The Best Fish Finder for a Jon Boat

In this article we will consider which is the best fish finder that you can buy for a Jon Boat.  Fish finders are a game changer for fishing and have really helped fishing enthusiasts focus their time efficiently. They help you determine what’s below the water so there won’t be any more wasted time waiting in vain on an area with no fish! (We’ve all been there).

If you are in a hurry and want to see our top picks for the best fish finder for a Jon Boat you can see them below in summary.  We rated the Garmin Striker 4 Fish Finder as our top all rounder that combines price point, features and ease of use all into one highly portable package.  If you are in a hurry, you can jump to our full reviews of the top fish finders by clicking the links below. (Where we haven’t got a detailed review yet, we have linked to the Amazon.com Product description).

• Garmin Striker 4 Fishfinder
• Venterior VT-FF001
• Deeper Pro Plus 2 Fish Finder
• Lowrance HDS-16
• ReelSonar iBobber
• Lowrance Hook2 9 Splitshot
• Garmin Echomap Chirp 44cv

The Fish Finder itself is amazing technology and can really come into its own during those tough spots where nothing else seems to work.  Side imaging sonar is a key component to increasing your catch rate. The technology has been around for quite some time and comes at an affordable price making it easy on the wallet too!  2d-sonars were once all we had, but now thanks in part to side scanning this provides you with more information about where there could be fish hiding under rocks or logs which will then lead into finding them faster than before allowing us as fishing enthusiasts to have better luck catching your next catch.

What to look for in Best Fish Finder for a Jon Boat

It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional fisherman or someone who just wants to have fun in the great outdoors, there’s something about catching that first fish that makes all other activities seem insignificant. And now with modern technology making finding them easier than ever before, it has become even more enticing! However picking out which model of fish finder that is right for your needs can get complicated due their various features and functions.

Which Type of Fish Finder Will Suit You?

It’s hard to believe that there are so many different types of fish finders. Some can be bulky and require a professional installation, while others have small devices that need no such expertise or equipment.  The size of fish finders have diminished greatly in recent years. You can now find extremely portable ones that weigh only a tiny amount.

If you’re just getting started, the standalone fishfinders are best for beginners. They will not have any fancy features (such as a touch screen display) but they’ll let you know about where there’s fish and how many in total – which let’s face it, is the main job of a fish finder.

If you are more experienced with catching fish, you might want to look at fish finders with CHIRP sonar. These Fish Finders offer far superior target separation and offer detailed images of what is going on under water because they utilize cutting-edge technology like sonar waves to detect objects below it with greater accuracy than other models in their class do.

How often do you intend to use your fish finder?

When buying a fish finder consider how often you will intend to use it.  Every Day? Every weekend? Or just on your holidays?  Your usage of the fish finder will help determine which model would best suit you.  If you are only occasionally going to use it then unless you are serious about catching fish then you are very likely to be fine with some of the best budget fish finders on the market, such as the Garmin Striker 4, one of our top picks.

Read our review of the Garmin Striker 4.

What type of water will you be fishing in?

This is one of the bigger considerations that you will need to take into account.  The water you will be fishing in will determine what type of beam of wave you require.  For deeper water such as the ocean you will need a wide beam of waves.  For rivers and lakes that are much more shallow you will need a much narrower beam of the wave.

Different fish finders will offer different types of angles – some narrower than others and some wider than others.  At the low budget range (sub $200) it is often harder to find a fish finder that will deliver all angles for all fishing situations, so if you are on a lower budget or a beginner to the fish finder market, it is often helpful to know from the outset what type of water you will be fishing in, and this will help you to determine which fish finder will be the best suited for your fishing.

Frequency – Which Frequency is right for your fishing needs?

It’s no surprise that the frequency is an important factor in determining how well you can see underwater. High-frequency fish finders provide a much better view, while lower frequencies will only show what’s close by but not as detailed.

