Every fisher has been there; going from spot to spot looking for a bite only to go home empty handed. It’s a frustrating feeling to say the least. However, technology has become every fisherman’s best friend. A portable fish finder can help you find your next catch by being your eyes UNDER your boat. In this article, we’ll explain how this handy piece of fishing gear works and how to choose one suited to your needs and budget.
Portable fish finders are an incredible device that are able to actually enable you to find fish if used correctly. Prior to the invention of this type of equipment, fishermen used a depth finder that only indicated the depth below the vessel. There was no clear-cut display revealing the presence of schools of fish. Accordingly, depth finders were of little use to commercial fishers. Next there were the sounders with printed graphs rolls that were very accurate if used properly. Yet the real leap forward was the arrival of the LCD (liquid crystal display) sounder that showed both fish and bottom contours. These days there exists all kinds of these LCD fish finders.
Selecting the right portable fish finder is sometimes hard since the market pricing is incredibly competitive and products are being updated constantly. Top of the line styles can cost more than the typical dinghy, however basic devices can be entirely affordable and cost as little as $300 from a discount fish finder store.
The technology has come some distance from the time when electronic fish finders first showed up on the market. Today’s finders are thinner, more lightweight and more menu-driven than their predecessors. The units have both black and white or color displays and the displays come in various dimensions. The bigger screens are more appropriate to larger fishing boats where they can be stored out of the sun and weather. These are perfect for commercial fishing trawlers.
No portable fish finder will be effective without a well designed transducer. A good transducer should work in all water conditions, and at all boat speeds up to 100 kph. The transducer is what allows the machine to do a job. It sends a signal to the area beneath the boat and reads the area for objects like fish, weeds, and structures like rocks and debris. The signal is read on the screen that you see. The higher the wattage of your fish finder, the faster this process will occur. This is important because schools of fish can move quickly as they are batted around by waves and current.
When looking around a fishing gear store, do not feel that bigger and more expensive equates to a better portable fish finder. Consider the size of your boat and realistically evaluate your needs. Even if you have the space, do you really need an expensive piece of equipment? Unless your livelihood depends on a great catch, you don’t need a top of the line model. Once you’ve made your choice, make sure that it is properly mounted. An improperly mounted fish locator will not perform correctly. Follow the instructions carefully or get some help. With the right model and proper installation, you’ll get such great catches you’ll think that the fish are finding you!
If you want to increase your odds of catching fish, you should consider investing in a fish finder. But how do you know if the Furuno FCV 295 10.4″ fish finder is better than the Garmin 140, for example? You need to read some fish finder reviews to help you decide on the right model for your needs.