Best Kayak Fish Finders of 2024

Wouldn’t it be great to know exactly where to cast your line when fishing from the comforts of your kayak? Maybe you’re a recreational fisherman who only paddles out every once in a while or maybe you’re a fisherman who goes out daily. Either way, you’ll want to find the best kayak fish finder to make sure every moment on the water counts.

But, how do you know which fish finder is right for you when choosing among tons of options? The different sonar systems and features can be confusing. Here at The Adventure Junkies, we take pride in finding the most useful technology available and have come up with the best fish finders of the year.

For more of our top kayak fishing gear recommendations, check out the Best Kayak Fishing Rods.

Reviews - The Best Fish Finders for Kayaks

Garmin Striker 4

Specs

• GPS: Yes
• Max Depth: 1,600 feet
• Display Size: 3.5 inches

Features

• Compatible with other transducers
• Mark and return to favorite fishing spots
• Easy to use buttons
• Compact
• Easy to upgrade
• Speed display
• Maximum depth of 1,600 feet in freshwater and 750 feet in saltwater
• Color screen
• CHIRP 77/200 kHz sonar

BEST FOR: SERIOUS FISHERMEN NEEDING A FISH FINDER THAT CAN DO IT ALL

PROS: Incredible detail on display and great value for price point, multiple settings, customizable

CONS: Those looking for a simple fish finder might find this one a challenge to set up and understand

View at Amazon

Humminbird PiranhaMax 4PT

Specs

• GPS: No
• Max Depth: 320 feet
• Display Size: 4.3 inches

Features

• Depth alarms
• Easy to use interface
• Color screen
• Screen calibration for high sunlight
• Temperature gauge
• Dual beam 200/455 kHz sonar

BEST FOR: KAYAK FISHERMEN CASTING UNDER SUNNY SKIES

PROS: Easy to use, compact, accurate

CONS: Does not provide speed, transducer cable very long for kayak

View at Amazon

iBobber Smart Fish Finder

Specs

• GPS: Yes
• Max Depth: 135 feet
• Display Size: Syncs With Your Phone Screen

Features

• Portable iBobber connects via Bluetooth with your smart phone app to show sonar readings
• Social media sharing options
• Saves favorite fishing spots
• Rechargeable battery

BEST FOR: FISHERMEN WHO LIKE TO HAVE ALL OF THEIR DATA IN ONE PLACE

PROS: The lightest and most portable fish finder on the market, ideal for kayaking, syncs with already owned smart phone, can use with all types of fishing, uses Bluetooth instead of WiFi

CONS: Expensive considering it does not come with a display, can sometimes lose connection with the phone, shallow depth range

View at Amazon

FishHunter Pro

Specs

• GPS: Yes
• Max Depth: 150 feet
• Display Size: Phone Screen

Features

• Connects to smart phone app where you can store pictures
• Favorite fishing spots and fish dimensions
• Easy to install and carry
• WiFi connected
• GPS tracking
• Triple frequency sonar system

BEST FOR: FISHERMEN ON LONG KAYAKING FISHING TRIPS WHO PREFER TO HAVE ALL FISHING DATA SYNCED TOGETHER

PROS: Easy to use and very portable, able to store all types of fishing data in one place, perfect for fishermen in variable conditions, 10-hour battery life

CONS: High price point, sometimes has connection issues in colder temperatures

View at Amazon

Lowrance Hook-3X

Specs

• GPS: No
• Max Depth: 230 feet
• Display Size: 3 inches

Features

• Backlit color display
• Water resistant
• Advanced signal processing
• Zoom capability
• Night-specific settings
• Dual beam 83/200 kHz sonar

BEST FOR: FISHERMEN ON A BUDGET WHO WANT A DEVICE THAT DOES IT ALL

PROS: Easy to mount, affordable, durable, screen is easy to see even in direct sunlight

CONS: Sometimes becomes inaccurate if used at high speeds – so is generally only a kayak fish finder rather than a fish finder for faster vessels

View at Amazon

Venterior Portable

Specs

• GPS: No
• Max Depth: 328 feet
• Display Size: 3.2 inches

Features

• Displays the nature of the bottom of the water – distinguishes between rock, grass, and sand
• Removable transducer float ad stopper
• Neck strap
• Temperature reading
• LCD display and green LED backlight
• Sensitivity calibration