The importance of having both high and low frequencies when using sonar equipment cannot be overstated; they each have their own benefits depending on who needs them most at any given time – whether it would then become about preference between one type versus another depends largely upon individual choice and situation.

A unit with a 200 kHz frequency will make sure you are catching fish. This type of gear is perfect for any fisherman who wants to know what size, shape and depth his or her target species prefer in water they call home!

Frequency – What about Ocean Fishing or Lakes?

For deep water, such as the ocean or a lake that has depths of over 100 feet in some cases it is best to use high frequencies. The saltwater absorbs more sound waves than freshwater and this results in better reception for these areas where there’s always an echo effect from all around you because everything else sounds louder by comparison.

GPS – What level of GPS will you need?

It’s important to make sure your fish finder has the right type of GPS for what you want to do. Some are just basic, while others offer more features and advance capabilities that will be necessary on an expeditionary quest.

Fishing doesn’t require a lot of equipment, but GPS is an essential part in our opinion. If you are fishing near your house and have easy access to landmarks or other people who can help with navigation then no need for the device; however if like me – far away from any settlement where I would be lost without my map (and compass) than this gadget makes things much easier by providing accurate location information as well as sending alerts when there’s been activity nearby.

Some of the GPS systems are preloaded with maps of lakes and rivers (Generally of the US only although extras can be purchased additionally). These can be helpful if you’re going to any spot for your first time, but it also increases costs because these features come at an extra price.

Display – What Size Screen and Resolution Will I need?

With all the focus on fish finders around the GPS and other technological capabilities sometimes the screen can become something that is surprisingly overlooked.  On budget fish finders it is no surprise that you are unlikely to get a large touch screen fish finder.  If you are looking for a dedicated touch screen fish finder then you are likely going to be paying upwards of $200 (at least).  For those of us on smaller budgets there is hope though(!) as there are a newer range of fish finders that can sync to your phone, effectively giving you touch screen via your smart phone.  These are fantastic units for the money and generally come in below the $200 mark.  So if you really do want that touch screen experience at a budget price then it is possible!

Check out our review of the iBobber Fish Finder

If you are looking for a more traditional all in one fish finder then you are likely to be limited by screen size.  Typically screen sizes for more budget fish finders are only a couple of inches in size.  Some models can also be harder to read in sunlight or low light than others, always check the reviews to see what other customers think of the product before you commit to buying.

The Transducer – The Most Essential Part

The transducer is the most important part of any fish finder. It sends out signals and receives them back so that you know where your next catch is located underwater.

Thanks to modern technology, there’s never been an easier time finding those elusive critters! The best way to do this? Get yourself one with a quality transducer built-in unit – it will pay off in no time at all if only for peace of mind when going downriver or offshore fishing trips.

There are many different types of transducers available on the market today.  Some are capable of higher frequencies whilst others are capable of much lower frequencies.  Certain transducers make use of CHIRP sonar, and some do not. Side-Scan and Down-Scan are featured in some but not all transducers. CHIRP enabled transducer is desirable duo to the fact of the clarity and detail provided. Features like Side-Scan and Down-Scan greatly enhance the detail and precision that is provided by the fish finder.

The Best Fish Finders for a Small Boat Compared

Now that we have considered the main considerations that you need to take into account when looking to buy a fish finder for a Jon Boat, we can get in to the actual fish finders and see exactly how they stack up against each other.

The market today is flooded with fish finders. There’s a wide variety for both price and features, including built-in GPS, lake maps and even wifi connectivity. It can be hard to choose or even understand which one will fulfil your needs.   Read on as we break down some of the top models available today in order make this decision easy for you.

Technology is changing at such a rapid pace, it’s difficult to keep up with all of the new inventions. Fish finders are no exception! New technology comes out every day and if you don’t take advantage of this opportunity then your dreams could easily slip through your fingers before they have had time enough for success in becoming mainstreams or obsolete within our society as we know it today – so let’s make sure that doesn’t happen by doing some research into what kinds might work best for YOU first!!

