Lowrance Mark-4 Review

The Lowrance Mark-4 was my second fishfinder purchase for kayak fishing.  I had used a basic sonar unit the first time around, and it did the job well, but I wanted to incorporate a GPS into the mix as well.  Rather than get a separate GPS and have to fool with mounting it, etc - I chose to get the Lowrance Mark-4 since it incorporates the GPS into the unit.

Lowrance Mark-4 Specs:

Display: Grayscale 320x240 (H x W)

Sonar Frequency: 83/200 kHz

Sonar Depth Max: 1000 ft

Waypoint Storage: 3000

Routes: 100

Plots: 100

Waterproof Rating: IPx7

Power Supply: 12 vDC

Input Power: 12-17 v

Cable: 20 ft

First Impressions:

I was pretty excited to use this fishfinder, since it had the GPS integrated into the unit.  The install went well - the stock bag of screws and bolts/nuts were used in mounting this unit to my kayak.  Setup was easy - the first power-up asks you some setup questions and you are ready to roll.

The button layout on the front is relatively simple - it will interface the menus pretty easy.  The only thing I really messed with is zooming in on the GPS map, and setting waypoints.  I didn't do a lot of offshore with this unit, so I didn't get to program any kinds of coordinates into it.  I liked being able to see my track on the map, and being able to back-track along the same path.  This came in handy when I was moving along and noticed shallow areas that could have given me problems on the return trip to the launch.  I could also mark spots where I was catching fish too.

The Mark-4 has a grayscale screen - it isn't too hard on the eyes.  I usually keep it in split-screen mode (map and sonar on the screen at the same time) but it also has the full-map page, sonar page, and a compass/heading page along with the dual-view mode.

The Mark-4 has a slot on the bottom of the unit, covered with a rubber flap, that is for a micro-SD card.  You could put a Navionics chip inside the unit and have even better maps to use.  Although the Navionics maps are pretty sweet, the base maps included with the Mark-4 aren't too shabby.

The power cord and transducer share a plug going into the unit.  There is another port plug in the back of the unit that is unused for a basic setup - you might want to dab a bit of silicone to cover that socket up - the leads will corrode over time - especially with use in saltwater.

Ram makes a adapter for the Lowrance units that fits the head-unit to a 1" Ram ball, which you can put on various Ram mounting products.  I use a system like this to put it on my Hobie Outback.

Head-scratchers:

One thing I didn't like about the Mark-4 is the little rubber flap on the bottom, that covers the micro-SD port.  That little flap loves to pop-open, and sometimes it will fall off.  This cannot bode well for the unit if the cover comes off and it takes a bath in saltwater.  I wish Lowrance would improve this for future updates.

The Mark-4's power cord didn't include a inline fuse.  Seems like this should be standard equipment for all fishfinders straight from the factory.  Make sure you add one just in case something shorts-out.

In Conclusion:

The Lowrance Mark-4 is a nice little fishfinder/GPS combo, and the least-expensive GPS fishfinder I could find on the market.  The small screen handles the map and sonar split-screen sufficiently, especially if you'll be in a close-range viewing situation - like a fishing kayak or small boat.  If you don't mind the grayscale - then this is your unit.  If you want color - pluck out the extra dough for the Mark-4's color cousin: The Elite-4.

Kayak Fishing: a Group Activity

Kayak fishing is geared for solitary fishing action - you, your kayak, fishing gear, and the water.  But I find that it is a great group activity too.

Where do you find a group?  There are a number of good groups out there that promote kayak fishing.  A quick search of your area might yield a kayak fishing club you never knew existed.  Don't be afraid to approach other kayak fishermen at the landing!  A kayak angler will sit there and talk your ear-off about their kayak/gear/rigging/etc.  I have found that kayak anglers are a friendly lot...resourceful too.

The above pic is from our recent trip to Murrells Inlet, where the Charleston kayak fishermen got together to do some fishing.  A great time with good folks.

I fish 90% of the time with other kayak fishermen.  I have found that I am more comfortable on the water knowing there is someone else out there that can offer assistance in case of emergency - safety in numbers.  Plus if the fishing sucks you can talk to the same person!  "DDOlson" is my dependable, go-to kayak fishing buddy.  We've fished all over the place together - different states, inshore, offshore, lakes, rivers...

Speaking of group activity - you should attend a Boondoggle, where hundreds of kayak fishermen get together, camp, and fish.

So, take your kayak out alone (heck, most are one-seaters after all) but don't neglect the opportunity to group-up with other kayak anglers for a day on the water!

IFA Fishing in Jacksonville

Last weekend, I made the trip to Jacksonville to compete in my very first IFA Kayak Fishing Tour event.

Me and my trusty fishing buddy 'DDOlson' went down to Florida on Saturday morning - and hit the water by ten o'clock to do some pre-fishing, to prepare for the tournament the next day...

Fishing was tough on Saturday.  Didn't get on the reds like I had hoped, but saw some cruising around, busting bait in the creeks - just couldn't get them interested in the lures I was throwing.  However, I did get lucky with landing some trout.  We knew the fish were there -  just had to find some bigguns...

Sunday was a nice day - plenty of bait in the creeks, and the fish were out there.  I ended up getting on a good mess of trout...caught seven total.  Most were around 13", but hooked into one that I got up to the kayak and jumped, shaking the hook in the process - that fish would have been my personal best - I'm estimating he was bigger than 20".  Also caught a flounder (above pic) but the reds were still elusive.  DDOlson had the same luck, but he managed to catch a few nice ladyfish and a jack crevalle.

We headed back to home sweet home that afternoon - but despite a lackluster showing for the IFA, I learned a little bit more about Florida's fishery...and had fun!