Looking For The Best Fish Finder? Check Out Our List of The Top 10
Fish finders are wonderful gadgets that help fishermen not only find fish but also avoid underwater snags. They help identify underwater structures that many species of fish like to congregate around. These devices have been around for many years and they have improved greatly since they were first invented. If you are planning to buy one, go through the whole article to find the best fish finder for you.
There are a wide variety of different fish finders on the market and many of them are well worth the money. Having a fish finder on board your boat is a great way to locate fish quickly and without having to guess where the fish are hiding.
No matter if you are a professional fisherman or someone that likes to spend a weekend afternoon fishing, fish finders can really improve your chances of landing lots of fish. Fish finders take the guesswork out of fishing and they can save you a lot of time. Since there are so many fish finders on the market, it can make it hard to find one that fits your needs. While variety can be a good thing, it can also make it difficult to choose which fish finder is best.
If you are looking to purchase a fish finder for your boat, you have come to the right place. We have searched through dozens of fish finders and have come up with what we consider the best. Today, we will take a deeper look at the top ten fish finders for sale today.
Best Fish Finder - What To Look For
As you have already learned above, there are many different fish finders on the market today. Each fish finder has different options and features. But when it boils down to it, not every fish finder is the best. Some lack functions while others are simply cheaply made and not very useful.
Here Are Some Features That We Look For:
•Durable all-weather materials
•Up-to-date sonar technology
•Easy to read displays
•Affordable
•Easy to use
•Easy to install
When shopping for a fish finder, you will want to choose one that is made from durable materials that can stand up to the elements. Since you will be in an environment where a lot of moisture is present, the fish finder that you pick should also be waterproof. When it comes to sonar fish finders, you need to have up-to-date technology. Many of the companies that produce fish finders develop their own sonar technology and others utilize sonar that is comparable to industry standards. One of the most common up-to-date sonar used is CHIRP.
Another feature that we compare when looking for the best fish finder is the display. We look for fish finders that have displays of at least 3-inches and we prefer those that come with a color display. This makes viewing the data much easier and it just looks better.
Price is another issue that we factor in when choosing the best fish finder. We tend to recommend fish finders that are mid-range in price. Those fish finders that are cheapest often lack important features. On the other hand, we feel that you can get a good quality fish finder without having to break the bank.
We feel that a fish finder should be easy to use right out of the box. While any new fish finder will have a slight learning curb, overall they should be easy to navigate.
Finally, we make sure that the fish finder we recommend is easy to install. A fish finder should not take all day to install and the installation process should not be highly difficult.
Top 10 Recommended Fish Finder
Now that you have learned how we chose the best fish finders, it is time to take a look at what we have found. Below we will learn more about the top ten fish finders on the market today.
Preview | Title | Specifications | Price/Details |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer |
| |
  | Garmin echoMAP |
| |
  | Humminbird 410210-1 Helix 5 | ||
  | Humminbird Helix 7 Chirp SI/GPS G2 Combo |
| |
  | Raymarine Dragonfly Pro Chirp |
| |
 | Lowrance HOOK2 |
| |
  | Garmin Striker Plus 5cv |
| |
  | Deeper PRO+ Smart Sonar |
| |
  | LUCKY Portable Fish Finder |
| |
  | Venterior VT-FF001 Portable Fish Finder |
|
1. Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer
Clearvu Scanning Sonar Technology
The Garmin Striker 4 has been on the market for a while, making it one of the most popular. If you are are looking for the best fish finder that lets you see more, this is the one for you! This model uses Clearvu Scanning Sonar technology that allows the user to see in better detail. You will be able to identify structures under the water as well as any fish that may be lurking around. Having this advanced feature will make your day out on the water go much smoother!
Easy To Use Controls
Garmin has made this fish finder super easy to use. This unit has a keyed interface that can be controlled with the touch of a button. Each button on the interface is dedicated to a certain task so that you can save time. The Garmin Striker 4 is also easy to install and comes with detailed instructions.
Crystal Clear Display
Since the Garmin Striker 4 is the best fish finder, you should expect it to have a great display and it does! This model comes with a 3.5-inch display that produces high-resolution images which almost looks like photographs. It is also available in other display sizes.
