The Best Kayak Fish Finders Reviewed

When you set out to research possible fish finders to buy, you’ll quickly notice as to just how many different screen size options that are available. Although they all used to be about the same general size, screen sizes for fish finders are now more varied and different than they ever have been. There are options out there for average sizes, super compact, and ones that are as big as they can possibly get. However, when it comes to getting a kayak fish finder, what’s your best bet for the ideal screen size that you want to have?

Although it can often be tempting to go for the biggest screen size out there to get as much information on the screen as you possibly can at once, smaller screens are much better suited when using a fish finder on a kayak. The ideal size that you’ll want to look for is around 4-inches or less. This might seem a bit too small, but you are still able to get an ample amount on info on the screen at one time. Plus, when you consider the general small size of kayaks, you’ll greatly appreciate the extra space you have when you decide to opt for a fish finder that has a screen size of 4-inches or less. Choosing one that has a screen of around 5 -inches will definitely be pushing it and get your cramped up while you’re on your kayak, and anything that’s larger than 5-inches will absolutely require some sort of ram mount if you want to take something along these lines with you.

It should go without saying that fish finders require some sort of power source in order to operate. There is so much technology being used in these gadgets nowadays, and they need a steady and reliable source of power in order to power up and deliver you the information that you want to see. When it comes to powering a fish finder in a kayak, there are actually a couple different ways that you can go about this. First of all, you can decide to go the DIY route and construct your own type of power source. In order to do this, you’ll need to get your hands on a marine battery and a waterproof box in which you’ll store it in. Once you have these items, you will then need to find a way to run the wires from the marine battery to the transducer and display of your fish finder. This will power and sort of normal fish finder that you buy or have, but it definitely does require a bit of work on your end in order to make it happen.

If that sounds like too much hassle for you, you’ll be happy to know that there’s a much easier way to get power to a fish finder when using it on a kayak. The answer? A portable fish finder! Portable fish finders are actually quite common nowadays, and they get their portable nature from the included battery back that they come equipped with. Just like your smartphone or tablet, portable fish finders have internal batteries that are built directly into the unit. And, just like your smartphone or other portable device, get juiced up once again by simply plugging it into a wall outlet and recharging it. Additionally, there are other portable fish finders out there that simply use standard batteries that you can buy at any convenience or dollar store around you. These options come equipped with waterproof battery storage areas so the batteries you put in won’t be facing any potential issues with water leaking in and wrecking your entire system. Either option here is a great way to go if you don’t want to go through the time and effort that is required when constructing your own power source. However, both options are effective for getting power to your fish finder when using it on a kayak.

Kayaks are limited in room and storage, and that is easily one of the most unattractive things about them that so many people don’t like. When you go out on a fishing trip, it can be easy to try and take as many items with you as possible to make sure that you don’t forget anything at all that you might possibly need during your trip. With that said, some people genuinely appreciate the lack of space and storage that kayaks come with. With our busy and constant working lives, it can be easy to carry that same mindset with you when you’re moving from the office to the water. With a kayak, that mindset simply won’t work. Fishing on a kayak requires you to downsize, take it easy, and only take the bare essentials with you. However, this can pose a real problem when trying to figure out where to store or mount your fish finder if you take one with you out on a kayak. Thankfully, there are a couple different ways to go about this that are actually quite effective.

First of all, you can take the transducer of the fish finder and mount it to the inside of the hull of your kayak. From here, the rest of the fish finder will easily be able to shoot out through the plastic it comes into contact with without any problem at all – allowing you to get precise and accurate readings of all the fish that may or may not be in your area when out on your kayak. Additionally, there are other fish finders out on the market that come equipped with suction cup mounts that allow you to stick the fish finder directly to the side or back of your kayak. If you are able to find a fish finder like this, it can often be the most effective and most convenient option in regards to mounting it to your kayak. Not all fish finders come with this, and the ones that do are often tailored specifically towards ones that are meant to be used with a kayak. However, with a little savvy shopping, it shouldn’t take you too long at all to locate one of these if that is the route that you want to take in regards to mounting it to your kayak.

Ah, the age old question as to whether or not you should get a fish finder that comes equipped with a GPS radio. GPS-enabled fish finders are incredibly nice for getting the most precise and accurate readouts of your location, and can often be absolutely necessary if you’re out fishing on a big, wide, expansive body of water that you’ve never been out on. However, when we’re talking about fishing on a kayak, you’re more than likely going to be using it in your backyard lake, river that runs through your neighborhood, or other small or medium-sized body of water that you’re pretty familiar with. If this happens to be the case, it’s usually best to save a few bucks and opt for a unit that omits the use of a GPS. While there’s no denying that they’re nice and fun to have, if you’re on a bit of a budget, a kayak fish finder is perfectly fine without having a GPS unit baked in. You can certainly go for one that has a GPS in it if money isn’t an object, but it really isn’t necessary if you want to save as much money as possible.