Affordable Fish Finders | Fish finders for boats and kayaks
I always considered Fish Finders cheating or way too expensive an investment for my tackle bag.
They were always a piece of kit you would see front and centre on a charter boat or high end fishing boat.
I never though it would be something I would invest in but I did and have never looked back...
Have enough days without fish and you start to wonder what all the fuss is about.
Check out the prices of some of the more reasonable finders out there and I guarantee you will end up with one...
Quick search: Affordable Fish Finders | Best Kayak Fishfinder
When it comes to selecting the perfect fish finder there is a huge selection with a million different options available. There isn't a one size fits all best fish finder. Like every good invention there are plenty of competitors in the market and innovation is always producing new models with all the latest features.
To this end we wanted to put this guide on fish finders together and capture as much valuable information in one place so you can make an informed decision on which model will suit your fishing needs - today and well into 2017 and beyond.
Best Affordable Fish Finder
Lets face it, money doesn't grow on trees so if you have a tight budget but still want to get yourself an affordable fish finder then any of the following models will get the job done.
- Led-backlit 3 inch color display with detailed 320 x 240 resolution that's easy to see in full sunlight & from wide viewing angles
- Broadband sounder detail easily identifies fish targets, bottom contour, structure detail, bottom hardness, thermoclines & more
- Advanced signal processing (asp) reduces the need to manually adjust settings to see fish, structure & bottom detail more clearly
- Dual-frequency 83 or 200kHz operation helps maximize view beneath boat
- 83kHz sonar operation provides up to 60deg of conical coverage ideal for displaying largest fish arches & searching large areas
The Lowrance Hook-3X Sonar has great graphics (320 x 240 resolution) that are easy to understand and see from wide viewing angles and in full sunlight. This sonar easily detects the details of a shallow lake or similar fishing spot and gives data on the bottom hardness, thermoclines, structure detail, contour, and fish targets.
Plus, the built-in advanced signal processing (ASP) improves on the gathered detail and limits the need to make manual adjustments to see the bottom and structure detail, as well as the fish.
Features You’ll Value
For the active fisherman, the Lowrance 000-12635-001 Hook is a useful and feature-rich product that is certain to make detecting the best fishing spots so much easier. Here are a few of the most appealing features:
Color display
The 3-inch LED-backlit color display has a screen that is clear and easy to view (320 x 240 resolution) from most viewing angles while also being easy to see the data in bright sunlight.
Broadband sounder
The Lowrance 000-12635-001 Hook-3X Sonar is built to detect all that is going on underneath the surface of the lake or pond, including the structure details, thermoclines, bottom contour and hardness, as well as the fish targets. Plus, the Dual-frequency 200 or 83 kHz is great for maximizing the views under the surface.
Multiple features
The Lowrance 000-12635-001 is packed with useful features to help with identifying the fish targets, such as the ability to zoom (4x) in and focus on a particular fishing area, as well as alarm and track options. For improved viewing quality, the device has an option to adjust the display to match the time or day or night to compliment the fishing situation, and the patented skimmer transducer can continue to track the bottom surface when travelling at speeds of up to 75 MPH.
Pros
Cons
- Great dual beam for versatile performance
- Simple and quick set up
- Easily powered and minimal battery use
- Very affordable
- Useful color display with great graphics
- The display is easy to see in bright sunlight
- Easy to understand
- Super easy to mount in a boat or on a kayak
- Great in deep reservoirs to shallow ponds
- Gives false readings in the murky waters
- Usable speed is closer to 10 MPH (compared to manufacturer’s info)
Conclusion
Great device at a great price, the Lowrance Hook-3X Sonar is a useful little fish finder that works in shallow and deep water. A great aspect is the clear display that is easy to see in virtually all environments, including bright sunlight, and great at reading temperature and depth. Plus, the sonar comes equipped with everything needed to get set up and working in moments, such as the mounting kit and instructions. The included kit makes it really easy to mount to a kayak or boat.
The Sounder helps you find the fish and their preferred habitats by scanning the contours of the surrounding beds and also lets you avoid nasty snags that are lurking in the deep, far beyond your field of vision. You can adjust the frequency of the unit to best find your fish in all water conditions.
This may be a basic unit but it has all the features you will need to get started and from a price point it is the best budget fish finder for the money in our opinion.
Setting up your fishfinder
Here is a great video showing you how to setup your fishfinder in a kayak and get straight on to the fish.
