How to Choose a Fish Finder
As their name implies, fish finders help fishermen find fish by showing an electronic representation of what's underneath their boats. Fish finders show fish and where they're located in the water column, but they also show the contour of the bottom of the lake and any vegetation growing off the bottom. A wide variety of fish finders is available to meet the diverse desires and needs of fishermen. Here's how to choose the fish finder that's right for you.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Consider how you plan to use the fish finder because this guides the rest of the decision-making process. Do you primarily want to see fish? Are you interested in seeing fish as well as a detailed view of the bottom of the lake? Do you need functions such as water temperature and speed readings?
-
2
Determine how much money you plan to spend. The costliest fish finders also include the most functionality and the most detailed displays. If your primary interest is to know how deep the water is and if there are any fish in the area, you can get by with a less expensive fish finder.
-
-
3
Look at various models of fish finders in the price range you've selected. Pay attention to the size of the units. You'll have to be able to install the fish finder you choose in your boat and operate it. You operate fish finders with buttons, so make sure you can press them and understand what they do. Many people only use the on/off button, but fish finders can include multiple other buttons that accomplish various functions.
-
4
Consider the resolution each fish finder in your price range offers. Resolution is determined by the number of pixels on the fish finder screen. The higher the number of pixels, the higher the resolution. The amount of resolution is important because it tells you how detailed the screen of the fish finder will be. A low-resolution fish finder, for example, may not show a fish that is only a foot or two off the bottom of the lake, while a high-resolution model will show the difference between fish and the bottom of the lake.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Many anglers choose high-resolution fish finders when they plan to place them near the spot from which they operate their boats. For most anglers, color fish finder screens are not necessary.
Even though fish finders are designed to perform in a variety of weather conditions, it's never a good idea to leave them in the elements when they're not being used. Consider purchasing an extended warranty for your fish finder.
