Hey all,

I am just wondering what your go-to fish finder is for canoe fishing and what set up you use. Thanks in advance!

My group uses a Lowrance Hook 4 and a Lowrance Elite 5. Both units have gps and downscan in addition to regular sonar. We use Li-ion battery packs that take your standard 18650 cells that are used in flashlights. I'll try get some pics if you're interested. Otherwise, I also have a coworker who's used one of those units that uses your phone as the display, and he says it works well (Deeper something is the brand). There are numerous threads on this forum about sonar units too.

I am very interested about the battery packs. I am purchasing a Garmin Stryker 4 for this year and the battery situation worries me.

I have the Lorance Hook 4, love this for fishing. It has downscan imagining. I can go over a rock pile and it shows what the rock looks like, weeds etc. what I really like is it shows the fish stacked up on the shady side of the rock like cordwood. This thing is so cool it should be outlawed. I’m serious, down scan imagining, with sonar and GPS charts makes fishing so easy. Example if I threw a ladder overboard you could see the ladder and the rungs with this unit.

My pontoon has the Garmin Striker 4. Also a very nice unit. I can motor around and see schools of fish. The Striker 4 is better for your needs because of battery life is belter, but it has no downscan imagining. The unit will still find you fish, water depth, water temp and GPS.

8 AA batteries, black and white uses much less juice than color. I have since ditched the tupperware for a battery holder from an AV security systems (pictured). Mounting on a clamp is sweet; very easy.

Where do you all find your mounting things? I might be able to use my ice fishing finder a lowrance if I can find a mounting bracket I can use on my canoe

rayljr1: "I am very interested about the battery packs. I am purchasing a Garmin Stryker 4 for this year and the battery situation worries me."

Don't let it worry you. I got a Striker 4 last summer and loved it (though it is my first finder and I have no basis of comparison). I found battery conversion quite simple, and I'm not good with electrical things. Mine runs on 8 lithium AAs in a small Pelican case. Lest me at least a week using 4-5 hours a day. I gave photos of helpful.

I have the Striker 4.....mostly for ice fishing. I removed it from "the ice unit" and made a mounting plate on the thwart. Like others, I made a battery pack of AA's. I leave the ice ducer on the unit, place it in a ziplock of water that sits in a foam donut glued to floor of canoe. No suction cups or hanging brackets.

Sorry I haven't responded; been busy with family stuff over the long weekend. I'll dig out the rig and upload some pics soon

Chross 16,

Use the SEARCH finder on this website and you will find a lot of information on fish finders and thwart mounting setups as well as transducer mounting and battery pack setups.

Ram Mount Lowrance

I use a Ram Mount to attach my older Lowrance black and white X-4 ( a discontinued model) to my thwart. You can see it in this photo. Older black and white finders use a lot less power than color ones and require fewer batteries for canoe fishing. My X4 doesn't provide the detail that the newer Lowrance color versions like the Hook or Elite Series do, but I find it more than adequate for locating fish and determining depth and bottom type ( rock, sand or mud) …. using its grayline feature.

My transducer that "shoots thru the hull" is mounted to a foam cut out in the bow of my Magic. Many use Duct Seal and wrap it around the transducer and secure it to the hull and fill it with water and shoot thru the hull of your canoe. For many years I used a suction cup that mounted the transducer to the side of my canoe … but I now prefer to shoot thru the hull as I do not have any drag while I am paddling.



I use a Pelican Micro Waterproof case with 8 Energizer Lithium AA Batteries, which MagicPaddler, our resident battery expert says is the best value for powering my X4 fish finder. I added a low amperage protector fuse as well but may not be needed.





Again, I got all the fish finder mounting and battery setup information right from this site to make my setup. There a lot of great setups being used by bwca.com members. I have seen fish finder info also on kayak fishing websites too.

Sorry, the 2 Pelican Micro Case pics with the 8 Energizer battery packs that I posted above are of "Old Salts" setup … not mine. My set up is just like Old Salts except that I soldered my wires together instead of capping.

Me bad. I have to give credit to where credit is due.

I got the ideas for this set up from this site. If using AA's I would go with a 10 pack holder.

thanks all for the great advice and help!

The Mount Guys website has just about everything.

I made a battery pack using AAs -I learned from this site. I made a “battery bar” out of pvc rather than using a battery pack. The bar sits right on the thwart and doesn’t get in the way. I leave it there when portaging. I use the push in pipe clips to mount it to the thwart- but it could Be just as easily bungeed.

