Kayak fishing has become increasingly popular day by day. It’s truly enjoyable to catch fish from your kayak while immersing yourself in nature. However, to ensure a successful kayak fishing experience, you need the right gear, and one of the essentials is a fish finder for kayak.
In this guide, we will learn about the best fish finder for kayak on the market. Also, we will learn how to use a fish finder to spot and catch fish properly.
With the best fish finder for kayak, you can improve your fishing experience and enjoy the thrill of reeling in your catch.
Let’s look into the top rated fish finder for kayak, about their features and benefits.
OVERVIEW
Lowrance fish finder
9-inch touchscreen display with powerful GPS Chartplotter
$999.00 At Amazon
Garmin Fish Finder
Built-in flasher and easy to use
$112.78 At Amazon
$139.99 Save $27.21
Deeper Ice Fishing Fish Finder for Kayak
Real-time data, GPS mapping
$186.00 At Amazon
$199.99 Save $13.99
Best Portable Fish Finder
Sonar range up to 1,600 feet in freshwater and 750 feet in saltwater
$179.99 At Amazon
Table of Contents
Understanding Fish Finders
What is a Fish Finder and How Does it Work?
A fish finder is like a fish detective. It uses the sonar (sound navigation and ranging) system to locate fish. The fish finder sends waves to the underwater. When the waves hit an object, they come back.
The fish finder creates a picture by measuring the time it takes for the waves to come back. The fish finder not only generates images of fish but also reveals what is underwater.
Types of Fish Finder For Kayak
Standalone Fish Finder
It is a basic fish finder. It shows some basic information like depth, water temperature and fish targets. These fish finders are generally budget-friendly and you can use them for your kayak.
Combination Fish Finder/GPS
This fish finder provides GPS navigation technology to locate and navigate fish. It locates the fish and guides you to their position. This fish finder is good for large boats or for those who want to both locate and navigate to fish.
Portable Fish Finder
A portable fish finder is good for those who want to fish in different places. This fish finder is easy to install and remove. It also comes with a mount so you can easily mount it to your fishing kayak.
Ice Fishing Fish Finder
These fish finders are specially designed for ice fishing. It is compact and often handheld, for seeing under the ice.
Smartphone Fish Finder
This fish finder connects to your phone via an app. It uses your phone’s display to show the location of fish.
CHIRP Fish Finder
The CHIRP (Compressed High-Intensity Radar Pulse) fish finder helps you find fish with clear images. If you want clear fish images on your fish finder, you can choose this type.
What Features to Look For
When choosing a fish finder for a kayak, consider these factors:
Easy to Carry: Kayaks don’t have much space, so choose a fish finder for your kayak that’s small and lightweight.
Battery Life: Choose a fish finder that has a long battery life. You don’t want the battery to die in the middle of your trip, so invest in one that lasts a long time.
Screen Size: Larger screens make it easier to see the fish. Make sure the screen is clear and easy to read.
GPS: Opt for a fish finder that has a GPS system. It will help you locate the exact location of the fish.
Waterproof: Your fish finder should be waterproof since it will be used around water.
These considerations will ensure you select the best fish finder for your kayak fishing adventures.
Top Fish Finders for Kayak
Let’s take a look at some of the best fish finder for kayak on the market. And know about their features and benefits.
Lowrance fish finder for kayak
The Lowrance Elite FS 9 fish finder is the best choice for a fishing kayak. It allows you to see detailed underwater images and comes with useful charts to assist you in locating fish.
With its large 9-inch screen, you can observe objects in great detail, even in bright sunlight. You have the flexibility to customize the display to show the information you prefer.
Its GPS system is highly useful for finding fish, creating routes, and tracking your boat’s location.
This Lowrance fish finder is an ideal option if you need a professional fish finder with advanced features. Although it comes at a higher price, you won’t be disappointed with its performance.
SPECS
- Display: 9-inch touchscreen display
- Resolution: 800 x 480 pixels
- Power Source: 12 Volt DC
- Transducer: Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer
- Sonar frequencies: 83/200 kHz, 455/800 kHz
- Sonar range: Up to 1000 feet
- Chartplotter: Yes
- Charts: Preloaded C-MAP Contour+ charts
- GPS: Yes
When purchasing this fish finder on Amazon, you’ll receive a 1-year warranty and a 30-day return guarantee. Thus there’s no need to be worried about your investment.
Pros:
- Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer
- Preloaded C-MAP Contour+ charts
- 9-inch touchscreen display
- Powerful GPS Chartplotter
- Easy to use
- Durable construction
Cons:
- Can be expensive
- Not as rugged as some other fish finders
- Some users have problems with the software
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Humminbird HELIX 5 Fish Finder
The Humminbird Helix fish finder is a budget-friendly choice for kayaking. We’ve tested this fish finder extensively, and it’s a great option for small kayaks. If you have a small or solo fishing kayak, then the Helix Sonar G2 is the best choice for you.
