Fish Finder Installation Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 120, 136, and 106 Powered Minn Kota

Hands on instructions for installing a fish finder on the Sportsman Auto Pilot 120 kayak from Old Town. In this video I show all of the things I purchased to install my Humminbird Helix 5. I also give step by step instructions on how to join the inline fuse to the power supply cord. Additionally I give up close, hands on instructions, while attaching the transducer, removing hole grommets, running wiring, reinstalling hole gourmets, and placement of the fish finder in the gear track.
This installation process works on the following Old Town Sportsman kayaks:
-Autopilot 120
-AutoPilot 136
-106 Powered By Minn Kota

[@fishingsodium904]

Get a thick block of foam from the craft store and cut out a bed for your battery . That way it stays in one spot and doesn't bang around when you are cruising

[@stevehogan8829]

I just spent an hour threading just the Lowrance Gigantic wire and plug through the very small holes on my 120 Auto. Took me an hour for just the display cord. Had to reduce the size of the plug keeper to fit through both holes. Then had to rig a way to hold the plug perpendicular to the hole to start it. Hanger, String, Smaller Wire. arm old person red marks on arm. Done.

[@trampster7306]

Good job JC - greetings from across the Pond! One little tip - you could have used a smear of that liquid tape to stick the rubber seal to the back of the plug and keep it in place! Kayak is looking great! 👍👍 Stay safe & well.

[@brownsfan222]

Thanks for all the sportsman 106 content! I’ve decided this is the boat I want to go with to upgrade my Big Fish 120!

[@904reelman5]

Grew up kayaking, thanks alot for the video. Best way to find out about what boats to buy is from creators like you! Thanks man

[@timpeacoe]

Good job JC fish finder looks good on new kayak can't wait to see you on the water thanks for bringing us along

[@JohnSkinnerFishing]

Thanks for this. You saved me a bunch of time.

[@timconnors3211]

So I watched this for the second time and I completely agree with your quote "nice job JC". And I see the comment from John and it reaffirms my thoughts about your perfect set-up... it really is tremendous how all of you guys have helped me learn so much. Great video really! Thank you JC.

[@RadReelingFishing]

Thanks for revisiting the video. I am glad the info helping you make an informed decision.

[@jelly_fishing]

Great video !! Plan to install my Garmin on my MK 106 this weekend . Great job JC

[@gwddmt1]

*Always enjoy your Tips, Tricks and Hacks JC... Thanx for this kind of useful info* ..gw

[@rickswanson9948]

I wish I had seen your video before I installed mine in my 136. I really recommend taking the motor plate off to make it easier it’s only four screws and takes just a minute to takeoff. I’m going to have to reinstall mine now that I saw your video. But I also suggested you use a fishing tool to grab the wires. It makes it so easy and there’s no frustration trying to find the wires. Thanks again for a great video and I learn from my mistakes but I want to do it as you suggested. One last thing, that is a great solution for the transducer mounting. I’m going to remount mine Without that secondary plate.

[@RadReelingFishing]

Thanks for watching and sharing the encouraging words.

[@sn4ckem511]

Excellent tutorial!!! Thanks for the awesome videos!!!

[@Calamiti999Fine]

We’ve ordered 106MK kayaks & will be using Navarre scupper mounts to run our transducers through the scupper holes there by the plug up front instead of mounting the transducers to the kayak’s universal mount. It’s worked great on prior PDL models because it provides better clearance to protect the transducer from getting banged while sliding over stumps, brush, oyster, & while loading/unloading.

[@shark619ify]

How well did that scupper mount work out for you? I just got my 106 MK and weighing my options here.

[@Arcturian1111]

I have the 106 PDL. Awesome Yak. Light and not too Big. I use mine in the ocean.

[@OutdoorMishaps]

Good video, I have the pdl version... Going to be putting on a simple fish finder soon hopefully....waiting on parts.

[@jeremywettig4330]

just got the same helix for my boat, great bang for the buck imo

[@Alex-jb5wk]

Thanks Rad very helpful

[@aaronhiggs]

Nice rigging setup! Im getting fish finder for my NuCanoe: probably getting the rail cellblock system: Im horrible with wiring lol!

