5 Best Kayak Fish Finders

Our Best Kayak Fish Finders Ranked

What to Look For in a Kayak Fish Finder

Not all kayak fish finders are created equal. When choosing one, there are several important factors to keep in mind. First is the transducer type. The main options are built-in transducers integrated into the sonar unit (portable but limited range), shoot-thru hull mounts (easy install but can get disrupted signals), and transom mounts (best performance but challenging installation on kayaks).

Display quality is another huge factor. The bigger and higher resolution of the display, the easier it is to interpret all the sonar returns. And full color vs monochrome also makes a big difference in conveying information. Finally, portable design is very beneficial for kayak anglers – handhelds or mountable units with their battery provide unlimited placement flexibility on your kayak.

Top 5 Best Kayak Fish Finders

1. Garmin Echomap UHD2 93sv

This is by far the best affordable fish finder out there. The UHD2 model is as fast as all it’s competitors while having a high resolution. Why this fishfinder is a great choice for your kayak:

Bright, full-color 4″ display is easy to view in any lighting
Wide angle chirp function
Built-in GPS mapping and included transducer with temp sensor
Waterproof
Easy to set up

2. Humminbird 410150-1 PIRANHAMAX 4 Fish Finder

Humminbird has been around for a long time and the piranhamax is a great choice. Best features that make this a good kayak fish finder are:

Ultra-compact 4.3″ color display in portable form factor
Comes with transducer
Great size for kayaks
Auto adjusts sonar settings like sensitivity for optimal viewing
Fully waterproof housing

3. Lowrance Hook Reveal 5

Lowrance is a tried and true choice when it comes to rigging your kayak. What makes this kayak fishfinder great is:

Bright, ultra-crisp 5″ color LCD is easy to see
Detailed inland map included
Built-in GPS antenna for mapping and waypoint marking
Quality transom mount transducer and tilt/swivel bracket included
Very portable and tote-able for kayak use

4. Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv Bundle with Transducer

This is a great fish finder to add to your kayak. Run this as a secondary or main sonar on your rig. Key Benefits for this kayak fish finder are:

Versatile handheld unit with a 4″ color display
Fully waterproof
Built-in flashers ideal for ice fishing adventures too
Super portable and runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery

5. Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv

This is a fish finder that gives great detail. Garmin’s sonar has come a long way and this is no exception. What Makes It Great:

Incredible value considering the features and performance
Quality 5″ vivid color LCD for easy viewing
Dual 200/83 kHz sonar frequencies for detail and depth
Built-in high-sensitivity internal GPS for basic mapping

Tips for Using a Kayak Fish Finder Effectively

To get the absolute most out of your new kayak fish finder, follow these simple tips. First, take the time to practice interpreting the sonar returns and imaging at home before hitting the water. This will allow you to quickly identify fish, structure, bottom composition, and more once you’re fishing. Remember you are looking for hooks on the sonar. More importantly, hard return on those hooks. Consider turning up the contrast on the fish finder to better see hard returns. It will help you identify structure and fish more easily.

Accessorize your finder with handy add-ons like portable battery packs, storage cases/covers, mounts, etc. This allows easy placement and maximizes mobility. Finally, proper and stable transducer installation is key for getting the best, clearest sonar performance possible. There are endless manufacturers of kayak fish finder mounting brackets. We cover these in a separate article.

Hopefully, this list of kayak fish finders will help you make a decision. Remember, these fish finders come in different sizes too. Choose a size that fits your kayak and fishing style the best!