The 5-inch screen is large enough to see objects and fish clearly. However, in some cases, it might be a bit challenging to quickly locate fish. You can navigate the menu and adjust settings using its keypad.
The image quality is pretty good for the price, but it could be even better. You can obtain clear images of fish and underwater structures. The DualBeam Plus sonar provides a wider view of the bottom.
This fish finder doesn’t come with internal GPS features. If you need GPS functionality, you can opt for the HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2, which is priced at around $572.00.
SPECS
- Display: 5-inch color display
- Resolution: 800 x 480 pixels
- Transducer: CHIRP DualBeam PLUS transducer
- Sonar frequencies: 200/83 kHz
- Sonar range: Up to 500 feet
- Chartplotter: Yes
- Charts: Humminbird Basemap
- GPS: No
- Networking: NMEA 2000®
- Other features: SwitchFire sonar, AutoChart Live
Overall, this fish finder is a budget-friendly option for small fishing kayaks. So, if you’re looking for a lightweight and budget friendly option, the Humminbird Helix 5 Fish Finder is best for you.
Pros:
- CHIRP sonar
- DualBeam PLUS sonar
- SwitchFire sonar
- AutoChart Live
- Humminbird Basemap
- Affordable
Cons:
- No side-scan or down-scan imaging
- Not as rugged as some other fishfinders
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Garmin Fish Finder For Kayak
The Garmin Fishfinder is a portable fish finder with a 3.5-inch screen. It uses CHIRP sonar to provide clear images of underwater structures.
While the screen is smaller than other models, it still gives high quality images. Its advanced sonar technology not only gives you information about fish size but also helps locate underwater objects with clear visuals.
Also it has a built in GPS function that helps you locate your fishing spot, plan routes, and navigate to waypoints.
When you’re in freshwater, this little guy can dive down as far as 1600 feet. And if you’re into saltwater fishing, fear not; it’s still got your back at depths of up to 750 feet.
The Garmin Fish finder has a built in fisher tool. This tool is good for ice fishing, as it provides real-time information about what’s happening beneath your boat.
SPECS
- Display: 3.5-inch color display
- Resolution: 240 x 320 pixels
- Transducer: CHIRP (77/200 kHz) transducer
- Sonar frequencies: 77/200 kHz
- Sonar range: Up to 1,600 feet in freshwater and 750 feet in saltwater
- Chartplotter: Yes
- Charts: Built-in Basemap
- GPS: Yes
- Current draw: 0.23 Ampere
The Garmin Striker 4 is another budget-friendly fish finder for kayaks. It has a lot of features that make it worth the money. If you’re looking for a portable fish finder with GPS functionality, especially for saltwater fishing or ice fishing fish finder, this fish finder for kayak is a great option for you.
Pros:
- CHIRP sonar
- Built-in GPS chartplotter
- Waypoint map
- Maximum depth of 1,600 feet in freshwater and 750 feet in saltwater
- Built-in flasher
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Cons:
- No SideScan or DownScan imaging
- Small display
Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Deeper Ice Fishing Fish Finder
We’ve tested the Deeper Ice Fishing Fish Finder both on a kayak and while ice fishing. It’s small, easy to carry around, and super beginner-friendly.
The pro sonar in this device can cast its signal up to 330 feet away and dive down to 260 feet below the water’s surface. Another part is its picture quality, which is cool. It gives you super sharp images of fish and things under the water.
You can use its GPS map-maker function. It will help you to have maps of the water where you are fishing so you don’t get lost.
The Deeper Fish Finder is perfect for small kayaks, but you can use it no matter how you like to fish – whether it’s from the shore, a boat, or even when you’re ice fishing.
SPECS
- Casting range: Up to 330 feet
- Scanning depth: Up to 260 feet
- Beam frequencies: 90/290 kHz
- Scans per second: 15
- Target separation: 2.5 cm
- Compatible devices: iOS and Android devices
- GPS mapping: Yes
- 4 season fishing: Yes
- Easy to install: Yes
The Deeper PRO is a top pick if you want a portable fish finder for your kayak that’s also easy to use. This fish finder is best for everyone.
Pros:
- High specs
- Real-time data
- GPS mapping
- 4 season fishing
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Battery life can be short
Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Best Portable Fish Finder For Kayak
The Garmin Striker Vivid 4CV is a handy fishfinder with a 4-inch color screen. It uses CHIRP sonar to show you clear images of fish and underwater structures. Plus, it has a built-in GPS chartplotter, so you can mark spots and plan routes.
This fish finder is super user-friendly. It has simple buttons, so you can quickly access the features you need. It’s also designed to handle splashes and rain.
Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv is a great fishfinder for all skill levels. It’s simple, offers helpful functions, and is inexpensive. If you want CHIRP sonar and built-in GPS, it’s a smart choice.