[@WalterJ-FL]

Hey Brother, when making a wiring harness / installing marine electronics, always get the heat shrink tubing that is marine grade. It has a special glue inside of the heat shrink tubing that seals and protects from water/salt water. A heat gun is also recommended and can be gotten at a decent price, plus you can always repair your 1/4" jacks/audio cables as well. Not saying anything is wrong with your build, just that it would have a much longer life before a problem arises. And that liquid tape isn't necessary when you use marine-grade heat shrink tubing and marine-grade silicone jacketed wire. Just a friendly FYI. Like always, love your videos! I'm up here in the panhandle, (Pensacola), it's not very fishing friendly here. You pretty much need a boat to get to the sheepshead, which is not in my cards any time soon so I have to live vicariously through my favorite KZbin angler for now. 🙂

[@RyanSmith-fb8rf]

Great video thanks for the information

[@bobparker79]

Nice job,this helps a lot

[@shark619ify]

As for a battery I use a 4ah Nocqua battery that I tie strap to my Yak Attack arm mount so there is no need for running any cables etc. just attach transducer and good to go.

[@fabianarche4435]

Hey nice to you see today 👍

[@RadReelingFishing]

Awesome to see you again Fabian.

[@medeiros3610]

Thank you.

[@networkguy3152]

I just mounted a Helix 10 with side imaging on my sportsman 106 MK. I had to mount it much lower than I was hoping to avoid the hull interference with side scan. I plan on testing it out and trying to tuck the transducer up in the hull more and more each time until I start getting interference.

[@RadReelingFishing]

Awesome. I'm sure I'd get more use out of the side scan model. I tend to fish more docks and mangrove island edges than straight down bottom fishing.

[@RyanSmith-fb8rf]

Network Guy, please let me know how this turned out. I don’t like mounting my transducer on the bow plate they have on my AP120 it’s just waiting to get destroyed loading and unloading it so I’m trying to mount it in the tunnel hull but afraid it will affect my side view

[@AprilandZach]

try out the skelly swim lures if you want, there from shop carls

[@Scuba8907]

Great channel and job! I now know what to order but my delimma! I ordered the 106 but am fast thinking I'd prefer the 120........what to do... what to do! Buy a 1 of each?!!?

[@mactech1]

Using some velcro with tape on the back would make the battery more stable.

[@shark619ify]

I finally got around to running my trans cable and it took about 5 minutes lol and just to add more waterproofing I am going to slather on some waterproofing silicone for good measure. I also finally adjusted my motor locks I guess they come from factory fully torqued down so I loosened up a little and also came to realize I wasnt turning them all the way but only half lol I thought my motor was rattling a little too much duh! Yeah one more thing the 106 is much easier to reach I had no problem running the cable through the hull.

[@RadReelingFishing]

Thanks for sharing your progress.

[@shark619ify]

@@RadReelingFishing Yeah I`m learnin . Yesterday I was out for about 6 hours and motor was still running I use a 50ah Lithium. Later I checked the battery with a meter and was at 11.** volts. I wouldnt think the motor would run under 12 volts...

[@freeagentangler5159]

Thanks!

[@freeagentangler5159]

THIS VIDEO SOLVED MY ISSUE. THANK YOU!

[@RadReelingFishing]

Thanks for your generosity. I am glad my efforts have helped you out.

[@RyanSmith-fb8rf]

Rad reeling, how do you like the Helix 5? Do you wish you had gone with the Helix 7?? I have the same AP120 with the Helix 5 with side view but debating on exchanging it for the Helix 7. Is it hard to view the screen during the day? I appreciate any help you can provide. I love your channel you do a great job of teaching so keep up the great work

[@RadReelingFishing]

Thanks for watching. I only use the Helix 5 periodically when I'm bottom fishing. I like it for finding those ledges and for knowing what the water temp is. Most of the fishing I do though is around structure like mangroves, bridges and docks so the side scan would be more suited. When the sun is shining bright I usually have to move the fish finder around to get a decent view since I don't have any type of sun shield on it.

