Best Jet Ski Fish Finders - Fish Finder Expert

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Product Links – Top Picks!

Keep reading to learn why these fish finders come so highly recommended, how to choose the right one for your needs, and how to use a fish finder to get the most out of your fishing trips.

Top-Rated Jet Ski Fish Finders with GPS

Lowrance Hook Reveal 5

The Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 has many features to boast about, including:

Splitshot Xdrc
GPS plotting
FishReveal

This fish finder combines the target separation capabilities of CHIP sonar with high-resolution imaging from DownScan to better illuminate fish and allow for easier identification.

The GPS plotting uses C-map contours to create high resolution, 1-foot contours of over 8,900 U.S. lakes, making navigation and charting of inland and coastal areas a breeze. You can even mark your favorite fishing spots and make routes for personal use.

The HDI transducer and autotuning sonar let you look deeper without spending valuable time adjusting settings, and all the information is displayed crisply on the 5-inch screen.

Check out the Lowrance Hook Reveal 5 Product Listing on Amazon.com…

Garmin Striker 4

Garmin’s Striker 4 has a smaller screen at only 3.5 inches and a weight of 8 ounces, but this small fish finder gets the job done. Despite its size, the Striker 4 features a combination fish finder/GPS that allows you to still navigate the open water while finding fishing holes.

Many consider this a fantastic value buy because most of your necessary features are available at the cost of a smaller screen.

You still have access to a waypoint map where you can mark, view, and navigate to your favorite locations. The fish finder also utilizes CHIRP sonar for crisper fish arches and better target separation.

Click here to read our review of the Garmin Striker 4 Fish Finder…

Click here to jump to the product page for the Garmin Striker 4 Fish Finder on Amazon.com…

Lowrance HOOK2 4×4 GPS

The HOOK2 4×4 GPS is another Lowrance finder that features a 4-inch high-resolution SolarMAX display. Even those who are not technologically inclined can easily navigate the keys and get where they need to be quick.

This fish finder has a broadband sounder using CHIRP, SideScan, and DownScan to create a comprehensive image of the water surrounding you. Autotuning sonar means you spend less time adjusting and more time fishing, and it doubles the CHIRP sonar coverage found in many other fish finders.

The HOOK2 4×4 has a full Chartplotter with basic GPS navigation options to allow you to add waypoints and follow trails. The built-in Wi-Fi capabilities allow you to stream directly to your phone.

Garmin Striker 4cv GPS

The Garmin Striker 4cv GPS is similar to the original Striker 4, but it deserves its own space on this list.

Along with all the basic features, this version has a slightly larger display and:

Allows you to add waypoints
Includes a speedometer
Is designed for better readability in sunlight

A major difference is the higher wattage that allows for better sonar in deep water conditions. Then the waves are returned you will have more accurate readings, which can make a world of difference when fishing.

Click here to check out the Garmin 4CV Product Listing on Amazon.com…

Garmin echoMAP UHD 64cv

The echoMAP UHD 64cv may have a larger screen at 6 inches, but it is still small enough to mount on your jet ski.

The GT24 transducer paves the way for ultra high definition and clearer sonar scanning, especially when paired with Garmin’s high-wide CHIRP sonar.

This fish finder comes preloaded with inland maps, including more than 17,000 lakes with up to 1-inch contours. You can create your own maps with those same contours, and can even share on Garmin Connect™ for others to use.

This fish finder has plenty of other features, including autopilot connection, weather, and wi-fi connectivity to make it a technological powerhouse as well. Pairing with all-in-one applications and online features helps keep you updated with software and capabilities.

Click here to jump to the product listing on Amazon.com…

What to Consider When Shopping for a Jet Ski Fish Finder

When you are shopping for a fish finder for your jet ski you should know what exactly you are looking for and what you need. Understanding how a fish finder works has a lot to do with it, but there are several factors to consider.

