Sports Realm

Fishfinders have become the gadget of choice for avid sport fishermen. These sturdy, easy to use fish locating devices allow them to scan an area for fish that are feeding. They can even tell the size of the fish, thus saving a lot of time and frustration. If you’re fed up with small fry catches, then one of these portable devices may be just what you need. In this article, we’ll look at how fishfinders work and help you decide if they’re right for you.

Fishfinders use sonar technology to evaluate the area under your boat. The transducer takes an electrical impulse and converts it into a sound wave, which it beams into the water. When the sound wave connects with objects like fish, weeds, rocks or other debris, the sound wave bounces back to the transducer, which converts it into an electrical signal again. This returned signal, or echo, is displayed on the screen. A chart determines the distance the sound traveled. This information is displayed on a screen to help you determine if fish are in the area. This is invaluable to anglers who don’t want to waste a lot of time searching for schools of fish.

One of the most important features to look for in a fishfinder is a simple operating mechanism. Once you find a fishing spot that you think might be a winner, you need to be able to simply turn on the device and evaluate the depth and water temperature. You want an accurate readout, and many fishfinders are correct up to 600 feet. Typically, the sonar chart will scroll and display what’s directly beneath the boat as you drift or troll. By using the menu options you can adjust the sensitivity of the device. The fish will show as a straight line when you are stationary. Portable fishfinders can sometimes be fooled by branches and debris, but these sonar fishing guides are still great tools to have onboard.

To get the most out of your device, you must determine which frequency to use. As a rule, you’ll want to use a 83 kHz frequency in deep salt water, and 200 kHz in water that is less than 300 feet in depth. You’ll find that at 200 kHz the definition and detail will be superior, but it won’t penetrate as deeply.

Part of the fun of sport fishing is being able to locate that all important trophy catch, so never forget to let instinct guide you to potential fishing sites. Once you are there, a fishfinder can act as your wingman as you go for the big fish.

If you want to increase your odds of catching fish, you should consider investing in a fish finder. But how do you know if the Norcross Hawkeye F33P fish finder is superior to the Lowrance X96, for example? Click here to read some fish finder reviews to help you decide on the perfect model for your needs.