How to choose a fish finder for fishing from a boat

A good fishing catch is the result of careful preparation and the use of the right equipment. This includes the use of an echo sounder. This is the name of a device for studying the bottom topography, which is important for choosing a place to cast nets or other devices. Such devices show the fish itself, its size and distance from the boat.

With an echo sounder, you can fish in any unfamiliar place, because it allows you to "look" under the water and assess the situation. This is effective even during winter fishing to select the area under the polynya. The material below will teach you to understand the characteristics of the device, so as not to overpay for unused functions or buy a device that is too weak for a spacious reservoir.

The best echo sounder manufacturers - which company to choose

If you are too lazy to study the parameters of the echo sounder and you need a high-quality device for fishing, then you can turn to trusted companies:

Garmin;
Humminbird;
Lowrance;
deeper;
"Practitioner".

For those who want specifics, we recommend that you look at the detailed rating of the best fish finders for fishing. And for an independent choice of an echo sounder according to the parameters, the material below has been prepared with a detailed description and a practical part.

Terrain and underwater object recognition equipment is considered navigational. Initially, it was used only for military purposes to detect enemy submarines. But now it has become widespread in fishing and water travel.

The principle of operation of the echo sounder is based on the creation of electrical impulses that are converted into sound waves emanating from the emitter. It is placed in depth by connecting through a wire or working directly from the hull of the boat. There are autonomous models-floats on the radio.

The emitter sends out sound waves in all directions. Faced with obstacles, they fight off and return back, which is captured by the receiver.

Since the speed of sound in water is constant, it is possible to calculate the elapsed milliseconds and establish the exact location of the object. The device does this independently on the basis of the embedded data. A person does not need to count anything and he receives a finished image on the screen.

Thanks to the echo sounder, you can "consider":

1. General bottom topography;

2. Sharp protrusions;

3. Hollows;

4. The size and number of fish under the boat;

5. Distance to the jamb.

Rays of different frequencies are used to study the marine environment. The higher it is, the sharper the image, but the area of influence is narrower. And vice versa, the lower the frequency, the wider the coverage of the zone, but the picture is blurry due to interference.

The echo sounder has a number of key elements that ensure its operation:

1. Housing;

2. Crystal for conversion and trans-ducer;

3. Antenna;

4. Screen;

5. Control buttons;

6. Emitter;

7. Battery.

The image is displayed in a vertical scan when the vessel is stationary, which allows you to study the location and depth of the fish. The second mode is a horizontal sweep, showing what is happening over a certain period of time.

Types of echo sounders

They have a small body and easily fit into a special case. Run on batteries or accumulator.

Compact size allows you to use it for any fishing: from a boat, boat, winter fishing. The user can take it with him from one vessel to another. It can even be used from a bridge or shore.

Advantages:

offline work;
accurately shows the depth;
case protected from moisture;
compact;
there is an image enlargement function;
simple operation;
a light weight;
has a temperature sensor;
some models show the size of the fish.

Flaws:

if the cord breaks, then the small emitter is difficult to find;
screens on portable models are too small.

Stationary echo sounders

This equipment is attached to the hull of a boat or large boat and is used only on that boat. The sensor can be located on the bow or bottom of the vessel. Power is supplied from a 12 V network.

The case of stationary echo sounders is larger, which allows them to be endowed with various additional functions and an overview screen. Models are used on large lakes or at sea to track schools of fish at speed.

Advantages:

high power;
good image quality;
a wide variety of switching on the beam in frequency;
shows not only the relief and fish, but also its size, as well as the speed of movement;
the device keeps a log of temperature and depth;
quality assembly;
the ability to enlarge the image.

Flaws:

requires a 12 V network for operation;
designed for one vessel and problematic quick transfer to another (detachment of the hull and emitter mount).

Number of beams

There can be from one to six on the device. A beam refers to a certain frequency of the signal sent by the sonar. The higher the frequency, the clearer the image, but the narrower the capture area of the area.

1. For fishing from a PVC boat without a motor, a single-beam echo sounder at 83 kHz is sufficient.

2. Using the device on a large lake needs 83/200 kHz on two beams to see the big picture and know exactly what is going on under the bottom right now.

3. Three beams (83/200/800 kHz) are suitable for marine applications.

4. Even more (5-6 rays) are required for fishing and hunting for a school of fish.

Screen size and quality

What is happening at depth is displayed on the monitor, which can be from 2 to 10 inches. Screens are available in black and white and color. The larger the screen, the better you can see everything on it.

To assess the situation, just look and you can immediately act. On a small screen, you will have to zoom in on the picture and drag its parts to figure out whether it is a flock on the screen or one large individual.

If fishing is just a hobby, then you can save money and buy a fish finder with a 2-inch black and white crystal display. This will give you an idea of the terrain and will show the concentrations of fish.

The wider the bottom capture zone (beams from 83 and 200 kHz), the larger the screen (3-4 inches) is needed. Hunting for schools at sea will require quick orientation and a large monitor of 7-10 inches.