There are many types of fish finders for small boats, but we’ve found through our own independent testing that these 10 are the best models. They range in price from low to high-end and can cover any fishing budget or type of anglers.

Garmin Striker 4 Fish Finder

Our number 1 choice is the Garmin Striker 4 Fish Finder.  If you are at all familiar with fish finders then you won’t be surprised to see this at the top of our list.  It really is a fantastic all round unit and offers great value for money from a great brand that you know you can trust, Garmin.

Read our Review of the Garmin Striker 4 here.

Our Rating 10/10

Venterior VT-FF001

Venterior fish finders are great because they can work at depths of up to 330 feet. They’re also capable of maintaining this range without any difficulties, but the best part is you’ll be able to extend your capability even more by purchasing a larger sonar cable that comes with it.

The sensitivity of the Venterior VT-FF001  can be adjusted to five different levels depending on your needs. The higher settings drain more battery than the lower ones, so you might want them for shorter trips or other activities where accuracy isn’t as important.

The setting choice depends largely upon how long we’ll have our device out during an expedition – with high-sensitivity models draining batteries quickly while low settings work best if there’s no need whatsoever in having pinpoint precision.

This unit can withstand extreme temperatures, which makes it perfect for ice fishing. It has the ability to withstand a temperature of above zero degrees Fahrenheit (00F) because of its sturdy construction and high power output from both wire or sonar systems with stable electronics inside.

The screen on this phone has an anti-UV protection which guarantees that the sun is not going to damage it over time. In addition, there’s a glare reduction coating making reading easier even if you’re outside under direct sunlight.

One of the strengths of the Venterior is that the interface provides the user with simple and informative information. The details include depth, size of structure being hit by sonar (if any) as well as other relevant data that helps them to understand what’s going on under water better than ever before.

I wanted to love this device, but the batteries are so inconvenient! It’s a shame that there was no way of making them rechargeable or at least have their power extended with an adaptor.

Out of all the models reviewed here, the Venterior comes out at the best price point, so for those on a strict budget, this may be your best bet.

Our Rating 7/10

Deeper Pro Plus 2 Fish Finder

The Deeper Pro Plus 2 Fish Finder is one of the more expensive castable fish finders in the list.  It is made by Deeper a brand you may be familiar with if you have read any of our other Deeper Fish Finder Reviews.  Deeper’s Fish Finders are made in Lithuania, which may be a little far from home for most of our readers, so if you want to stick to a fish finder that is based in the USA you may be better going for a Lowrance fish finder (but be aware that these are actually made in Mexico)!

What makes this fish finder ideal for small boats is obviously its portability, weighing in at a mere, almost unbelievable 3.17 ounces, you are hardly going to feel it in your bag at all!  What makes this fish finder special and a cut above some of the other WiFi or Bluetooth fish finders apart from its portability is the features, with powerful scanning up to 33oft and data transfer via ultra fast WiFi makes connecting to your smart phone a breeze, and you can be sure your connection is stable.  This Fish finder also has a triple beam transducer that allows it to scan 15 times a second, with a target separation of 0.4” of an inch, which gives you a lot more accuracy that some of the lower priced Deeper models.

You can cast or troll at ease with this fish finder from your Pontoon or Jon Boat, you can troll at 2mph and still get accurate sonar reading with the Deeper Pro Plus 2 Fish Finder.  We think this is a fantastic fish finder for the money and if you are tech savvy, this may be a good option for you.  For many fishing enthusiasts they want to keep fish finding as simple as possible, this unit does that but there is a small learning curve using the app.  Once you have learnt the app thought you will love the detailed logging that is possible with the App.

In terms of battery life, the Deeper Pro Plus 2 Fish Finder will last up to 9 hours roughly and will fully charge in 100 minutes – Which we think is not bad!  If you are interested in this fish finder, you might want to check out the product description, click the link below to go there now.

