Posts Tagged ‘fish finders’

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A Review Of How Fishfinders Work

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Fishfinders have definitely taken the frustration out of sport fishing. Instead of trying to guess where a good fishing spot may be, a fish and depth finder scans the water beneath your boat to help you find schools of feeding fish. One of these sturdy, lightweight pieces of equipment is a must-have on every angler’s boat. In this article, we’ll take a look at how fishfinders work and what features you should look for.

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.

When shopping for a fishfinder, look for one that is user friendly. 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. The information should be accurate to approximately 600 feet and appear in the corner of the screen. Typically, the sonar chart will scroll and display what’s directly beneath the boat as you drift or troll. The menu should let you fine tune the unit’s sensitivity. 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.

Fishfinders are great tools but no piece of technology is a substitute for instinct. If you feel that your trophy catch is hiding in a certain spot, go ahead and hit it with everything you’ve got! As every avid angler knows, there’s nothing like the thrill of a great catch.

Don’t know your Humminbird 788ci Color Fishfinder Combo from your Eagle FishEasy? Click here to read fish finder reviews to help you make the right choice.

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Tips For Getting The Most From Your Electronic Fish Locator

Friday, June 18th, 2010

Congratulations! Now that you’ve purchased an electronic fish locator you’ll never have to waste time trolling for fish again. Fish finders are very easy to install and use and will be the most important fishing tool aboard your boat, other than your rod and reel of course. In this article, we’ll look at how to maximize the performance of your fish locator.

The secret to the effectiveness of a fish locator is the transducer. This is what sends out the sonar signal in a cone shape and transmits the information back to the screen on which you can view it. By bouncing a sonar signal, you will be able to see not only fish, but underwater structures and weeds. Many fish locators use a dual beam sonar. One beam is emitted at 60 degrees to find the fish and the other is at 20 degrees to accurately display the bottom of the body of water and its structure.

Some of the more compact models have transducers attached to a suction cup that can stick to any surface. These versions are compact enough and lightweight enough to be utilized in small vessels like speedboats, canoes, and even inflatable boats.

For those purchasing fish locators for larger boats, figuring out where to mount the components is important to ensure the best performance. Most fish finders come with a standard mounting bracket and transom mounting transducers. Ideally, it should be mounted somewhere convenient and accessible, like near the steering wheel. The transducer is mounted on the transom in a spot where it will be submerged both at low speeds and high speeds so that the sonar signal can do its depth finder job and scan the water even while you’re moving.

Operating a fish locator is as straightforward as pushing a button. After you turn on the unit, digital readings will show up on the screen. Based on which model you have, these will correspond to depth, water temperature and boat speed. The line running across the bottom of the display relates to the bottom of the body of water. The undulations on the screen indicate the terrain on the bottom. A thick, dark line represents a hard bottom, and a thin, light line points towards a soft bottom. Fish will appear as arches or icons.

Once you have installed the view screen and transducer, it’s time to program your unit. Most electronic fish locators come with default settings that you can modify to your needs. Start by selecting the “Normal” operation mode. This is suitable for most fishing situations. To adjust the settings, press the “View” button while in “Normal” mode to cycle through the different sonar modes. There will be several different options on this menu, from standard fish finder sonar all the way to side-looking sonar. You can save these settings so that you don’t have to reset the device every time you use it.

If you’re looking for the best GPS fish finder for your needs, it’s important to research your options carefully. Reading reviews is one of the best ways to do this; click here to read fish finder reviews on many of the most popular models of fish locators.

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Reviewing The Humminbird SmartCast RF-35 Wrist Mount Fishfinder

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

People got tired of carrying around huge, bulky cell phones so the industry answered back with smaller and smaller phones. The same thing is true of computers. The first computer took up an entire room yet new laptops are so small and thin you can slip them into a backpack. Fish finders are also being downsized. The best example of this is the Humminbird SmartCast RF-35 Wrist Mount Fishfinder with RSS. It is absolutely the smallest fish finder on the market today. But before you rush out to buy one, you need to read a bit more.

The Humminbird SmartCast RF-35 Wrist Mount Fishfinder with RSS is basically a watch that you wear along with a sonar buoy you cast out. The sonar buoy, which resembles a neon duck or a kid’s bath toy, sends back readings of the water bed and all the fish within range. The range is 75 feet with a depth of up to 125 feet. All you have to do then is look at the watch. Sounds pretty great right? Well it really is not that great.

The downside is, the SmartCast RF-35 Wrist Mount Fishfinder rates low in customer satisfaction. Every single reviewer who bought this product had the same type of complaint. It’s not sturdy, and it doesn’t last. One customer even had trouble switching it off and could only do so by taking out the battery. This is highly inconvenient, given that each time the battery is removed, the watch has to be reprogrammed.

