What are the Top Depth Finders for Kayaking?
So, there you are on a warm afternoon, completely bored and worn out, with no idea what you can do to change the situation. How about you try fishing from a kayak? This is an activity that is quickly gaining traction among most kayakers since it is very delightful and worthwhile.
Once you begin fishing from your kayak, you can be sure that boring afternoons like the one mentioned above will certainly be past tense. Fishing from a kayak is so much better and easier since kayaks offer you the stability that you require as well as enough room for your gear.
However, I think we can all agree that fishing can be quite tedious and exhausting since it entails you sometimes waiting for hours before finally making your first catch. What if I told you that this does not have to be the case?
Thanks to various manufacturers who deal with kayaking gear, you can now purchase a fish finder that will make your fishing so much easier. With the perfect fish finder for your kayak, you are capable of quickly spotting your target.
You should therefore go through the following brands I have reviewed in this article, alongside the factors, before finally settling on a particular fish finder brand.
1. Garmin Striker
Garmin is a manufacturer that is widely known for producing quality gadgets. It is specifically a guru when it comes to GPS technology. It is therefore not surprising that Garmin Striker also comes with this GPS technology.
With this GPS, it will be extremely easy for you to find a suitable fishing spot hence increasing your chances of a successful fishing venture. It also includes a display screen that is very useful since it makes it possible for you to view the speed.
The said screen is small in size, making it very suitable for kayak fishers. This fish finder incorporates a very effective CHIRP sonar technology that creates various arches with wonderful target separation, making it easier for you to spot and capture your target.
Are you worried that with all these amazing features you may have to spend an arm and a leg? Well, the good news is that you do not have to break the bank to purchase this fish finder. It comes at a pocket-friendly price.
It can handle a depth of one thousand seven hundred and fifty feet in freshwater and eight hundred and thirty feet in salty water.
Pros
- It is budget-friendly.
- Is extremely effective.
- It is high-quality.
Cons
- The display screen may be too small for some.
2. Lucky Fishing Sonar
As stated in the name, this fish finder will certainly make you feel like the luckiest kayak fisher in the world. Lucky Fishing Sonar will offer you nothing but positive results. The ease of use and other features are accurate and you will therefore have nothing to worry about.
It is very effective when it comes to detecting the water depth, which helps you accurately plan depending on your fishing method. The depth of the water is displayed in either feet or meters, and the range of detection is one hundred meters.
This kayak fish finder has a very ergonomic and fascinating design that makes it extremely easy to manage. It has a strap that makes it possible for you to hang it around your neck whenever you feel tired of utilizing it.
Lucky Fishing Sonar is a very lightweight fish finder, and hence even more beneficial. It thus offers you maximum portability. It does not limit you, but rather provides a wide spectrum for you to choose from since it can be used in any kind of water body.
The manufacturer offers you a one year warranty, which ascertains quality since you can always get a replacement when something goes wrong.
Pros
- Has a CHIRP technology system.
- It is highly portable.
- Constitutes a twelve-month warranty.
Cons
- It is a bit pricey.
3. HawkEye Fishtrax
It is honestly a huge plus to find a fish finder that has terrific quality and efficient features. However, what about power? Unbeknownst to most, having a powerful fish finder can completely transform your kayak fishing for the better.
HawkEye Fishtrax is recognized as the most powerful fish finder when compared to its counterparts. It contains an HD screen which is high-quality and enables you to see all the necessary details.
You are capable of assessing various crucial aspects such as the temperature and water depth on this HD screen.
Are you fond of winter fishing? To make your winter fishing experience more appealing, the said screen can also be utilized as a flasher which is useful during winter fishing. It has top tier accuracy, which is made possible by its outstanding features.
There are three different models of this fish finder, namely; data mode, SONAR, and ice flasher which are all very efficient.
Pros
- It is very versatile.
- Extremely easy to set up.
- It is light in weight.
- It has automatic settings.
- Incorporates various technologies.
Cons
- Its screen is very small.
4. Lowrance Mark
What exactly are you looking for? A kayak fish finder that will offer versatility and efficacy in every department? If the answer is yes, then you are certainly in the right place. The best word to describe this fish finder is all-roundedness.
It delivers the very best in every aspect, therefore making sure that your fishing goes very smoothly. It is suitable for all, thus if you are new to kayak fishing, then this fish finder can make for a great choice.
Lowrance Mark is really easy to operate sparing you the avoidable frustration that is often caused by difficult-to-use devices. Its compact size makes it extremely easy to haul around and being lightweight makes it even easier.
With an in-built GPS, you will enjoy the ease of quickly spotting your favorite fishing grounds. Also, it features a navigation system that provides top-notch accuracy and reliability.
