Last Updated on January 28, 2022
Best Fish Finder for Small Boat
Hottest Picks
How We Found the Best Fishfinder For Small Boat
Experts Interviewed
Fish Finder For Small Boat Tested
HOW WE DECIDED
We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.
56
Models Considered
32
Hours Researched
3
Experts Interviewed
238
Consumers Consulted
BOTTOM LINE
We start off our list with the Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer Fish Finder. Due to its small size and portability, it is an ideal fish finder for small boats as bringing it around it is very easy. Bringing it around is not the only easy thing about it though. Even using this finder is quite easy when compared to other models, allowing for the collection of essential and useful information to come naturally. Anglers will find that the GPS is quite accurate, with the long distance CHIRP sonar gathering more details adding to the benefits.
Perhaps one of the coolest fish finders that you are going to find on this entire review post, this finder works directly with your Smartphone to help transmit all of the data it collects from the water. Simply put the fish finder into the water and using the app, you can connect it to your smartphone so that all of the readings and details come to your smartphone so you can figure out what is happening below the water. Rather than watching what happens on the actual fish finder screen, you can watch from your phone, which is something you are used to using on a daily basis.
Another great fish finder for anglers on a budget is the Humminbird Piranhamax 4. Despite its affordability, don’t let it fool you into believing it is an inadequate unit. Granted, it doesn’t have the full gamut of features – or the proverbial bells and whistles – that many other units have. However, for what it does have, it offers it in spades. Things like the sonar are quite accurate and will give anglers a clear depiction of what swims under angler’s small boats.
Next up, we have the Garmin Striker Plus 4 that comes with a Dual-Beam Transducer. Just like all the other fish finders in this list, this product is quite portable and ideal for small boats and kayaks alike. Even with the transducer it comes with, it is still easy to use as it comes with a suction mount that you can place on your boat. It utilizes the dynamic CHIRP sonar and even an accurate GPS system for marking your location as well as the waypoints among other things.
With Humminbird being one of the best companies in the industry, the HELIX 5 is one of the best they have to offer. One of the standout features of this finder is its GPS system. For anglers who are fond of spotting and contour mapping, they can easily take advantage of what the HELIX 5 has to offer. The details from the GPS come through clearly on the 5” WVGA display. Maps are also able to be saved via a micro SD card.
PROS
Easy to read even with a small screen
Intuitive and easy to use
Accurate GPS
Long distance CHIRP transducer
Uses your Smartphone as a screen
Works in both fresh and saltwater
Rechargeable battery
5.5 hours on one charge
Small and ultra light
Recharges in just two hours
Accurate sonar that gives images
Dualbeam sonar allows for versatility
Clear 4.3” screen
Waterproof and sturdy
Deep maximum depth
Accurate GPS
Clear and crisp color display
GPS can map areas with Garmin Quickdraw
Strong GPS system
Details on screen can be adjusted
Features down and side imaging sonar
CONS
Despite the accurate GPS, does not reveal current location
Runs on 12 volt batteries
Lacking in maximum depth range
Lacks GPS
Mount is not as durable as the unit
Maps cannot be used with GPS
Takes time to master
A bit on the heavy side for small boats
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If you’re looking for a great way to help improve your chances of finding fish and you would like to have an easy way to know exactly where the fish are in the water, then you would benefit greatly from purchasing the best fishfinder for small boat. A fish finder is an excellent way to get a view into what is happening below your boat, so you know exactly where to cast your line.
If you’re looking to add a fish finder to your boat but don’t know what to look for, you have come to the right place. By the end of this article, you’ll know all about what to look for in a fish finder as well as what some of the tops recommended fish finders are for use on your small boat.
Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer, 3.5″ GPS Fish Finder
Best of the best
Bottom Line
We start off our list with the Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer Fish Finder. Due to its small size and portability, it is an ideal fish finder for small boats as bringing it around it is very easy. Bringing it around is not the only easy thing about it though. Even using this finder is quite easy when compared to other models, allowing for the collection of essential and useful information to come naturally. Anglers will find that the GPS is quite accurate, with the long distance CHIRP sonar gathering more details adding to the benefits.
