Am looking to buy one as a gift and was wondering what you guys reccomend as the best bang for my buck? Most fishing is done at both ends of the canal early mornings through mid-day. Both striped bass and bottom fishing is done. Thanks. Oh, yeah, the boat is a 20' proline center console if that helps.

garmin 5 series would be a very good solution if it is in your price range.

I'm using a Hummingbird Matrix 97 on my 23 foot CC and it seems to do the job. Not sure what it costs or if the model still exists since it was on the boat when I bought in last Oct.

any of the humminbird 787c series models are awsome. If you can swing it go for the side imaging.
http://store.humminbird.com/ccombo-ccombo700.html

A buddy of mine has a lightly used one for sale here:

http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63669

Good deal!

thanks guys.

garmin GPS just went on sales at BOE. some very good deals on the 5 series.. $645 for the 540s 'ducer included, with no shipping charge.

no affiliation with BOE, just a satisfied customer.

Can anyone speak to the quality of the fishfinder on Garmin 5 series (540/545) chartplotters? I know you need to buy the GSD21 black box to feed in the transducer, but if the quality isn't there, why spend the $200 for the black box.

you don't need the black box if you buy one of the "s" series. they include fishfinders. if you do not buy an "s" series, and later want to include sonar, then you would have to use the GDS21.