I have a similar setup for my lowrance pmax. I used an Ikea curtain rod for the battery holder which was suggested by a member of this site. Works well but I like the micro pelican box idea as well. Anything more compact, lightweight and easier to set up is a plus.

Savage Voyageur: "I have the Lorance Hook 4, love this for fishing. It has downscan imagining. I can go over a rock pile and it shows what the rock looks like, weeds etc. what I really like is it shows the fish stacked up on the shady side of the rock like cordwood. This thing is so cool it should be outlawed. I’m serious, down scan imagining, with sonar and GPS charts makes fishing so easy. Example if I threw a ladder overboard you could see the ladder and the rungs with this unit.


My pontoon has the Garmin Striker 4. Also a very nice unit. I can motor around and see schools of fish. The Striker 4 is better for your needs because of battery life is belter, but it has no downscan imagining. The unit will still find you fish, water depth, water temp and GPS. "

I am looking at the Hook 4 as well and setting it up as a portable unit. I wonder how long batteries would last? Did you convert it to run off of the 18650's? I have a 12V 9 amp battery for my Vexilar I was thinking of using. Haven't ordered anything yet so open to other suggestions.

I have a Hook4 running on 18650 batteries. I get about 14 hours on a set of batteries. I use something like these.
They are
Button Top **** or they will not make contact when you put them end to end.
Protected ***** or they will be destroyed the first time you run then down.
3400mAh**** From a reputable dealer or you won’t get much run time.
Get Pineknot to show a picture of his battery holder.

Great battery information and design by Magicpaddler in his previous posts. Thanks.

I am looking into a new fish finder also. I spoke with Lowrance Applications Rep about lowest battery power consumption finder product for 2019. He said 0.9A. Garmin App Rep said 0.4A. Way to much for my 3 to 4 week trips. The 2019 PiranahMax 4 draws 180mA . I am considering this. Can anyone out there add their research to this?

The PiranahMax 4. Price $100. The Sonar electronics in operation and transducer in water draws 180 mA from a 12 Volt battery. Input Voltage range 10V to 20V.
I will build a battery pack using 1.5 volt Coppertop Duracell MN1300 Size: D (LR20) Alkaline-Manganese Dioxide Batteries. The electrical configuration is 12 batteries (I want to deplete to 0.8V per D cell getting every joule of energy out after carrying it in) in series. Output Voltage is 18 Volts. 3lbs. I calculate 70 hours of operation. The battery will be depleted at 9.6 Volts (0.8V each cell). Refer to Magicpaddler's posts.
Another battery pack of 12 AA cells in series will output 18 V. It will power the locator 12 hours. Taking a break from charging batteries. This will get me through the month. Refer to Magicpaddler's posts on battery design 10 alkaline batteries.

The one I wish I had! Vexilar 10 BWCA

Photo





The Fish Finder System I am going to retire I describe below. It is to complex. Main problem is unreliability of usb cables, connectors, charging in the backcountry. Good sonar though. I am a tech. It grew out of control.
Components:
1. Vexilar SP200 Sonarphone $130. The Sonar electronics in operation communicating over WiFi with a smart phone and transducer in water draws 140 mA from a 12 Volt battery. Input Voltage range 9V to 15V. This product works with Navionics map application.

2, Zikabilt sonar battery consists of four protected LG F1L 3400MAH 5A LI-ION 18650 button top battery configured electrically in series making a battery of 16.8 Volts no load. 16 volts with load applied (yes 1V over SP200 spec). An alarm sounds when pack is discharged to 11 volts. The SP200 will operate for 24 hrs from this battery pack. $50 in parts. Refer to original post by Magic Paddler for his Li battery notes. Waterproof cylinder, 4" x 2", threaded w gasket cap. See photo.



3. Motorola G7 Power Smartphone is designed with 5AHr battery and improved efficiency of display about $200. Your Smartphone will work also.

4. FosPower,10.2 Ah, water and shock proof. Portable Power Pack to charge smartphone,
Kept in canoe for smart phone recharge. $26 ea

5. 18650 cell Smart Charger: Nitecore 14 Intellicharger. Configured to connect to solar panel 18V output and or 12 Volt battery in your car. $20.

6. Lixada Solar panel charger, 2 USB port output, 5V/18V, 20 Watt. To charge sonar battery and smartphone. Charges usb devices and car batteries. Ultra thin, 16.5" x 11". $34.

