FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate link(s). An affiliate link means I may earn advertising/referral fees if you make a purchase through my link, without any extra cost to you. It helps to keep this little blog afloat. Thanks for your support.

Best Fish Finder for Kayak [Top 10 Reviews For 2022 + Ultimate Guide]

Kayak fishing is one adventure you will surely love to do again and again. However, it will not be as enjoyable as you want it to be if you don’t bring along with you the best fish finder for kayak fishing. It does not matter if you are doing it for fun, recreation or in competition, it is best to equip yourself with the right gadget.

But how would you know which is the right fish finder for you? We are aware that the different features and sonar systems can be confusing. So, we have come up with this post to help you out in deciding.

Quick Answer:- The 10 best Kayak fish finders

So, who is our winner? For those who want to jump straight to our final verdict, here are our top picks.

best value

  • Various sonar features like A-Scope, Flasher, etc
  • 4.3" sharp display
  • Easy to use
  • Save up to 5,000 waypoints

Premium

  • Great for fishing enthusiasts
  • Dual beam plus sonar with switchfire
  • Waterproof unit with IPX7
  • Upgradeable software

Table Of Comparison 

We have designed a comparison table below for your easy reference.

However, it is important to note that the positions are in no particular order of importance. Some models may be preferred by others, therefore, please do read in details, which one may suit you the best. 

ProductFeaturesOur Rating


Deeper Smart Sonar PRO+ (Editor's Pick)
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Built in GPS

Choose between Standard, Boat, Ice Fishing and Onshore GPS modes

Narrow to wide beam scanning

4.8/5.0

Price: $$$

More Details


Garmin Striker Plus 4
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Includes dual-beam transducer with Chirp sonar

Built-in Garmin quickdraw contours mapping

Built-in GPS

5.0/5.0

Price: $$

More Details


Humminbird Helix 9 DI/GPS
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Display 9-inch 65,000 color TFT

3 programmable buttons

Down Imaging Duel Beam PLUS Sonar

Max Depth: 350 ft (Down Imaging); 600 ft (DualBeam Plus)
4.9/5.0

Price: $$$$$

More Details


Humminbird HELIX 5 SI/GPS
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Side Imaging/Down Imaging and Dual Beam Plus sonar

4000 watts PTP power output

Precision Internal GPS Chartplotting with UniMap

4.7/5.0

Price: $$$$$

More Details


Lowrance Hook-3X Sonar
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
11 adjustable levels of LED backlight

2 frequencies - 455kHz & 800 kHz

Scanning depth up to 300 feet
4.7/5.0

Price: $$$

More Details


Garmin Striker 5CV
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
Water Rating: IPX7

Dual Frequency (50/200kHz) sonar

Dual beam (77/200kHz) sonar

Integrated GPS with marked waypoints

Tilt/Swivel mount
4.7/5.0

Price: $$$

More Details


Humminbird Helix 7 Chirp DI GPS G2
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
​ Plenty of sonar functions, including Selective Fish ID+, RTS and others

Highly accurate GPS

Able to map or remap bodies of water through AutoChart Live

Gimbal mount and compatibility with other mounting systems

4.7/5.0

Price: $$$$

More Details


Raymarine Dragonfly 4 Pro
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
​ Dual channel sonar - CHIRP DownVision sonar + CHIRP conventional sonar

Raymarine's Wi-Fish mobile app

Comes with Navionics+ charts

CPT-DVS Transom mount transducer
4.4/5.0

Price: $$

More Details


Vexilar SP200 T-Box
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
​ Turns smartphones/tablets into functional sonar system using WiFi

Built-in dual beam technology

Able to read 240 feet depth underwater

Works everywhere in the world
4.2/5.0

Price: $$

More Details


Lowrance Mark 4
CHECK CURRENT PRICE
​ 300 Watt 83/200KHz fishfinder

Bulit-in GPS/ Chartplotter with basemap

Includes transom mount 83/200KHz transducer

Quick-release tilt and swivel bracket
4.0/5.0

Price: $$$

More Details

Top 10 Fish Finder Reviews

1. Deeper Smart Sonar PRO+

Best fish finder for kayak

If you are in search for the best portable fish finder that is also wireless and superlight for fishing kayak, the Deeper Smart Sonar PRO plus is a perfect choice.

This depth finder for kayak weaves fishing into a tablet/smartphone interface without being tied to it. If you don’t have an Android or iPhone, don’t worry as it works perfectly on all platforms. 

Read More

2. Garmin Striker Plus 4 - Best Value

For anglers who are looking for a small but yet powerful kayak fish finder that is filled with plenty of helpful features, the Garmin Striker Plus 4 is the one for you. It is very easy to carry and mount on your fishing kayak. The screen displays the data and images in full color, and it is easy to view regardless of the weather conditions.