Other affordable fish finders worth looking at
- Shows you what is in the water: Detects and displays water depth, approximate fish location (suits for all sorts of fish), short & tall weeds, sand & rocks on seabed. Suitable for fishing from a kayak, off the dock, and ice fishing. You can use the fish finder on moving kayak with slowly speed below 5mph (make sure the bottom of the transducer is horizontal).
- Easy to Use: Toss the transducer into water and turn on the display unit, it will show you the water depth and approximate fish depth if fish schools passing by. It has 5 user selectable sensitivity; battery save mode; backlight mode ; fish alarm; unit of measure. Setting can be saved when turned off.
- Very portable that you can take it anywhere: It comes with neck strap that allow you to wear it around neck when you are busy on the kayak. It also comes with a water resistant bag to protect your fish finder display from water splash. You can easily store the fish finder in your tackle box. The fishfinder is powered by 4 AAA batteries. It lasts 4-5 hours with new batteries in continuous use. It can be used in fresh water as well as salt/sea water.
- Accurate Depth Reading: The fish finder use sonar to detect water depth and fish location. Sonar Frequency is 200 kHZ. Detectable area is 45 degrees beam angle under the sonar transducer. Detectable depth range is from 3ft/1m to 328ft/100m below the sonar transducer.
- Warranty and Brand Support: The Venterior Portable Fish Finder is covered by a 2-year Warranty. Any issue of the fish finder after purchase, please don't hesitate to contact our brand support (warranty card comes with product in package), we will response within 24 hours every day online.
- 【𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐔𝐬𝐞 】 Reelsonar portable fish finder is Easy to use, With a depth range of 135 feet and rechargeable battery life of 10+ hours, IOS and Android apps Bluetooth fishfinder with sonar
- 【𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 】 Sonar signals that are integrated find and reflect visual images of both static and moving objects beneath the water's surface. Depth-tagged fish icons color coded by size
- 【𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐀𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐦 】To be alerted when fish congregate under docks and piers, turn on the fish alarm when using iBobber's fishfinder feature. With the strike alert, iBobber can even let you know when fish are biting.
- 【𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 】 With a fish finder, you may go out anytime you choose to test the waters. Regardless of the weather, whether it be freshwater or saltwater, shore fishing, or fishing on the ice. You could turn on your fish finder and begin hunting.
- 【𝐆𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 】Great Gift for Fishing Whether you're looking for a present for your husband, father, friends, or any angler, reelsonar fish detector is now better than ever
- Detect and display water depth & temperature, approximate fish location, short & tall weeds, sand & rocks on seabed. Setting can be saved when turned off. Backlight mode enables you to use the fish fish finder at night.
- Comes with round transducer with 25 ft cable and removable transducer float. Suitable for fishing off the dock, from a kayak, and ice fishing. Its neck strap allow you to hang it around neck. Apply to lake, river, sea and other fishing environment.
- The fish finder use sonar to detect water depth and fish location. Detectable area is 45 degrees beam angle under the sonar transducer. Detectable depth range is from 3ft/1m to 328ft/100m below the sonar transducer.
- Various features settings: 5 user selectable sensitivity; battery save mode; backlight mode (allow you to use it at night); fish alarm (can be turned off, gives you alerts when it detects fish schools passing by); unit of measure (Press and Hold F&FT/C&M key for more than 3 seconds to convert the unit of measure for depth & temperature.)
- Warranty and Brand Support: All Venterior Portable Fish Finder is covered by a 2-year Warranty. Any questions before or after purchase, please feel free to contact us via Amazon message or brand after-sale support in product package (response within 24 hours every day online).
- Portable Wired Fish Finder
- Display: TN/ANTI-UV LCD.Display size: 40Wx39H
- Operational Temperature: -4F to 158F(-20℃-70℃)
- Small round transducer with 7.5m cable,45-degree beam angle
- Depth Range Max/Min: 328Feet(100meters)/2Feet(0.7meters)
- FishTrax intelligent sonar uses SONAR sound waves to detect depth, locate fish, and define bottom contour, composition, and structure
- Glare-free VirtuView dot matrix display on the LCD screen with LED backlight provides excellent readability
- Sonar sensor is trollable, boat mountable, and floatable to achieve unmatched, go anywhere, portability
- 10-level sensitivity adjustment, multi-level depth ranges, and auto zoom bottom tracking intensifies prey targeting; Sonar sensor side-scan adapter allows sonar direction finding under weeds, docks, ice, and more (accessory sold seperately)
- HawkEye products are manufactured both in the USA and overseas using technology designed and developed with American ingenuity
Best Kayak Fish Finder
Kayak fishing has become hugely popular over the past number of years and nowadays it is not uncommon to kit your kayak out with a fish finder.