7. Cloud cover back up battery short trips. 10 AA alkaline cells electrically configured in series 15 volts out. Discharge to 10V. Will run SP200 14 hrs. 1 lb. Refer to Magicpaddler post building alkaline battery.

8. Cloud cover back up battery long trips. 10 alkaline D cells electrically configured in series 15 volts out. Discharge to 10V. Will run SP200 80 hrs. 3 lbs. Refer to Magicpaddler post on alkaline battery. NOTE: 12 to 15V IN to usb 5V OUT Smart charger to charge devices with Li batteries such as the smartphone.

Whew! Ridiculous. Hey.

Zika
I see you are considering using 12 Alkaline cells in series. You will get a little more mAh out of the pack before the voltage drops below 10 volts but not much. The no load voltage of a new Alkaline cell is 1.6 volts. With 12 cells in series it would make 19.2 volts which is above what many detector manuals call for. When you go from 10 to 12 cells in series the weight and cost goes up by 20% but the length of time the detector will run only goes up by about 10%. I think it will work well but I like the 10 alkaline cells in series batter.
D cell hold a lot of power they have the same shape of discharge curve but at much higher mAh than AA batteries. The D cell holds 5 to 6 times as much power as AA.

Here is the setup I hope to use this June.
The unit is the Garmin Striker 4 w/ CV.

I have attached the transducer to a 1 liter (sturdy) water bottle, and I plan to float it off the side of the canoe. I needed to make it portable, as I am going as a guest of a friend, and it is not optional to be attaching it to his canoe or putting some type of substance in the bottom. I have not tested this yet, only in the bathtub, but I will be using over the next few weeks from my kayak. I hope it works well.

For the batteries, I have one of those hobby battery packs that holds 8 AA batteries. I have it in a Plano watertight box that I bought on Amazon for about $5. I will be taking about 24 or 32 AA batteries.

I have tested the battery pack and it works great. I don't know how much time I will get out of the batteries. But I think it will be good. We do not troll. We typically print or buy topo maps of the main lakes we will be fishing in, and use those to find what we think will be good spots.

The fish finder will be used in these targeted areas.

Ray,

Wish you good fishing and seeing what is under the canoe is interesting. I respond to your post to help you and make a better trip for you. Finding fish structure will change your fishing!
Transducer floating:
I do not agree with this idea. You must drift fish or paddle/troll looking for structure with your transducer mounted stable in or on the canoe, face of duper pointing down/ flat, not moving, out of any bubble flow from canoe or paddles or the fish finder is not worth bringing. Any air bubbles created in the water around the transducer is an attenuator (blocks the acoustic energy) from the transducer. Flutter and movement of transducer is noise contaminating your data.
I set my transducer under my canoe (kevlar) seat. I run a bead of silicone around the transducer to make a transducer pool/resevoir that holds a thin layer of water between transducer face and bottom of canoe. In the outline of your silicone bead reservoir leave a spot you can add water to the reservoir. The face of the transducer has to be completely in water to optimize acoustic energy through the canoe hull. 0.1" to 0.25 " deep of water will do it.
When trip is over silicone peels off canoe floor and you can not see a trace. Rent your own solo or kayak and do wha you want.
From
Garmin website:
Power source voltage range
From 10 to 20 V
Rated current
Current draw @ 12V: 0.40A
Mpaddler: pls check my calculations
400mA load
8 AA Alkaline cells will run a Garmin for 1 to 2 hrs.
10 AA Alkaline cells will run a Garmin for 3 hrs. Bingo
12 AA Alkaline cells will run a Garmin for 3 hrs.

See Magicpaddler posts on 10 AA cells or 10 D cells. I think 10 alkaline D cells in series at 16 V discharge to 10V would be much better for you.

10 D Duracell Coppertop Alkaline cells will run a Garmin for 19 hrs. 20 deg C
12 D Duracell Coppertop Alkaline cells will run a Garmin for 23 to 24 hrs. 20 deg C


Duracell Coppertop Alkaline Battery Spec

Mp

See what you mean extra weight vs joules.
From Piranha owners Manual
Current Draw
Fishin' Buddy MAX: 170 mA
PiranhaMAX: 180 mA
Power Requirement: 10 to 20 VDC

8 AA Alkaline cells will run for 6 hrs.
10 AA Alkaline cells will run for 12 hrs. Bingo add 1.6 oz (2 cells) time doubled
12 AA Alkaline cells will run for 12.8 hrs. add 1.6 oz (2 cells) X 1.1
Extra 2 cells do not pay off.