It is very nicely built and is capable of being employed in both freshwater and deep-sea fishing. You also do not have to fear getting lost at sea since it helps the user find their way back.
Pros
- It is pocket-friendly.
- Has efficient modern technologies.
- Very light in weight.
Cons
- The grey screen is not so appealing.
5. Lowrance Hook
Being the second brand from Lowrance on the list, this simply proves that this manufacturer only produces quality kayak fishing gear. This kayak fish finder is sufficient for kayaks and small boats as well.
It contains various automatic features, and its auto-tuning menus and sonar make it a very easy-to-use fish finder. This ease is a major attraction point to most kayakers since nobody wants to use a stressful and frustrating device.
The various technologies it incorporates such as the SHIRP sonar result in amazing coverage, a critical aspect of fishing. With its well set up GPS feature, you are capable of marking numerous fishing spots and easily finding them later.
Another feature of this fish finder that stands out is the fact that it comes with a transducer, which provides the kayaker with a two -dimensional view. Clarity will therefore be the least of your worries.
Pros
- Has automatic settings.
- Easy to set up.
- Has various useful technologies.
Cons
- Has a very small screen.
6. Raymarine Dragonfly
According to numerous reviews, Raymarine Dragonfly is certainly a high-ranking kayak fish finder. Its splendid features make this a very reliable fish finder and easily one of the very best options for you.
As a beginner to the kayak fishing sport, it is your responsibility to start with a brand that will give you a very easy time and help you advance in your craft. Raymarine Dragonfly is the brand for you.
If you are an experienced angler, then you should not fret since this fish finder is also capable of adequately serving you and attending to your every need. It has a GPS circuit that helps with marking and easily locating your favorite fishing spots.
Its accuracy is also very top-notch, and you will therefore not have to worry about missing your target. With various technologies such as CHIRP, it generates very high-resolution images that guarantee clarity.
It also comes with a temperature sensor that is located in the transducer, which is extremely efficient.
Pros
- Comes with a micro SD card.
- Offers you colored displays.
- It is extremely accurate.
Cons
- It is really expensive.
7. Humminbird Buddy
This is a very established kayak fish finder brand. With Humminbird Buddy, you not only get an effective device but also one that is completely dedicated to your success. It is suitable for every kayaker, whether you are an experienced angler or a newbie.
It has a portable clamp that securely holds both the display unit and transducer in place. With a screen that is three point five inches long, you are provided with a suitable area for viewing the necessary details.
Another impressive aspect of Humminbird Buddy is its display. It has a fully colored display, thereby making it possible for you to read the details clearly even when the sunlight is bright.
This kayak fish finder also features a very high-quality CHIRP technology that is more accurate and fruitful than the other similar technologies. You are capable of seeing images up to six hundred feet deep, making it easy for you to capture your fish.
With a one year warranty, the last thing you will ever worry about is the quality of your fish finder. Another very impressive aspect is its Depth Alarm, which is meant to alert you when the depth is either less or more than what you anticipated.
Pros
- Has an extremely reasonable price.
- Has a GPS system.
Cons
- Has no temperature sensor.
- The screen may be too small for some.
What factors should you consider before buying a kayak fish finder?
The truth of the matter is that very few people have an answer to this question. Many had no idea that there were factors you should consider before deciding on a particular fish finder brand. If you are among these, you can relax since this article aims to educate and inform.
As human beings, we often get very confused when provided with so many options to choose from. What criteria should you use to eliminate one and choose the other? This is a question that most of us struggle with very often.
In the end, as a result of fatigue and desperation, we always end up settling for something less than what we anticipated. Avoid being boxed into this unpleasant predicament by analyzing these factors to ensure that you make an informed choice.
With these factors, the task of searching for the best kayak fish finder will be reduced to eliminating all those that do not satisfy the said factors, thereby leaving you with the best choice. Is this not advantageous?
It is thus up to you to decide whether you will choose the easy route and consider these factors, or the opposite route which you are most likely to regret. Nobody likes having a difficult time, and this is why these factors are the best option for you.
It makes it, even more, easier for you if you break these factors down to queries that every kayaker should ask themselves before acquiring a kayak fish finder. Questions such as; what do you expect from a kayak fish finder?
This helps give you direction since you can easily reject any brand that does not meet your requirements. In other words, these factors simply provide you with the must-have qualities a fish finder should possess for it to be considered the best.
Is it easy to use?
Whether you are a beginner kayaker or an experienced one, it is agreeable that having kayaking paraphernalia that is easy to use is certainly very paramount. Kayak fishing demands your utmost concentration, which would be difficult to give when struggling with the fish finder.
