Mar 11 2010
An Essential Guide To The Portable Fish Finder

- Image by robstephaustralia via Flickr
Every fisher has been there; going from spot to spot looking for a bite only to go home empty handed. It’s a frustrating feeling to say the least. However, technology has become every fisherman’s best friend. A portable fish finder can help you find your next catch by being your eyes UNDER your boat. In this article, we’ll explain how this handy piece of fishing gear works and how to choose one suited to your needs and budget.
Portable fish finders are a wonderful piece of equipment that are able to actually help you find fish when utilized correctly. Before the invention of this equipment, fishermen utilized a depth finder that only indicated the depth below the vessel. There was no exact screen indicating the existence of schools of fish. Accordingly, depth finders were of little use to commercial fishers. Then there were the sounders with printed graphs rolls that were highly precise if utilized properly. Yet the real innovation was the appearance of the LCD (liquid crystal display) sounder that showed both fish and bottom contours. Today you can find all kinds of these LCD fish finders.
Selecting the right portable fish finder can be challenging because the market pricing is very competitive and products are being updated all the time. High end models can cost more than the typical dinghy, yet straightforward units can be completely affordable and cost as little as $300 from a discount fish finder retailer.
The technology has come a long way from the time when electronic fish finders first appeared on the market. Contemporary devices are slimmer, lighter and more menu-driven than their forerunners. The units have both black and white or color screens and the displays come in various dimensions. The bigger screens are well suited to larger fishing boats where they can be stored out of the sun and elements. These are just the thing for commercial fishing boats.
The key to the effectiveness of a fish finding sonar is its transducer housing. This is essentially the working part that scans the area beneath boat and transmits the information back to the screen where you can see it. By bouncing a sonar signal, you’ll be able to see fish, weeds and underwater structures. How quickly this echo signal process takes depends on the portable fish finder wattage, the transducer and the depth of the water. The higher the wattage, the more powerful and quicker the signal is processed from the transducer.
When looking around a fishing gear store, do not feel that bigger and more expensive equates to a better portable fish finder. Consider the size of your boat and realistically evaluate your needs. Even if you have the space, do you really need an expensive piece of equipment? Unless your livelihood depends on a great catch, you don’t need a top of the line model. Once you’ve made your choice, make sure that it is properly mounted. An improperly mounted fish locator will not perform correctly. Follow the instructions carefully or get some help. With the right model and proper installation, you’ll get such great catches you’ll think that the fish are finding you!
Don’t know your Humminbird SmartCast RF-35 wrist mount fishfinder with RSS from your Garmin 140? Read fish finder reviews to help you make the right choice.
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