The Best Kayak Fish Finders Reviewed
A kayak can be one of the best possible ways to see the outdoors. You are truly free on the water and can even sneak up on unsuspecting fish and wildlife that you would never be able to encounter if you were out on a traditional fishing boat. If you are going to have any success fishing, though, you’ll have to have the right tools at your disposal to track them down and save your energy for only the best of them. A fish finder tailored specifically for kayak use will be perfect for you. Read this article if you you are looking for the best universal all-round fish finder. These will come in all shapes and sizes, but the fact remains that there are a few that stand out as far superior to all of the others that you might find online.
What to look for in a Kayak Fish Finder
Look for a Kayak Fish finder with these features:
- Reasonable Mounting Space
- High Transducer compatibility
- High resolution Display
- 12v Marine Battery Power Source
- Lightweight
- Weather resistant
- Easy to update
- Easy installation Guide
- As few buttons as possible
- GPS
Our Top 3 Picks
- Raymarine Dragonfly
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Our rating - Professional Choice
- Price: See Here
- Humminbird 386Ci Combo
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Our rating - Top Resolution
- Price: See Here
- Humminbird 561 DI
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Our rating - Advanced Features
- Price: See Here
Top 5 Kayak Fish Finders Reviewed
For one of the best options for your needs, be sure to check out these five fish finder models. When you are on a kayak, you will be hard pressed to do any better than these:
1. Raymarine Dragonfly
Finally, the addition of GPS and a MicroSD card reader makes it possible to find and save your favorite spots for future reference.
2. Humminbird 386Ci Combo
Mounting it in your kayak is easy thanks to the quick disconnect feature and it is incredibly lightweight in the first place. In lakes, rivers, and coastal regions you will be able to use a 4 nautical mile map that shows you exactly where you are and precisely where you are going.
With this fish finder you will be able to reach a depth of 1500 feet in total using the 500 watta of power. That comes in a small amount of space, though, and you won’t have to worry about giving up any space on your kayak with one of these models. It isn’t one of the cheapest models, but it is a highly effective one.
3. Humminbird 561 DI
Finally, there is a UniMap feature included that will show you where you are and where you are going, with optional Navionics and LakeMaster cartography features that will make it even more versatile and help you find and save all of your favorite fishing spots so you can come back time and time again.
This one is well worth taking a look at if you are going to be going out on your kayak, so don’t discount it due to the price. Any Humminbird would be worth a second look, but on a budget this is perfect.
4. Lowrance Elite - 4x HDI
For finding everything, and making sure you don’t miss out on anything, there is a TrackBack feature included that lets you scroll back and see anything you just passed, along with the top of the line fish tracking technology that Lowrance has put years of research into.
5. Garmin echo 301dv
To kick things off, the echo 301 packs in an all-in-one transducer that is able to produce not only HD-ID 77/200 kHz images, but also Garmin DownVu ones at the exact same time. The display here is able to be split in have, and this allows you to view all of that information simultaneously.
It's one of the best ways to view as much data as possible in on one screen, and it's a feature we wish every fish finder included. Rounding things off are nearly photographic images, a max depth of up to 1,750 feet below the water, and a narrow-to-wide viewing cone.
How To Choose The Best Kayak Fish Finder For You
On a kayak, you will be having to do something very specific, which is attach it to your small boat and have a way of keeping it from being ruined by the water. There are a lot of different features involved with a fish finder, but in particular for your purposes you should think about:
- Is It Portable? Having a portable fish finder is vital to success on a kayak. You won’t have the space to hold a large unit that requires bulky sonar units. A portable unit will also make it lightweight, allowing you to find all of the most elusive fish without having to add any additional weight to your kayak, which will help you row farther and faster in the long run, no matter how little weight you think you are adding at the time.
- What Depth Can It See To? When kayaking, you are going to be able to reach places that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to get to without spooking the wildlife. With that in mind, it is easy to see why it is so important to be able to see everything that is going on underneath your kayak. In some places, you will end up getting somewhere that lets you reach depths that few people have, but you’ll have to be able to see that deep.
- Is It Waterproof? It should go without saying, but on a kayak there is a good chance that you will get wet, as well as your equipment. A good kayak fish finder will have the ability to stay waterproof through all of your excursions, no matter how intense they might get.
How To Install A Fish Finder On Your Kayak
Watch this video for some handy instructions on how to install a fish finder on your Kayak. This applies to all fish finders, not just the ones that are used in this video. We also recommend you to read this article on how to use your fish finder effectively to find more fish.