SPECS
- Display: 4-inch color display
- Resolution: 240 x 320 pixels
- Transducer: CHIRP (77/200 kHz) transducer
- Sonar frequencies: 77/200 kHz
- Sonar range: Up to 1,600 feet in freshwater and 750 feet in saltwater
- Chartplotter: Yes
- Charts: Built-in Basemap
- GPS: Yes
- Current draw: 0.23 Ampere
- Dimensions: 4.9 x 7.3 x 1.9 inches
Overall, the Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv is a solid choice for all kinds of anglers. It’s easy to use and budget-friendly.
Pros:
- CHIRP sonar
- Built-in GPS chartplotter
- Vivid scanning color palettes
- Easy to use
- Water-rated to IPX7
Cons:
- Small display
- Not as rugged as some other fishfinder
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Comparison of Fish Finder For Fishing Kayak
Now, let’s compare these fish finders to make it easier to pick the right one for you. Here’s a chart that shows what each one is like:
| Features |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 9-inch touchscreen | 5-inch color | 3.5-inch color | N/A | 4-inch color |
| Resolution | 800 x 480 pixels | 800 x 480 pixels | 240 x 320 pixels | N/A | 240 x 320 pixels |
| Transducer | Active Imaging 3-in-1 | CHIRP DualBeam PLUS | CHIRP (77/200 kHz) | N/A | CHIRP (77/200 kHz) |
| Sonar Frequencies | 83/200 kHz, 455/800 kHz | 200/83 kHz | 77/200 kHz | 90/290 kHz | 77/200 kHz |
| Sonar Range | Up to 1000 feet | Up to 500 feet | Up to 1,600 feet in freshwater, 750 feet in saltwater | Up to 260 feet | Up to 1,600 feet in freshwater, 750 feet in saltwater |
| Chartplotter | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Charts | Preloaded C-MAP Contour+ charts | Humminbird Basemap | Built-in Basemap | No | Built-in Basemap |
| GPS | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Higher-end | Affordable | Budget-friendly | Affordable | Budget-friendly |
| See On Amazon | See It | See It | See It | See It | See It |
Factors to Consider When Making a Choice
Kayak Size and Setup
If you have a small kayak, you can choose either the Garmin Fish Finder for Kayak or the Hummminbird Helix Fish Finder for Kayak. They are lightweight and simple to install.
Larger kayaks require more features; if you have a larger kayak, select the Fish Finder Lowrance Elite FS 9 fish finder. This fish finder is suitable for larger kayaks and offers more features than the Garmin Fish Finder and Hummingbird Fish Finder.
Budget Considerations
Fish Finder Garmin and Hummingbird Fish Finder are budget-friendly options, but Fish Finder Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder provides advanced features for its price. So, if you need a simple fish finder for kayak, you can go with Garmin Fish Finder, and if you need an advanced fish finder for kayak, you should go with Lowrance Fish Finder.
If you need mobile mobile-compatible fish finder and want Ice Fishing then go for Deeper Fish Finder For Kayak.
Fishing Style and Preferences
Consider your fishing style and preferences. If you need detailed images from a fish finder, then the Lowrance Elite FS 9 is a great choice for you. The Lowrance Fish Finder provides detailed images with advanced technology, making it a good option for improving the image quality of your kayak.
If you fish in shallow water, the Garmin Fish Finder could be a suitable choice for your fishing kayak.
By thinking about these factors and looking at the chart, you can find the best fish finder for kayak.
FAQs for Best Fish Finder For Kayak
Do I need a Fish Finder on my Kayak?
A fish finder on your kayak can help serious anglers find fish and discover new fishing spots more easily.
Is a Fish Finder worth it on a Kayak?
Yes, a fish finder on a kayak is worth it. It helps kayak anglers locate fish, depth, and underwater structures, improving their chances of a successful catch.
Can you use a Fish Finder on a Canoe?
Yes, you can use a fish finder on a canoe to locate fish and underwater structures for a more productive and enjoyable fishing experience.
Can I use any fish finder for my kayak, or are there special ones for kayaks?
Most fish finders can work on kayaks, but make sure it’s the right size and type for your kayak.
Do I really need GPS on my fish finder for kayaking?
GPS can be helpful for finding your way and marking good fishing spots, but it’s not a must-have.
How do I put a fish finder on my kayak?
It depends on the type of fish finder and your kayak. Some need to be drilled on, and others are easier to attach. Follow the instructions carefully.
How do I take care of my fish finder?
Rinse it with fresh water after using it near saltwater. Keep it in a dry place when you’re not using it, and check the battery and connections for damage.
Conclusion
A fish finder can be a good option for kayak fishing. It can help you find fish and make your kayak fishing more fun. We’ve looked at different fish finders, from basic to advance, and compared them. By thinking about your kayak, budget, and fishing style, you can pick the best one for you.
Remember, the right fish finder for kayak can make your fishing journey more enjoyable.
So get ready to catch some big fish with your fish finder for Kayak.
Henry Taylor
Hello, I’m Henry Taylor, your friendly product expert. I’m passionate about making your shopping decisions easier. I’m here to provide you with clear, honest advice. Stay tuned for regular updates and in-depth reviews to help you shop smarter and find the best products for your needs.