Others reviewers complained that the device simply stopped working all of a sudden, often just past the six month warranty period. And if this happens to you, you can forget about getting a replacement.

The premise and idea behind the Humminbird SmartCast RF-35 Wrist Mount Fishfinder with RSS is great. And the price is not bad either. You can pick one up for around $100, which makes it really affordable. But with so much negative feedback from people who have purchased this fish finder, it simply is not worth the money; period. You can find other fish finders that work better and are not that much more expensive. They may not have the “wow” factor but at least they will work.

Don’t know your Garmin Fishfinder 140 from your Furuno FCV? Read a fishfinder review to help you make the right choice.

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Tips For Using A Fish Finder

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Fishing can be an exercise in futility if you can’t find the sweet spot where a great catch is waiting for you. That’s why a fish finder can be the perfect tool to add to your fishing gear. A fish finder scans the area beneath your boat to help you locate the best spots to cast your line. In this article, we’ll look at how to go about using a fish finder, for those who have never done so before.

Fish finders are made from sturdy, long-wearing hard plastic which gives the best possible defense against the elements and any potential harm that may take place during use. Some instruments have a cover made of stretch neoprene to protect them from water damage. Some have protective cases designed to protect the mounting assembly as well. They are small enough to be used on canoes, speedboats and even inflatable vessels.

Mounting a fish finder can be easily done with a few hand tools. It’s best to do this with a friend so that you have an extra pair of hands available for holding the parts in place. Pre-drill the holes to prevent damage to the boat. Mount the unit in the desired location, using the hardware that came with it. Next, connect the electrical leads from the unit to the relay box of your boat, connecting the power to a hot wire and the ground to your ground plate. If you don’t have a relay box, then the leads can be connected directly to the battery. Match the negative to negative and the positive to positive. Finally, mount the transducer to the bottom of the boat. This is normally done at the rear of the boat. Put silicone around the transducer to prevent any water from penetrating where the holes were made. Route the cable from the transducer to the input of the view screen and screw it into the input jack. It’s quite a simple process but make sure to read the manual carefully.

After turning on the fish finder, examine the digital readings that show up on your display. Based on the model you have, these are usually depth, water temperature and boat speed readings. These readings are determined by the placement of the transducer that sends sonar signals from the water to the fish finder.

Once your fish finder is installed, you will need to program the settings. Generally, choosing the “Normal” operation mode uses factory set defaults that allow some control over the settings. This mode allows you to quickly use the unit’s sonar functions without making in-depth setting changes. For more options, you can cycle through the different sonar modes, which typically range from standard sonar all the way to side-looking sonar. Once you’re familiar with using a fish finder, you will wonder how you ever fished without it.

If you want to increase your odds of catching fish, you should consider investing in a fish finder. Fish finder reviews can help you figure out which make and model is best for you. Click here to read Lowrance fish finder reviews along with many other popular models.

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The Exceptional Technology Underlying GPS Fish Finders

Monday, April 5th, 2010

If you spend a lot of time fishing from your boat, then the features of GPS fish finders can make the experience more than you’d hope for. These units come pre-loaded with maps of the shoreline or inland waters, as well as satellite images that help with navigation. They will alert you to the nearest campground or marina. They can even offer real-time weather updates and radar images so you don’t get caught off guard by a sudden storm. And, you’ll never have to drift around aimlessly looking for fish again. In this article, we’ll look at how this GPS and fish finder combo can help you.

GPS fish locators send out a signal that communicates with a GPS satellite orbiting the earth. The satellite returns a signal to your equipment that produces a three dimensional likeness of the water beneath your boat. Utilizing this picture, the sonar will locate the fish and their images will be shown on the screen. While you pass over a body of water, the GPS / fish locator/ depth finder will constantly revise particulars and images of the water underneath you, which means you can satisfactorily determine if it is a spot you want to give a try.

GPS fish finder combos have all kinds of high tech bells and whistles that can make choosing just one a tough task. Some of the factors that you should consider include the size of your boat, how much time you’ll be spending on your fishing expeditions and what kind of waters will you be fishing in.

However, with so many options to choose from, how do you know what to buy and how much to spend? Before you begin to shop around, compile a list of features you would like to have on your device. Once you know exactly what you want, you’ll be better prepared to compare elements and prices.

One of the most important features to consider is the monitor. Your device should be waterproof and have glare protection on the display so you can view it in direct sunlight. The image on the screen should be easily visible. Small and inexpensive fish finders will not produce nearly the same quality of picture as a higher-end model with full-color VGA display. There are many kinds of GPS fish finders on the market, ranging in price from approximately $300 to well over $1,000, so shop carefully for the perfect device for you.

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 Lowrance X96 fishfinder is superior to the Garmin 140, for example? You need to read some fishfinder reviews to help you decide on the perfect model for your needs.