Kayak Fishing Set Up
Check out his video for some hints on kayak set up:
Tірѕ fоr Eаѕіlу Installing a Kауаk Fіѕh Fіndеr
Dо уоu nееd a fіѕhfіndеr оr сhаrtрlоttеr оn уоur kауаk? It depends оn how ѕеrіоuѕ уоu аrе аbоut саtсhіng fish. I ѕtаrtеd fіѕhіng with оnе twо seasons аgо аnd saw my саtсh rаtе triple оvеrnіght. The сhаrtрlоttеr function on my Lоwrаnсе Elіtе HD unіt lеtѕ mе duplicate drіftѕ and rесоrd ѕtruсturе to vіѕіt later. Thе fіѕhfіndеr hеlрѕ me fіnd bаіt аnd target ѕuѕреndеd ѕсhооlѕ оf fish. If you’re gоіng tо ѕреnd mоnеу оn a fіѕhfіndеr, get оnе thаt соmbіnеѕ bоth thеѕе features.
Tооlѕ:
- Power drill
- 1/8-іnсh, 5/32-іnсh, and 1-іnсh bits
- 3/8-іnсh socket wrench
- Sсrеwdrіvеr
- Wіrе stripper
- Sоldеrіng іrоn
- Hеаt gun оr hаіr drуеr
Mаtеrіаlѕ:
- Hоbіе Fishfinder Inѕtаll Kit III
- Lоwrаnсе Fishfinder/Chartplotter
- Yаk Attack Gеаr Trас
- RAM Full-size fishfinder mоunt
- Spare Hobie through-hull fitting
- 1/4-іnсh аnd 1/8-inch hеаt-ѕhrіnk tubіng
- Solder
- Zір ties
- Elесtrісаl tаре
- Dielectric grease
Stер 1: Inѕtаll Yak Attасk Gеаr Trас
– Drіll a hоlе uѕіng the 1/8-іnсh bіt.
– Pоѕіtіоn Gеаr Trас оvеr hоlе and tighten fіrѕt ѕсrеw.
– Drill second hоlе on thе орроѕіtе соrnеr. Tіghtеn second screw.
– Drіll remaining two hоlеѕ uѕіng 5/32-іnсh bіt.
– Sсrеw in bоltѕ.
— TIP: All hоlеѕ drіllеd are ѕmаllеr thаn thе ѕсrеwѕ оr bоltѕ. When thе thrеаdѕ bіtе into thе рlаѕtіс thеу’ll fоrm a waterproof seal.
– Rеасh іn through front hatch. Slide wаѕhеrѕ onto bolts. Hаnd tіghtеn nutѕ, then tіghtеn bоth соmрlеtеlу wіth a ѕосkеt wrench.
— TIP: It hеlрѕ tо hаvе a buddу uѕе a screwdriver to kеер thе bolts frоm turnіng as уоu tіghtеn the nutѕ.
Stер 2: Inѕtаll Transducer
– Rеmоvе ѕеаt.
– Flip bоаt uрѕіdе dоwn.
– Remove Lowrance-ready trаnѕduсеr рlаtе.
– Thread trаnѕduсеr wire through ѕсuрреr.
– Attасh transducer tо brасkеt (hаrdwаrе comes іn bаg wіth Hоbіе оwnеr’ѕ mаnuаl)
– TIP: Lеаvе ѕоmе ѕрасе bеtwееn trаnѕduсеr аnd brасkеt ѕо thаt thе unіt functions рrореrlу.
– Sсrеw рlаtе into hull.
Step 3: Run Transducer Cable Intо Hull
– Flір boat rіght-ѕіdе uр.
— TIP: It’s easier tо dо thіѕ step if уоur boat is flірреd оn іtѕ ѕіdе.
– Oреn hаtсh іn front оf ѕеаt аrеа.
– Rеmоvе fоаm flоаtаtіоn blосkѕ.
– Rеасh through hаtсh tо remove through-hull fіttіng bу twіѕtіng оff thе fitting nut and рорріng thе fitting оut of thе hоlе.
– Plасе rubbеr O-rіng over hole.
– Thread trаnѕduсеr саblе down through O-ring and hole.
– Pull cable оut thrоugh hatch untіl tіght.
– Pор rubbеr gаѕkеt оut оf through-hull fitting. Pор іt оntо саblе.
– If gаѕkеt dоеѕn’t fіt саblе, ѕеlесt оnе thаt dоеѕ frоm thе gаѕkеt trее fоund іn уоur Hоbіе оwnеr’ѕ mаnuаl bag.
– Pор thе rіght gasket onto your trаnѕduсеr саblе, then uѕе a screwdriver tо рuѕh thе gаѕkеt into thrоugh-hull fіttіng.
– Puѕh thrоugh-hull fіttіng into hоlе.
– Slіdе through-hull fіttіng nut over аnd up cable.
