kayak fish finder
Why You Need a Kayak Fish Finder
As a kayak angler, having a reliable fish finder can be an absolute game-changer. These compact sonar devices mount right on your kayak to show you what’s happening beneath the surface. Mounting can be easlily done with the supplied mount or aftermarket mount. Some newer kayaks come with reinforced areas to mount a fish finder. With a quality finder, you can locate fish-holding structure like dropoffs, ledges, and submerged timber with ease. You’ll see suspended baitfish and gamefish in the water column, allowing you to precisely target them. The finders identify bottom hardness and composition so you can quickly find ideal fishing zones. And you can accurately track your depth for better lure presentation and boat control.
With all the time and effort spent paddling a kayak to your spot, having a fish finder ensures you’re always fishing in the highest-percentage areas and maximizing your chances of catching. You’ll simply catch more fish and have a much more productive day on the water. From affordably-priced handhelds to high-end full-color LCD models with mapping, there’s a kayak fish finder perfect for every angler’s needs and budget.
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 – this is the sensor that sends and receives sonar signals to “see” what’s below the surface. 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).
You’ll also want to consider sonar frequencies. Higher frequencies like 200 kHz provide incredible detail and target separation but have limited depth ranges. Lower frequencies around 83 kHz can reach much deeper waters to mark the structure, etc but with less resolution. Many finders offer multiple frequency options.
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. Lowrance Hook 2
Why It’s A Winner:
- 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
Top Features:
- 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
Why It Stands Out:
- Bright, ultra-crisp 5″ color LCD display 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 toteable for kayak use
4. Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv Bundle with Transducer
Key Benefits:
- Versatile handheld unit with 4″ color display
- Fully waterproof
- Built-in flashers ideal for ice fishing adventures too
- Super portable and runs on rechargeable lithium-ion battery
5. Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv
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 really 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 easier.
Use the sonar information in conjunction with your normal fishing tactics like structure fishing. The finder will let you quickly locate points, humps, drop-offs, and other prime areas to focus your casts. Take screenshots or mark waypoints/trails on productive spots so you can easily revisit them later. Easily identify underwater features using the supplied mapping software on some units.
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.
With the right kayak fish finder directing your every move on the water, you’ll spend more time casting to fish and less time wandering hoping to stumble upon them. The tech helps you make the most of every trip – and catch more fish! Let me know if any other questions.