Check out the Deeper Pro Plus 2 Fish Finder on Amazon.com…

Our Rating 8/10

Lowrance HDS-16

If you have some serious money to splash then you need to look no further than the Lowrance HDS-16 which is our professional’s choice from this list.  It is quite possibly the most advanced fish finder we have reviewed on this site and you get EVERYTHING in terms of features!  Although the price tag on this fish finder is high, Amazon offer at the time of writing a way to pay in instalments, which breaks down the cost significantly over an 18 month period.  So if you are serious about your fishing then you know that this is always an option.

To jump straight to this fantastic fish finder now, click the link below to jump to the listing on Amazon.com.

Click this link to view the Lowrance HDS-16 on Amazon.com now…

Features – What makes the Lowrance HDS-16 so special?

Below is a summary of some of the features of this fish finder:

HDS LIVE includes built-in Lowrance CHIRP sonar, support for Active Imaging, StructureScan 3D with Active Imaging and revolutionary LiveSight Real-Time Sonar. It features preloaded C-MAP US Enhanced Inland and Coastal mapping, automatic routing support and new Genesis Live onscreen mapping offering precision real-time mapping, down to ½ foot contours.

Active Imaging
Perfect for pinpointing fish-holding areas like rockpiles, standing timber, weedbeds, ditches and drop-offs, Active Imaging sonar delivers superior clarity and the highest res. images of fish and structure at a longer range than any other structure-imaging technology.

Fish in Real-Time with LiveSight Sonar
Delivering the most detailed views of fish, down to every turn and flip of the tail, as they swim in and around cover. You’ll be fishing in real-time as you watch fish react to your lure, see how they are relating to structure and gain insight on what will work, what won’t and what to do next.

FishReveal
Makes fish easier to see on DownScan Imaging by combining CHIRP sonar fish targets with superior, high-res. views of bottom detail, structure and bait fish. FishReveal removes the need to display CHIRP sonar and DownScan Imaging in a 2-panel split-screen.

Mapping in Real-Time
Update the mapping of your favorite fishing spot or map unmapped areas with ½ foot contours in real time with C-MAP Genesis Live. Genesis Live uses digital depth to create HD maps featuring ½ foot contours. Target key fishing areas which makes it easy to find areas where fish like to hide, like drop-offs, points, ditches and more. It gives you control over contour transparency, contour density, depth and safety shading color palettes, and more. Create your Genesis Live maps in real-time, saving them to a microSD card.

LiveCast Smartphone Integration
Watch video, view Google maps and fishing data on the high-res. screen via the HDMI connection.

The standard of the features on the Lowrance fish finder really make this an option for the serious fishermen out there with money to spend!  This is undoubtably the best fish finder in our list, but we do recognize that for many people reading this the price point may make it a less realistic option.

Our Rating 10/10

ReelSonar iBobber

The ReelSonar iBobber Fish finder, is becoming incredibly popular in the last year or so as it offers incredible value for money and a thoughtful alternative to the dominant Garmin brand who are well known for dominating with the best budget fish finders market and their all in one portable fish finders, that frequently appear in the best sellers lists.  ReelSonar have taken a different approach with the iBobber and customers seem to love it, the iBobber syncs with your smartphone and allows you to get a wealth of features that you wouldn’t get at this price point as you are not paying for any touch screen displays within this package.

If you want to check out our full in depth review of the ReelSonar iBobber click here…

If you want to jump straight to the product listing on Amazon.com, click here…

Our Rating 7/10

Lowrance Hook2 9 with SplitShot Transducer

Lowrance have managed to sneak another model into our best fish finders for Jon Boats list.  This time it is the turn of the Lowrance Hook 2 9 With SplitShot Transducer.