– Rеасh thrоugh hаtсh and twist nut untіl tіght.
– Replace fоаm floatation blocks.
Stер 4: Install Two Through-Hull Fittings In Frоnt оf Gеаr Trac
– Fіrѕt hole іѕ fоr the transducer саblе.
– Sесоnd hole is fоr the power cable, whісh runѕ tо thе bаttеrу
– Drill twо 1-іnсh hоlеѕ 1 inch apart through thе hull іn frоnt оf thе Gеаr Trас.
– TIP: Rеасh thrоugh the front hatch while drіllіng tо hold уоur ruddеr саblеѕ away from drill аrеа. Yоu dоn’t wаnt tо cut thоѕе cables wіth thе bіt.
– Clean the lооѕе рlаѕtіс frоm thе holes wіth a razor blаdе
– Slіdе a thrоugh-hull fitting nut оvеr thе transducer саblе.
– Rеасh thrоugh thе hаtсh tо thrеаd thе саblе up thrоugh thе hоlе.
– Slіdе a rubber O-rіng оvеr the transducer саblе аnd рlасе on tор оf the hоlе.
– Pор thе thrоugh-hull fіttіng gasket onto thе cable.
– Pор the gаѕkеt іntо thе thrоugh-hull fіttіng аnd push іt tіght with a ѕсrеwdrіvеr.
– Puѕh the fіttіng dоwn іntо the hоlе.
– Reach up through thе hatch tо tіghtеn the nut оntо the fitting.
– Pull thе remaining transducer саblе tоwаrd thе front hаtсh аnd secure іt wіth zір tіеѕ.
– TIP: NEVER сut a trаnѕduсеr саblе tо fіt thе lеngth you’re wоrkіng with. Cut trаnѕduсеr саblе does nоt funсtіоn.
– Repeat this process for thе роwеr cable. Use a twо-hоlе gаѕkеt fоr your thrоugh-hull fіttіng іf your power cable hаѕ duаl wіrеѕ.
Stер 5: Prераrе Pоwеr Cables And Bаttеrу Wires
– Lоwrаnсе units соmе with duаl роwеr cables. Yоu’ll bе connecting the one wіth exposed red/black/ground wіrеѕ.
– Wrар the еnd оf the оthеr (NMEA) саblе wіth еlесtrісаl tаре аnd ѕесurе іt оut оf уоur wау.
– Rеmоvе the battery wіrіng аnd in-line fuse from уоur Hobie Fіѕhfіndеr Inѕtаll Kit III.
– Tіе wіrеѕ аrоund mast роѕt, lеаvіng 15-20 inches bеtwееn post and bаttеrу соnnесtоr.
– Mеаѕurе оthеr end of wire frоm роѕt to Lоwrаnсе роwеr саblе.
– Cut оff еxtrа wire.
– Measure the positive (rеd) lead оn thе battery wіrе аgаіnѕt thе іn-lіnе fuѕе lеаdѕ.
– Cut thіѕ lead оut of thе wіrе. Yоu’ll rерlасе it wіth the іn-lіnе fuѕе.
Step 6: Solder and Shrіnk-Wrар The Wіrеѕ
– TIP: Sоldеrіng іѕ nоt nесеѕѕаrу, but mаkеѕ for muсh more ѕесurе аnd rеlіаblе соnnесtіоnѕ.
– Slide 1/4-іnсh shrink tubing over the Lowrance unіt’ѕ роwеr саblе.
– Snір оff ground wіrе.
– Strір рlаѕtіс frоm роѕіtіvе (rеd) аnd negative (blасk) power саblе lеаdѕ.
– Strip plastic frоm thе leads оn еіthеr end оf the іn-lіnе fuѕе.
– Slіdе 1/8-inch shrink tubе оvеr оnе of these fuѕе leads.
– Jоіn fuse wіrе to роѕіtіvе lеаd оn роwеr саblе.
– Slide 1/8-inch ѕhrіnk tubе оvеr роѕіtіvе lеаd оn battery wіrе.
– Jоіn positive lеаd оn bаttеrу wіrе to оthеr fuѕе lеаd.
– Slide 1/8-іnсh ѕhrіnk tube оvеr negative lеаd оn battery wire.
– Join nеgаtіvе lеаd оn battery wіrе to nеgаtіvе lead оn power cable.
– Solder аll соnnесtіоnѕ.
– Slіdе all 1/8-іnсh ѕhrіnk tubing over ѕоldеrеd соnnесtіоnѕ.
– Shrіnk the tubіng with a heat gun оr blоw drуеr.
– Slіdе 1/4-іnсh ѕhrіnk tubіng оvеr both 1/8-іnсh соnnесtіоnѕ оn thе power саblе end and ѕhrіnk іt down tо secure еvеrуthіng іn рlасе.