Gone are the days when this type of technology was for expensive fishing boats. There was never a simple way to fix your fish finder to your kayak or small portable until companies copped on to the fact that smaller units could be adapted or purpose built to suit. Now you can hook yourself up with a portable unit and fix it to your kayak and off you go.
Our favorite model is the Garmin Striker 4 GPS Fish Finder.
- Clear Vu scanning Sonar shows you more of what is in the water around your boat; This high frequency sonar gives near photographic images with detailed representations of objects, structure and fish
- The power of simple offers a keyed interface with dedicated buttons; The device is easy to use and easy to install; Available in 3.5, 5 and 7 inch display sizes; Water rating IPX7
- Waypoint map: Use the way point map to easily view, mark and navigate to locations such as brush piles, stumps and docks; Maximum depth 1,600 feet freshwater, 750 feet saltwater; Current draw at 12 volt: 0.23 Ampere
- Chirp Sonar sends a continuous sweep of frequencies which provides a wider range of information; Chirp Sonar is able to create crisper fish arches with better target separation
- Built in flasher: View your sonar data in the classic flasher format; Ideal for ice fishing or vertical jigging. Display size: 1.9 x 2.9 inches (4.9 x 7.3 centimeter); 3.5 inches diagonal (8.7 centimeter)
The Garmin 010-01550-00 Striker 4 Fishfinder is designed to be easy to use and packed with a variety of useful features (time, tracking, speed, etc.). A really practical feature of the Striker 4 is the ability to easily mark and return to a favorite fishing spot; this is certain to save plenty of time on future fishing trips to the same river or lake.
Features You’ll Value
Great value and feature rich, the Garmin 010-01550-00 Striker 4 Fishfinder is feature-rich and a practical piece of kit for installing on kayaks and small boats. Here are a few of the most appealing features:
ClearVu scanning sonar
This Garmin Fishfinder is built with the latest ClearVu technology to make it possible to get a clear view of what is happening in the surrounding water. The high-frequency sonar is built to give virtually photographic quality images that detail the local fish, structures and other objects.
Ease of use
The Striker 4 is built with a simple to use keyed interface with multiple buttons to complete the desired command. This makes the fishfinder easy to use and relatively easy to install with its 3.5-inch display size.
CHIRP sonar
The CHIRP sonar is designed to send a constant sweep of frequencies to give the most reliable information. This sonar technology is useful for creating the crisp fish arches while also achieving better target separation.
Waypoint map
The built-in waypoint map simplifies the process of viewing, marking or navigating to a specific location like a dock, stumps, or brush piles.
Built-in flasher
The view display makes it possible to see the information in a classic flasher format which is preferable for vertical jigging or ice fishing.
Pros
- Quick and easy to install
- Great affordable price
- Simple to use
- Useful for shallow or deep water
- Easy to read display (even in bright sunlight)
- Gives great accuracy
- GPS technology is helpful for marking the dock (useful if out after dark or in heavy fog) and hot spots
- Includes plenty of features such as time, tracking, speed, etc
Cons
- Does not have any charts (or make it possible to buy a module)
- Mount appears decent quality, but is 100% plastic.
Conclusion
Great design and function, the Garmin 010-01550-00 Striker 4 is one of the best budget fish finders on the market. It is very accurate in both shallow and deep waters and the GPS technology comes in really handy when it comes to marking a hot spot of fish or even the dock area used to enter the water to avoid getting lost on the way back. Whether you plan to use the Striker 4 on a kayak or pontoon boat, this GPS/fish finder is very hi-tech and intuitive with a nice display that is easily seen even in bright sunlight.
This unit really is exceptional for the money and can be installed straight into your kayak. It doesn't come with map info or chats but you can store plenty of points along the way or mark off your hot spots and return at a later date to catch even more fish.
The CHIRP SONAR is great for mapping out the structures around you. This continuos stream of info plots out everything in super detail. Great for spotting snags and other structures that will definitely be holding fish.
Deeper Smart Sonar PRO portable fish finder
The Deeper Smart Sonar PRO+ is a small, high-capacity echo-sounder perfect for adventurous kayak fishing.
