Don't you just hate it when you're already spending too much time in your fishing area, and you can't still find even just one fish?
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Trust me, I know how it feels! This is why in today’s article, I will be sharing with you the best fish finder you will find in the market. And you don’t have to worry as there’s no need to rob a bank just to buy one.
So what are you waiting for, please keep on reading below!
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Best Fish Finder: Top Sellers in the Market
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Let's begin this list with something that is budget-friendly and a simple fish finder perfect for every beginner. Here we have the Lowrance Hook-3X Sonar which is among the more affordable models yet useful and pretty superior to the most fish finder that belongs to this price range.
But don't get me wrong, just because it sells at a low price doesn't mean it lacks incredible features. In fact, it provides two frequencies you can choose from. There's 83 kHz that can provide you with up to 60 degrees cone angle coverage; this means you will be able to cover big areas in the deep sea.
The signal can even go further deep into the sea, but if you still got 20-degree cone angle, you might want to switch to 200 kHz as this will allow you to see much more precisely.
What happens next is the system interpreting the signals it received, so you will be able to take a look at the details of what’s under the water. You will see on its display the bottom contour as well the structures in details even the sea bottom’s hardness and thermoclines. It will also show you the location of the fish by displaying clear fish icons.
All this information can be seen on its 3-inch display which comes in color with a decent resolution of 320 x 240. You might find this mall, but it will allow you to conveniently read what has been displayed even if you’re under the full sunlight.
Anyway, you might also notice that this fish finder comes with plenty of buttons, this only means it has several functions being offered. For instance, you can set an alarm for a specific floor depth, so you won't run ashore. There are also special buttons that will allow you to zoom up to four times on the screen, you will then be able to focus on a certain area where the fish can be found.
But despite it several buttons, this fish finder is still easy to use and is even easy to install and uninstall. When the fun is over, there’s a quick-release feature that allows you to swiftly uninstall and store it in your bag.
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Next, we have is the Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer! I’m sure you already have heard about Garmin as it's quite popular in the world of car navigation systems.
It only makes sense why Garmin added built-in GPS into this fish finder. It will allow you to mark your hotspots, so it will not be easy for you to return to them. You can also easily track your progress whether you're on a river or out in the open water.
Just like our first product, it actually has a relatively small screen, but it does it jobs really well. It's in full color with impressive high contrast, so you will be able to clearly see everything. And its name suggests, this fish finder comes with a high-quality transducer.
It uses CHIRP technology is among the best you will ever find in the market. It can give you 200 watts RMS signal that is capable of reaching as low as 1,600 feet in freshwater while about 750 feet when you're in saltwater.
This device is also pretty easy to use. The keyed interface comes with a dedicated button. Installing is also a breeze.
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Raymarine is a well-known manufacturer of electronic equipment for marine use and they have produced highly efficient and reliable fish finders, this includes Raymarine Dragonfly Pro Chirp Fish Finder. This fish finder is equipped with everything you need, including several features that you’d never expect.
First of all, it has a bigger display which is a 7-inch HD LED screen with backlight, and it will allow you to see several views by using its vertical layering format. In addition to that, this fish finder features Ultra Wide CHIRP DownVision which will transform your underwater view into incredibly clear sonar images. This is then combined with CHIRP-powered fish targeting channel for conventional sonar imagery.
Other interesting features I like about this fish finder is its flexible mounting options. It comes with a ball-and-socket mounting system that is compact enough, and is very easy to install. There are also flush mount kits that allow you to mount this device into the helm.
Moreover, this model comes with built-in Wi-Fi that will allow you to stream its sonar data right into your tablet or smartphone using the Raymarine Wi-Fish mobile app. This means you will have a sonar vision right in your palm. What’s even great is that you will be able to rewind the images and capture it, so you can share it with your friends online.
But that doesn’t end here, you will also get great choices of preloaded maps with this fish finder and you will be able to expand it save the data into your MicroSD card.
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Deeper Smart Sonar Pro+ Fish Finder also comes with Wi-Fi, so you will be able to wireless connect it into your tablet or smartphone. Don’t worry about your mobile plan as Wi-Fi will not use up your cellular or internet data.
Anyway, what's makes this fish finder stand out is that it can be used almost anywhere, be it when you're in a shore, river when you're ice fishing, boating or kayaking. It is made to be totally resistant to saltwater so there's no need for you to purchase a new device when you're in a different location. It also comes in a compact size, making it also a perfect fish finder when you’re fishing from your kayak.
Moreover, this fish finder will not only pinpoint fish and clearly show them on your smartphone, but it will also make bathymetric maps of the area or a map that uses lines to show you the elevation and shape of the land features. This is done using the help of its GPS module. You can use this fish finder in water with a depth of 260 feet, and it will be able to determine a fish even it’s size is just half an inch.
Another thing I like about this fish finder is its connectivity, you can use it even if your smartphone is 330 feet away. This is also a castable fish finder, you can just attach it into your line and use it as a bobber. It will then show you the fish near your line and you will be able to determine the exact number of fish in your area, increasing your chances to catch one.
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ReelSonar Wireless Bluetooth Smart Fish Finder is a very lightweight castable fish finder that you can sync up with your smartphone or tablet. It has a casting range of about 100 feet and is capable of measuring depths as deep as 135 feet, making it ideal to be used in various fishing settings.
It comes with a 42-degree sonar angle, making 243 feet range which its iBobber is capable of mapping. It can map not only the ledges where the fish may possibly be hiding but as well as the bottom of the body of water and the underwater structures.
In addition to that, this fish finder can also read wind speed, temperature, and even rainfall. And what's even great is that you call log all these information including the type of fishing, the species of fish you've caught and where you've caught in a trip log, so you can review it in the future.
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Best Fish Finder: Buyer’s Guide
Finding the best fish finder is as complicated as finding fish. So make sure to read this buying guide first before you go shopping.
Frequencies
The frequency range is a crucial feature you need to consider. The higher frequencies, like 192 or 200 kHz are best to be used when you’re fishing in shallow water. While the lower frequencies like 50 or 83 kHz are ideal for deep water fishing.
So make sure you know the area you’re planning to fish.
Transducer
The fish finder’s transducer is what makes it capable of finding fish. It emits and receives sonar waves, so you will know if there are fish or other objects around your area. Without a transducer, your fish finder will become futile.
Screen Display
The fish finder’s screen display is an important factor. In fact, the quality of its display will determine the performance of the device. So make sure the display will show you crisper and sharper images.
I highly recommend you opt for a device with at least 240 x 160 resolution, anything below this will be terrible to watch.
Size and Weight
Your fish finder should also be portable and should not weigh you down when you go from one place to another.
If it’s a castable fish finder, the weight really matters too. The heavier the fish finder is, the farther you will be able to cast it. However, you should also not choose an overly heavy one as it will only weigh down your equipment. The highly recommended size is about 1.5 oz. to 6 oz.
Conclusion
There are so many reasons why you need a fish finder so make sure to bring one on your next fishing trip and I'm sure you will absolutely be able to increase the quantity of your catch. Not only that, but it also makes fishing a fun and entertaining activity.
So if you don’t own a fish finder yet, then this is probably the best time to buy one. It’s actually just as important as your favorite fishing rod.
Anyway, I hope you would be able to use this article as your guide in buying the best fish finder that will meet your needs and suit your preferences. If you still have any more questions, please feel free to drop it in the comment section below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.