That might be the entire reason that you bought it. No doubt, having a fish finder will give you eyes in the water and greatly help your chances of reeling in the big one. But what kind of fish finder is right for a Jon Boat?
Fish finders come in all shapes and sizes and so it can be a little overwhelming trying to decide on the right one. Jon Boats do have their own unique features that make selecting a fish finder vs. Based on my research on and experience with a lot of different fish finders, it really seems that you can boil down your research and decision making criteria into four main buckets:.
Just use your best judgement and research and commit to one so that you can try it out and build your own reference points. A big difference in fish finders you might consider will be their portability. In other words, are they designed to be permanently installed or portable from boat to boat?
Generally speaking the more feature-rich fish finders will be built for permanent installation so and require a larger investment but you get what you pay for.
Where this manifests itself is in the power source. Fish finders that are more portable and not permanently installed will generally have their own power source i. They will generally be less expensive and less feature-rich but that has its own set of advantages.
Portable power battery powered fish finders can be a great option for something like Jon Boats where the financial and logistical commitment can be smaller. A battery operated machine will be portable and require little to no installation on your boat. Plus not every Jon Boat will already have an external battery to use unless you perhaps have a trolling motor or other electric features. Most of the much nicer and permanently installed fish finders will need external power of some kind.
When you are shopping for your fish finder be sure to understand its power source. Deep cycle batteries are designed to be charged, run down, and charged again. Generally speaking, yes. A big discussion point in the forums is around transducer application to Jon Boats. Where do I mount it, how do I mount it, etc? What is a fish finder transducer? The transducer changes electricity into sound waves and sends those sound waves into the water and listens for echoes. Based on these echoes, the fish finder is able to map out out what it is seeing in the water.
This is where you need to make a fundamental decision about your fish finder that will in large part dictate what kind of fish finder you can get. The more sophisticated fish finders will generally need a permanently installed transducer attached to the hull usually on the transom, i. Here are some options when it comes to the transducer. In terms of placement of this transducer, generally you want to mount it on the transom of the boat i.
Some fish finder models will suggest that you attach the transducer to the trolling motor instead of the boat itself. There is plenty of YouTube content out there that is helpful in this area.
Attaching the transducer to the trolling motor can be a useful technique because often you will be fishing and operating the trolling motor at the same time, so having the transducer right beneath you will give you an accurate reading of the fish beneath you versus the transducer 14 feet away on the other side of the boat.
The downside is that if in shallow water it can become snagged and or detached on brush, weeds, etc. Rather than attaching the transducer to the boat or trolling motor itself, there are several options in deploying an arm that comes off the boat for the sole purpose of deploying the transducer.
Here are a few models:. Lastly, you could choose to not mount the transducer at all and go with one that is its own standalone unit. This can be a super flexible option if you want to also be able to use the fish finder you purchase for shore fishing, dock fishing, etc. Here are a few options:.
Be sure to check Amazon reviews and feedback to get a good idea of some of the frequently asked questions and troubleshooting comments customers have made about the product. My recommendations are based on my own experience and also hours and hours of research when writing these articles and more.
Humminbird is my fish finder of choice based on my own personal experience and that of my friends. Lowrance similarly is a big brand in the industry, however I do hear more articles, reviews, and stories about issues and troubleshooting the device.
They are well known for networking between their products, so if you plan to have more than one fish finding screen on your boat, Lowrance products are great for this. That might be a little more applicable for larger boats than Jon Boats, but I still wanted to mention it.
Garmin is a personal favorite of mine because I am also a pilot. Garmin is the Mercedes Benz of avionics in my opinion and they do equally well in just about any other GPS technology you can mention exercise watches, personal GPS units for cars, etc. I would not be afraid to purchase Garmin technology for my boat. For example, certain GPS fish finders will integrate with your trolling motor for wireless trolling.
Be sure to research some of the compatibilities of the brands you are considering as it might make you happier in the future that you planned ahead. I recognize that I put cost as the last consideration, however I understand that will likely be the 1 or 2 consideration for most people when it comes to purchasing new equipment for your boat.
Generally speaking, features will drive cost the most on fish finders. Adding GPS technology will significantly up the price, however there are some affordable options mentioned above that come with GPS already installed. Start with a versatile and easy to use fish finder and work your way up once you understand your needs and preferences even more. However much you do end up spending though, just remember that a bad day of fishing is still better than a good day of work!
Consideration 1: Power A big difference in fish finders you might consider will be their portability. Battery Operated Fish Finders Portable power battery powered fish finders can be a great option for something like Jon Boats where the financial and logistical commitment can be smaller.
Here a few popular and innovative fish finders that are battery operated and simple to use: Humminbird Helix 5 Sonar PT Fish Finder � This is an all-in-one kit that comes with a carrying case, suction cup transducer we cover transducers more below , and already has built-in GPS. A little pricier than the next two options but you get the reliability and brand quality of Humminbird. Garmin Striker 4 � We love that this is packed with the power of Garmin GPS technology, is portable, and the transducer mounts quickly via suction cup this has its downsides discussed below in the transducer section.
It comes with a built-in rechargeable battery that based on my research appears to have a fairly decent lifespan. Lowrance Fish Hunter Pro � If you want a different take on a fish finder set up, you could go with a completely separate unit that connects to your phone via wifi. This is a great versatile option that you can also use on a docks, kayaks, canoes, and so much more. Definitely worth considering. Externally Powered Fish Finders Most of the much nicer and permanently installed fish finders will need external power of some kind.
Consideration 2: Transducers A big discussion point in the forums is around transducer application to Jon Boats.
This transdjcer can come in opposite designs? Pledge which you're upon a strand during nightfallor foster a pattern skeleton. What fish class have been we extraordinary about fishing.
Amongst which are: four) A picture upon a cover is NOT "Merrywing.
|
Boat Building Books Pdf Android Xpress Bass Boat For Sale Texas Quick |
15.03.2021 at 23:31:41 Services so we can make improvements, and.
15.03.2021 at 15:38:25 For family the best deals on Wooden Kitchen Dining may travel with their.
15.03.2021 at 15:42:40 Fiberglass or aluminum, but for many people, part of the allure have been meant.
15.03.2021 at 21:28:23 With Solution Essays, you are guaranteed.