Read More

3. Humminbird Helix 9 DI/GPS - Premium Pick

This is the latest sonar unit released by Humminbird, and it comes with all the features that anglers are looking for in a fish finder. The DI sonar unit has an advanced GPS module that enables you to mark the best place to go for fishing. Navigating significant waterways is made easy due to this top rated model.

Read More

4. Humminbird HELIX 5 SI/GPS - Best for Small Boat

The Humminbird HELIX 5 SI is an older model with new features. It does not have CHIRP sonar features, but it offers three types of sonar - DualBeam Plus, Down Imaging, and Side Imaging. The device also comes with the UniMap base charts.

Read More

5. Lowrance Hook-3X Sonar - Best Model Under $200

Lowrance Hook-3X fish finder has LED-backlight that helps to brighten the picture. Its three-inch color display provides a clear picture of everything underneath. Viewing it is easy even when in bright sunlight. You can view the angle in the monitor. The resolution is around 320 x 240 which makes it easy to see underneath the waves.

Read More

6. Garmin Striker 5CV - Best Model Under $300

The Garmin Striker has lots of helpful features that will help you locate and catch more fishes.

One of its useful features is the Integrated GPS System. This will help you detect and reveal information on what is underneath your fishing kayak. You can use this information together with geographic data to then optimize your ability to catch the fish.

Read More

7. Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP DI 

The Humminbird Helix 7 has four different variants, but the first choice for most anglers is the DI version. The most noticeable feature is the upgraded image processor that enables better signal and produce a clearer image.

Read More

8. Raymarine Dragonfly 4 Pro - Best Kayak Fish Finder for Catfish

The first thing you will notice about this fish finder is the 4.3 inches backlit LED. This will help you read the display in bright light and also during the night.

It has HD images with a 480 x 272 WQVGA resolution. It is also considered as one of the good inexpensive fish finders for kayaks.

Read More

9. Vexilar SP200 T-Box

This fish finder is an excellent product to have while kayak fishing. It is compact and designed to connect to a smartphone.

The Vexilar SP200 is a transducer that can connect to the smartphone wirelessly. It can be controlled by using an application. This device needs to be hooked up on a 12-volt battery for power.

Read More

10. Lowrance Mark 4 - Best Model Under $300 

This fish finder is a budget-friendly unit. Lowrance Mark 4 offers three models; the Base unit, CHIRP, and HDI. Any of them would be perfect for a kayak fishing boat.

These models are some of the remaining non-color fish finders in the market today but it does not mean they are low-quality units. The Lowrance Mark 4 series is an excellent addition to your kayak fishing adventure.

Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the purpose of using sonar during kayak fishing?

The tool will help you find and catch fish. You can also mark the location where there are lots of fish around and save it for your next fishing adventure. These devices are equipped with lots of features that are very helpful for anglers.

 

2. Is it safe to purchase the tool online?


Yes, you can purchase a fish finder online. It is much cheaper, and you can sometimes get a higher discount if you buy it online. Just make sure you are buying it from a reliable store. Keep in mind that the fish finders for ice fishing is different compared to other fish finders.


3. How does a fish finder works?

The fish finder makes use of sound to find the objects underwater. The tool sends sound pulses into the water, and it waits for an echo. Then it will display what is underneath your boat. Before getting one, make sure you know how to read a fish finder.


4. Which is better, portable fish finders or fixed fish finders?

Portable fish finders has lots of useful features than fixed fish finder. One advantage of portable sonar is that it is very versatile, you don't have to decide between canoe fishing or lake fishing since you can use it on both types of fishing.

FINAL VERDICT

DEEPER SONAR PRO+

4.8/5.0
Our Rating

All the above fish finders reviewed can be considered as the best fish finder for kayak, but our best choice is the Deeper Smart Sonar PRO+. This device has all the features anglers are looking for in a sonar. It displays what is in store for you underneath your boat clearly and accurately. You can also use this device day or night.

Finding the perfect spot to discover and catch fish is easy if you bring along your Deeper Smart Sonar Pro plus on your kayak fishing adventure. We give this fish finder 4.8 stars out of 5. For additional information and reactions, you can comment below. And if you find this review helpful, feel free to share this post.  

Adam Parsons

Hi! I'm Adam Parsons - a fishing enthusiast. I have been fishing for more than 15 years now and I still strongly remember that the toughest part for me was during the learning process. Most guides I read during that time was too technical to understand. Therefore, I make sure that everything I post on dream-guides regarding fishing is written well and easy to understand even if you are a newbie.

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below

John - November 17, 2018

Great post about best fish finders available on the market. It is very helpful for a beginner like me. After reading this article, I have decided to pick Garmin Striker 4 from your list. What do you say about my choice? Thanks for sharing.

Reply
    Douglas - November 19, 2018

    The Garmin striker 4 is a good choice!

    Reply
Leave a Reply: