Tips on how to Select a Fish Finder for Your Kayak

Earlier than you’ll be able to catch a fish, it’s a must to discover it! The primary accent most anglers add to their fishing kayak is a fish finder. On the very least, a easy sonar shows water depth. On the different finish of the spectrum, a kayak with good electronics will present a wealth of fishing and navigation data.

The design of fishing kayaks at this time makes putting in electronics simple. Mounting pads, sonar pods, transducer pockets, and extra permit the angler so as to add electronics in minutes. Even boats that aren’t arrange for a fish finder might be rigged with electronics. Aftermarket mounts, gear tracks, and battery bins will flip any kayak right into a fishing kayak.

Essentially the most tough step in including a fish finder to a kayak is selecting the best one. Since no producer makes a kayak-specific fish finder, you’ll be wanting on the similar models supposed for a motorboat. And, identical to a motorboat, a fish finder and GPS are beneficial for fishing and security. A fish finder and GPS are vital gear for any kayak angler who plans to enterprise farther than he can stroll again.

What’s the finest dimension fish finder for a kayak?

Some individuals suppose a kayak requires a small fish finder, however this isn’t the case. In truth, {many professional} event anglers use a number of nine-inch screens on their bass kayaks. One of the simplest ways to decide on the best dimension fish finder is by evaluating your wants.

Many kayak anglers select a four-inch fish finder to slot in a decent area and draw much less energy. However, simply because the show is small doesn’t imply the fish finder is weak. The very best four-inch fashions function high-power downscan sonar for the clearest view of fish and construction. There are even compact fish finders with GPS and detailed navigation maps. Not solely is a four-inch sonar simpler to slot in a kayak, however it is usually simpler to take away and retailer. Many small models have a fast launch for the show to assist it simply detach from the bottom. 

The issue with a four-inch display screen is viewing the show. The very best place to put in a fish finder is out of the way in which. Meaning mounting the bottom the place it received’t intervene with paddling, pedaling, or fishing. Sadly, mounting a small fish finder outdoors arm’s attain makes it tough to see the data and pictures.

For the most effective visibility, kayak anglers select a 5 or seven-inch show. Nevertheless, for those who plan to make use of the unit in split-screen mode to see each fish finder and GPS concurrently, I like to recommend the seven-inch show. The seven-inch display screen is straightforward to see, and the bigger buttons permit me to control the options with moist and slimy fingers. Bigger fashions can be found with a contact display screen show, however I want a extra dependable unit with push buttons.

To put in the big display screen and nonetheless maintain it out of the way in which, use a particular fish finder base on an adjustable arm to carry the show. A track-mounted base is straightforward to regulate and take away. Nevertheless, I like a everlasting base I can bolt to the kayak for a stronger connection.

Event anglers go along with nine-inch screens which can be simple to see whereas stand-up fishing. Many execs flush mount the display screen and run all cables beneath deck. Whereas these fancy models supply a aggressive benefit, they’re too large to be sensible for weekend warriors.

What are a number of the most essential options of a fish finder?

In case you’re going to place electronics in your kayak, you would possibly as nicely go along with a mixture fish finder and GPS unit. Until you propose to restrict your fishing to farm ponds, a easy fish finder is not going to lower it. Trendy electronics pack loads of energy right into a small bundle. Along with conventional sonar, kayak anglers can entry sidescan, downscan, and even the brand new dwell view fish finders.

An important consider selecting the most effective fish finder is correctly becoming the transducer to the kayak. Most kayaks rigged for a fish finder will accommodate a conventional transducer puck. However sidescan and dwell view sonar require a bigger transducer and extra space beneath the kayak. As well as, dwell view transducers must spin 360 levels for a whole view beneath the boat. To place a dwell view sonar in a kayak, shade-tree engineers mount the transducer on a pole that they will flip by hand. Every fish finder producer has a distinct dimension and form transducer. 

A fish finder is essential to finding bites, however a GPS would be the most dear software on the kayak. After I’m kayak fishing, the GPS permits me to map my fishing space and monitor my drifts. I take advantage of detailed charts to seek out construction and certain fishing holes. Recording my monitor means I can return to the most effective spots. High-of-the-line GPS models embody tide and present knowledge, too. I may even hyperlink the GPS to my smartphone to plan journeys once I’m off the water.

The GPS actually is useful as I paddle to the fishing grounds by displaying my pace and maintaining me on monitor to my vacation spot. With GPS data, I can monitor my energy and regulate my paddle stroke to save lots of vitality. Then, staying on a straight course, regardless of the wind and present, saves time. Easy plotters present enough location, pace, and path data, however GPS models with detailed maps and navigation options make kayak fishing simpler.

After shopping for a kayak, life vest, and paddle, the following step is buying a fish finder and GPS. With the most effective fishing and navigation options now on compact models, there’s a fish finder for each kayak angler.