Fish finders can come as standalone units, but many prefer those with chart plotting and GPS capabilities. Higher-end fishfinders are available to connect to systems created on your boat, including Bluetooth or WiFi, and have features beyond fish finding.

Screen size is another major consideration. Fish finder screens can range from 5 inches (sometimes smaller) up to as much as 12 inches, but you want a smaller screen for your jet ski. Look for as many pixels per square inch as you can afford for a higher resolution and clearer imaging.

Fish finders with more watts are more powerful, and you will see this shown as watts RMS (root mean squared). This will allow you to see better in the water, look further, and better distinguish between your targets and other structures. Fish finders with 500 watts (RMS) get the job done.

The frequency of the transducers will have a lot of effect on the success of your trip. Higher frequencies tend to provide better details with minimal background noise, but they do not work as deep as lower frequencies. This is because the lower frequency can travel further with greater accuracy.

How a Fish Finder Works

Fish finders are used primarily to detect schools of fish, and those with GPS features help find specific locations and mark your favorite fishing spots.

A fish finder provides you with plenty of information regarding what is going on underneath you, including:

The depth of the water
The condition of the seabed
The distribution of fish schools

It gets this information by transmitting ultrasonic waves into the water. When the waves hit an object in the water they are reflected, and the fish finder uses this reflection to gather information.

These waves can be transmitted directly underneath you, but several models now send ultrasonic waves below and to the sides. The reflection received is converted into an electrical signal, and that is sent to the receiving circuit of the fish finder.

This receiving circuit does its best to amplify weak signals and process the information, generating images to display on the screen. There are several screen options available, but most jet-ski owners prefer screens at 6 inches or less with a sun-resistant, color LCD.

Stronger reflections are shown in orange or red, while weaker ones are often green or blue. The stronger reflections are usually fish schools or a high density of rocks on the seabed. The weaker signals may indicate smaller fish or schools with less density.

The Parts of a Fish Finder

There are two main parts to a fish finder.

The main unit is the screen, and you want to keep this nearby when you are on your jet ski. Without the main unit, you cannot translate the information gathered by the transducer, and you will not be able to use the fish finder to locate fish.

The transducer is the part that sends off the ultrasonic waves and receives the information. The transducer should be mounted to the bottom of your vessel, either on or inside the hull.

The performance of your fish finder relies heavily on how the transducer is mounted. You can choose to install it yourself, but handing the job off to a trained professional might save you strife in the long run. This gives you the security of knowing that your transducer will be able to properly capture reflected waves for accurate fish finding.

Why Use a Fish Finder on a Jet Ski

If you have ever used a jet ski for fishing then you understand what a valuable took it can be. While your boat can do the heavy work to get you out in the water, a jet ski allows you to navigate to tighter spaces and more shallow water.

Unfortunately, the moment you are away from the boat you lose the help of any technology installed there to assist you. Adding a fish finder to your jet ski can be inexpensive and easy to do, and it results in more accuracy and less time wasted searching for fish in these unique areas.

How to Install a Fish Finder on a Jet Ski

To install a fish finder on a jet ski you should first install a transducer mount to the hull. Most mounts are universal, so you can adapt them to fit fish finder brands like Lowrance or Garmin easily. You can also adjust the depth for low- and high-speed readings, all while keeping your electronics safe and secure.

After the transducer mount is installed, securing a RAM mount to the dash or steering system of your jet ski will help you keep the fish finder screen and controls at hand. Again, most RAM mounts are adjustable to fit your system, but you should take extra care to make sure what you purchase will keep everything secure.

Depending on the model of your jet ski, there may be holes that you can run the transducer cable through without making any of your own. If this is not the case, then be prepared to drill a hole for the cable to come out of the hull.

If you do not need or are not worried about water temperature readings, then the transducer can be put in the hull for a more streamlined installation. This would keep you from drilling into your hull.

You can also use silicone caulk to secure the transducer, but this is not nearly as secure and you risk losing your investment for a little less work. The silicone caulk will come in handy sealing up any bolts or holes.

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