- HIGH SPECS AND ROCK SOLID CONNECTIVITY: Casts out up to 330ft and scans down to 260ft. Precise 0.5in target separation. Compatible with iOS and Android devices. Syncs to phone/tablet using its own Wi-Fi (like a hotspot). No internet or cellular data needed.
- BUILT-IN GPS: Create bathymetric maps from the bank, boat, canoe, kayak. Access all your scans, maps, points of interests, photos and notes on the Fish Deeper app and web platform.
- REAL-TIME DATA: Two beam frequencies with 15 scans per second. View depth, see bottom structure and consistency, vegetation and fish.
- BOAT AND KAYAK FISHING: Deeper Pro Plus fish finder is a great addition to your boat or kayak accessories. Installs in seconds, no cables, wires, or external batteries needed. No drilling required.
- RECHARGABLE BATTERY: Charge it as needed with a micro USB B type cable. Included in the box.
This is a very cool device that lets you bring your fish finder everywhere with you. It runs it's own wireless access point so you can connect it straight to your smartphone or Tablet. Download the App, get the two talking to each other and away you go. It really is that simple.
The App itself operates in online and offline modes and provides a multitude of great features like: Solunar Forecast Calendar, Fishing Notes, Offline Maps, Weather Forecast, Camera, Day/Night Screen and Color Mode. You can even share your info on Social Media if you really wanted to give away your hot spots to friends or clubs in the area.
You can get the Flexible Arm Mount to fix this straight to the side of your kayak and keep all of the equipment outside your boat and leave you more room for fishing - not that it takes up much room anyway as it's a complete unit in itself.
The Deeper Smart Sonar PRO+ is built with a highly accurate internal GPS receiver and uses a Wi-Fi connection to create the bathymetric maps to make fish-finding that much easier and more productive.
This cast able echo-sounder is designed to work with Android or iOS tablets or smart phones, while the Wi-Fi connection helps to extend the search distance with this Deeper sonar equipped to detect depth ranges up to 80 meters/260 feet.
Features You’ll Value
Really easy to use, the Deeper Smart Sonar PRO+ has a variety of useful features to make it virtually as good as the high-end echo sounders on boats. Here are a few of the most appealing features:
Castable GPS
The offline mapping and built in GPS receiver makes it really easy to pinpoint the potential catch. The high accuracy GPS receiver has the ability to map the fishing spots, contours and features by using bathymetric maps. This process even works when planning to fish on shore. By creating the bathymetric map it is possible to examine the underwater conditions and determine the best fishing spots.
Bathymetric Mapping
Even though the bathymetric maps are created in real time, there is also the option to store and archive this data for future. Also, this means it is relatively easy to create a personal collection of accurate maps to improve the ability to find the most productive fishing locations.
Plus, the Smart Sonar PRO+ is adjustable with the option to adjust the sonar sensitivity to take into account image distractions. By refining the setting it is more readily possible to get a view of the smallest underwater action.
Color Mode
The screen color mode is a useful feature to make it easier to see the display screen and match the brightness to the time of day. It is practical for reducing noise and increasing target separation.
Compact size
The diminutive Deeper Smart Sonar PRO+ is practical for use with standard rods and lines and measures 65 millimeter / 2.5 inches in diameter and weighs approx 100 grams / 3.5 ounces.
Pros
- Easy to use with great tutorials
- Quick to pair up with a tablet or smartphone
- Gives very accurate data; it definitely finds the fish
- Solid and well built
- Can be set or cast anywhere
Cons
- Choppy waters can distort the Wi-Fi signal which slows the ability to scan
- Needs a heavy line to use
Conclusion
Easy castable sonar, the Deeper Smart Sonar PRO+ is an awesome product for the money. If you want to easily see the structure and depth of the water or simply want to catch more fish, you should really buy this. It is fun and it works, while also being highly useful for all fishermen no matter the favorite fishing spot. It is certainly useful for fishing on shore and gives access to the performance of an echo sounder that was previously available only to boat owners.
FishHunter PRO, The World’s Fastest Wireless Portable Fish Finder
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The FishHunter PRO is a precise sonar that is cast able and easily analyzes the bottom structure of a river or lake and finds fish at a depth of up to 150-ft. It is a versatile piece of kit and is easily placed in an ice hole, trolled behind a boat, or can be cast when on shore. Plus, it easily pairs with a smart phone or tablet to clearly see the underwater structures and features.
