A fish finder is something that was specially designed and developed by professionals. They allow the fisherman to correctly and quickly locate where the fish is present. Thus by using the fish finder you can save yourself a lot of time and fuel you would otherwise spend circling looking for fish on your own.
But to succeed, you need to learn how to read a fish finder first. Moreover, fish finders can give you a lot of other information such as the depth of the water as well as what is under it. For example, under corals or reefs. Often, fishing enthusiasts also call fish finders as sonar sounders.
Because, they use sonar signals to locate the fish. This technique also gives your other information on the fish finder screen. In other words, fish finders give out sonar signals that then bounce back from different sediments such as rocks, coral and reefs.
Furthermore, the fish finder will give out this information on the screen in an easy to understand graphics. Nowadays, there are many different models of fish finders. These can even give you information such as what kind of fish species is located under your fishing boat.
Table of Contents
How Exactly a Fish Finder Works?
Depending on what fish finder model you have the screen will vary in size and color intensity. However, most fishermen say that the most important information to obtain from the screen is the location of the fish, and you do not need a premium model for that.
However, you should pay attention to the accuracy level of the fish finder. Because that will determine how efficient it is and how successful you will be in your fishing trip. To determine how accurate the fish finder will be you need to look at the frequency that it works on as well as the strength of the pulse.
Basically, a fish finder will show you what you would otherwise not be able to see at great depths. Therefore, a durable and reliable fish finder is a crucial piece of equipment that every fisherman should have on board the fishing boat.
Additionally, a good fish finder comes with a navigation system that will help you navigate through the open waters without getting lost or sailing for hours in the wrong direction. Lastly, a good navigation system will allow you to see where our fishing vessels are located so that you do not intersect.
How to Choose a Good Fish Finder?
To choose a good fish finder that will work for years you need to look at what transducer it comes with. Because transducers are responsible for sending and receiving sonar waves. These waves will bounce back from fish, rocks, corals and other ocean floor sediments.
In other words you can say that a transducer is a translator between the sonar waves and the picture you get on your fish finder screen. Moreover, depending on the model fish finder that you have, the transducer can be mounted on the boat in a number of ways.
However, most professional fisherman recommend mounting the transducer on a transom mount. But keep in mind that such mounting will only be suitable for small to medium fishing boats. Lastly, you know already that different transducers are made from different materials. Hence, you will need to select the one that will suit you the best.
Factors to Pay Attention to
Selecting Mounting Pieces and Transducer Angle
Depending on whether the producer is plastic or made out of stainless steel you will need to select the mounting pieces accordingly. However, apart from the mounting you will also need to consider at what angle the transducer will be fixed at. Because it will also play a vital part.
In other words you could say that the transducer angle is correlated to the total width of the sonar signal that is sent by the fish finder into the water. Therefore, the wider the angle the more information you will be able to get back. Because the signal will be able to cover a larger area of the ocean floor.
Depending on what type of fish finder model and transducer you have the angle of the sonar beam can vary between 10 to 65 degrees. Furthermore, some premium models of transducers are capable of emitting several sonar beings into the ocean. After that, you’ll be able to see the information on the fish finder screen.
Fish Finder Display Clarity
However, all of this does not mean that it should be difficult for you to select the right fish finder and transducer for your fishing boat. Because you would only need to figure out what exactly you want your fish finder to do. Additionally, decide what amount of money you are willing to spend on the fish finder.
Thus, to simplify the process of choosing the best fish finder for your fishing boat think about how large and clear you want the fish finder display to be read. Secondly, think about where you normally fish and whether there are other fishing vessels around.
Transducer Mounting
Thirdly, consider whether you want the transducer to be mounted on plastic or stainless steel mounting. Also, it is worth mentioning that some fish finders come with a transducer. Whereas other models come without one and you would need to purchase it separately.
Lastly, keep in mind that most fish finders are portable. However there are large models that will need to be fixed on your fishing boat. You cannot remove this kind of fish finder without disconnecting it completely.
Conclusion
In conclusion, before you go out shopping for a fish finder you will need to figure out several things. Such as where you normally fish and how deep the water is there. Additionally, consider whether you would want your fish finder to give you only basic read or some additional information.
There could be information such as location of other fishing vessels in the vicinity of your fishing boat. Moreover, remember that transducers vary hence you will need to decide whether you want a transducer that a plastic or stainless steel mounting. Of course, stainless-steel transducer mounting is much more durable.
They will be more resistant to corrosion and rust that usually occurs because of the seawater. Furthermore, you will need to inspect screen to see how it displays the information. Because different models display same information in a number of ways.
For example, the fish finder can display schools of fish in circles or simply in colored patches. Thus, if you are a seasoned fisherman than you should not have any problem reading information either way. However, if you are new to such equipment then you should go for fish finder models that will be easy for you to read and understand.
Lastly, you will need to understand that fish finders can be set to several modes. For instance, you can set the fish finder to show you only the fish. On the other hand, you can set it to landscape mode. This way you can see basically everything that is under your boat including rocks, corals another ocean or sea sediments.
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