I am looking to buy a fish finder next week and need some help/advice or possibly a kick in the butt.

Boat is 24ft aluminum pontoon

mostly fish fresh water on TVA lakes(lot's of steep banks, not a lot of shallow water)

would use once a year for a week in salt water, (inside of the Crystal coast)

5 ft to 150 ft water

would like a basic chart plotter to use for A to B navigating (have compass and paper map back up)

have read about 50hz/200hz and the different cone patterns etc., 

Budget is $500 or so, the last week I have looked at everything offered in my price range and still can not make a decision

The major players all have a unit in the ball park, so what is best for my scenario?

any words of advice?

Thanks

Have gotten 2 hits for the garmin 840xs, seems very nice

Went with the Garmin 93sv, great price and will do more than I need to learn

hope to install it next month

STRIKER Plus 7sv with CV52HW-TM tranducer can be an option.

An Lowrance HDS 5 or 7 would work well for you

Edit: a little late I see