Kayak fishing is growing in popularity within the United States, and many people are getting into this sport. What’s drawing them towards kayak fishing? Well, there are many reasons, but they are mainly attracted to it because of the excitement of fishing in open waters, and the fact that kayaks allow them to fish in just about any body of water.
Once you have gotten your fishing kayak, the next important thing you will need is a fish finder. With a fish finder on your kayak, you will know where to cast your line. You will need the best fish finder to ensure that every moment in the kayak counts. How do you choose a fish finder that’s right for you when there are so many options out there? The different features can certainly be confusing. That’s why we are here. We have done the legwork for you and listed some of the best kayak fish finders available in the market.
Best Kayak Fish Finders
1. LUCKY Handheld Fish Finder
The LUCKY Handheld Fish Finder is one of the most affordable kayak fish finders available in the market. Despite being reasonably priced, this fish finder boasts impressive features and is quite flexible. A 25 ft. transducer cable comes with it, allowing you to mount the display where it’s convenient. This sonar transducer can image depths of up to 328 feet, and it includes both fish school and fish alarms, which means that you won’t miss out on any opportunity to detect and catch fish. The LUCKY handheld fish finder provides bottom contour information and water depth so you can see whether you are floating over gravel, sand, or grass.
2. Garmin Striker 4
The Garmin Striker 4 is a good option for someone who needs a reliable and advanced fish finder for regular use. It boasts some essential elements that can enhance your kayak fishing experience. This fish finder is available in different display sizes including 7 inches, 5 inches, and 3.4 inches. The key features of the Garmin Striker 4 are CHIRP sonar, waypoint map, ClearVu scanning sonar, a built-in flasher, and a large display.
The high-sensitivity GPS is perhaps the most outstanding feature of the Garmin Striker 4. It allows you to see where you are on the water and set waypoints so that you don’t lose your way while exploring unfamiliar territories. The waypoint option comes in handy to mark, view, and navigate various locations.
The Garmin Striker 4 also shows the speed of your kayak on the screen. This feature helps you set the right speed for the type of species you are fishing. It also assists you in adjusting your speed in wake-controlled locations. A portable kit comes with the Garmin Striker 4 fish finder so that you can carry it safely in your kayak. The package features a rechargeable battery with a charger and a few other accessories.
3. Evoyo Portable 7-inch LCD Monitor Fish Finder
If you love kayak fishing in various water environments, consider adding the Evoyo Portable Fish Finder to your shortlist. This fish finder boasts excellent features that make it a great choice for recreational fishermen and anglers. The key features of the Evoyo Portable Fish Finder include 12-piece infrared LEDs, 8 hours of working time, HD 1000 TVL camera, and a 7-inch LCD monitor.
The large LCD display of the Evoyo Portable makes it easier to read the information on the screen. The 12 infrared LED lights of the fish finder enable you to see underwater even in dark environments. This feature makes the Evoyo Portable useful for kayak fishers who like going in the water late at night or early in the morning. The underwater HD 1000TVL camera included in the package comes with a removable sun-visor, making it a great option for bright environments.
A carrying case is also included to protect the fish finder from damage. The battery of the Evoyo Portable Fish Finder can last a maximum of 8 hours. This fish finder is an excellent choice for sea and lake kayak fishing and good for both novice and professional fishermen.
4. Adkwse Portable Fish Finder Wireless Transducer
The Adkwse Portable Fish Finder is a good option for recreational fishermen. Its key features include size distinguishing, dual charging, portable design, and long-distance receiving. The Adkwse Portable Fish Finder’s maximum wireless receiving distance is 120 m. It can detect depths of up to 50 m and also has 90° super wide-angle detection. The frequency of the wireless transducer is 125 Hz, and it can withstand temperatures between -20° and 70°. Since the Adkwse Portable Fish Finder isn’t affected by harsh temperatures, you can use it various fishing environments.
One of the most impressive features of the Adkwse Portable Fish Finder is that it can distinguish the size of the fish. Moreover, it is extremely portable, so you can take it with you to various fishing spots. The dual-charging function is also there, which allows you to recharge the transducer and receiver within five hours. Overall, the Adkwse Portable Fish Finder is great for kayak fishing in different water environments and should help you detect favorable fishing spots.
5. LUCKY Wireless Sonar Fish Finder
The LUCKY Wireless Sonar Fish Finder is designed for you to use in environments where finding fish might be hard. Its main features include a Wi-Fi fish finder app, sonar sensor depth detection, portable design, and a fish alarm. The Lucky Wireless Sonar Fish Finder can detect water depth, underwater contours, water temperature, and fish size. It works well in all water conditions so you can use it for both saltwater and freshwater kayak fishing. It offers a Wi-Fi coverage range of 164 feet while its depth detection range is 147 feet.