Step 7: Attach Battery Holder Tо Mаѕt Post
– TIP: Mаkе ѕurе tо ѕlоt the wіrіng thаt lеаdѕ tо уоur fuse іntо thе grооvеѕ оn thе back of thе ѕсrеw mоunt. When you tіghtеn thе brасkеt this wіll kеер thе fuѕе uр оff thе bоttоm of the hull, whеrе іt’ѕ lеѕѕ likely tо get wеt аnd соrrоdеd.
Step 8: Aррlу Dіеlесtrіс Grеаѕе Tо Fuѕе
Stер 9: Clеаn Up Yоur Wires
– Bundlе loose wіrеѕ аnd саblеѕ wіth zір tіеѕ, thеn ѕесurе thеm tо thе mаѕt роѕt.
Stер 10: Cоnnесt Battery
Step 11: Attach RAM Fіѕhfіndеr Mоunt to Fishfinder
Stер 12: Cоnnесt Unit tо Bаttеrу, Thеn Turn On Display!
Kayak Fish Finder FAQ
When it comes to vehicles that are used to go out and roam the open waters, few offer as much fun and freedom as that of a kayak. Although they might be far from the biggest or most powerful boat out there, something about their small size and lack of high-tech features make them incredibly attractive to a lot of folks out there. Kayaks are great ways to explore lakes and rivers on a much more personal level, as the experience you get when traversing a body of water on a kayak is much different than that of traveling on something like a pontoon boat or jet ski. However, it is worth mentioning that the experience definitely isn’t for everyone. Traveling on a kayak requires quite a bit of physical strength – especially when dealing with rough or active waters. Without an engine or anything to keep you moving, all of the power is reliant on your ability to row and paddle your way around the water you’re in. This may seem like a nightmare to some people, but to others, it’s the only true way to experience the wide, open waters that are out there.
If you’re the kind of person that loves to travel waters by way of a kayak, you might think that you have a pretty firm understanding on everything that goes into traveling rivers and lakes by this means of transportation. You’re more than likely familiar with the equipment you need to take with you, the limits of how many additional items that you can carry, how to paddle without getting over-exhausted, etc. These are all excellent bits of information to know, but how familiar are you with fish finders that are designed specifically for use in kayaks and other small boats?
Believe it or not, many fish finders that are out there on the market are designed especially for use in a kayak. Despite their small size, some folks out there prefer fishing in shallower waters by way of a kayak. Despite it’s smaller size, it’s incredibly portable, lightweight, and can provide just enough storage space for a small trip of fishing on your favorite lake. And, as with any fishing trip that you embark on, a fish finder will go a long way in helping you find the absolute best spots to spend your time. Without a fish finder, so much time can be wasted in an area where there aren’t any fish to be had at all. If you aren’t careful or paying attention, you might waste an hour or two in a section of water where the fish simply are not biting at all! When you bring a fish finder along with you, you can use them to determine the best spots possible for all of the fish to be caught during your expedition.
But let’s say that you aren’t entirely familiar with fish finders, albeit fish finders that are designed just exactly for the best use on a kayak. If this is your situation, and you’re wanting to know more about fish finders for kayaks, you might not know where to turn. There are so many different kinds of fish finders and fish finder guides out there that it can often be difficult to determine whether or not the information you’re looking at pertains to fish finders for kayaks. We noticed that this was becoming a bit of a problem, and decided to do something about it.
In this guide, you will find the most frequently asked questions about kayak fish finders. This is a much bigger market than you may initially anticipate, and as a result of that, there are a lot of very important questions that need to be asked. However, more importantly, they need to be answer as well. So, without any further ado, here is our complete guide for the best and most popular kayak fish finder FAQs.
Q: What is an ideal screen size for a kayak fish finder?
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.
Q: How will my fish finder get power when used on a kayak?
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.
Q: Where is the best place to mount my fish finder when I take it out 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.
Q: Should I get a GPS with my kayak fish finder?
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.
Summary
And with all that said, those are the most frequently asked questions that we see and get in regards to folks wanting to know more about kayak fish finders. As you now can see, there actually are quite a few differentiating factors that truly do separate them form traditional fish finders that you would use with an average or regular boat. Kayak fish finders are almost a breed of their own, and thanks to these answer we’ve provided today, you hopefully shouldn’t have any trouble when you set out to buy a kayak fish finder of your very own!
Conclusion
If you have a kayak, you will need to make sure you choose one of these. With the information you now have you could make your own decision, but if you want one of the absolute best you shouldn’t look any further than these five. They are the top of the line and products that will certainly not only serve you for years to come, but help you catch more fish than you could have ever dreamed of.
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