What Is The Best Kayak Fish Finder 2020? Top Models Compared!
Hottest Picks
How We Found the Best Kayak Fish Finder
Experts Interviewed
Kayak Fish Finders Tested
HOW WE DECIDED
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58
Models Considered
34
Hours Researched
4
Experts Interviewed
238
Consumers Consulted
BOTTOM LINE
The Deeper Pro+ Smart Sonar Kayak Fishfinder provides a stable connection and dependable information. All of this is accessed easily and conveniently via a smartphone and tablet.
Looking at the Garmin Striker 4, we can easily conclude that it has a lot to offer for your upcoming fishing excursions. You will really enjoy the user-friendly nature of this device. It is extremely easy to install and use.
The iBobber Smart Fish Finder has a patented sonar fish identification technology to give you an idea of what you’re looking at. You won’t have to guess the water temperature to figure out where your favorite fish is hiding. It’s the best way to make sure you’re using the proper bait to reel in the fish you want.
The rechargeable battery allows you to have a full battery when it’s running low. You won’t lose out on any fish when you can pop the fishfinder onto the charger and keep it alive. The charge status indicator light lets you know when your battery is running low and you need to plug it in.
The Piranhamax 4 is a fish finder created by a company that has been in the industry for many years. This fish finder is extremely affordable. Despite the price, it contains a myriad of useful features and settings that are a steal for its price range.
An extremely portable and versatile fish finder. While small, the HawkEye Fishtrax 1C doesn’t give up any features and gives a balanced experience when using the fish finder.
PROS
Compatible with smartphones and tablets
Bluetooth capable
Rechargeable battery
Equipped with CHIRP sonar for better locating surrounding fish and mapping out the floor beneath you
This unit comes in either a 3.5 inch or a 7 inch display
User-friendly push button display
Integrated waypoint map that let you mark your favorite areas and key locations that you want to return
Constant frequencies emitted to give you a better feedback on fish in the surrounding area
Comes with a travel pack storage case
Bluetooth compatible
Contour mapping
Fish indicators
GPS
Trip Log
Alarms
Social media sharing
Rechargeable battery
Affordable
Many available useful features
Works at extreme depths
HD display
Transducer can be mounted and trolled
Multiple sonar functionalities
CONS
Lacks cover for night fishing
Harder to mount on large boats
The suction cup on this model does not work very well
The flasher does not work that well
N/A
Lacks navigation features
Lacks CHIRP and side imaging sonar
Response time may lag when switching sensitivity settings
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You may have wanted to go fishing, got all your gear packed, got up early, and went out. You spent the whole day at your favorite fishing spot, waiting for a nibble. While you swat the bugs away from you, the day starts to grow long. You wonder why the fish aren’t biting today. If you had the best kayak fish finder, you would be going home with a big catch. Instead, you tread back empty handed.
If you’re a person that loves mixing things up, you would appreciate for a kayak fish finder. Not only can you find where the fishes are hiding, but you can also get an idea of what’s under the waves.
Using the right fish finder allows you to track your movements, and stay away from dangerous rocks. Finding the best kayak fish finder doesn’t have to feel like finding a needle in a haystack. In fact, you can use this ultimate guide & review to find the right kayak fish finder for you.
Deeper Pro+ Smart Sonar Kayak Fishfinder
Best of the best
Bottom Line
The Deeper Pro+ Smart Sonar Kayak Fishfinder provides a stable connection and dependable information. All of this is accessed easily and conveniently via a smartphone and tablet.
PROS
- Compatible with smartphones and tablets
- Bluetooth capable
- Rechargeable battery
CONS
- Lacks cover for night fishing
- Harder to mount on large boats
Summary
Data and GPS
In terms of data, the Deeper Pro+ Smart Sonar Kayak Fishfinder provides everything that can help anglers catch fish. It relies on a couple of frequencies that scan every 15 seconds. Using these frequent scans and the GPS capability, it paints a picture of the world underwater.
Easy to Install
This fish finder is perfect for kayaks as it is extremely easy to install and use. Installation literally takes seconds. There are no wires, external batteries, and complicated machineries to watch out for.
Garmin Striker 4 with Portable Kit
Best for the Price
Bottom Line
Looking at the Garmin Striker 4, we can easily conclude that it has a lot to offer for your upcoming fishing excursions. You will really enjoy the user-friendly nature of this device. It is extremely easy to install and use.
PROS
- Equipped with CHIRP sonar for better locating surrounding fish and mapping out the floor beneath you
- This unit comes in either a 3.5 inch or a 7 inch display
- User-friendly push button display
- Integrated waypoint map that let you mark your favorite areas and key locations that you want to return
- Constant frequencies emitted to give you a better feedback on fish in the surrounding area
- Comes with a travel pack storage case
CONS
- The suction cup on this model does not work very well
- The flasher does not work that well
Summary
This device comes in two different sizes including a more compact 3.5 inch display, and a larger 7 inch display. This model uses a sophisticated waypoint map so that you can simply mark, view, and navigate any of the locations that you enjoy and would like to return to.
