Top 10 Best ️‍Fish Finders | fish

Whether you've been fishing for 40 years or 4 years, someone you know catches more fish because they're using the best fish finder. I've been fishing with and without fish finders for decades, and I'll tell you what, having a crappy one will hurt you more than having none.

If you're a fan of endless fishtail goose chase all day, then by all means keep going. If you want an honest review of the best fish finders so you can catch more fish and catch them faster, keep reading!

1/ Garmin Striker Plus 4

Garmin Striker Plus 4

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Striker Plus 4

• Type: Dual Beam Transducer

• Display: 4.3"

• Dimensions: 3.9 x 1.8 x 6.9"

FEATURED SPECS

The GPS Fish Finder features a highly sensitive GPS that maintains a position wherever you go. It creates maps of the places you have visited and allows you to create marks in case of a fish bites there.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

The highly visible screen makes it easy to see even in direct sunlight.

PURCHASING TIPS

It is one of the best fish finders for ice fishing, also if you buy it with the portable kit. It comes with a cover that you can lay down and attach to the ice.

Advantages

• Excellent fish finder for the money

• Fits well on the boat

• Create maps quickly

Inconvenient

• Do not use with saltwater

• Limited display options

Why did we choose it?

The Garmin Striker 4 is one of the most popular fish finders on the market. It comes with a dual-beam transducer and chirp technology. The Finder creates stunning images of fish underwater and maps up to two million acres, which you can store on the device. With Garmin's Quickdraw Contours feature, you can also develop and store maps.

Personally, I like the design of the fish finder, I think it is durable and long-lasting, and most people don't seem to have any issues with it even after prolonged use. The Garmin Striker is one of the best on the market today.

2/ Humminbird HELIX 7

Humminbird HELIX 7

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Humminbird HELIX 7

• Type: Down Imaging Fish Finder

• Display: 7.0"

• Dimensions: 10.5 x 3.6 x 5.8"

FEATURED SPECS

The mega-down imaging of this fish finder is amazing. You will have a view of the bottom of the lake like you have never seen before.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Has two modes that let you control how much or how little detail you have. There is also the G2 GPS upgrade.

PURCHASING TIPS

The Helix 7 has a highly visible screen, which makes it ideal for use in sunny weather. Upgrade to G2 GPS for mapping and triple shot transducer.

Advantages

• Big screen

• Down Imaging

• Exceptional underwater details

• Low-chirp transducer

Inconvenient

• Does not come with an SD card (includes micro SD card slot)

• Does not contain side imaging capabilities

Why did we choose it?

My favorite thing about the Humminbird Helix 7 is the two different viewing modes. You can scale it down and search for a smaller area, but you'll get exceptionally fine detail. You can also expand the coverage more widely with less detail. These two settings help you locate more fish with ideal target separation, fine-tune and find out exactly what they are doing and where they are. The Helix 7 is an excellent choice for downward imaging.

3/ Lowrance Hook Reveal

Lowrance Hook Reveal

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Lowrance Hook Reveal

• Type: DownScan, SideScan, TripleShot

• Display: 7″

• Resolution: 800 x 480 pixels

Advantages

• Newly improved FishReveal sonar

• TripleShot 3-in-1 transducer has everything you need

• Highly customizable sonar settings make it beginner-friendly

• Excellent price for the average angler

Inconvenient

• No networking or Bluetooth

• No touch screen (not so bad)

Why did we choose it?

The Lowrance Hook Reveal hit the market in early 2020, with the main headline upgrade being that of their sonar technology. They added FishReveal technology which is truly something we have never seen for a fish finder under $1000. The feature provides excellent target separation, sharper images, and fish arches.

The goal here is to help you better separate the fish from everything else. Ideally, you'll have an easier time identifying pockets of fish as well as the structure around them to verify why they might be clinging to a specific area.

On top of that, you also get Genesis Live Mapping which is very similar to the aforementioned Humminbird AutoChart. Mapping offers a great outline with a variety of different displays so you can play around and see which one you like best.

The grandfather feature of this fish finder is the optional TripleShot transducer that you've probably heard of. Essentially, you have the choice to decide if you prefer down-scan, side-scan, both, or all of them, including dual-scan CHIRP.

I have to say that for a fish finder fully equipped with all the best and latest technology, it is really affordable. Even if you decide to knock yourself out and go with the TripleShot transducer, you're still making around $600 or less.

4/ Lowrance Elite FS

Lowrance Elite FS

SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: Active Imaging 3-in-1

• Display: 7-9″

• Dimensions: 3.05″ x 7.04″ x 11.02″

Advantages

• Wide range of networking capabilities

• 3-in-1 sonar with active imaging

• C-Map with Navionics

Inconvenient

• High price

• Mapping is limited to the United States and Canada

Why did we choose it?

The Lowrance Elite FS is the crème de la crème when it comes to next-gen fish finders. It comes with full networking capabilities so you can share data between fish finders and other compatible devices.

