🎣 Airmar TM165HW – A Budget Snapper Sounding Weapon for Port Phillip Bay
📡 Airmar TM165HW Transducer – Perfect for Port Phillip Bay Snapper
If you fish inshore for snapper in Port Phillip Bay, you’ve probably looked at the high-end Airmar 175HW and wondered — do you really need to spend nearly $2,000 just to mark fish in 20 metres of water?
Good news: You don’t.
The Airmar TM165HW is a 600W transducer with a 30° beam angle, making it ideal for shallow water. It runs high chirp (150–250kHz), giving excellent coverage under the boat — in fact, for bay work, it arguably performs better than the 175HW thanks to its wide horizontal footprint.
✅ Why the TM165HW Is Perfect for Port Phillip Bay
- Wide 30° beam – covers more water, helps you spot snapper arches
- 600W power – plenty for depths up to 24m
- High chirp frequency – gives excellent clarity and separation
- More affordable – perfect if you’re not heading offshore
The 175HW is fantastic — but unless you’re deep dropping, the TM165HW makes more sense for bay fishos chasing snapper.
🎬 Real Snapper Sounding & Results
We’ve been using the TM165HW in Port Phillip Bay, and the results speak for themselves:
- Snapper caught within 5 minutes after anchoring on marked arches
- Double hook-ups right after sounding fish
- Clear arches on Lowrance HDS Live displays
💡 TM165HW Beam Width at Different Depths
| Depth (m) | Cone Width (m) |
|---|---|
| 7 | 4 |
| 15 | 8 |
| 18 | 10 |
| 20 | 10 |
| 24 | 12 |
Pro Tip: In water shallower than 8m, switch to 83kHz for a wider 45° beam — perfect for scanning flats. But for most bay fishing, high chirp gives better target clarity.
🛠️ TM165HW Features at a Glance
- 600W power, depth rated to 150m
- Chirp frequency range: 150–250kHz
- 30° average beam width
- Integrated water temperature sensor
- Compatible with 200kHz sonar systems
- Ideal for boats up to 8 metres
- Mounts to fibreglass, wood, or metal hulls
- Plastic transom bracket included
🧠 Verdict
If you’re chasing snapper in Port Phillip Bay and want wide, clear sonar coverage without the price tag of a 1kW unit — the TM165HW is the sweet spot. Great performance, great value.
I’ll keep testing it, but early results are impressive. Stay tuned for more footage and updates.
📞 Want One?
Call Dean Matthews at Bayview Marine
📱 0411 716 436 for info or to grab yours.