You’re out on the water, paddling your fishing kayak, hoping to catch some fish. The water’s surface doesn’t give away much about what’s happening beneath. That’s where a fish finder comes in handy. It’s like having underwater eyes, showing you where the fish are hiding and what the underwater landscape looks like.
Using a fish finder on a kayak isn’t as complicated as it might seem at first. With a bit of know-how and practice, you’ll be reading those sonar signals like a pro in no time. Let’s walk through how to set up and use your fish finder to make your kayak fishing trips more successful.
How To Use A Fishfinder?
Choosing The Right Fish Finder For Your Kayak
Before you can use a fish finder, you need to pick the right one for your kayak. There are many options available, but not all of them work well on a small boat like a kayak.
When choosing a fish finder for your kayak, consider these factors:
- Size and weight: Kayaks have limited space, so a compact and lightweight unit is ideal.
- Screen visibility: Look for a screen that’s easy to read in bright sunlight.
- Waterproofing: Kayak fishing often involves splashing water, so your fish finder needs to be waterproof.
- Battery life: Opt for a unit with long battery life or one that’s compatible with portable power banks.
- Mounting options: Ensure the fish finder can be easily mounted on your kayak without major modifications.
- Transducer type: Some transducers can be mounted inside the hull, which is ideal for kayaks.
- GPS functionality: Having GPS can be useful for marking fishing spots and navigation.
- Frequency options: Dual-frequency fish finders offer more versatility in different water depths.
Take your time to research and compare different models based on these factors and your specific needs as a kayak angler.
Setting Up Your Fish Finder On Your Kayak
Once you’ve got your fish finder, it’s time to install Fishfinder on your kayak. This process can seem daunting, but it’s manageable if you approach it step by step.
Mounting The Display
First, you need to mount the display where you can easily see it while paddling. Most kayak anglers position it right in front of them, near the cockpit. You can use an adjustable mount, which allows you to move the screen for optimal viewing angles and to protect it when transporting your kayak.
When choosing a mounting location, consider:
- Visibility while paddling
- Protection from impacts
- Ease of access for adjusting settings
- Minimal interference with your casting or paddling
Installing The Transducer
The transducer is the part that sends out sonar waves and picks up the echoes. It needs to be in contact with the water to function correctly. On a kayak, you have several options for transducer placement:
- Through-hull mount: This involves drilling a hole in your kayak and mounting the transducer inside. It’s a permanent solution that works well but requires modifying your kayak.
- Transom mount: This attaches the transducer to the back of the kayak. It’s easier to install but might interfere with paddling or get damaged when beaching your kayak.
- Inside the hull: Some transducers can work through the bottom of the kayak. This method is easy to set up and keeps the transducer protected, but it might not perform as well as direct water contact methods.
- Side mount: You can mount the transducer on the side of the kayak. This works well and doesn’t interfere with paddling, but it may affect the kayak’s stability if not positioned correctly.
Wiring It Up
After mounting the display and transducer, you need to connect them. Run the wires from the transducer to the display unit. Keep the wires neat and out of the way to prevent tangling or snagging while fishing. Use zip ties or wire clips to secure the cables along the kayak’s interior.
Powering Your Fish Finder
Most kayak fish finders run on rechargeable batteries or small 12-volt batteries. Ensure you place the battery in a waterproof box to keep it dry. Some anglers use a battery pack that fits in a cup holder for easy access and quick battery swaps.
Consider using lithium batteries for their lighter weight and longer life. Always carry spare batteries for extended fishing trips.
How To Read A Fishfinder
Now that your fish finder is set up, it’s time to learn how to read it. At first, the screen might look like a jumble of random lines and shapes. But with practice, you’ll start to understand what’s really going on under your kayak.
Understanding The Basics
The fish finder screen shows a slice of what’s under your kayak. The right side of the screen displays what’s directly beneath you right now. As you move, the image scrolls to the left, showing where you’ve been.
The top of the screen represents the water surface, and the bottom of the screen shows the lake or sea bottom. The space in between reveals everything in the water column.