This fish finder has a touch key interface that let’s you easily punch in any and all of your essential features. This small model is also enabled with CHIRP sonar that sends out a continuous wave of frequencies in order to give your crisper fish arches and more accurate information for what is going on underneath the water.
iBobber Smart FishFinder
Bottom Line
The iBobber Smart Fish Finder has a patented sonar fish identification technology to give you an idea of what you’re looking at. You won’t have to guess the water temperature to figure out where your favorite fish is hiding. It’s the best way to make sure you’re using the proper bait to reel in the fish you want.
The rechargeable battery allows you to have a full battery when it’s running low. You won’t lose out on any fish when you can pop the fishfinder onto the charger and keep it alive. The charge status indicator light lets you know when your battery is running low and you need to plug it in.
PROS
- Bluetooth compatible
- Contour mapping
- Fish indicators
- GPS
- Trip Log
- Alarms
- Social media sharing
- Rechargeable battery
CONS
- N/A
Summary
Accurate Readings
The fish locator provides accurate readings down to a depth of 135 feet down. You won’t have to put too much guesswork into determining where the fish are located. It’s ideal for those that don’t want to put too much effort in trying to determine where a fish is hiding.
Built-in GPS
The built-in GPS guarantees you won’t get lost when you’re out on the water. You can tag your favorite spots, and interact with the map. There is a Trip Log to help you stay on top of your fishing spots. You can note the date, time, water temperature, conditions, type of fishing, etc.
Humminbird Piranhamax 4
Bottom Line
The Piranhamax 4 is a fish finder created by a company that has been in the industry for many years. This fish finder is extremely affordable. Despite the price, it contains a myriad of useful features and settings that are a steal for its price range.
PROS
- Affordable
- Many available useful features
- Works at extreme depths
CONS
- Lacks navigation features
- Lacks CHIRP and side imaging sonar
Summary
High Definition
This fish finder boasts a display with 256 colors. This ultimately means that you’ll be able to decipher more information by differentiating the many elements found by the fish finder. This extra discernment allows for more efficient use of time when catching fish.
Dual Signal Transducer
This fish finder’s transducer sends two signals underwater. These two simultaneous signals allow for more information to be picked up. Even smaller fish and the slight changes to the contours can be picked up and analyzed.
HawkEye Fishtrax 1C Fish Finder
Bottom Line
An extremely portable and versatile fish finder. While small, the HawkEye Fishtrax 1C doesn’t give up any features and gives a balanced experience when using the fish finder.
PROS
- HD Display
- Transducer can be mounted and trolled
- Multiple sonar functionalities
CONS
- Response time may lag when switching sensitivity settings
Summary
Portable and Fully Functional
Coming in at just 6 x 3 inches, this is one of the most compact and portable fish finders in the market today. A pack of four triple A batteries will have this fish finder running for a little over 30 hours. With all the features included, it’s a powerful and useful device in a small package.
Sensitivity Settings
Don’t let the small size fool you. This device, only slightly bigger than a regular smartphone, has over 100 available sensitivity settings. Adjust the sensitivity settings any time to align to your needs. This is a great option for experienced anglers.
Venterior Portable Fish Finder
Bottom Line
For those whose budget is constrained but are looking in the market for a serviceable fish finder that does the job, the Venterior Portable Fish Finder may be what you are looking for. It is very affordable without sacrificing any important functionalities.
PROS
- Extremely portable
- Max detectable area of 328 feet or 100 meters below
CONS
- Display is not colored
Summary
Black and White
Most fish finders in the market today have colored displays. This one though delivers its valuable information in black and white. While some may be off put by it, others see it as a refreshing and straightforward way to view the information.
2 Year Warranty
Purchasers of the Venterior Portable Fish Finder will be pleased to know that it comes with a two year warranty. While you continue to use this fish finder for the first couple of years, you’ll rest easy knowing Venterior got you covered if it ever breaks down.
LUCKY Portable Fish Finder
Bottom Line
The final portable fish finder for kayaks on our list is from LUCKY. It is affordable and has some good features for its price. It’s single beam sonar imaging has a scan angle of 45 degrees and can scan up to 300 feet deep.
PROS
- Adjustable sensitivity settings
- Includes fish alarm function
- Colored LCD
CONS
- LCD screen is smaller than most fish finders
- Not waterproof
Summary
Sensitivity Applications
LUCKY’s portable fish finder has several sensitivity settings that can prove useful. Anglers can customize their sensitivity settings for multiple applications. With it, anglers can see fish clearly, how deep it is, if there are rocks, vegetation, and more.