Estimated depth

Each echo sounder has its own estimated depth. This is the maximum distance from the surface to the bottom that sonar can probe under the hull of the boat.

1. For fishing in a small reservoir, a value of 25 m is sufficient.

2. Lakes can have natural depressions and depressions, so it is worth using models at 35-80 m here.

3. On the high seas, a maximum figure of 365 m is useful, although fishermen rarely come across such crevices. But large fish can be found in them, so you need to be prepared for such places.

Transmitter power

Image clarity depends on several factors, one of which is the power of the transmitter.

Since the sound is sent over long distances and reflected back from objects, the quality is affected by the strength of its signal. Weak models are easily knocked down by interference and give errors.

1. If the reservoir is not large, then a 150 watt transmitter is enough.

2. Medium lakes require the use of 200-300 watt echo sounders.

3. Sea fishing involves exploring long distances, so a 500 watt setting with the ability to peak (occasionally) up to 2400 watts is useful.

Viewing angle

You can also evaluate the range of application of the echo sounder by the characteristics of the viewing angles:

1. 20 degrees would mean a pretty good "look" for casting;

2. 45 degrees will allow you to capture several fish in your area of action at once, which will help with determining the place to cast the frame net tackle;

3. 90 degrees will cover the entire bottom and show the location of the entire joint, as well as the place where it can be taken.

Models with two beams can have a combined action scheme and capture two viewing angles at once, which will help the angler better navigate. For rods then you should look for models 16/28 degrees, and for nets 20/60 degrees.

Frame

The assembly of the echo sounder body is of very high quality, but it comes in two versions:

1. IP x6 - Allows for sea spray to surface and even for drips to penetrate. In this case, the device remains intact. Such models can be mounted on the boat away from the side.

2. IP x7 - housing option protects the device in case of a short-term fall into the water to a depth of 1 m.

Screen resolution

Sonars, in addition to the screen size, also have a resolution (the number of dots in the monitor that determines the clarity of the image). The more such pixels, the more detailed the picture. On a screen with low resolution, a school of fish will look like a blur, and on a high-quality screen, each individual is shown.

1. For fishing with a bait, choose monitors with a resolution of 240x240 or 240x270. This gives an idea of the terrain and the presence of fish.

2. Net fishing or hunting for flocks of fish needs to be detailed in order to correctly assess the situation, so here they buy screens with 320x320 or 320x480 pixels.

GPS

This navigation element is built into some echo sounders. In addition to direct assistance, it allows you to mark on the electronic map the places of accumulation of catfish or other fish and easily return there again, with new bait or gear. This is useful for those who like to fish in large open spaces.

Additional functions

The choice of echo sounder also depends on the availability of additional features that can be very useful in certain conditions:

1. Determining the distance to the fish - this is important in the case of setting up nets in order to block the bay or baited place in time.

2. Determining the size of fish - this function will be useful for hunters for specific individuals (large catfish, pike), so as not to waste time and effort on small inhabitants.

3. Temperature sensor - shows the number of degrees at a certain depth. So the user will be able to understand what temperature currents are currently prevailing in this area and decide whether to linger here now or need to change the search area, because in cold water the fish lies to the bottom or leaves.

4. Flasher - the sensitivity of the equipment allows you to see the tackle and the fish swimming up to it, which is very practical for winter fishing.

5. Speed sensor - shows how fast the boat is moving. This is useful for trolling enthusiasts to assess whether predatory fish will keep up with chasing them.

1. Fishing equipment for shallow small reservoir needs one beam from a portable model, black and white screen, 45 degree viewing angle, depth 25-30 meters, with temperature sensor, screen size 2 inches, transmitter power 150W, anti- getting into the water. Screen resolution 240x240 pixels.

2. To explore the bottom and bottom fishing on a spacious lake, you need a device with two beams, with viewing angles of 16 and 28 degrees, a 4-inch screen, black and white or color, with a resolution of 240x320, a determinant of the distance to fish, an estimated depth of 100 meters, a sensor temperature and splash protection IP x6. Transmitter power 200-300 watts. You can choose between portable or stationary devices.

3. To find a fishing spot under the ice in winter, use a frost-resistant black-and-white screen with a resolution of 240x320, 3 inches, a beam with a view of 20 degrees, a research depth of 30-40 m, with a Flasher function, a transmitter power of 150 W.

4. Actively searching for a school of fish or trolling needs a four-beam stationary echo sounder, designed for a depth of 450 meters, with a 7-10 inch screen, color image, determining the distance to the fish, GSM module, speed sensor, fish size finder, viewing angles 20/60/86/55 degrees, 500W. Screen resolution from 480x480 pixels.

1. A model for a small reservoir and fishing rods is estimated at 4800-6000 rubles.

2. Devices for spacious lakes cost 10,000-18,000 rubles.

3. Echo sounders for winter fishing are bought for 7000 rubles.

4. Trolling on a boat requires a device for 60,000-170,000 rubles.