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The State Of The Art Features Of A GPS Fish Finder

Friday, March 19th, 2010

The GPS fish finder is an amazing piece of technology that can enhance the experiences of sportsmen who love the water. A marine GPS combo system can function as both a portable fish finder and a chart plotter. You can sit back and relax knowing that you are safe and that there are fish in the area. In this article, we’ll look at how science has combined GPS with fish finder sonar technology to lend a hand to avid anglers.

The top of the line GPS fish finder combos are absolutely loaded with dozens of options to help you on your fishing expeditions. These first class fish finders can have sensors for GPS speed, water temperature, barometric pressure sensors, wireless sonar links and Gimbal mounts. Many units can be set up for either freshwater or salt water environments to ensure the best performance possible. However, with so many options to choose from, how do you know what to buy and how much to spend? Before you begin to shop around, make a list of all the features that you require. Do you need a large screen? Perhaps you need an Ethernet connection. Or, will a less expensive unit with basic features satisfy your needs. Once you know exactly what you want, you’ll be better prepared to compare devices and prices.

The Eagle FishElite 500c GPS Fish Finder is another popular pick. It features a top quality LCD screen with 256 ultra bright colors. As well, it possesses a full size combination 200 kHz sonar and mapping GPS and WAAS, with 256-color, sunlight-viewable 320Vx240H pixel display. This high definition is great for minimizing glare and is a great bonus to those who may have bad eyesight. Most significantly to anglers, this model can find fish hidden in underwater color. Plus, it features an optional sensor and variable ping speed with automatic HyperScroll to indicate fish targets at higher boat speeds. This Eagle model is good, hard-wearing and straightforward to use. Its internal memory aids in storing GPS data and sonar settings.

The Humminbird 383c GPS Fish Finder combo includes a built-in nautical mile resolution UniMap of American inland lakes, rivers and coastal areas. In addition, it includes many important features, like an internal WAAS GPS receiver with 16 channels and omni-directional antenna for superior performance. This model supplies accurate water temperature readings and is made for both fresh and saltwater environments. One exceptional feature is the capability to freeze frame without delay. This gives the user more time to look at the information on a chart. This product is also a good size for smaller boats and can be installed easily. This product includes the DualBeam PLUS sonar, which offers wider depth finder coverage of the bottom. Additionally, it makes the task of looking for fish much less difficult with the built in adjustable zoom levels on the display.

There are a number of other GPS fish finders on the market, such as Lowrance GPS and Garmin GPS fish finders, and prices vary according to the level of the technology. Generally, you can expect to spend between $100 and $500 on a decent GPS fish finder. Extremely high tech commercial GPS fish finders cost significantly more, but the average sportsman should fare well with a basic version. It’s best to go to a store that specializes in this kind of equipment and compare a number of products, get information from the salespeople, and do some research on the Internet. If you do those things, you’ll better your chances of buying an appropriate device for your needs and snagging a trophy fish every time you hit the water.

Don’t know your Eagle Cuda 300 fishfinder from your Humminbird 997c? Read fish finder reviews to help you make the right choice.

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Guidelines For Getting A Great Portable Fish Finder

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Every fisher has been there; going from spot to spot looking for a bite only to go home empty handed. It’s a frustrating feeling to say the least. However, technology has become every fisherman’s best friend. A portable fish finder can help you find your next catch by being your eyes UNDER your boat. In this article, we’ll explain how this handy piece of fishing gear works and how to choose one suited to your needs and budget.

Portable fish finders are a fantastic piece of equipment that are able to actually enable you to locate fish when used properly. Prior to the invention of this piece of technology, fishermen utilized a depth finder that only showed the depth underneath the boat. There was no precise screen revealing the existence of schools of fish. As a result, depth finders were of little use to commercial fishermen. Then there were the sounders with printed graphs rolls that were extremely accurate if used correctly. However, the real leap forward was the advent of the LCD (liquid crystal display) sounder that showed both bottom contours and fish. Today you can find a wide range of these LCD fish finders.

Choosing the appropriate portable fish finder might be hard because the market pricing is very competitive and products are being updated at all times. Top of the line styles can cost more than the typical dinghy, however straightforward units can be completely affordable and cost as little as $300 from a discount fish finder store.

The technology has come some distance from the time when electronic fish finders first showed up on the market. Recent units are more slender, more lightweight and more menu-driven than their predecessors. The units have either black and white or color display screens and the screens come in a range of dimensions. The bigger displays are better suited to larger fishing vessels where they can be kept out of the sun and weather conditions. These are ideal for commercial fishing boats.

The key to the effectiveness of a fish finding sonar is its transducer housing. This is essentially the working part that scans the area beneath boat and transmits the information back to the screen where you can see it. By bouncing a sonar signal, you’ll be able to see fish, weeds and underwater structures. How quickly this echo signal process takes depends on the portable fish finder wattage, the transducer and the depth of the water. The higher the wattage, the more powerful and quicker the signal is processed from the transducer.