PROS
- Easy to read even with a small screen
- Intuitive and easy to use
- Accurate GPS
- Long distance CHIRP transducer
CONS
- Despite the accurate GPS, does not reveal current location
- Runs on 12 volt batteries
Summary
This unit comes with a high-frequency sonar that does way more than just detect fish in the waters. It also provides nearly photographic details via images. It can detect the various objects found underwater. Anglers can use this information to see what type of fish is around, or if there are even fish at all. All this information is easy to access with the intuitive and simple buttons and keys. All in all, it is a portable and easy to use fish finder with strong sonar and a variety of other useful tools. It is truly a great fish finder for small boats.
Deeper PRO+ Smart Sonar Castable and Portable WiFi Fish Finder
Best for the Price
Bottom Line
Perhaps one of the coolest fish finders that you are going to find on this entire review post, this finder works directly with your Smartphone to help transmit all of the data it collects from the water. Simply put the fish finder into the water and using the app, you can connect it to your smartphone so that all of the readings and details come to your smartphone so you can figure out what is happening below the water. Rather than watching what happens on the actual fish finder screen, you can watch from your phone, which is something you are used to using on a daily basis.
PROS
- Uses your Smartphone as a screen
- Works in both fresh and saltwater
- Rechargeable battery
- 5.5 hours on one charge
- Small and ultra light
- Recharges in just two hours
CONS
- Lacking in maximum depth range
Summary
The PRO+ can be used in both fresh and saltwater, and it uses a dual frequency sonar to help deliver some of the best images that you are going to find with comparable fish finders in this price range. Additionally, it comes with a rechargeable battery and on a single charge, can last up to five and a half hours, which is more than enough to get through your fishing trip without dying. It is incredibly small and ultra light so it is easy to bring with you wherever you go, and if it does die, it recharges in just two hours.
Humminbird 410150-1 PIRANHAMAX 4 Fish Finder
Bottom Line
Another great fish finder for anglers on a budget is the Humminbird Piranhamax 4. Despite its affordability, don’t let it fool you into believing it is an inadequate unit. Granted, it doesn’t have the full gamut of features – or the proverbial bells and whistles – that many other units have. However, for what it does have, it offers it in spades. Things like the sonar are quite accurate and will give anglers a clear depiction of what swims under angler’s small boats.
PROS
- Accurate sonar that gives images
- Dualbeam sonar allows for versatility
- Clear 4.3” screen
- Waterproof and sturdy
CONS
- Lacks GPS
Summary
The sonar of the Piranhamax 4 utilizes two beams across two frequencies. If anglers want to look in the shallow waters, the high frequency can be used. For deeper waters, the lower frequency can be used that reaches up to 600 feet. All of this information can be read on the 4.3 inch display that is even readable in sunlight. It also has a variety of other useful functions such as fish ID, fish alarms, and even depth alarms. All of these functions come in an affordable price point.
Garmin Striker Plus 4 with Dual-Beam Transducer
Bottom Line
Next up, we have the Garmin Striker Plus 4 that comes with a Dual-Beam Transducer. Just like all the other fish finders in this list, this product is quite portable and ideal for small boats and kayaks alike. Even with the transducer it comes with, it is still easy to use as it comes with a suction mount that you can place on your boat. It utilizes the dynamic CHIRP sonar and even an accurate GPS system for marking your location as well as the waypoints among other things.
PROS
- Deep maximum depth
- Accurate GPS
- Clear and crisp color display
- GPS can map areas with Garmin Quickdraw
CONS
- Mount is not as durable as the unit
- Maps cannot be used with GPS
Summary
The combination of CHIRP sonar and the dual beams make this finder’s sonar strong and versatile. All of these capabilities can be used in combination with one another to scan deep or shallow waters, even right under the boat. The screen is a comfortable size for viewing, with a few perks up its sleeve. For instance, the screen can be split into two halves and anglers can pull up two parts of information at the same time. As a bonus, the Garmin Quickdraw GPS feature allows anglers to map the area they are in.
Humminbird 410210-1 HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 Fish finder
Bottom Line
With Humminbird being one of the best companies in the industry, the HELIX 5 is one of the best they have to offer. One of the standout features of this finder is its GPS system. For anglers who are fond of spotting and contour mapping, they can easily take advantage of what the HELIX 5 has to offer. The details from the GPS come through clearly on the 5” WVGA display. Maps are also able to be saved via a micro SD card.