Identifying Fish
Fish usually appear as arches on the screen. The size of the arch generally corresponds to the size of the fish – big arches for big fish, small arches for small fish. Sometimes, you’ll see a cluster of small dots instead of arches. These are typically schools of small fish.
The shape of the arch can tell you more about the fish:
- A long, thin arch often means the fish was swimming through the sonar beam quickly.
- A wider, fuller arch might indicate a fish swimming slowly or directly through the center of the beam.
- Half arches usually mean the fish swam in and out of the sonar beam.
Reading The Bottom
The bottom appears as a thick line across the screen. A straight line indicates a flat bottom. If it’s bumpy or irregular, that suggests rocks, drop-offs, or other structures. These features often attract fish and can be great spots to target.
Pay attention to the thickness and color intensity of the bottom line:
- A thin, hard line usually indicates a hard bottom like rock or gravel.
- A thicker, fuzzier line might suggest a softer bottom like mud or weeds.
Understanding Fish Finder Colors
Many fish finders use colors to show the strength of the sonar return. While color schemes can vary between manufacturers, generally:
- Red indicates the strongest returns (like the bottom or large, dense objects)
- Orange and yellow show medium-strength returns
- Green and blue represent weaker returns
- Black typically means no return
This color coding can help you distinguish between fish, structure, and other elements in the water column.
Recognizing Structure And Cover
Fish finders can show you underwater structures that attract fish:
- Sudden changes in the bottom line might indicate drop-offs or ledges.
- Pillar-like returns from the bottom could be standing timber or rock piles.
- Fuzzy areas extending from the bottom might be vegetation.
Interpreting Water Column Information
The space between the surface and the bottom can reveal a lot:
- Clouds of small dots often represent bait fish or plankton.
- Larger, scattered dots might be larger fish.
- Horizontal lines could indicate thermoclines (temperature changes) or currents.
Using Fish ID
Some fish finders have a Fish ID feature that turns sonar arches into fish icons. While this can be helpful for beginners, many experienced anglers prefer to interpret the raw data themselves for more accurate information.
Adjusting Your Fish Finder Settings
To get the best results from your fish finder, you need to adjust the settings. This might take some trial and error, but it’s worth the effort to optimize your view of the underwater world.
Sensitivity
Sensitivity controls how much detail you see on the screen. If it’s too low, you might miss fish or structure. If it’s too high, the screen gets cluttered with noise. Start with it in the middle and adjust until you see fish clearly without too much extra clutter.
Depth Range
Set the depth range to match the water you’re fishing in. If you’re in shallow water, set it to show just the depth you need. This gives you more detail. In deeper water, you can increase the range to see more of what’s below you.
A good rule of thumb is to set the depth range to about 1.5 times the actual water depth. This allows you to see the bottom clearly while still leaving room to spot fish higher in the water column.
Frequency
Most kayak fish finders use either 83kHz or 200kHz frequency, or both. Higher frequency (200kHz) gives you more detail but doesn’t reach as deep. Lower frequency (83kHz) shows less detail but works better in deeper water.
- Use 200kHz in shallow water (less than 60 feet) for better detail.
- Use 83kHz in deeper water or when you want to see a wider area.
- If your unit allows, use both frequencies simultaneously for a comprehensive view.
Chart Speed
This controls how fast the image moves across the screen. A faster speed spreads things out more, showing more detail. A slower speed compresses the image, which can be better for seeing the overall picture.
- Use a faster speed when you’re moving slowly or want to see more detail.
- Use a slower speed when you’re covering water quickly or want to see a larger area.
Noise Rejection
If you’re seeing a lot of “noise” or unwanted echoes on your screen, try adjusting the noise rejection setting. This can help clean up the image, especially in choppy water or areas with lots of debris.
Fish Alarms
Many fish finders have alarms that can alert you when fish are detected. While these can be useful, they can also become annoying if they’re too sensitive. Adjust these based on the size of fish you’re targeting and the conditions you’re fishing in.
Using Your Fish Finder To Find Fish
Now that you know how to read and adjust your fish finder, let’s talk about how to use it to actually find fish.