When looking around a fishing gear store, do not feel that bigger and more expensive equates to a better portable fish finder. Consider the size of your boat and realistically evaluate your needs. Even if you have the space, do you really need an expensive piece of equipment? Unless your livelihood depends on a great catch, you don’t need a top of the line model. Once you’ve made your choice, make sure that it is properly mounted. An improperly mounted fish locator will not perform correctly. Follow the instructions carefully or get some help. With the right model and proper installation, you’ll get such great catches you’ll think that the fish are finding you!

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 Humminbird SmartCast RF 15 portable fishfinder is better than the Humminbird 997c, for example? You need to read some fishfinder reviews to help you decide on the right model for your needs.

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Today’s High Tech Fish Finders

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

There are many fish finders on the market today, available from reputable companies including Humminbird, Eagle and Lowrance, that are offering some of the most technologically advanced features imaginable. Some of these sturdy fish finders boast large, bright screens, come in a variety of strengths and can take a beating in tough conditions. In this article, we’ll explain how the these devices work and help you decide if a new high tech model is the right device to have aboard your boat.

These devices can be operated either manually or automatically and will measure water depth, temperature, and the speed of the boat. On some models, a flat line corresponds with a flat bottom. If the line slopes downward, the water is getting deeper. Conversely, if the line angles upward, the water is getting shallower. The icons that represent fish will be in the shape of fish or in the shape of a boomerang depending on which device you have.

Installing your transducer correctly is critical to the operation of your fish locator. Most of the permanent-mount transducers are designed for high-speed operations. For the best results, the transducer should be placed where a smooth, undisturbed flow of water will pass across the face of the transducer at all boat speeds. Make certain that the chosen location doesn’t interfere with the boat’s trailer.

The transducer is the main component of all makes and models of these devices. It is what emits the sonar signal that evaluates what is under the boat. Generally, high frequency sonar units provide the best resolution and definition of structure and targets. The transducer’s cone angle determines the coverage area. Wide cone angles are suitable for shallow to medium depths, while narrow angles operate better in deeper waters. The depth capability of your sonar units depends on its transmitter power, receiver, sensitivity and frequency, transducer and transducer installation. Other things that effect depth finder capabilities include water conditions and type, and bottom conditions.

The technology of fish finders is always moving forward. You can get constant satellite updates with a GPS receiver and there are electronic probes available with independent microprocessors that will feed back additional data to your monitor. The devices are also available with large screen monochrome monitors. Most of these models come with 200 kHz transducers and thermal scanners. Of course, technology comes with a price, so be prudent about how much you’re willing to spend. Once you have found a device that fits your needs, it will be the best fishing buddy you’ve ever had.

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 Furuno FCV 295 10.4″ fish finder is better than the Garmin 140, for example? You need to read some fish finder reviews to help you decide on the right model for your needs.

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Eagle Cuda 300 Fishfinder: Expect A Little More

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

There are some things which you just assume will be included in any fishfinder these days. The first is that it should alert you as to the depth of the water and the next is that it will show the terrain underneath your boat. The third is the temperature of the water. These factors can all assist you to land the fish you’re after, yet really you ought to expect more. The Eagle Cuda 300 Fishfinder provides the basics, and it also gives you a bit more besides.

To be quite honest, the Eagle Cuda 300 Fishfinder is not the best fishfinder on the market. It does have a limited depth and range for its sonar. But considering its price you do get the basics plus a little bit more. It is those extras that are fueling sales of this fishfinder over comparative models.

One of the extras you get with the Eagle Cuda 300 is the capability to see the depth of the fish. That’s significant because, when casting out your line and using weights, you want to attain the most appropriate deepness for the particular fish you are after. The topography the Eagle Cuda 300 displays is rather comprehensive taking into consideration it is a lower end model. No, you will not have the ability to see that pile of seaweed at the bottom of the lake that you could potentially get snagged on, but it does give you a view of a widespread topography.

The Eagle Cuda 300 also consists of another very convenient aspect. It allows you to see the screen even in bright sunshine. A number of LCD screens are difficult to read when daylight is shining on them so this is something you ought to take note of.

You can easily find the Eagle Cuda 300 Fishfinder for around $100, which is remarkably cheap considering all that you do get. No, it probably is not for the competitive fishermen or fisher women, but it is a great model for beginners and for those who like to fish recreationally on occasion. That is perhaps why it is one of the best selling fishfinders of its kind.

It’s always a good idea to read some fish finder reviews before you buy. To get you started, visit our site to read a Eagle Cuda 300 review.

categories: Eagle Cuda 300 fishfinder,fish finders,fishing,sports and recreation

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