It comes with just about every sonar type you can think of, including active imaging, down-scan, and side-scan. Plus, you get cartography C-Map and Navionics chart plotting.

Active Target is probably the main standout feature. This lets you see the fish move in real-time. Many fish finders advertise it, but very few tools relate to it. Lowrance actually offers live sonar in the Elite FS. If you have deep enough pockets, I highly recommend giving this fish finder a more in-depth look.

5/ Humminbird 410150-1 Piranhamax

Humminbird 410150-1 Piranhamax

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: 410150-1 Piranhamax 4

• Type: Dual Beam Sonar

• Display: 4.3"

• Dimensions: 4x7x3"

FEATURED SPECS

This fish finder with a 4.3-inch display screen focuses primarily on displaying changes in the ground structure below you.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

The Piranhamax 4 uses dual beam sonar with a 28 x 16 coverage area using less than 10 decibels of frequency.

PURCHASING TIPS

It has a low screen resolution and isn't as accurate as some would prefer. Therefore, I would recommend this fish finder to beginners who are unsure if they will actually use it.

Advantages

• Affordable

• Dual sonar

• Optimal target separation for precise imaging

Inconvenient

• Not as clear as most options

• Doesn't have much precision around fish locations

Why did we choose it?

If you're trying to find fish and are thinking of trying something, you'll want to get this one. You can get it for less than $200, and while it won't show you much, you'll get an idea of ​​how to spot elevation differences and pick up a sonar fish.

Don't let this fish finder put you off if it doesn't help you as much as you'd like. Some of the other options here are much more specific.

6/ Deeper Chirp Smart Sonar

Deeper Chirp Smart Sonar

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: DEE-ITGAM0631

• Type: Castable Chirp Fish Finder

• Display: N/A

• Dimensions: N/A

FEATURED SPECS

This is a throwable fish finder that you will toss in the water and use like a bobber. It has a maximum distance of 330 feet and precise sweeping throughout the course.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

You will see what is happening underwater by connecting the fish finder to the Fish Deeper app on your smartphone.

PURCHASING TIPS

It is one of the best deep-water fish finders because of the distance. If you're trying to see what's around the middle of the lake, this is a good option. You can also upgrade to Deeper Pro.

Advantages

• Easy to use

• Connect to an app

• Long-distance

• Create maps and save them using the app

Inconvenient

• Problems if you use it for ice fishing

• Occasional read errors

Why did we choose it?

This castable fish finder is a pretty cool change from what we normally see on the market. The best fish finders offer versatility and user-friendliness, and this one offers both of those things. Some people don't like the fact that you have to download an app. There is also the improved model, the Deeper Pro

Another problem I see is with ice fishing. Most people will still use a fish finder when ice fishing because it is incredibly difficult to locate fish otherwise. Sometimes the weight of your body on the ice causes errors in the sight-reading. So I wouldn't suggest this model if you plan to be on the ice.

7/ Humminbird Solix 10

Humminbird Solix 10

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: SOLIX 10 G2

• Type: HD Down/Side Imaging Chirp Sonar

• Display: 10.1"

• Dimensions: 11.81 x 7.89 x 4.45"

Advantages

• 10″ touch screen

• Customizable dashboard with a large number of combinations

• Support for Mega SI, DI, and Dual Spectrum Chirp

• Ethernet and Bluetooth compatibility

Inconvenient

• Expensive

• Many premium features require additional purchases, transducers, etc.

Why did we choose it?

All in all, you are looking at one of the best fish finders to ever grace the wonderful world of fishing. It's nothing less than I expected from a company like Humminbird. The 10″ screen is top of the line and it has one of the best touch screens I have ever seen.

I'm a well-known "touchscreen hater", but the screen is responsive, easy to navigate, and weather-resistant enough. If you have to stray from it, it also comes with a joystick which I find much easier to use than your traditional buttons or keys.

The sonar is excellent as expected from a fish finder in this price range. You get Dual Spectrum CHIRP, Down Imaging, and Side Imaging as an optional purchase. If you don't want to shell out for it, you can choose either, which I think is fine. You can also upgrade to the MEGA 360 transducer which will give you a 360-degree view around the boat.

The Solix also includes the basic Humminbird map offering over 10,000 inland lakes with a chart plotter and GPS. AutoChart is known as one of the best mapping features ever made. It offers precise contouring, hardness, structure, and vegetation sweeping.

Like I said, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more comprehensive fish finder that offers the latest and greatest features. The Solix 10 is near perfect, buttoned up with a cute bow on top. It is definitely aimed at tournament anglers with a high price tag. If you have the deep pockets for it, this fish finder is sure to impress.

This downscan fish finder is the Rolls Royce of its kind. It comes with optimal display size with side and down imaging. The chirp displays arches and provides a clear view of where they are and what they are holding.

8/ Lowrance HDS Live

Lowrance HDS Live

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Lowrance HDS Live

• Type: DownScan, SideScan, StructureScan

• Display: 7.0″-16.0″

• Resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels

Advantages

• Incredible screen size and resolution

• Standard 3 in 1 transducer

• Over-the-air Bluetooth compatibility

• C-Map Genesis function

Inconvenient

• super expensive

Why did we choose it?