You can connect the sonar sensor to your smartphone with the Wi-Fi fish finder app. Both Android and iOS phones are supported. As soon as a fish is detected by the sensor, the app will notify you. A water temperature sensor is built into the fish finder, which makes it convenient to use. You can use the LUCKY Wireless Sonar Fish Finder for river, lake or ocean kayak fishing. If you are using the gadget for ice fishing, you’ll have to dig a hole first and then place the Lucky Fish Finder in the water.
6. Raymarine Dragonfly Pro Chirp Fish Finder
This kayak fish finder uses advanced CHIRP technology to provide you with more details and clearer images. The key features of the Raymarine Dragonfly Pro Chirp Fish Finder include a built-in GPS, mounted transducer, LCD display, and an IPX6 and IPX7 waterproof rating. The ball-and-socket mounting system of this fish finder makes it easier to install than some of the other fish finders out there. The mount can also be upgraded using other ball-and-socket systems for improved functionality. This enables you to install the Raymarine Dragonfly Pro Chirp fish finder in various areas like the bottom of your kayak.
This model boasts a wireless design with a Wi-Fi function. The Raymarine mobile app allows you to stream data from the sonar onto your smartphone. The app puts the sonar vision of the fish finder in your hands, allowing you to capture and rewind sonar images with ease.
The Raymarine Dragonfly Pro Chirp Fish Finder boasts a lathe LCD, capable of withstanding almost all weather conditions. This makes it a good option for offshore fishing, kayak fishing, and even ice fishing. If you are looking for an accurate fish finder with a bright display that’s suitable for use with a kayak at low speeds, the Raymarine Dragonfly Pro Chirp Fish Finder should be on your shortlist.
7. The Deeper Smart Sonar Pro+
The Deeper Smart Sonar Pro+ is a great option for anyone looking for a portable, wireless, and super light fish finder for their kayak. It seamlessly weaves kayak fishing into a smartphone interface, making it easier to track fish. The battery life of the Deeper Smart Sonar Pro+ is 5.5 hours (with continuous use). It can easily float in saltwater and freshwater to give you a layout of the bottom.
The Deeper Smart Sonar Pro+ was designed to help fishermen find the best spots for fishing. The unique feature of this fish finder is that you can tie it with fishing line and cast it out to scan the whole area between your boat and the end of the line. This way, you can determine where you should cast and how deep fish are in the vicinity. This feature makes the Deeper Smart Sonar Pro+ a great option for kayak fishing. The Deeper Smart Sonar Pro+ mobile app comes with maps, a diary, and a fishing log.
The Deeper Smart Sonar Pro+ uses advanced technology to enhance the user’s fishing experience, and it operates just as well as any other kayak fish finders on this list.
8. HawkEye Fishtrax 1C Fish Finder
The HawkEye Fishtrax 1C Fish Finder is a popular option among recreational fisherman. In size, it is equal to a smartphone and can easily fit in the palm of your hand. This fish finder comes with a boat mountable, troll-able, and floatable transducer. The Hawkeye Fishtrax 1C is similar to the Garmin Striker in terms of metrics, size, and functionality.
It features 100 levels of sensitivity adjustment, an 83 kHz/200 kHz transducer, and auto-zoom bottom tracking that you can use to fine-tune the reading to deep or shallow waters. The Hawkeye Fishtrax 1C is simple in operation – it boasts three user-friendly modes that’ll provide you with a concise and quick reading whenever you need it. It also has an Ice Mode Digital Flasher that makes it suitable for multi-season use and ice fishing.
9. Humminbird 110 Fishin’ Buddy
The Hummingbird 110 Fishin’ Buddy is a unique fish finder. It’s ultra-portable and can be used on a dock, boat, kayak, and even a float tube. There aren’t any screws involved as the Humminbird 110 uses a clamp mount for fastening the display and transducer to the anchor. This model’s sonar frequency is 200 kHz/455 kHz, which will give you a clear reading. It has an impressive 30-hour battery life, and it can scan to a maximum depth of 240 feet. The display is black and white, but this doesn’t affect the performance of the fish finder. The screen has a generous size of 3.5” and is sunlight readable, so you won’t have any problem interpreting the information on the screen.
The Humminbird 110 Fishin’ Buddy is an ideal option for those who need an ultra-portable option for their kayak without having to use a Wi-Fi or mobile app.
10. Venterior VT-FF001 Portable Fish Finder
If you are looking for an inexpensive fish finder for your kayak, consider the Venterior VT-FF001 Portable Fish Finder. You can easily mount it on your kayak and read various parameters on the display. Since this fish finder is smaller in size compared to some of the other kayak fish finders, it can be used in plenty of situations. You can take it on your lake trips to detect fish location and depth. It displays the approximate locations of the fish schools. Not only that, but the Venterior VT-FF001 also lets you see weeds, sand, rocks, and other peripherals under the water. It is suitable for sea, lake, and other fishing environments.