Waypoint Mapping
A very smart fish finder, the Garmin Striker 4 has waypoint mapping. This will allow you to mark underwater structures such as brush piles and trees. You will be able to store this data for future reference. It will also let you mark your favorite fishing spots so that you can return easily.
As you can see, the Garmin Striker 4 is an advanced fish finder that has lots of nice features. This unit is very affordable and it is easy to use.
Pros
The Garmin Striker 4 has a great mixture of both quality and affordability. It not only uses advanced sonar technology, but it also allows users to mark waypoints for future reference. The unit is super easy to use and it installs very quickly.
Cons
The screen is smaller than many fish finders on the market. While the display is very easy to read and had wonderful graphics, it could be a bit larger.
2. Garmin echoMAP
Loaded With Built-In Maps and Charts
If you are a fisherman that loves to travel to different bodies of water, you will love this fish finder! This model comes loaded with built-in maps and charts that will help you find your way. It comes standard with U.S. BlueChart g2 charts that cover many waterways that you may be fishing in. No more hassling with paper maps or worrying about getting lost. Additional maps can also be purchased and installed in this fish finder.
Clearvu Scanning Sonar
Since the Garmin echoMap is the best fish finder it should have great sonar and it does! This model comes with Clearvu Scanning Sonar technology that allows fishermen to see more of what is under the boat. This sonar clearly picks up structures and schools of fish that are hiding in those structures. In addition to Clearvu Sonar, this unit comes standard with CHIRP Sonar. This sonar constantly sends a signal out into the water so that you never miss anything under your boat.
Accurate Internal GPS
The Garmin echoMap has built-in 5 Hz GPS that updates your position and heading 5 times per second! This will allow you to accurately mark waypoints so that you can easily return. Having a GPS built into the unit is a real game changer! No more losing your favorite fishing holes due to poor GPS.
Pros
The Garmin echoMap has a ton of great features that help make it stand out from the rest. It has advanced GPS built right into the unit and it will also allow you to mark waypoints. This fish finder has advanced sonar technology that is very good at locating fish. It comes loaded with maps of the US which is always a plus!
Cons
The transducer is only 20-foot long and may not be suitable for larger sized boats.
3. Humminbird 410210-1 Helix 5
A Wonderful Display
Many fish finders do a great job of finding fish but some have tiny display screens that are hard to read. If you suffer from poor eyesight or you just hate looking at small screens, you should check out the Humminbird 410210-1 Helix 5. This model comes standard with a large easy to read 5-inch display screen. It has great resolution and you can clearly make out structures and fish.
Highly Accurate Built-In GPS
The Humminbird 410210-1 Helix 5 comes with advanced sonar that will help you quickly locate fish and other structures that are below your boat. It is driven by CHIRP Dual Beam PLUS Sonar that constantly sends out a signal. This means that no fish will be able to allude you! The advanced sonar helps make this unit the best fish finder on the market.
Pros
It has a beautiful large display that is super easy to read. This model comes with advanced sonar that constantly sends out a signal so that you never miss anything. It also has built-in GPS which makes finding your way around a lake or river a breeze.maps of the US which is always a plus!
Cons
It does not come with a screen cover that is standard on a lot of other fish finders.
4. Humminbird Helix 7 Chirp SI/GPS G2 Combo
Huge Colorful Display
Since this is the best fish finder, you would expect it to have a great display. This model has one of the best displays around! The 7-inch display is very colorful and fish show up on it wonderfully. You will be able to see everything that is under your boat in full color.
Loading Additional Maps Is Easy
If you have a particular map that you want to use, loading it into this fish finder will be easy. This unit comes with a micro SD card slot for easy downloads and uploads. This slot is also great for saving waypoints. You can mark your favorite fishing spots, and return to them whenever you want!
Built-In GPS
When you are out on the open water it is very nice to have GPS. The Humminbird Helix 7 comes standard with built-in GPS that is highly accurate. This unit uses UniMap cartography to pinpoint locations so that you will always be able to find your way.
Highly Advanced Sonar
The Humminbird Helix 7 has truly amazing sonar. The model comes with DualBeam PLUS sonar and CHIRP Side Imaging/Down Imaging. This sonar technology will help you locate underwater structures and fish that may be hiding.