[@tracynorris355]

JC....good day to you. Question do you have to have a fish finder for the autopilot Minn Kota to work or does the remote act as the positioning device. Thinking about the auto lock feature...find fish or structure stay on it.

[@RadReelingFishing]

Here's an Old Town video I time marked for you to help answer your question: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWPXpHyIpZd-fM0 Here's the link to the actual PDF manual where you can find the step by step info on your question and much more about the ipilot functions: bit.ly/3sPbok4 I hope this helps.

[@robertday2364]

New to me. Can you run the fish finder off trolling motor battery?

[@RadReelingFishing]

Sure.

[@5minutefishing16]

Can the motor follow routes you create on the hummingbird?

[@RadReelingFishing]

I'm pretty sure the operator would have to record the initial track to the location on the Minn Kota system. Once it's recorded the motor has the capabilities to auto pilot to that location when it is within 1/4 mile of the spot. Thanks for watching and asking.

[@williamgwynn6624]

Why do you have to put the minnkota heading sensor in the back of the kyak

[@RadReelingFishing]

It improves accuracy.

[@shark619ify]

How well does your transducer mounting work? I just got my 106 MK and I have a Helix 5 DI (not SI) so I am hoping this will work for me as well.

[@RadReelingFishing]

The transducer works fine mounted like this. Thanks for watching.

[@shark619ify]

@@RadReelingFishing Your videos are very informative. I went out for the first time today and a couple of times my sonar blacked out and depth went crazy I think because of hitting some waves, i think also I need to straighten out my transducer a little because its slightly angled.

[@shark619ify]

@@RadReelingFishing I have one off topic question about the rudder. Is it supposed to sit in the water at an angle? My lever still had a little play in it,is this normal? It steered fine with little effort but I am curious about the rudder.

[@RadReelingFishing]

@@shark619ify Yes the rudder should be close to a 90 degree angle in the down position. You can see the rudder in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWK2m4GOptiKsKM also this video shows the rudder in the down position: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXWTiqOJqdl5hdk

[@RadReelingFishing]

@@shark619ify The transducer is supposed to be slightly angled on the Helix 5 You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKGqZnqbateNaa8

[@edgars00789]

Is the 106mk good for saltwater fishing

[@RadReelingFishing]

Yes. Here's my playlist on the 106 Powered By Minn Kota kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXWTiqOJqdl5hdk

[@1997wolverine]

Still say a paddle tail is a less complicated fish finder. Good information however.

[@mtnguyen1696]

Hi JC - what wire gauge did you use?

[@RadReelingFishing]

The wire was supplied with the fishfinder.

[@mtnguyen1696]

@@RadReelingFishing I meant the inline fuse gauge wire that you used. was it 10 or 14 gauge with 3am fuse?

[@RadReelingFishing]

@@mtnguyen1696 I'm not sure. This is the fuse I used 4) 3AMP Inline Fuse Adaptor amzn.to/36e1cao (paid link)

[@fishingsodium904]

Why dont you mount it inside tbe hull

[@RadReelingFishing]

If you are referring to the battery, I never leave it in there when I'm finished fishing. It's in a good spot where it can't move inside of the hull.

[@fishingsodium904]

@@RadReelingFishing I was talking about the transducer

[@luissoto2647]

Velcro the battery

[@davidcrowson4745]

Why do you need a fish finder when you caught a hundred fish the other day without a fish finder?

[@RadReelingFishing]

Great point David. They are good for finding structure if I'm planning on bottom fishing. Also, getting the water temperature because fish move with temps. Thanks for watching.

[@panchopachangas4450]

Soldering was all wrong. From the way you meshed the wires to heating the solder. You heat the wires and let the solder soak into the wire when it reaches the correct temperature.

[@prestomattwine]

Old Town really need to add predrilled holes and grommets to all of their fishing kayaks, for the price you pay for them!! I’m betting a big percentage of fishing kayak owners are using fish finders, and not providing predrilled holes and grommets are a total failure on Old Town!

[@RadReelingFishing]

Thanks for sharing your views.

[@mtnguyen1696]

Absolutely 100% with you on this one. Do they even sales that grommets piece?