Demonick's Kayak Fishing Pages: Fish Finder mounting

Home           Last updated Sunday, 2009-10-31
The Trident Angler kayak has a "Sonar Shield" built into the boat. This is a small compartment with drainage gutters and a black flip-up lid. See the Battery & Power Plug Mounting page.

Many kayak fisherman mount their fish finder/GPS in the "Sonar Shield". I am not tall and to reach the controls comfortably I needed the fish finder much closer. My Sonar Shield is used to mount the power plug and contain the extra length of tranducer and power cables. The drainage gutters make for handy cable routing to tranducer and fish finder mount.


  1. This photo shows the Sonar Shield with the lid flipped up. The retaining hooks for the lid securing bungee can be seen on either side of the compartment. The power plug receptacle is in the forward wall of the compartment. The transducer is to the right. The male plug attached to the fish finder power cable is in the center. The transducer comes with much more cable than required and splicing out the extra was something I did not want to risk. Note the cable routing through the drainage gutters.


  2. This photo shows the side view of the Scotty Compact Deck Mount, the RAM Ball Adapter, the RAM Extension Arm, the Ram Mounting plate, and the Humminbird plastic Fish Finder mount. Note the rubber band looped around the extension arm tightener holding the cables in place. In the extreme lower-left corner note the hook and bungee securing the Sonar Shield lid. See the NWKA web forum for details on the Sonar Shield bungee modification.


    This photo shows the individual parts for the fish finder mounting. The ball adapter to the left fits into the Scotty Compact Deck Mount. To the right is the mounting plate with the Humminbird plastic mount attached. In the center is the extension arm which accepts both balls of the other two parts.


    Below is the parts list for the mounting system. The RAM part numbers are confusing. Go to the RAM Web Site and verify before buying. Their system of designating ball size and arm length is REALLY confusing. Search the web for the part numbers to find the best deals. There are a number of vendor websites specializing in mounts for all sorts of things. Here is the link to the Scotty Web Site.


    Here is the Scotty Compact Threaded Deck Mount, Scotty part # 444. About $12.


    Here is the RAM Fishing Rod Holder Adapter Post. RAM part # RAM-351U. About $13. 1.5" ball. This adapter is a loose fit in the Scotty Mount. If I were to do this over I'd consider using the RAM Wedge Mount below, BUT, I would first verify the RAM Wedge Mount would fit in the Scotty Mount.


    RAM Wedge Mount. RAM part # RAP-354U. About $15. 1.5" ball.


    Here is the RAM Double Socket Arm C Ball D length. RAM part # RAM-201U-D. About $37. 1.5" ball, 9-1/8" overall & 8-3/4" between balls.


    Here is the RAM Humminbird mount. RAM part # RAM-107BU. About $19. Remember, this particular unit fits my Humminbird Fish Finder/GPS. Verify it will fit whatever you have before purchasing.