8 D Alkaline cells will run for 30 hrs.
10 D Alkaline cells will run for 64 hrs. Bingo add 10 oz (2 cells) time more than doubled
12 D Alkaline cells will run for 69 hrs. add 1.6 oz (2 cells) X 1.1
Extra 2 cells do not pay off.

Part of my career I designed electronics installed in the Arctic ocean or a mountain at 10,000 ft. I have a habit of getting battery Voltage up as high as possible due to available alkaline cell capacity diminished at sub zero temperatures. You are bringing me back to the tropics here. Alkaline was preferred for Low I applications because of Li shipment requirements,

Duracell Data Sheet

Ray
I have never measured the current draw of one of the detectors with the built in GPS but I have read that they draw over 700mA while on. This is more than I would think they would draw. That is more current than my detector + my hand held GPS so I am not sure it is true. If it is true it is a battery hog. I wish I could give you more accurate info but I don’t have it and the manufactures do not understand the question.
If you are going to do any testing at home put the transducer in a bucket of water so you do not damage it.
To get an idea of how long a set of batteries will last you might put a set of batteries in and run it to see how fast they go down. I think that unit has a voltage readout on the screen. If you record that voltage and the time about every 5 minutes for 30 minutes I should be able to estimate current draw. To do a good estimate I need discharge curves on the batteries you use. Most name brands have discharge curves available (IKEA, Kirkland, Duracell). For a test like this we want the batteries to discharge enough so the voltage goes down so we want alkaline batteries.

Zika
If you are using D cells I don’t know of anything better than alkaline. If you are dealing with cold the lithium batteries are effected less than alkaline but they are not available in D size.

Oops. posted twice. sorry.

700 mA. Yikes. Hope it's less for you Ray.

Mp

Understood. No Li in D size.
The Panasonic 18650 cell you suggested is my go to battery also. I have tested Panasonic designs delivering 10 Amps for up to 8 minutes at -20 F for work projects.

To you listeners at home another review and emphasis follow up on Mp's excellent posts:

* Alkaline batteries are used for lower currents like 140 mA to 1 A Lo-K-tors. Low cost choice.
* Alkaline capacity goes way down in subzero. Can be more than 50%. Similar to your car.
* Lead acid and Li cells are used for higher current draw. In the amp range.
* Lead acid is a heavy in weight choice.
* Li is very light. Best performance in sub-zero like ice fishing outside. Pricey.

Mp.
Your posts should help many folks on this forum select the right lo-k-tor and qty of 10 cell alkaline packs to pack in.

App person at Lowrance told me 900 mA is the lowest current from a 12 volt battery available in their line this year. Yikes everyone. Hang on to those power efficient lo-k-tos you own.

If you are not sure on your lo-k-tor and the manual does not state it follow Mp's instructions on measuring current from your battery to your lo-k-tor and post it for him to help.

I wish you good fishing this summer, lighter packs and that your lo-k-tor runs your whole trip.

Zika
There is another good option. The 18650 is a good rechargeable option. For fish detectors use the protected button top. You do need to buy a battery charger designed to charge Lithium Ion batteries. My favorite source is
Wholesale Li-ion.
Got any good sources. There are lots of BAD sources.

Your Vendor is the most reasonable. I am using them from now on.

This is my first time bringing a fish finder with me to BWCA. I am bringing my new Garmin Striker Plus 5cv mounted in a garmin portable kit. I also purchased a magnetic transducer mount and a new Lithium 12v.

Battery
Battery Tender 12v Lithium battery for less weight, BTL09 A120C, Pb Eq 7-9, LCA 120, 25.6 Watt Hrs. I am testing the run time at home to see how long it will run the fish finder, currently running the test as I am typing.

Mount
Xpower 15mm Magntic Transducer Mount from Fish Finder Mounts.com they have some good videos on their mounts.

I can’t really say how well this setup works yet but I am excited to give a try during our trip in the first week of June.

Wildcat
Put your transducer in a bucket of water. It is better for the transducer. If you can read the battery voltage on the detector wright it and the time down every 15 or 30 minutes. Let us know how it works. That is a different chemistry than any of the batteries discussed in this thread so far. The advantage of this technology (LiFePO4) over the 18650 (li-ion) is they last through more discharge cycles. The disadvantage is they weigh a little more for the same energy storage although they are much lighter than Lead acid.