Simple and Sweet
On paper, the LUCKY Portable Fish Finder may not look like anything special. However, the truth is that it does what it is supposed to do. This just goes to show that people don’t need to spend a fortune for a fully functional fish finder.
How to Choose the Right Kayak Fish Finder
Power
You need a fish finder that works well when you’re out on the water. You should be able to read the screen easily. You should consider the amount of wattage the fish finder uses to decide. Fishfinders with low wattage power don’t put out easy to read information and can become a burden. When you’re out in a kayak, and you don’t know the depth, the readings can be slow. It’s ideal if you’re in shallow water, but doesn’t do you any good when you’re in the middle of open water. Typically, a fish locator should run faster to keep up with the water.
Screen Resolution
If you get a fish finder with a display that’s difficult to read, it won’t help you. The screen resolution is measured in pixels. Just like your TV at home, the more pixels it displays, the better the display quality. The screen resolution and size of the screen will determine if the fish finder is right for you. If you’re looking for the right fish finder for kayak fishing, there are screen resolutions with 640 x 640 pixels. The least you should consider is 240 x 160 pixels. It makes a huge difference when you can tell the difference between a rock and a fish.
Transducer
The transducer is important parts of a fish finder. It emits sonar waves into the water. The sonar signals bounce off objects in the water and come back to the transducer. There are different types of transducers available, with some of them better than others. For a kayak, you want a transducer that is easy to install inside the kayak. If your kayak is fiberglass, the fish finder would be a bronze transducer. It will fit perfectly in the kayak, and give you the correct readings.
Cone Angle
Along with the transducer, the cone angle is important to finding the best kayak fish finder on the market. The cone angles typically come in varying degrees, from 9-60 degrees. 20-degree cones are ideal for fishing in all depths of water, allowing you to change from depth to depth quickly. One thing to keep in mind is that the higher degree of the finder, the more area it covers. While this is ideal for fishing in large water bodies, the sensitivity will go down the higher the angle. You should consider where you’re going to fish the most, and prepare the best you can.
Frequency
The frequency of the fish finder allows you to tune into the depths under the surface. They operate in dual, single, or multiple frequencies, and they all have their benefits. Fishfinders come in frequencies of 50, 83, 192, and 200 kHz. When you’re trying to find the portable fish finder, you want to consider where you’re fishing. Higher frequencies are ideal for shallow waters, while deeper depths operate better on lower frequencies. You can map out where you’re going to fish and get an idea of how the deep the water is before you decide which to get.
Advantages of the Kayak Fish Finder
Determine Fish Location
Under the surface of the water, fish have plenty of hiding spaces. When you can locate where the fish are hiding, you can zero in on their location. It’s an easier way to find fish than keep your line out in the water.
Determine the depth of the Water
One problem with fishing without a fish finder is that you don’t know how far down the water goes. Fish can be near the top or the bottom, but you don’t know the difference when you don’t have a fish finder. Determining the depth will give you an idea of what you’ll find in the water.
Get the Temperature of the Water
Knowing the temperature of the water is good for any fisherman. You can find out where the hot and cold zones are, which helps you locate fish. There are certain species of fish that prefer colder temperatures to hot, and vice versa. Knowing the water temperature allows you to locate what you want to catch.
They’re not too Expensive
While the misconception is that fish finders are expensive, this isn’t such the case. You can find some of the fish finders under $200, but there are some that cost thousands. Determining how you’re going to use the fish finder will go a long way to find the right fish finder for you.
What is a Good Price for a Kayak Fish Finder on the Market?
Determining what features, you want, and how powerful you want it, a fish finder can be expensive. It doesn’t have to be that way, though, as you can find the fish finder for a good price. If you’re looking for a good price for a good fish finder, you can expect to spend between $200 and $500. Things like the display, transducer, and cone angle can all add up. You won’t have to spend the thousands of dollars for a fish finder, but you should consider what features you need. They won’t break the bank, but you should consider what quality you want, and determine the price.
Final Verdict
Fish finders are ideal for any fishing lover, and they can help tremendously. They allow you to place your favorite fishing spots down on the map so that you can come back later. Fishing without a fish finder is doing a disservice to yourself. If you want to stay in the game and get the biggest fish you can find you need a fish finder. They are inexpensive and provide crucial information about your fishing spots.
If you’re looking for the best kayak fish finder, the Deeper Pro+ Smart Sonar Fish Finder is highly recommended. It does everything you want a fish finder to do and includes a rechargeable battery. You can sync it up with your smartphone or table to get the information directly to your hands. You won’t be disappointed when you’re using this fish finder and showing your catch off to your friends on Facebook.
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
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.