I installed a Hummingbird Helix 9 on my flats boat last year when my old garmin finally died on me. My trolling motor is very much on its last leg and will likely need to be replaced this year. Has anyone used the linkup between hummingbird & minnkota? Is it fairly user friendly?

A second question, along these lines, i run a shoalwater cat. Great boat. I live 1 mile from a central texas boat ramp that I rarely fish. I would like to start doing some more bass fishing with my boat that is currently setup for coastal wade fishing. How important are electronics on the bow? Is it possible to run a separate transducer (Transducer is currently on transom) on the bow-mount trolling motor to use with my Helix when bass fishing?

Can't help with helix but have bow mount transducer
I have ranger rb190 center console with Lowrance hds7 in console and another hds 7 on bow.
Center is fed with transducer on transom and bow unit has ducer on bottom of trolling motor.
Center has side/down scan but bow doesn't. Just 2 d sonar and chart on bow
Live in Houston and fish salt and fresh (hitting Fayette tomorrow).
Pleased with capabilities on both and use bow with 2 d looking for structure on fresh water. Is it a must? No. But it helps. More so if searching for crappie. Bass I usually know the structure and it helps a little to see what's down there but crappie are much more tied to structure so that's where I use it more. Plus mine does good job of showing bait and some fish. So if I can find structure with bait nearby I know I'm getting closer to crappie