Mounting a Fish Finder on a Pirogue

Some fishermen locate their quarry with a fish finder. These devices are mounted on a boat and display fish that are beneath the vessel. Fish finders can be mounted on many vessels, including a pirogue, which is a narrow, flat-bottom boat used primarily for navigating the marsh and swamplands of the Louisiana bayous. Pirogues can be pushed or paddled and some are mounted with trolling motors. Installing a fish finder on your pirogue can be accomplished with little difficulty.

Things You'll Need

  • Drill
  • Marker
  • Waterproof caulk or epoxy
  • Fish finder
  • 12 volt battery (if not already installed)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the bottom of the pirogue to find the hull's mid-point and mark it. This is where the transducer will be mounted. The transducer is the sensor that detects fish size and movement and then relays information to the display screen. Ensure that the mark is about 1/3 of the boat's length away from any trolling motor. If the transducer is mounted too close to a propeller, this can cause disturbance and result in inaccurate readings on your fish finder.

    • 2

      Set the transducer mount (bracket) on the hull at your mark. Use the mount as a stencil and mark the holes for the mount. Drill the holes and screw in the mounting bracket. Fill around all drilled holes with waterproof caulk or sealant to ensure a watertight hull. Mount the transducer to the bracket.

    • 3

      Find a suitable spot on the pirogue to mount your display screen. This can be wherever you prefer. Set the display mount onto your designated area. Use the mount as a stencil and mark the holes. Drill the holes for your display mount. Screw in the display mount. Attach the display screen to the mount.

    • 4

      Plug the cables into the display screen and run the cables along the side of the boat to your transducer. Secure the cables to the side of the vessel using caulk or waterproof epoxy.

    • 5

      Connect the power cables to the display screen. Run the cables to a 12-volt battery. Turn the device on to test it.