Fishing Thermometers

D

Draketake

Steelhead
Forum Supporter
Morning,

I’m thinking of getting an old school glass analog thermometer to use fishing out of the Pontoon. Deepest I’d be dropping is probably 25 feet. Phil Rowley advises using a Deptherm or analog thermometer which has piqued my interest.

I don’t want to mess with a battery and sounder/fish finder setup. Can anyone recommend a low key set up that they may be using or have used? Digital is an option too.

Thanks in advance.

Bob
 
Draketake said:
Morning,

I’m thinking of getting an old school glass analog thermometer to use fishing out of the Pontoon. Deepest I’d be dropping is probably 25 feet. Phil Rowley advises using a Deptherm or analog thermometer which has piqued my interest.

I don’t want to mess with a battery and sounder/fish finder setup. Can anyone recommend a low key set up that they may be using or have used? Digital is an option too.

Thanks in advance.

Bob
Click to expand...
I have one like this I use in streams and for surface temp in lakes.

1777406487431.png

If you were going to use it to measure temperature at depth, no matter how fast you retrieve it, you'll have to get used to it likely not accurately reflecting the temperature at Depth X by the time you get it back up to the surface and read it, but it might give you an idea of patterns of temperature at depth. I have been surprised at how quickly it changes when pulled out of the water.
 
@Matt B that is the exact thermometer I’ve been trying to find. Do you know the brand and/or the model name? Do I remember where you got it? I can’t find it on Amazon but I am not great at tech.
 
I've had the Fishpond attached to my boat for a lot of years. That thing will outlive me. If you're older you'll likely need readers to see the display on an analog.

avidangler.com

Fishpond Thermometer

OUR RE-DESIGNED THERMOMETER
avidangler.com avidangler.com
 
"For a Simple, Battery-Free Option The Vexilar Deptherm is a classic, mechanical tube gauge. You attach it to a weight or your line and let it sink. As it drops, water pressure fills the tube to mark the depth, and an integrated thermometer records the temperature. Once it hits the bottom, you wait about 30 seconds, pull it up, and read the results. Because it's completely mechanical, you'll never have to worry about charging it or replacing batteries."
 
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I like having one of these. One of my local lakes is about 14 feet at it's deepest. And I rarely use it there. However, another local lake is over 90 feet deep and I like to know what depth the thermoclines are and what temperatures they are. Water temps can drastically change from warm to cold in these "thermoclines" that can be anywhere from 10 ft to 30 ft deep.. I think that is one key to the puzzle on some Stillwater fisheries.
 
I'd like to add that sometimes the shallow water is too warm for the fish to feel comfortable, and sometimes the warmer shallow water is just perfect for the fish's comfort. The Vexilar Deptherm helps to figure out where the fish might be hanging out.
IMHO if the fish are not actively feeding on a "hatch" or other food source, they will be "chilling out" at the most comfortable temperature, nearest the most likely future food source.
 
Matt B said:
I have one like this I use in streams and for surface temp in lakes.

View attachment 182986

If you were going to use it to measure temperature at depth, no matter how fast you retrieve it, you'll have to get used to it likely not accurately reflecting the temperature at Depth X by the time you get it back up to the surface and read it, but it might give you an idea of patterns of temperature at depth. I have been surprised at how quickly it changes when pulled out of the water.
Click to expand...
That's the one I have.
 
Jim in Anacortes said:
I'd like to add that sometimes the shallow water is too warm for the fish to feel comfortable, and sometimes the warmer shallow water is just perfect for the fish's comfort. The Vexilar Deptherm helps to figure out where the fish might be hanging out.
IMHO if the fish are not actively feeding on a "hatch" or other food source, they will be "chilling out" at the most comfortable temperature, nearest the most likely future food source.
Click to expand...
Yeah @Jim in Anacortes that’s one of the primary reasons I wish to have this aid. Confirming you have the Vexilar Deptherm and you like it? I see some mixed reviews on Amazon.
 
I bought a similar device years ago. It appears to be at least the same type of device. I'd buy it in a heart beat. I used it quite a bit when I was just starting to fish the local lakes. It really helped me. You can now know how deep of water you are in and what the water temperatures are,.. going down to the bottom. This is significant information in many situations.
 
I will say that I often have to force myself to fiddle around with this thing. It's hard to put down the fly rod even for a couple of minutes. I have it tied to my float tube with a line attached, sometimes I just use it for surface temperature but it can be a handy tool.
 
Draketake said:
Morning,

I’m thinking of getting an old school glass analog thermometer to use fishing out of the Pontoon. Deepest I’d be dropping is probably 25 feet. Phil Rowley advises using a Deptherm or analog thermometer which has piqued my interest.

I don’t want to mess with a battery and sounder/fish finder setup. Can anyone recommend a low key set up that they may be using or have used? Digital is an option too.

Thanks in advance.

Bob
Click to expand...
Fishpond makes a digital thermometer - Riverkeeper Digital Thermometer
 
Thanks again all. I’m absorbing good info.

I am leaning towards the Vexilar Deptherm but will keep an open mind, so please keep the comments coming.
 
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