Chross16: "Hey all,

I am just wondering what your go-to fish finder is for canoe fishing and what set up you use. Thanks in advance!
"

You don’t need a little handheld telling you not to look at your woods. I just back troll and anchor to stir shit of the bottom and run a gold rap. Fish finders make me piss myself ehh.

Some wisdom to this.

It'll be my first time fishing in BWCA. I go up to MN to fish multiple times throughout the year in a boat with the motor, live well, fish finder cup holders etc.... I want fish but I'm on the fence about bringing my fish finder. Is it worth carrying in? Do i really NEED it?

EKD75: "It'll be my first time fishing in BWCA. I go up to MN to fish multiple times throughout the year in a boat with the motor, live well, fish finder cup holders etc.... I want fish but I'm on the fence about bringing my fish finder. Is it worth carrying in? Do i really NEED it? "

I like to troll for fish and knowing the depth keep me from shagging and keeps me in productive water. If you have a gray scale detector I would say take it. If you have a new one with all options except a toilet paper dispenser leave it at home. Not worth the hassle.

MagicPaddler: "

EKD75: "It'll be my first time fishing in BWCA. I go up to MN to fish multiple times throughout the year in a boat with the motor, live well, fish finder cup holders etc.... I want fish but I'm on the fence about bringing my fish finder. Is it worth carrying in? Do i really NEED it? "

I like to troll for fish and knowing the depth keep me from shagging and keeps me in productive water. If you have a gray scale detector I would say take it. If you have a new one with all options except a toilet paper dispenser leave it at home. Not worth the hassle. "

Thanks, I have a Marcum M5 i use for ice fishing. Reading some posts about that.

20 year old Lowrance X4 , no color, 8 D cell batteries. Old school, but has put a ton of fish in the canoe...

Just found this:

Less battery is good.

100 mA battery draw Baby!

I will be searching to buy one of these discontinued models.

MagicPaddler: "Wildcat
Put your transducer in a bucket of water. It is better for the transducer. If you can read the battery voltage on the detector wright it and the time down every 15 or 30 minutes. Let us know how it works. That is a different chemistry than any of the batteries discussed in this thread so far. The advantage of this technology (LiFePO4) over the 18650 (li-ion) is they last through more discharge cycles. The disadvantage is they weigh a little more for the same energy storage although they are much lighter than Lead acid.
"

Ok I tested it today to see how long before the power went out. Not to spoil the details but I was surprised at how short it ran, 6.5 hrs with transducer sitting in bucket. I was only running in traditional mode at 200 CHIRP. I also reduced the max sonar depth to 300 max (lowest that it had). Here is the data.

Garmin Striker 5cv (Battery Info in above post)
Initial reading on screen read 13.4v
Minutes - Volts
030 - 13.4
060 - 13.3
090 - 13.2
120 - 13.1
150 - 13.1
180 - 13.1
210 - 13.0
240 - 12.9
270 - 12.8
300 - 12.5
330 - 11.0
360 - 8.6
390 - shut down

Wildcat
With the full charge voltage being 13.4 volts that tells me there are 4 cells in series. I believe the battery is about 2000mAh. I believe your detector was drawing about 350mA. That current is more reasonable than what I have been told.
This battery will run your fish detector about 2 times as long as the one you have but it does not have any protection. To use it without destroying it you need a low voltage alarm and a different special charger than the one you have. If you are interested let me know and I will go over what you need to use it safely

Has anyone used the discontinued Hummingbird Max 600 series of B&W fish finders? Can you give me a performance review. They operate drawing 100 mA from a 12V battery.

10 D Duracell Coppertop Alkaline cell in series MgPadl battery will run a Hummingbird Max series finder for 125 hrs at 20 deg C. 3 pounds. $20

4 hours a day for my 30 day stay in the Quetico.

Duracell discharge curves

Hummingbird Max Series of Fish Finder Manual

zika: "Has anyone used the discontinued Hummingbird Max 600 series of B&W fish finders? Can you give me a performance review. They operate drawing 100 mA from a 12V battery.


10 D Duracell Coppertop Alkaline cell in series MgPadl battery will run a Hummingbird Max series finder for 125 hrs at 20 deg C. 3 pounds. $20


4 hours a day for my 30 day stay in the Quetico.


