Best Fish Finder for Small Boat

If you’re fishing on a smaller boat, you’ll need a compact and efficient fish finder for your trip. We’ve reviewed the top 5 fish finders for small boat fishing here, including our top choice, best value, best castable, best mountable, best portable, and best wireless fish finders.

Fish finders provide top information for fishermen; not only do they detect the presence of fish, but they can help monitor water temperature, water depth, baitfish, and bottom topography. For those on kayaks, dinghies, flats boats, and jon boats, size is of the essence. Our reviewed fish finders have been built to maximize space and function for small boat fishermen.

Top Choice – Humminbird Helix 5

The Helix 5 by Humminbird is the newest replacement for the last Helix 5 G2 model. This fish finder is part of a series by Humminbird which turns the display on a landscape orientation, making it much clearer for displaying images. You’ll find all of the features you’re looking for with the clarity you didn’t know you needed on the Helix 5.

Features

The Helix 5 displays information on a 5-inch LCD screen. Using CHIRP Dual Beam Sonar, this model allows you to customize their imaging, constantly scan the happenings under your boat. CHIRP stands for Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse. The Helix 5 also includes side imaging and down imaging.

You’ll be able to see its images clearly and with quality at 800 x 480 pixels with a 256 color TFT display. You can compare that with the 800 series, which is only 2 inches wider but with the same resolution!

The Helix 5 also uses a new plastic gimbal mount, which may be different from the traditional mounts other fish finders use.

For GPS mapping, this fish finder uses MicroSD cards by LakeMaster or Navionic Gold/HotMaps, which you can input on its left side.

Pros

The Helix 5’s upsides include:

• CHIRP sonar
• Full-featured side imaging, down imaging, and GPS combo
• High-resolution display

Cons

The downfalls of the Helix 5 are:

• Non-networkable
• The new mount may not be compatible with previous mounts
• Bulkier than some competing fish finders

Price

The Helix 5 by Humminbird’s price starts at $330 and can change depending on which add-on features you request.

Best Value – Garmin Striker 4

The Garmin Striker 4 is a great entry-level model by Garmin bringing you more for less. It’s ideal for a fisherman on the move, as well as those changing between different small fishing boats, especially those in kayaks.

Despite a big price difference, the Striker 4 offers strong competition for the more expensive Garmin fish finder models.

Features

Much like our top-rated fish finder, the Striker 4 also includes CHIRP technology. This technology emits pulses instead of single or dual frequencies, which allows to it cross a wide range of frequencies at once.

This technology allows the Striker 4 to offer clean images on its 3.5-inch diagonal display. Not only that, but when using its GPS, you can also mark your favorite waypoints, including your dock, boat ramp, or shoreside campsite.

The Striker 4 can be combined with transducer mounts, screen covers, bags, and other accessories. One bonus feature includes the ice fishing mode, called flasher. Useful for any season, the Striker 4 is a great fish finder option for those who want all the bells and whistles on a budget.

Pros

The Garmin Striker 4 offers:

• CHIRP technology
• A variety of accessories
• Low price for very compact fish finders

Cons

The Striker 4’s downfalls include:

• Requiring a 12V power source
• Smaller screen

Price

The Garmin Striker 4 has a listed price of $119.99.

Best Castable – Deeper Pro+ Smart Sonar

This castable fish finder by Deeper can connect to your iOS or Android device without Bluetooth. By scanning your location every 15 seconds, the Pro+ Smart Sonar provides the clearest updates as you fish.

If you’re able to have data on your phone while on the water, you’ll even be able to save a record of your trip by uploading results to the Cloud.

Since this model is a castable weighing around 2.5 oz, you’ll want to have at least middleweight tackle to master casting your Deeper fish finder.

Features

The Pro+ Smart Sonar offers Wi-Fi technology for easy connection with your phone or tablet. The GPS system captures accurate feedback of fishing locations and depth. For anglers, this is an excellent addition to any fishing trip. This system also shows you the contour and floor of the water to give you insight as to the best bait placements in your area.

The Deeper Pro+ Smart Sonar offers 4 modes for users: standard, onshore GPS, boat mode, and ice fishing mode. There are also different attachment points depending on whether you’re fishing from a dock, shore, or boat.