The transducer that comes with the Venterior VT-FF001 has a 25’ cable. It can detect depths up to 328 feet allowing you to detect the fish under your kayak. Other interesting features include a battery saver mode, fish alarm, and backlight mode.
11. Lowrance Hook-4 Fish Finder
The Lowrance Hook-4 boasts all the features you would want in a kayak fish finder. With split-screen functions, a simple interface and a 4-inch display, this product is fairly easy to use. It boasts a CHIRP sonar plus DownScan, which gives you a complete picture and a stunning resolution of the image on the color display. It has a 455 kHz/800 kHz and 83 kHZ/200 kHz transducer for sharp image processing, and on 83 kHz/200 kHz, it can reach up to 1000 feet deep.
The Advanced Signal Processing function of the Hook-4 allows you to find fish without manually adjusting the settings. This means that you can leave the fine-tuning to the fish finder and focus on finding the fish. The transducer is easy to mount and thanks to the 4-inch display, the Lowrance Fish Finder can split into three screens at a time. This fish finder also boasts built-in GPS with pre-installed maps allowing you to navigate through the waters with ease. If you are looking for a very technical and reliable fish finder for your kayak, the Lowrance Hook-4 is definitely worth considering.
12. Humminbird Helix Fish Finder
The Humminbird Helix Fish Finder is one of the high-end models on this list. It is an expensive fish finder, but the features and capabilities of this model justify the price. The main features of the Humminbird Helix Fish Finder include a 5-inch color display, internal GPS, 5 inches target separation, a micro-SD card slot, and CHIRP dual beam plus sonar.
This fish finder shoots high-frequency beams beneath the surface of the kayak to provide you with quality images. It reveals the contour, cover, and structures of the environment with supreme clarity. The side imaging feature of the Humminbird Helix Fish Finder provides you with a 180° side-to-side perspective of the world below. This makes it easier for you to locate fish schools and check the depth.
13. Garmin Striker Plus 5cv
If you are looking for a high-end fish finder for your kayak, consider the Garmin Striker Plus 5cv. Garmin is known for producing high performing fish finders, and this is one of their best models. The key features of the Garmin Striker Plus 5cv include built-in Garmin mapping software, built-in GPS and a 5-inch bright display.
This fish finder is made with high-quality materials, which makes it suitable for use in all water environments. Moreover, it provides quality results regardless of whether you are ice fishing or kayak fishing. The fish finder boasts a transducer and built-in Quickdraw Contours mapping software that enables you to create maps and store them with 1’ contours for a maximum of 2 million acres. This feature makes this fish finder ideal for kayak fishing where you might need to access pre-stored maps. With the built-in GPS, you can create routes and mark waypoints on the map. The GPS also shows you the speed of your kayak. The bright display of the Garmin Striker Plus 5cv allows you to read all the parameters on the screen easily.
Things to Consider when Buying a Fish Finder for a Kayak
l Does It Have a GPS?
The best kayak fish finders come with a GPS. This feature comes in handy when you are exploring unfamiliar waters. You can map your route and find your way back without getting lost. The GPS feature also allows you to mark major fishing spots so you can return to them to catch more fish. Fish finders with a GPS usually cost more, but they are worth the money since you are getting a pretty useful feature. When selecting a GPS-fitted fish finder, consider the options and functions available with the GPS.
l Is it Portable?
Ideally, the kayak fish finder you choose should be portable so that you can easily carry it and use it while fishing. Small-sized fish finders usually have hanging straps or mounting options which allow you to easily use them in any type of environment. While portability is an important consideration, you should still pay attention to the features you need. Some fish finders are portable but don’t boast advanced features that you might need. So it is important to find a balance between portability and functionality when you are choosing a fish finder for a kayak.
l What is the Size of the Display?
The third important thing that you should consider when choosing a kayak fish finder is the size of the display. The size of the display will determine the ease of use and efficiency of the fish finder when you are using it on a kayak. If the display size is fairly large, you will be able to read the parameters quickly and take action promptly. So if you intend to use a fish finder for regular use, make sure that the display is moderately large.
Some anglers prefer 3 to 5-inch displays while those who fish for longer use fish finders with a display that’s larger than 5 inches. A large display gives them a broader view and better images.
Final Thoughts
We have listed some of the best kayak fish finders available in the market. Since we have done the hard work for you, you don’t have to search the market to find a high-quality and reliable kayak fish finder. You only have to see and compare the functionality, features, capabilities, and the price of the fish finders we have listed above and choose the one that best suits your needs. When choosing a fish finder for your kayak, consider portability, size of the display, and a GPS feature. This way, you will be able to select a fish finder that meets your needs.