Features You’ll Value
A great time-saving device, the FishHunter PRO portable fish finder is packed with useful features to make identifying the best fishing spots so much easier. Here are a few of the most appealing qualities:
Wi-Fi Casting
The FishHunter PRO is built with the latest Wi-Fi Casting to make it fast and responsive and gives a range of up to 160 feet or 50 meters. Wi-Fi wireless connection is so much more efficient than comparable technologies, and nearly 4 times faster than Bluetooth.
Tracking depth
This sonar is built to work at a depth of up to 150 feet or 45 meters while using the FishHunter PRO, while for jig tracking this can decrease slightly to 100 feet or 30 meters.
Multiple uses
Use the FishHunter PRO in several different ways, such as casting from shore or on board a boat or even trolled up to a speed of 2.5 MPH.
Transducer tri-frequency
The Transducer tri-frequency makes it possible to create the super-high resolution image to make it easier to analyze the bottom structure and find the fish.
Rechargeable battery
The FishHunter PRO is powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer battery that has the potential to last for a period of up to 10 hours.
Pros
- Easy to read app interface
- Floats upright very well and really attractive unit
- The top flashing light makes it easy to see when in use
- Compact size for easy transport and storage
- Gives accurate and reliable data
- Decent battery life
Cons
- While the FishHunter PRO is compact in size, it is still quite heavy at 5.5 oz
- Can make quite a splash if casted for the greater distance
- May experience intermittent issues with connection drops
Conclusion
Works great, the FishHunter PRO is a pretty cool item that works as a reliable fish locator and depth finder. The app is quite versatile and goes far beyond the ability to see the structure, features and fish under the water – it is also possible to share or add pictures to let others see the fish caught.
It can take a little time to learn how to adjust the sensitivity and turn on certain functions, but with some patience, it is possible to set up the FishHunter PRO portable fish finder to match the specific needs. For the anglers that enjoying ice fishing or fishing in small ponds, then this is certain to make a great invention. Picks up fish without hesitation and the battery life is more than excellent.
MadBite FX3000 Fish Finder
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The MadBite FX3000 Fish Finder is a versatile piece of fishing electronics for ice fishing, onshore fishing, kayak fishing or bass fishing. Its built-in wireless technology is designed to locate fish and detect other information from up to 400-feet or 120 meters away.
The casting sonar sensor is easily sent into the water from a boat or shore and quickly checks water temperature, surveys the bottom structure and finds fishing holes. Plus, for ease of use, the display screen is in full color, giving the option to read in bright sunlight or low-light conditions.
Features You’ll Value
Works well and great technology, the MadBite FX3000 Fish Finder is packed with useful features to make a must-have piece of kit to find fish accurately and faster. Here are some of the most appealing features:
Screen display
The MadBite FX3000 is built with an LCD screen with 512-color and 2.8-inch width for complete ease in viewing the on-screen data in light or dark environments. The clear screen makes is possible to quickly detect the water temperature, depth, structure and bottom contour.
Detection range
The detection range is in the region of 2 to 150-feet. Also, the unit is designed to easily adjust using the 1-ft micro-tuned setting to concentrate on fish in a specific area. With the ability to send a sonar signal 15 times per second it is possible to get real time information on what is taking place beneath the waves.
Audible fish alarm
This portable sonar sensor is useful in both freshwater and saltwater and includes a built-in alarm that gives an alert on finding fish. Additional alerts at given for depth and low battery.
Water Resistant
The MadBite FX3000 is portable, floats and water resistant so there is no need to be concerned about dropping it overboard. Plus, it does not rely on Bluetooth / Wi-Fi, a tablet, or smartphone to operate. It runs on a rechargeable Lithium battery that has the potential to keep the unit running for up to 20 hours.
Pros
Cons
- Very easy to read and accurate
- High contrast LCD for complete ease in seeing in all environments (even in bright sunlight)
- Useful battery life (more than enough for a single trip)
- Clear display of the bottom structure
- Great Wi-Fi range of 650 feet
- Good depth range at 2 to 150 feet
- Light and compact design
- Needs calibrating on depth to get the accurate results
Conclusion
A very cool little fish finder, the MadBite FX3000 with wireless sonar sensor is built with options and feature of the expensive brands, but comes at the very reasonable price.
It has a very clear display and easy to use and certain to not let you down when fishing from shore, a kayak, or a boat. The rechargeable battery is great and lasts for a lot longer than needed for one trip.
Plus, the floating and waterproof design is a practical and safe feature for using in rough waters.
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