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In this article we will take a look at some of the best fish finders for bank fishing. If you are looking for a new fish finder for bank fishing, then you are in the right place. Join us as we take trip through some of the best bank fishing fish finders. Having the right fish finder is a necessity if you want to have a good day out on the water. Fish finders have all types of features. Some have WiFi, some create 3D maps, and some have extreme scanning depths. If you know what you are looking for, you are sure to find something out of our list that catches your eye.
First let’s go over what you need to think about when you buy a fish finder, and then let’s get into the nitty gritty of some fish finders!
Some of our top picks for great fish finders for bank fishing include:
- The LUCKY Wired; Wireless Portable Fishing Sonar
- The FishHunter 3D
- The Deeper Pro+
- The iBobber
- The Deeper CHIRP+
Do you need a fish finder for bank fishing? Scroll down to see what you need to consider…
What should you consider when buying a fish finder for bank fishing?
Scanning accuracy and sensitivity
It is vital that the angler can tell the difference between a baitfish and a predator fish. A good sonar can tell the difference.
Battery life
The best battery life should be all day long. You don’t want a fish finder that loses battery after just a few hours.
Scanning depth
Fish swim at all depths. The best fish finders can give you really detailed info whether you are fishing in 8 inches or 150 feet of water.
Warranty
It is important to have peace of mind and know there is a solid warranty behind you should anything happen to your fish finder.
Accessories
Having accessories is very important, especially if you’re using it on a kayak or at night.
User experience
Your fish finder should be easy to use. You want it to be able to pair with your tablet or phone and not give you any trouble while you’re out fishing. The interface should make sense.
LUCKY Wired; Wireless Portable Fishing Sonar
Something that thousands of anglers noticed about this fishing sonar is its dual functions as both a wireless and wired unit. You can use WiFi and attach it to your phone, or you can use the screen that is lit up by LCDs.
LUCKY has been making great fishing products for over a decade.
It has a great price point and is overall a good buy.
Tech Specs
- Warranty: 30 days on Amazon
- Connection type: Wired or wireless
- Battery life: 10 hours
- Recharge time: 2 hours
- Scanning depth: Wired- Max 328 ft Min 3 ft; Wireless: Max 125 ft Min 3 ft
- Sonar type: 45 degrees in 200Khz (cable) and 90 degrees in 125Khz (wireless)
- Compatibility: From Android 5.0 and iOs 12.0 to the latest devices
FishHunter 3D
One of the latest editions to the great line of the Lowrance brands is the FishHunter 3D. It can give you 3D images beneath the water line.
There are five directional transducers. By using these, it lets the software make its incredible 3D images.
It is also designed a bit like a buoy. This is to give a better WiFi connection. It is also hard to submerge which prevents disturbances from your viewing.
It also lets the angle track waypoints and catches, essentially creating a fishing log.
It weighs 6.3 ounces, making it one of the heavier castable sonar units. Similar to the Deeper fish finders, you need to use a stiff rod with a test line that is high-strength. A 65 pound braided line will float, be strong, and is small in diameter.
Some Small Flaws…
One problem is the inaccuracy of the GPS, sometimes inaccurately tracking the sonar position.
It can also have a bad connection with connecting to Android devices.
In addition, the sonar device sometimes leaks and takes on water.
There have also been complaints about bad customer service.
Tech Specs
- Connection type and range: WiFi up to 200ft
- Battery life: Up to 10 hours
- Battery type: Lithium
- Sonar scan rate: 15 scans/second
- Scanning depth: Max 160 ft Min 2 ft
- Scanning sensitivity and separation accuracy: Narrow beam: .4 in / 1 cm. Wide beam .94 in / 2.4 cm
- Sonar type: Five tri-frequency transducers. Each support 381kHz, 475 kHz, and 675 kHz
- Compatibility: iOS 12.0 and Android 5.0 through the latest models
- Weight: 6.3 ounces
Deeper Pro+
The Deeper Pro+ has to have its name on this list. It is a sonar unit that is castable and can connect to WiFi as far as 330 feet. Your tablet or phone automatically pairs with the sonar and you don’t need internet connection.
It has an outstanding scanning depth of 260 feet.
There is decent sensitivity, but its most important feature is how it can make contour maps of the lake using GPS. These maps will give you insight into all of the ambush and hiding spots.
It is especially helpful in river ponds in the backwater where there aren’t any lake maps already recorded.
