Humminbird Smartcast RF15 Fishfinder

Other than the fact the transmitter has to be fairly stationary, this is a fantastic innovation for the average shore-line fisherman. First let me list the cons of this product. I don t know how well I trust the auto-off feature (which is supposed to turn of the transmitter whenever it s out of the water), since I can sometimes receive a signal even when it s in dry storage. If this feature doesn t work as reported, I m afraid the unit won t last to the advertised 400 hours of in water time, but at $20 it s not a very costly component to replace at the beginning of each season. I ve also found that the receiver doesn t always receive the signal after a good cast (15-25 yards). Sometimes it s necessary to hold the unit waist high or even at chest level. If there s a lot of boat traffic or the wind is making sizeable waves, the transmitter just rides up and down on the wave and the sonar efficiency is drastically reduced. If you re fishing on a typical summer day though, this usually isn t a problem. I also find that it takes a while after casting for the fish to start showing up on the screen. I attribute this to the huge splash the transmitter makes when it hits the water. The splash is notably larger than any lure I ve used, so I suspect it startles the nearby fish. I don t recommend using the transmitter as a bobber because of the large splash and because it s too easy to lose, but if you set it up on a separate rod it can really help cut down the search time for a good fishing spot. If you need to find the channel or cover or identify submerged cover in a lake this unit works great. Usually what I do is cast out the transmitter and when I start to see fish on the screen, I ll cast my lure line around the transmitter and see what I can find. Overall, I d say the RF10 is a great addition to the tackle box of anyone who wants to hunt down the best fishin holes but wants more flexibility than the boat mounted units. As with any new tool though, it takes some getting used to and with a little practice it can help the shore-line fisherman use the right techniques for his surroundings.