Lowrance to Garmin and have been very happy with it.  The Garmin is much more user friendly than the Lowrance in my opinion.

I don’t think I have seen anyone complain about Garmin FF.  My only beef when looking is they don’t have a map card with both lakes and ocean detail as far as I could tell. You have to buy two map cards. But that could have changed

Next adventure has stohlquist dry suits on sale for 375 dollars.

https://nextadventure.net/ez-drysuit-ez-drysuit.html

REI has them for 248 but are they a decent suit?

They're pretty solid, I know of several people that use them and like them.

https://www.rei.com/product/898282/stohlquist-ez-dry-suit-mens

I've been out with a couple of people who own them - one even ended up in the water - and they're good suits even at full price.  REI is down to size SMALL.