Pros
This fish finder has amazing sonar capabilities that will allow you to always know what is going on under the water. It has a huge 7-inch screen that displays data quickly and very accurately. Just like many of the other fish finders on this list, it comes with built-in GPS for easy navigation.
Cons
The mounting gimbal bracket is made out of plastic and may not be as durable as a metal one.
5. Raymarine Dragonfly Pro Chirp
A Nice All-Weather Display
The best fish finder should have a beautiful and weather resistant display. Well, the Raymarine Dragonfly Pro Chirp has you covered! This model comes with a 4.3-inch display that will hold up well in any environment. It has great resolution making it easy to locate fish and other underwater structures. The unit also has wide viewing angles making it easy to read.
Streaming Live Sonar Data
The Raymarine Dragonfly Pro Chirp is highly advanced and has some very amazing features. One of those features allows you to stream live sonar data to your smartphone! This is truly a game changer! You can record and rewind this data which can help you improve your fishing ability. You will also be able to share this data with your friends on social media.
Dual-Channel Sonar
This model has advanced dual-channel sonar that will help you spot schools of fish and anything that lurks under your boat. This will allow you to capture photo-like images that you can use to accurately find fish.
Comes Already Loaded With Maps
The unit is ready to hit the water and comes loaded with maps of US rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. This will help you navigate waterways without having to purchase additional maps. Easily find your way to the best fishing spots!
Pros
This fish finder comes already loaded with maps that you will need to get around. It has dual-channel sonar that produces data like you have never seen before! It has the unique feature of allowing you to live stream your fishing data so that you can share it with friends online.
Cons
Mounting bracket is very rigid and can be hard to move unlike some brackets that give you 360 degrees of movement.
6. Lowrance HOOK2
Preloaded Mapping
When it comes to the best fish finder, you should look for one that has preloaded maps. The Lowrance HOOK2 comes standard with many of the maps you will need. Having maps already installed in your fish finder will save you money and time. There are over 4000 lake maps that are loaded onto the unit so finding your way around different fishing spots will be easy.
Amazing Sonar
If you are looking for a fish finder with advanced sonar, the Lowrance HOOK2 is your best bet. This unit comes standard with wide-angle CHIRP sonar that will provide you with very clear images of the bottom. You will be able to pick out structures as well as schools of fish that are below your boat. This sonar will give you double the coverage. A TripleShot transducer comes with this unit and it will allow you to cover more area faster.
Easy To Setup
A very easy to set up fish finder, this model has a single transducer that can be mounted on the bottom hull of the boat, on your trolling motor, or inside the hull! It will only take you a few minutes to set the fish finder up and you can hit the water quickly once you are done. Detailed mounting instructions are included.
Pros
It is very easy to set up and the transducer can be mounted just about anywhere on your boat. It has wide-angle sonar that will produce clear images of both fish and structure. It also has built-in maps so that you can use it right out of the box without having to download your own.
Cons
This fish finder does not have many cons except it may be out of some people's price range.
7. Garmin Striker Plus 5cv
Powerful Built-In GPS
If you are looking for the best fish finder, shouldn't it have built-in GPS? If the answer is yes, then you should take a look at the Garmin Striker Plus 5cv. This model comes standard with built-in GPS that is highly accurate. Not only will you be able to find your way around using GPS but you will also able to mark waypoints. The unit also lets you keep track of your boat's speed!
A SuperBright Display
The Garmin Striker Plus 5cv has a super bright 5-inch display that is easy to read. It also has a user interface that lets you navigate between maps and sonar images. The display is water resistant and good for all conditions.
Rugged Design
We have already mentioned that this model is water resistant. It is also very rugged and can take a lot of abuse. This model will hold up to the test of time and the elements. So if you are looking for the best fish finder that will last a long time, this one is for you!
Two Different Sonar Types
This unit has two different sonar types that will help you find more fish! It comes with ClearVu scanning sonar as well as CHIRP traditional sonar. Having dual sonars will provide you with plenty of data which will make fishing more fun!
Pros
The fish finder is built to last from highly durable materials. It has built-in GPS for easy navigation and it has two different sonar types to help you find more fish. The model has a very nice and bright display.