If you want to jump straight to the product listing on Amazon.com click here…

Features – What makes this a great fish finder

• EASY TO USE: The Lowrance HOOK2 9 Fish Finder features auto-tuning sonar and phone-like menus giving you more time to spend fishing and less time dealing with settings.
• WIDER SONAR COVERAGE: The HOOK2 9 offers a wide-angle CHIRP sonar cone giving you double the coverage of traditional fish finders.
• EASY SETUP: A single transducer can be mounted on the transom, inside the hull, on the trolling motor or through a scupper hole.
• MORE SONAR VIEWS: The Lowrance HOOK2 9 comes complete with a SplitShot transducer which gives you DownScan sonar (straight down) and CHIRP sonar (fish arch) views.
• US MAPPING: Fish new water like a pro with preloaded US mapping that features 4,000 lakes with 1-foot contours. Narrow your search for productive water, easily locating fish-holding structure. Navionics offers inland and coastal mapping of US and Canada.

Why we love this fish finder

• The autotuning sonar of the Lowrance Hook 2 9 is a fantastic feature that just allows you to get on with the fishing without worrying about the fine tuning.
• The built in US Mapping is a nice feature and has more than 3000 lakes.

Our Rating 7/10

Garmin Echomap Plus 44cv Chirp

Features overview

• Bright, sunlight-readable 4.3” combo
• Includes GT20 transducer for Garmin CHIRP traditional sonar plus CHIRP ClearVü scanning sonar with transom and trolling motor mounts
• Preloaded BlueChart g3 charts with integrated Navionics data for the coastal U.S.
• Built-in Garmin Quickdraw Contours mapping software instantly creates personalized fishing maps on-screen with 1’ contours as you fish
• Share waypoints and routes with other ECHOMAP or STRIKER units

Why we love this fish finder

The Garmin Echomap Plus 44cv Chirp  has everything you need built-in to it.  It is an easy-to-install fish finder and easy to use, it has a clear 4.3” display that can be read on the sunniest of days. The package includes a GT20 transducer for traditional Garmin CHIRP sonar that has fantastic target separation and CHIRP ClearVü scanning sonar for nearly really clear images of what’s below the boat.

• Great GPS, very accurate at finding fish
• No WiFi – nothing techie here! Making it one of our easiest to use fish finders that anyone can use
• No Touch screen – What we love about this fish finder is it strips out anything unnecessary! (If
• In our opinion this fish finder is perfect for a small Jon Boat
• Comes from a brand you can trust: Garmin.

Our Rating 9/10

Conclusion

In this article, we have reviewed the best fish finders for a Jon Boat. From simple models that can be used by beginners to advanced units perfect if you’re an experienced fishing enthusiast.

Apart from the obvious pick of the Garmin Striker 4, our top pick is the Lowrance Hds 16 Live, a stunning fish finder that provides you with an accurate and vivid display. It also has built-in GPS so it can track all of your fishy adventures! However don’t forget to take into consideration the other options on this list before making up your mind.

If you are good with technology you may like the Deeper Pro Plus 2 which is an advanced smart fish finder that has WiFi and is stunningly accurate.

For the technological Luddites among you, you may want to check out the Garmin Echomap Plus 44cv Chirp.  This really is a ‘back to basics’ fish finder, and everything you need is right there but no over complicated features in this package.

Hopefully you will be a bit clearer now about which fish finder will suit your fishing needs the best.  It is important to remember that at all of the fish finders reviewed in this article are going to help you catch more fish than without anything at all! Your choice depends on your budget first and foremost, but remember if you purchase from Amazon.com financing options are available to spread the payments on certain fish finders.   If finding fish is more than just a hobby for you then you will want to invest in a really good fish finder that is going to last.  But luckily for the rest of us on lower budgets there are some fantastic models of fish finders now from a variety of high quality brands, making fish finding accessible for anyone who wants to get involved – this can only be a good thing!

I hope you found this article useful, please let us know in the comments below which your favourite fish finder for a Jon Boat is. Happy Fishing!