How to Install a Fish Finder on a Fishing Kayak
Installing a fish finder on a fishing kayak is mostly about three things: mounting the display securely, powering the unit safely, and positioning the transducer so it can get a clean sonar signal. Our original installation used a Lowrance HOOK2 on a Lifetime Tamarack kayak, but the basic installation lessons apply to many kayak electronics setups.
Choose the Fish Finder Mounting Location
Put the display somewhere you can see and reach without taking your attention completely away from paddling or fishing. Leave enough room behind the unit for the power and transducer connectors, and make sure the mounting surface is strong enough for the hardware you plan to use.
Plan the Transducer Installation
Kayaks give you several transducer options, including a dedicated scupper mount, external mounting hardware, or a shoot-through-hull installation when the kayak and transducer are compatible. The best choice depends on the hull design and the transducer you are using.
A shoot-through-hull installation can keep the transducer protected, but the installation surface and mounting method matter. Air bubbles, gaps, or unsuitable hull material can interfere with sonar performance.
Power the Fish Finder Safely
Use a battery and wiring setup that matches the fish finder manufacturer’s requirements. Protect connections from water, secure the battery so it cannot move around while you are on the water, and route cables so they cannot interfere with paddling, pedals, steering, or fishing line.
Test Everything Before You Launch
- Turn the fish finder on while the kayak is still on shore.
- Confirm the display and controls work correctly.
- Check that the transducer is recognized.
- Verify the power connection stays secure when cables are moved.
- Make sure all wiring is protected and out of the way.
- Do a final check of every mount and fastener before getting on the water.
Our Original Lowrance HOOK2 Kayak Install
The original installation shown below used a Lowrance HOOK2 7-inch unit on a Lifetime Tamarack kayak. The HOOK2 is an older product line, so use the current installation instructions for whatever fish finder and transducer you install today. Lowrance still provides kayak-specific mounting options and guidance for its electronics.
Now we can get into the original installation story:
Today we’re working on the Lowrance Hook2 7-inch install on Lifetime Tamarak Kayak. I saw that someone had posted on a Facebook community that Walmart had the Lowrance hook2 7-inch fish finder on sale for $100. I check out some reviews on YouTube and Amazon, they were very mixed. However, I noticed that people either really liked them or thought they were absolute garbage. Well, I have used Lowrance locators before and none of them were garbage. Besides that, I know Lowrance had a great warranty if something does go wrong. I decided why not give it a try. I hadn’t installed the 5-inch locator I had already purchased (Lowrance Hook Reveal). I threw caution to the wind and broke out my card and ordered the Hook2 without a second thought. Once it came in it was as I expected. Very nicely packaged and everything looked great. I decided since I had never installed a locator on a kayak why not use my experience as a what not to do? The installation was straightforward, and I opted for a thru hull install on the transducer. Everything fired up as expected and I am now ready for the on-the-water test to see how the transducer does. Here are the links to the parts I purchased to make this thing work.
Ram mount
Duct seal
Battery
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Titan Tungsten https://titan-tungsten.com
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