Hey there my fellow deep sea fishing enthusiasts and welcome to my post where we will check out my 3 deep sea fishing fish finders to hunt the big ones with this year. The oceans are home to some of the most coveted and sought after gamefish around due to their sheer size, fighting ability and of course, quality as a table fish.
However as we all know, the oceans are vast so if you don’t have an idea of what is below you, you can spend a lot of time wandering aimlessly around the place without any chance of landing a good catch. The solution to this then is a good deep sea fish finder. But of course there are a few to choose from here so to help you out I have had a good look around and come up with three good options below.
Let’s check them out…
My three recommended deep sea fish finders
I will review these in more detail below, but if you just want to get moving without all the carry-on, my recommended products are listed here for your convenience:
What are deep sea fishing fish finders?
A fish finder is a device used by anglers to locate fish in the water by using SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging) wave technology. These waves then bounce off of the bottom (for depth) as well as structures and fish which is then viewed via the screen mounted on top of the vessel.
They use this technology to show the whereabouts of a fish on a digital screen and many also include GPS, electronic compasses and radar allowing you to mark fishing spots and navigating your way home as well.
What should you be looking for?
The following factors should be considered as you look for a good deep sea fish finder.
- Max depth
- Display
- Power
- Transducer
- Additions
Max depth
Fish finders vary in their depth capabilities. Obviously, the best products you should look out for are those that have higher max depths to map out the surface completely. This is especially true when you’re out in the middle of the ocean and need to fish at 100 feet or deeper. Consider where you will be fishing and what depths you will require your sonar to reach.
Display
The display is another vital factor that you need to consider as this is where you will be viewing all the information you need for a successful catch. Here, I recommend purchasing fish finders with a colored display for convenient reading even amid a bad weather.
The resolution and screen size are equally important factors. The higher the resolution, the easier it will be to make out all the data and visuals. Most good fish finders come with screens of around 5″ – 12″ or so.
Power
For deep sea boating use, fish finders run on 12V batteries. These are usually the same used to start the engine however larger options will need their own battery to run. Check the power usage of any finder that you choose to ensure that it will not impact the ability of the current boat battery to run.
If this is the case, a second battery may be needed as well.
Transducer
The transducer sends out the sonar and receives the data making it probably the most essential feature in a fish finder. The more powerful the transducer, the better the image quality it provides as it can send sonar signals to greater depths through rough conditions and distinguish between fish patterns and other underwater obstacles.
There are many ways to mount a transducer to your fishing vessels:
- Transom-mount transducer: These transducers are attached to your boat’s transom and hang from the stern into the water below the hull. These are a common mount for fish finders and are very straightforward to install. This is a common option for kayak fish finders as well.
- Thru-hull mount transducer: Thru-hull mounts are installed directly through your boat’s hull. They present enough challenges in terms of installation, and such transducers vary from one vessel to another. They do, however, produce the highest quality signals.
- In-hull mount transducer: This type of mount is applied to the inside of your boat and held firmly in place with glue. The signal can be broadcast directly through the hull, eliminating the need for direct water contact. Most larger deep sea fishing boats have their fish finders mounted in this fashion.
- Trolling motor mount transducer: As implied by the name, these transducers are built into the shaft of a trolling motor. Specific trolling motors are specifically designed to detect fish’s location. This design makes them ideal for any small fishing boat or inflatable fishing kayak.
Additions
Other potential additions include:
- GPS: This adds the extra functionality of advanced navigation and the ability to chart plot points for return trips to a same spot .
- Preloaded coastal charts: Some devices have coastal charts installed to help you navigate your favorite fishing locations.
- Smartphone integration: This gives you the ability to manage your finder via your cell phone – great for if you are at the other end of the boat.
FAQs
Are depth finders the same as fish finders?
No, depth finder display how deep the water is only. Fish finders however display the depth as well as show other elements such as structure, hazards, vegetation and of course, fish.
What is a fish finder used for?
Fish finders assist in finding schools of fish and other structures in a body of water. They do this via the use of SONAR waves that bounce off whatever is underneath the boat and displays as visual data on the screen.
Is a fish finder necessary?
Fish finders assist in locating where the fish are, or likely to be. For this reason many consider them an essential accessory.
Do fish finders find fish?
Absolutely they do. They will not however help you catch fish.
My three recommendations broken down
So based on the information above and my own experience, I recommend the following options:
1. Garmin Striker Plus 5cv with Transducer
This first option has a compact design with easy-to-use features and a waterproof housing to protect all the delicate circuitry inside. Its 5″ WVGA display makes it easy to view as well. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Garmin
- Max depth: 1,100 feet (seawater) and 2,300 feet (freshwater)
- Display: 5-inch LCD
- Transducer mounts: Transom and trolling motor
- Dimensions: 7.4 x 2.1 x 4.5 inches
- Weight: 1 pound
Other inclusions:
- Split-screen view
- GPS
- Quick draw contours
Why have I chosen it?
You are guaranteed to save time with this fish finder as it allows you to mark your target fishing spots while quickly navigating them. Thanks to the tilt and swivel mounting, you can find the best viewing angle and the large 5-inch backlit color display makes it easy to see what is on the screen even in low-light conditions. This is a great option for small to medium fishing boats that venture out into the ocean to fish.
2. Garmin ECHOMAP UHD Touchscreen Chartplotter
This next offshore fish finder comes with a sun-readable touchscreen display with preloaded coastal charts and a GPS plotter for great fishing success. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Garmin
- Max depth: 1,100 feet (seawater) and 2,300 feet (freshwater)
- Display: 7-inch LCD
- Transducer mounts: Flush
- Dimensions: 13 x 10.3 x 8.5 inches
- Weight: 6.58 pounds
Other inclusions:
- GPS
- Preloaded charts
Why have I chosen it?
The wide 7-inch touchscreen display gives you great viewing and the integrated transducer provides the angler with high-definition scanning sonar that results in a crystal clear image below your boat. It also comes with bluechart G3 coastal charts with integrated Navionics data for greater location guidance as well.
3. Lowrance HDS-Live Fish Finder
This final product is one of the best fish-finding devices on the market equipped with innovative sonar and premium quality real-time imaging. It integrates with your smart phone and can scan in 3D as well. See its specifications below:
- Brand: Lowrance
- Max depth: 1,000 feet
- Display: 7-16 inch LCD (depending on model chosen)
- Transducer mounts: Transom
- Dimensions: 12.6 x 9.06 x 9.84 inches
- Weight: 8.74 pounds
Other inclusions it has:
- Smartphone integration
- Fish reveal feature
- Preloaded enhanced charts
Why have I chosen this?
The final fish finder is ideal for anglers in all conditions as it demonstrates incredible diversity, ranging from CHIRP sonar to dual imaging to smartphone integration. The screen is great for more than just being a split-screen model as it allows you to see vital information whether it’s dark, foggy, or sunny outside.
The technology employs dual-channel CHIRP sonar, which covers a wide frequency range to provide the most comprehensive picture of the water beneath you and the HDS Live module is a quad-core processing machine that can handle all incoming data.
Conclusion
There you have it, my three best deep sea fishing fish finders that increase your chances of landing prized fish of the seas. I would be pleased to know how this article helped you, and as usual, let me know of your experiences with them.
Also, please do not hesitate to comment below if you have any questions, concerns, corrections, or would like me to check anything else out for you.
Until next time.
Have fun
Paul