It allows the angler to use narrow or wide scanning at their discretion, and the sensitivity can combat muddy water with ease.
There is a live broadcast so you can see bottom hardness, vegetation lines, underwater structure, depth, and fish arcs.
It is incredibly versatile and can fit easily in a kayak, canoe, float tube, or small boat.
The Deeper Pro+ is decently heavy, like most castable sonars. It weighs 3.5 ounces. So it is best to use a high-strength line with a stiff rod. A 65-pound braided line is a good option because it has a small diameter, it’s incredibly strong, and it floats.
It has a good connection range and scanning depth.
One mistake is that people often try to connect the sonar before it is in the water. If you read the instructions, you will see that it has to be in water to connect. You can fill a bucket or put it in the water to connect it.
Tech Specs
- Warranty: 2 year limited warranty
- Connection and range: WiFi, 330 feet
- Battery life: 6 hours
- Battery recharge: 2 hours for 100%
- Sonar scan rate: 15 scans/second
- Scanning depth: Max 260 ft Min 2 ft
- Scanning sensitivity and separation accuracy: Narrow beam .4 in / 1 cm; Wide beam .94 in / 2.4 cm
- Sonar type: Beam cone 290 kHz 15 degrees/ 90 kHz 55 degrees
- Compatibility: From Android 5.0 and iOS 12.0 to latest models
- Diameter: 2.5 in
- Weight: 3.5 ounces
iBobber
iBobber is a small company from America but there is little information about its company and what other things they have.
It is easy to get in touch with a representative, though.
It has basic software and installing the app is very easy to do on your phone.
If you want a wireless sonar that is entry level with setup that is easy, this is a good option for you.
Tech Specs
- Warranty: 1 year warranty via the manufacturer
- Connection type and range: WiFi 200 ft
- Battery life: Over 10 hours
- Battery recharge: 2 hours
- Scanning depth: 135 feet
- Sonar type: Single beam
- Compatibility: From Android 5.0 and iOS 12.0 to the latest models
- Diameter: 3.5 in
- Weight: 6.3 ounces
Deeper CHIRP+
We saved the best for last. The Deeper CHIRP is a must-have for bank fishing.
CHIRP stands for Compressed High Intensity Radar Pulse. It’s on the cutting edge of sonar and will get rid of graph clutter as well as provide better definition of objects. It’s simply the best way to process sonar information.
The Deeper technology gives incredible target separation. It is so high-quality that you can pick out a species even if it is in the midst of a school of different fish.
Deeper also worked with the best kayakers who are also anglers to create great add-on accessories. This means you can easily install this sonar onto your paddle board, kayak, or boat.
This provides unthinkable versatility that you will be able to use for years and years.
Tech Specs
- Warranty: 5 year limited warranty
- Connection type: WiFi
- Battery life: 6 hours
- Battery recharge: 80% in 45 minutes on fast charge, 100% in 75 minutes
- Sonar scan rate: 15 scans/second
- Scanning depth: 6 in – 330 ft
- Scanning sensitivity and separation accuracy: .4 in Narrow Chirp, .94 in Medium Chirp, .94 in Wide Chirp
- Sonar type: 3 frequency CHIRP. Narrow 675 kHz cone angle 7 degrees; Medium Chirp 290 kHz cone angle 16 degrees; Wide Chirp 100 kHz cone angle 47 degrees
- Compatibility: From Android 5.0 and iOS 12.0 to latest models
- Diameter: 2.5 inches
- Weight: 3.5 ounces
Final thoughts
There’s a lot to recap!
The LUCKY Wired; Wireless Portable Fishing Sonar has dual function as both a wireless and wired unit. You can either use it on your phone or use the LCD screen.
The FishHunter 3D creates a 3D image beneath the water. It has five directional transducers which creates this image and is designed like a buoy.
However, sometimes the tracking is very inaccurate and it also has trouble connecting with Androids. There are also reports of bad customer service.
The Deeper Pro+ can connect to wifi up to 330 feet. You don’t need an internet connection to use it. It also has an incredible scanning depth.
But what stands out most is how it can make lake maps that are contoured.
The iBobber is a good entry level sonar that is wireless and is easy to get started with.
The Deeper CHIRP is the most incredible option. You can even pick out a target species even if it is mixed in with other fish!
All in all, any option from this list would be a great option if you are looking to get started at bank fishing.
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