Fantastic Fishing

Electronic fish finders have become so affordable that every angler can hook this great device. Fish finders take the guesswork out of finding where all the choice fish may be hiding.

Fish finders these days are more advanced than ever. They have compact, durable designs that make them ideal for even small boats.

In this article, we’ll look at how this handy device can help you haul in more fish than you ever thought possible!

The key to the effectiveness of a fish finder is the transducer. This is what emits the sonar signal in a cone shape and transmits the data back to the screen where you can see it. By bouncing a sonar signal, you will be able to see not only fish, but underwater structures and weeds.

Many fish locators use a dual beam sonar. One beam is sent at 60 degrees to find the fish and the other is at 20 degrees to accurately display the bottom of the body of water and its structure.

GPS fish finders emit a signal that communicates with the GPS satellite orbiting the earth. The satellite returns a signal to your fish finding device that produces a three dimensional image of the water beneath your boat.

Using this three dimensional image, the sonar will locate the fish and their images will also be displayed on the screen. As you troll over a body of water, the GPS / fish locator/ depth finder will constantly update details and images of the water underneath you.

Many smaller units have transducers fastened to a suction cup that can adhere to any surface. These styles are compact enough and light enough to be utilized in small vessels like speedboats, canoes, and even inflatable boats.

For those purchasing fish locators for larger boats, figuring out where to mount the components is important to ensure the best performance. When installing your GPS fish finder, try to settle on a permanent location that is easily accessible to you. Most fish finders come with a standard mounting bracket and transom mounting transducers. Ideally, it should be mounted somewhere convenient like near the steering wheel or drivers seat.

The transducer is mounted on the transom in a spot where it will be submerged both at low speeds and high speeds so that the sonar signal can do its depth finder job and scan the water even while you’re moving.

Operating a fish locator is as easy as pushing a button. After turning on the instrument, digital readouts will show up on the monitor. Depending on which model you get, these will represent boat speed, depth and water temperature.

How To Use A Fish Finder

The line running across the bottom of the screen represents the bottom of the lake, river or reservoir. The waves on the screen reveal the terrain on the bottom. A thick, dark line signifies a hard bottom, and a thin, light line points towards a soft bottom. Fish will appear as icons or arches.

When shopping for an electronic fish locator, make sure it’s a durable product. Look for ones made from hard plastic that can withstand tough elements and wear and tear. It’s important to remember that water resistant doesn’t mean waterproof. Most GPS fish finders are completely waterproof but the monitor can sustain serious damage if submerged for long periods of time.

You can protect your monitor by leaving it in a place where it’s unlikely that water will accumulate and by covering it when it’s not in use. To keep the monitor clean, use a lint free cotton cloth and a small amount of warm water.

Avoid using any harsh cleaners, such as a window cleaner. To prevent water damage, some lines of fish finders have stretch neoprene covers. You can usually find accessories for your unit as well, such as protective cases designed to cover the mounting assembly of the unit.

For more information on Fish Finders check my other articles under Fishing Electronics.

There are a lot of choices out there for you as far as fish finders go. There are portable hand-held models all the way up to units used by commercial fishing charter vessels.

These products can range in prices from under $200 to $2500. Do your research and find the best product for you at the best price. Just keep in mind that you get what you pay for.

I found the best prices to be at Bass Pro Shops and Amazon.

Fish Finders at Amazon                                                 Electronics at Basspro.com

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