BEST FOR: FISHERMEN IN NEED OF A RELIABLE AND BASIC FISH FINDER THAT CAN BE CUSTOMIZED

PROS: Affordable, compact, simple, easy to use

CONS: Does not give approximate size of the fish – can only adjust sensitivity to alert for larger or smaller fish, sensitive to turbulence

View at Amazon

Hawkeye FT1P FishTrax

Specs

• GPS: No
• Max Depth: 240 feet
• Display Size: 2.4 inches

Features

• Bottom composition notes
• Can be mounted or used as a portable fish finder
• Reads water depth
• Easy to understand icons and notes
• Can set it to see fish sizes
• Dual frequency sonar

BEST FOR: FISHERMEN WANTING A FISH FINDER THAT CAN SENSE FISH DEEPER THAN MANY OTHER FISH FINDERS AT A SIMILAR PRICE POINT

PROS: Affordable, easy to use, secure mount system, compact, display is bright even under direct sun

CONS: Batteries not rechargeable and have to be changed often

View at Amazon

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST KAYAK FISH FINDERS

DISPLAY SIZE

Since you’re limited to fishing from a kayak – a vessel that’s obviously smaller than a standard fishing boat – you’ll want a fish finder with a display size of less than five inches. Anything larger than five or six inches will get in the way, be a challenge to mount and is frankly too bulky for a kayak.

It’s unlikely that your larger display will come with any extra features. So, there’s no reason for you to opt for an eight-inch clunker.

PORTABILITY

Some kayak fish finder displays and transducers need to be mounted to the kayak to work. If your fish finder needs to hook up to an external battery or is too large, it might not be portable enough for your fishing style.

Thanks to new technology, you can hook a fish finder up to your smartphone. Just attach it to a line or buy one that has its own compact rechargeable battery pack.

If you often use your kayak for recreational kayaking or let others take it for a paddle, you’ll want a portable fish finder. That way, it won’t get in the way or knocked into the water when it’s not being used.

There are so many benefits of kayaking. One of the major ones is stress reduction. The relaxation factor can quickly become undone by knocking an expensive piece of gear into the water.

However, if your kayak is used strictly for fishing, you might find it convenient to have a larger display set up where you can always see the screen.

Some of the smaller and more portable fish finders are awkward to mount or need to be carried in a pocket. The ultra-portable fish finders can be connected to your smartphone. This is often the best choice for fishermen who want to save on space and seek convenience.

Buy a waterproof case for your phone if you get the fish finder for smartphones. This is often the best budget option if you already have a smartphone. After all, your phone has GPS and can even connect to other fishermen who frequent your fishing spot!

Check out this guide on creating a DIY kayak fish finder mount to save money and mount nearly any type of fish finder.

TRANSDUCER STYLE AND COMPATIBILITY

The transducer is the part of your fish finder that uses an echosounder system, which reads what is underwater. In an article on how to read your fish finder by Kayak Critic, they explain a bit more about how the transducer works and its purpose such as looking for underwater hazards.

The great thing about kayak fishing is that it’s easier to mount a transducer on a kayak than on a boat. How you mount your transducer will depend on your preference and the make of your kayak. Note that they are typically mounted in the hull, in the scupper hole, with a suction cup or near the rudder.

A few kayak brands have partnered with fish finder companies to create a transducer mount area that is compatible with one another. Though having the specific fish finder placement areas is a bonus, it shouldn’t be the main deciding factor when choosing the best fish finder for you.

If you’re a serious fisherman, you’ll want to read our guide to choosing the best fishing kayak to go with your fish finder.

GPS

GPS is great if you are frequenting new waters and want to keep track of where you’re reeling in the best fish. However, if you are frequenting the same lake or river repeatedly, you can save a few bucks by relying on your memory. This isn’t an essential feature that a fisherman needs, but is a nice extra to have.

SONAR VS. 3D SONAR

Some fish finders use 3D SONAR rather than the traditional SONAR through the transducer. The 3D SONAR shows a very detailed view of what lies beneath.

Though this is a bonus to have when you’re fishing off of your kayak, the range that 3D SONAR covers is often less than traditional SONAR and the beam does not go as deep. Get the 3D SONAR if you are fishing primarily in shallow water or the fish you’re searching for are typically found at shallower depths.