Pros

The Pro+ Smart Sonar offers:

• Wi-Fi connection
• Compatible for iOS and Android devices
• Lightweight and portable

Cons

Some of the downfalls include:

• Casting issues due to weight
• Connection concerns
• Works best in non-shallow waters

Price

You can find the Deeper Pro+ Smart Sonar castable fish finder online for around $180.

Best Mountable – Humminbird Piranhamax 3 DI

Another Humminbird model, the Piranhamax 3 DI, has captured the post of best mountable fish finder for small boats. It includes the basic features and necessities, offering a straightforward option for those who aren’t interested in extra, perhaps unnecessary features.

Features

One of the most practical features of the Piranhamax 3 DI is its flush mount transducer. Being easy to set up, you can even tilt and swivel the fish finder to increase your viewing angles – something that is more important than you think when handling a rod on a swaying vessel.

The Piranhamax 3 DI offers down imaging to find your fish with easy installation and a reasonable price.

Pros

The Humminbird Piranhamax 3 DI has:

• Down imaging on a 4.3-inch LCD
• Dual-beam sonar
• Easy installation and efficient mount

Cons

The downfalls are:

• Lacks advanced features, such as GPS, side imaging, etc.

Price

The Piranhamax 3 DI is listed online at $139.00.

Best Portable – LUCKY Handheld

The handheld LUCKY fish finder is compact, efficient, and perfect for fishing on small boats. It fits right in your hand with a 2-inch display. Especially great for kayaks, you can change positions quickly while receiving the latest data on your LUCKY Handheld.

Features

This Handheld fish finder comes with a 45° cone viewing angle which allows you to view information from up to 328 feet away. The LUCKY Handheld also includes a 25 ft. cable and removable transducer float.

The fish finder runs on 4 AAA batteries which eliminates the need to return to shore to charge your device.

Pros

The LUCKY Handheld fish finder is:

• Easy to operate
• Lightweight and portable
• Available with multiple sensitivity modes

Cons

The downfalls are:

• Lacks advanced features
• Reads in meters (not feet)

Price

The LUCKY Handheld starts at $42.99 with other upgraded models available.

Best Wireless – Deeper Chirp Smart Sonar

Another excellent castable fish finder is the Deeper Chirp Smart Sonar. With great connectivity over a variety of depths, this fish finder is excellent for small boats and small lakes.

Using a wireless fish finder eliminates the cables and mess that could take up vital space on a small boat.

Features

The Chirp Smart Sonar allows you to chart locations and create your own maps, measuring depth, locating targets, and keep track of your favorite (or least favorite) fishing spots.

It has excellent connectivity for up to 330 feet of distance and is accurate in its readings.

Its fast-charging battery charges to full in as little as 75 minutes for fishing on a kayak, SUP, small boat, beach, or while ice-fishing.

Pros

The Deeper Chirp Smart Sonar:

• Syncs with smart devices easily through Wi-Fi
• Is highly accurate
• has well over 300 feet of connectivity

Cons

Its downfalls include;

• You must create an account to use it
• Castability concerns, as with any castable fish finder

Price

The Deeper Chirp Smart Sonar ranges from $249-$349 depending on the model and add-ons.

Choosing Your Fish Finder

When fishing on a small boat, your fish finder needs to be accurate, compact, and efficient. There are certain factors to consider when choosing which model is right for you, including the display, frequency/sonar, mounting, and size.

Display

While many people choose to sacrifice their display for a smaller size, you can find some great resolution options on compact fish finders. You’ll have to decide whether it’s worth shelling out the extra bucks to have 70-inch TV screen quality on a smaller 3-inch display or not.

Frequency/Sonar

Your sonar or transducer will determine your fish finder’s frequency. Frequency is the device’s ability to send sonar waves into the water and through any obstacles.

Higher frequencies are best for shallow waters, whereas lower frequencies have a higher range for deeper waters, but with less accuracy.

Mounting

You’ll need to decide how and where you want to mount your fish finders. Choosing between a portable, mounted, or castable fish finder is a personal decision based on preference.

Size

As with all small boats, smaller fish finders are key. Even though most are no wider than a few inches, you’ll have options of different compact lengths, from 2-inch to 5-inches and beyond.

 

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