PROS
- Strong GPS system
- Details on screen can be adjusted
- Features down and side imaging sonar
CONS
- Takes time to master
- A bit on the heavy side for small boats
Summary
The Helix 5 utilizes both side and down imaging. This is good for use in any boat – even small boats – allowing for an unprecedented view of the area. With both of these sonar types, anglers can see the fish right beside their boats and even other structures right under. With all this detail, anglers may be wondering if it will be too much. Fortunately, it has a SwitchFire mode that helps manipulate what anglers want to focus on. The HELIX 5 is a great fish finder for small boats that boasts high-tech options and features.
Garmin Striker Plus 7Cv with Cv20-TM transducer
Bottom Line
The final fish finder for small boats on our list is the Garmin Striker Plus 7Cv. As you can tell, this is our third product from Garmin, one of the best in the industry today. It is a testament to how effective their fish finders are. The Striker Plus 7Cv is an all-around great. It features very effective sonar and GPS, all on a generous screen of 7”.
PROS
- Convenient to set up and use
- Great information display
- Water resistant
- Built in flasher and classic flasher view format
CONS
- This unit is built waLacks chartplotting capabilitiesith a mounted transducer, but does not include maps with it
Summary
This fish finder is well-put together and has many useful features. For starters, it has ClearVu sonar which is proprietary technology from Garmin. This allows for anglers to scan under the boat, giving stunning detail that not many fish finders can reproduce. Scrolling through the information in the screen is done so conveniently using the Ultrascroll mode. With all of these pieces of information at the disposal of anglers, the screen can also be split to feature two types of information.
How To Choose The Right Fishfinder For Small Boat
Frequencies
When you go to buy your fish finder, you will have the option of choosing between a single, dual or multiple frequency transducers. The frequencies are one of the biggest factors to consider when it comes to the transducers, and many of the transducers will come with frequencies related to the cone angle. The higher the frequency you buy, the more detail will show up on your screen because there are more sonar waves being sent out.
If you fish in shallow water, higher frequencies are the way to go. You should always try and find a finder that has multiple frequencies, especially if you are fishing on multiple different types of water. If you fish on only one type of water, a single frequency will be fine.
Power
The power of the fish finder is going to be an important consideration depending on how you plan on using your fish finder and where you plan on fishing. The greater the wattage of the unit, the quicker you are going to see your readings and the deeper it is going to go in the water.
The lesser the wattage, the slower the unit will be to display readings, and you’ll find it better suited for shallow water. As a quick note of reference, the deeper the water, the more power you need. The shallower the water, the less power you are going to need.
Screen Resolution
Often overlooked, the screen resolution is going to be important because the more pixels there are in the resolution, the clearer the readings are going to be. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a sharp image, then you want the most pixels.
At the minimum, make sure you get a screen with a resolution of 240 x 160. Even at this, the image is going to be pretty blocky, so you will be disappointed if you’re looking for a clear image.
If you’re looking for this fish finder to be your main unit, I recommend spending the money to get a bigger screen size and more resolution. With that, you’ll be able to see everything as clear as you need to.
Color
Color technology is one of the newer trends when it comes to screens in electronics because it allows for so much greater detail by showing millions of different colors rather than just the 256 shades of gray you get with a black and white screen.
With color on a fishfinder, you’re going to get better detail so you can see much clearer what is happening in the water. The color screens are also much easier to see in bright light which is a big consideration when it comes to fishing.
Transducers
Lastly, the transducers are going to be one of the more important consideration when you go to buy a fish finder because they are what emits and receives the sonar waves. These send the signals to the water, and once they bounce off of the underwater objects, the transducer will pick them up again.
It is then sent to the main unit to be converted into a picture so you can understand what it happening. Most fish finders you will see have transom mount transducer which is incredibly easy to mount and require little installation.
Final Verdict
Now that you have had the chance to go over all of the information that was presented above including what you should look for when it comes to buying the best fishfinder for small boat as well as what some of the tops recommended products are, you should have no problem figuring out which fish finder is going to meet your needs best. If you want to find one that will be perfect for you, checking out one of the six products recommended above is a great place to start.
We like to share product recommendations with you and hope you like them! Just to make you aware FishingLab may collect a small share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
I love to write for readers with a genuine interest in enjoying the fishing. Hence, I started this blog to provide you guides so that you can have a better and more pleasant fishing experience.
James Williams
Staff | FishingLab
Article Name
Best Fishfinder For Small Boat 2020 [Update]
Description
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Author
James Williams
Publisher Name
Fishing Lab
We like to share product recommendations with you and hope you like them! Just to make you aware FishingLab may collect a small share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.