Cons
Again this fish finder is very nice and the only real issue that some may have with it is the price.
8. Deeper PRO+ Smart Sonar
Easy To Carry
Very easy to carry, this model can be taken with you just about anywhere. You can store it away while not in use and it will never get in the way. Simply put it in a bag or backpack and you can be on your way to a fun day of fishing. For those that love ice fishing, you can bring it along to see what is under the ice.
Wireless Technology
The Deeper PRO+ Smart Sonar is the best fish finder for any type of shore fishing. It utilizes wireless technology allowing fishermen to deploy it into the water at greater distances. Using your smartphone, you will be able to scan underwater for fish and other structures. The unit simply floats in the water and scans the bottom. This will not scare the fish, and you can keep a lower profile while searching the bottom of lakes and ponds.
On-Board GPS
This model comes with built-in GPS that will allow you to create your own maps. Having this ability will let you mark your favorite fishing spots so that you can return time after time! You can review any of the maps that you make from the comfort of your own home. This is great for planning your next fishing adventure!
Pros
This fish finder comes with GPS and it is very easy to carry. This model will store easy and is great for shore fishing and ice fishing. It is highly affordable and uses wireless technology.
Cons
It is designed for ice fishing and shore fishing and cannot be mounted on a boat.
9. LUCKY Portable Fish Finder
Highly portable
Do you need the best fish finder that is highly portable? Then you need the LUCKY Portable Fish Finder. This model is a handheld unit that can be easily stored just about anywhere. It is lightweight and great for those who like to fish on the go.
Easy To Read Display
The LUCKY Portable Fish Finder has a very bright and easy to read display. This unit
features a 2.4-inch color display that will help you find fish with ease. It shows not only fish but also any underwater structure that may be present.
A Wired Transducer
This model comes with a wired transducer that will let you reach depths of up to 26 feet. It has a depth detection range of 328 feet which will allow you to see what is at the bottom of most ponds and lakes.
Rechargeable
You will not have to worry about buying batteries with this model because it is rechargeable. It can last up to 5 hours without having to be recharged giving you plenty of time to enjoy a day of fishing. The model comes with a USB cable that will allow you to recharge while on the go.
Many Features
The LUCKY Portable Fish Finder comes with many features that fishermen love! It has a fish alarm to let you know when it has spotted a fish and depth alarm that will let you know if you have reached the bottom. There are many other features on this unit that you will find helpful.
Pros
This fish finder is highly portable and can be used by fishermen that like to use kayaks. It can also be carried along with you and can be used in many different fishing situations.
Cons
It is not wireless and the screen may be small for someone who's used to using a boat-mounted fish finder.
10. Venterior VT-FF001 Portable Fish Finder
Great For Any Type of Fishing
If you need the best fish finder for any type of fishing, this is the one for you. The Venterior VT-FF001 Portable Fish Finder is great for ice fishing, shore fishing, lake fishing, and even ocean fishing! So no matter what type of fishing you enjoy, this model is right for you.
Very Portable
This unit is very easy to take along with you. It is a handheld unit so it can be stored just about anywhere you can imagine. This model will easily fit in a backpack or any small bag that you have. This model is great for those that like to travel and fish at the same time.
A Long Wired Transducer
The fish finder comes standard with an extra long wired transducer. A 25-foot cable connects the transducer to the unit. This will allow you to reach amazing depths. In fact, this fish finder has a depth range of up to 328 feet, making it great for ponds and lakes.
Tons of Features
This model comes with a ton of features that you will love! It has a fish alarm that will let you know when you have found a school of fish, and it will show you how deep the water is on the display. There are more features on this model that you will find easy to use and very helpful.
Pros
This model has a very long depth of range and comes with a lot of features that fishermen love. It is great for ponds and lakes. The fish finder is portable and great for those who like to travel.
Cons
The wired sonar may turn off some fishermen that are not comfortable using a handheld device.
In Conclusion
These are our top ten picks for the best fish finder. Each of these models offers something a little different but they are all made of high-quality materials and come with amazing sonar capabilities. If you are looking for a new fish finder, you should check out these impressive units!