Choose a kayak fish finder that has clear instructions. If the manual is not precise and straight to the point, then it would be unreasonable to choose that brand. You need a fish finder that is not complicated since this makes it possible for you to fully concentrate on the task at hand.
Any equipment that impedes your ability to have an amazing experience is certainly not the best option for you. Besides the instructions, how are the settings? Most kayakers do not realize this, but having a fish finder with automatic settings is very important and beneficial.
These settings can automatically adapt to the current conditions around, making your work so much simpler. This is especially paramount to those kayakers who are new to kayak fishing.
With an easy time on your trip, you are certain that you will successfully capture all the fish you plan to, and then some.
Likewise, you should assess the screen of any fish finder. The screen is a very key part of a kayak fish finder since it enables you to see the activity in the water. This would be difficult or even impossible if you chose a fish finder with a blurry or not-so-clear screen.
This is why most kayakers are advised to choose a fish finder that has a fully-colored screen. Such a screen is highly convenient since it makes it easy for you to view various aspects even when the sun is very bright.
How about effectiveness?
How do you determine effectiveness? By assessing the various features a kayak fish finder offers. Firstly, you should assess whether the brand you are contemplating comes with a GPS technology system.
This is responsible for helping you easily mark and find your preferred fishing spots. Is it not fascinating to have a fish finder that makes it very easy for you to find the fishing grounds you fancy?
Every fish finder aims to increase your chances of a successful fishing trip and one that contains a GPS is the best bet. Further, the beauty of a GPS system is that it helps you find your way back whenever you get lost in the waters, which happens very often.
So, you have already established that your fish finder has an effective GPS, what else should you search for? Consider whether it contains a temperature sensor. This is a fundamental aspect since it helps you gauge the temperature.
Depending on where you are fishing, the depth is another feature that determines effectiveness. If you enjoy fishing in the deep-sea, then it would be impractical to choose a fish finder that can only manage a very short depth distance.
All these aspects determine the effectiveness of a fish finder and therefore unless they are all satisfied, you should avoid choosing a specific brand.
Portability
Portability is paramount for every kayaking device. This is especially necessary with kayak fishing since instead of only enjoying yourself, your main goal is to successfully capture your target.
Even with a fish finder, this is still an activity that lasts for hours on end, and therefore having a fish finder that is not highly portable would be extremely unfortunate. There you are, exhausted from struggling to capture your fish whilst handling an importable fish finder.
Why would you want to find yourself in such an energy-draining situation? Avoid all this by choosing a lightweight kayak fish finder. The lighter the tool, the easier it is to handle, and thereby this guarantees portability.
The size also matters when determining the question of portability. Therefore with probability, it is quite simple for you. Choose a lightweight fish finder as opposed to a heavy one, and a compact sized one as opposed to a bulky one.
There are also other features such as straps that enable high portability. Whenever you are fatigued from carrying the fish finder with your hands, a strap makes it possible for you to even hang it around your neck and let your arms relax.
Moreover, a strap makes a kayak fish finder easier to carry, especially after a long day of kayak fishing. Portability is therefore a very primary factor that should be carefully assessed by every kayaker.
How much is it?
Saying that no kayaker goes looking for a fish finder hoping to pay a lot for it would nothing but the absolute truth. Consumers are often drawn to affordable commodities, and this similar when it comes to kayaking equipment.
The go-to brand is often that which is affordably priced as well as high-quality. However, finding such a commodity is always very difficult. If you are lucky enough to come across such a fish finder, then do not hesitate to pick it.
If not, then you should always remember that your main goal is to ascertain you get value for your money. If not, then you should not shy away from spending a few extra coins to get a valuable brand.
At the end of the day, as a kayaker, you expect the very best equipment, and therefore avoid compromising on quality just to save a few bucks.
Conclusion
In summary, you should ensure that you are careful and attentive enough since this is the only way you are guaranteed of finding the best kayak fish finder. If it were up to me, I would go with Garmin Striker.
From its review, you can see that this is a kayak fish finder that is aimed at providing the very best and nothing less. Who said that kayak fishing has to be such a rigorous task?
Intending to disregard this stereotype, Garmin Striker enables you to completely enjoy yourself while guaranteeing that you will capture your target. From its features to its quality, this is a kayak fish finder that is particularly designed to provide the most satisfactory outcomes.
As stated above, it can be quite frustrating to look for the very best kayak fish finder brand. Hence, you should consider yourself very lucky since you have already found the best choice for you.
This fish finder caters to every kind of kayaker, and this versatility should further show you that there is no better brand. Go get your Garmin Striker today!