Duracell discharge curves


Hummingbird Max Series of Fish Finder Manual "

D cell discharge curve

I am planning to use a Garmin Striker Plus 7SV, that is side view, on both tandem and solo canoes in the BWCA this summer. My unit mount has to be both solid and removable; I hope the RAM mounts I have ordered will do this. The transducer remains the challenge, as the side view will only work if submerged below the boat.

I would appreciate any suggestions from folks on this issue.

I also am looking for light weight clamp-on rod holders. The Eagle Claw unit I will be returning was awesome, but heavy enough to use as an anchor.

Thanks in advance.

Tips up, tight lines!

Wallski: "

Chross16: "Hey all,


I am just wondering what your go-to fish finder is for canoe fishing and what set up you use. Thanks in advance!
"

You don’t need a little handheld telling you not to look at your woods. I just back troll and anchor to stir shit of the bottom and run a gold rap. Fish finders make me piss myself ehh."

It saddens me...seems as though these technologies corrupt this "wilderness" experience. Learn to fish at a more human vs fish level.

MNJim
I use a ram Short Double Socket and a U-Bolt Base. ~ I put a rubber band around the detector end of the double socket to hold it to the socket. This leaves the base on the canoe all the time.

"....You don’t need a little handheld telling you not to look at your woods. I just back troll and anchor to stir shit of the bottom and run a gold rap. Fish finders make me piss myself ehh."

"It saddens me...seems as though these technologies corrupt this "wilderness" experience. Learn to fish at a more human vs fish level. "

Interesting position ya'll have there, trying to declare moral high ground in your fishing by decrying someone else's use of technology.

You do this while fishing with a pole made of carbon or glass fibers combined with epoxy resins, to which you've attached a complicated mechanical reel mechanism made of intricately formed metal and plastic parts. Spooled on the reel you have a line made of polymers or fluorocarbons which are virtually invisible underwater (very unfair to the fish). To help you see better you wear polarized sunglasses. Your boat is made of aluminum alloys or high tech composites. You wear synthetic clothing, which is made of petroleum, which was refined from crude oil. And on and on....

Take your own advice: "Learn to fish at a more human vs fish level." Report back on how it goes for you. Take a trip where you don't use ANY technology. Make your pole from a stick, make your line from natural fibers you gather in the woods. Make your clothing from natural materials. Don't drive your car to the water, walk on sandals you have made.

Then and only then will you be qualified to talk down to people (by posting from a computer based device onto the internet) about their use of technology.

I have the Vexilar 10 BWCA that I bought 25 years ago. A set of eight AA batteries last me about 2 weeks I think. I am going to try to rig up one of the newer units out there to see the detail that I know that I am missing.

No, I do not plan on selling it anytime soon.

I use a lowrance x4 pro with a 10 AA lithium battery pack.
This season I got a ram mount to make attaching to the thwart
easier. Part # Rap-b-400-238u .purchased threw THE MOUNT DEPOT.COM ..I had to make a mounting plate to attach the ram mount and the lowrance base to. 1/4 in aluminum plate .

I use the striker 4. I have custom made a thwart to mount it. I would recommend the Noqua 10 lithium-ion battery. Less than 2 lbs and lasts 30+ hours

Portagemule: "I use the striker 4. I have custom made a thwart to mount it. I would recommend the Noqua 10 lithium-ion battery. Less than 2 lbs and lasts 30+ hours "

Very nice install of your fish finder. Your battery must be under your seat. I'm doing something similar to my kayak on my rail mount.

Battery and wiring is in the bag attached below on the thwart.

I use an X-4Pro, with a battery pack that will accept AA cells (8 lithium or 10 alkaline). I get about 30hrs from a set of batteries.

For the canoe I use around home I made a "console" that holds the sonar head, a GPS, and left/right mounts for a Folbe Jr rod holder. I made a paddle holder that goes into the unused Folbe mount. There's a bag mounted below that holds the battery pack, a small tackle box, lunch, and water bottles.

My goal was to make this rig be super easy to install/remove. The console has little metal tabs that position it on a custom thwart I made. After hooking it over the thwart, two screw knobs secure it. The console can be mounted on either side of the thwart, depending on whether I'm fishing solo or tandem.

I'm going to make something similar, though lighter, to take along for use on rental canoes in the BW. It will clamp onto the gunwales.