If a price doesn't matter and you just want the best fish finder money can buy, you've pretty much found it in the Lowrance HDS Live. The feature that stands out the most is the incredibly impressive high-resolution screen.

It comes with a wide viewing angle, a super clean display, and the SolarMAX HD display comes with a backlight that provides a clear view in any condition.

You also get a 6-split screen if you upgrade to the HDS Live 12 or 16 models. This means you can have up to six different views on your screen at the same time.

The 3-in-1 transducer is another great feature and something we've come to expect from a fish finder in this price range. It comes with a down sweep, side sweep, and structural sweep. Best of all, you get the latest and greatest in FishReveal technology, just like in the Lowrance Hook Reveal.

Finally, the Lowrance HDS also comes with some of the best mappings on the market. C-Map Genesis Live lets you make changes to maps and save them to your own personal SD card.

You can also share them between other fish finders, smartphones, and other devices that sync to your fishfinder using Bluetooth compatibility.

9/ Garmin Panoptix Livescope

Garmin Panoptix Livescope

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Garmin Panoptix Livescope

• Type: DownScan, SideScan, Structures can

• Display: N/A

• Resolution: N/A

Advantages

• Great range up to 200 feet

• Image stabilization provides high-quality image even in poor conditions

• Many viewing options

Inconvenient

• Requires you to purchase a separate unit as it does not come with a screen

• Compatibility could be a challenge

Why did we choose it?

Here we are looking at something a little different from the norm. The Panoptix Livescope is a transducer-only fish finder that you can pair with a wide assortment of Garmin fish finders. The list of compatible devices is seemingly endless, with the Echomap being one of the most popular options.

The main thing that separates this device from the competition is the promise of true "live" imaging. Many fish finders will use the term "live", but they are not actually 100% alive. I can say that this fish finder offers completely live an image of exactly what's going on below the surface, and it's pretty amazing, to say the least.

It comes with three modes including down-scan, side-scan, and structural scan. You're left with virtually nothing to desire other than an actual screen to see this. Compatibility can be an issue when things don't work properly and if you're not the most tech-savvy you might find it hard to get everything to work together.

10/ LUCKY Handheld Fish Finder

LUCKY Handheld Fish Finder

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: FFC1108-1

• Type: Handheld

• Display: 2.0"

• Dimensions: 5.9 x 3.9 x 3.9"

FEATURED SPECS

This fish finder comes with five different sensitivity modes depending on how you fish, where you fish, and what you fish.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

It comes with a 25ft cable providing versatility of how you want to put it in the water. It is also one of the best saltwater fish finders due to its durability and portability.

PURCHASING TIPS

It may not offer the most advanced display other than fish and grass images, but it is one of the best portable fish finders. I also think it would work well from the shore if you cast it with a second rod.

Advantages

• Easy to use

• Affordable portable fish finder

• Solid battery life of up to five hours

• Five different sensitivity modes

Inconvenient

• Does not offer advanced imaging

• Small screen size

Why did we choose it?

This fish finder takes us back to the basics and why we want one in the first place. We need a fish finder to find fish, and this one does a good job without all the frills. It is affordable and one of the best portable fish finders on the market.

FAQs

What is a fish finder?

A fish finder is a device that uses sonar waves underwater to identify disturbances in the water. These waves bounce off anything, and the device then determines whether it is a fish or a structure. Some high-quality fish finders even identify the size of the fish.

How to install a fish finder?

The method of installing a fish finder depends on many different factors. The type of boat you own, the type of finder, your style of fishing, the material of your boat, the type of mount you have, etc.

How to read a sounder?

Your viewfinder will usually come with a few different reading methods. One looks like a topographic map. Many come with color screens to identify elevation changes underwater. This helps you determine drop-offs and changes in the bottom to help you locate ideal fishing spots.

Another method will use sonar waves, which will display ripples on the screen. These ripples or "waves" are fish. Some have an image of a fish, while others show waves or curves.

Finally, having to choose the best sounder requires knowing how to read them correctly. Make sure you know what you're doing to get the most out of your device.

Are fish finders waterproof?

Most fish finders are not waterproof, but they are water-resistant. You can't completely submerge them underwater, but if they get wet, it won't hurt them. If you have a sinkable fish finder, you know they have the highest water resistance based on depth and pressure.

The transducer supplied with your fish finder is waterproof as part of it will be continuously submerged underwater.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right fish finder is not easy. It's an expensive purchase, and it's something that you hope will last a long time. Many factors go into this decision, and much of the technology behind how they work isn't easy to understand. I hope this guide cleared up some of your confusion and pointed you in the right direction.

All of the fish finder reviews above are great options; it's just a matter of choosing the one that's right for you. I recommend the Garmin Striker Plus 4 because it offers the most features for an affordable price.

If you're like me, you just want something to do its duty without all the smoke and mirrors. This fish finder will do the trick. Good luck there!