Look For Structure
Fish like to hang out near underwater structures like drop-offs, underwater hills, or sunken logs. Use your fish finder to locate these structures. They often show up as sudden changes in the bottom line on your screen.
When you find interesting structure:
- Mark the spot using your fish finder’s GPS feature if available.
- Make several passes over the area to get a complete picture.
- Look for fish holding near the structure.
Find Bait Fish
Where there are bait fish, there are usually bigger fish nearby. Look for clouds of small dots on your screen. These are often schools of bait fish.
- In deeper water, bait balls often appear as distinct clusters.
- In shallow water, they might appear as a thin layer.
- Look for larger arches (predator fish) near or below the bait fish.
Check Different Depths
Fish move up and down in the water depending on factors like water temperature, time of day, and oxygen levels. Use your fish finder to check different depths until you find where the fish are hanging out.
- In the morning and evening, fish often move to shallower water to feed.
- During bright, sunny days, fish might move deeper to cooler water.
- In winter, fish often suspend at the same depth throughout the day.
Follow The Thermocline
In deeper water, you might see a line across your screen that’s not the bottom. This could be the thermocline, where warm upper water meets cooler lower water. Fish often gather near this line.
- The thermocline usually appears as a thin, consistent line across your screen.
- It’s most noticeable in the summer months in deeper lakes.
- Fish often suspend just above or below the thermocline.
Mark Your Spots
When you find a good fishing spot, use the GPS feature on your fish finder to mark it. This way, you can easily find it again on your next trip.
- Create different markers for different types of spots (e.g., structure, bait schools, big fish).
- Make notes about what you catch at each spot and under what conditions.
- Use these markers to build a “milk run” of productive spots for future trips.
Advanced Fish Finder Techniques
As you become more comfortable with your fish finder, you can start using some more advanced techniques to improve your fishing.
Using Side Imaging
If your fish finder has side imaging capability, you can see a wide area on either side of your kayak. This is great for finding structure and fish that aren’t directly under you.
- Side imaging is best when you’re moving in a straight line at a consistent speed.
- Look for hard returns (bright spots) that could indicate fish or structure.
- Use side imaging to scout large areas quickly, then switch to down imaging or traditional sonar to investigate interesting spots.
Interpreting Down Imaging
Down imaging provides a detailed, almost photographic view of what’s below your kayak. It can help you distinguish between fish and structure more easily than traditional sonar.
- Fish often appear as bright dots or lines on down imaging.
- Vegetation will look like fuzzy masses extending from the bottom.
- Hard structures like rocks or logs will have sharp, defined edges.
Understanding Fish Behavior
As you use your fishfinder more, you’ll start to understand fish behavior better:
- Look for patterns in where fish hold at different times of day or in different seasons.
- Notice how fish position themselves relative to structure or bait.
- Observe how fish react to your lure (you can often see your lure on the fish finder).
Combining Fish Finder Data With Other Factors
A fish finder is most effective when used in conjunction with other fishing knowledge:
- Consider weather conditions and how they might affect fish behavior.
- Think about seasonal patterns and how they influence where fish might be.
- Use your knowledge of the specific fish species you’re targeting to interpret what you’re seeing on the screen.
Troubleshooting Common Fish Finder Problems
Even with the best setup, you might encounter some issues with your fish finder. Here are some common problems and how to address them:
No Power
If your fish finder won’t turn on, check the battery connections. Ensure they’re tight and free of corrosion. Also, verify that your battery is charged. Carry a spare battery or portable charger for longer trips.
Weak Signal
If you’re not getting a clear picture, your transducer might be the issue. Make sure it’s fully submerged in the water and not covered by air bubbles. Check that it’s clean and free of algae or dirt. If you’re using an in-hull transducer, ensure there are no air pockets in the silicone or epoxy holding it in place.
Incorrect Depth Readings
This could be caused by interference from your kayak’s hull or improper frequency settings. Try adjusting the transducer position or switching between high and low frequencies. In very shallow water, you might need to adjust the minimum depth setting.
Screen Freezing
If your screen freezes, try turning the unit off and on again. If this happens frequently, you might need to update the software or reset the unit to factory settings. Extreme temperatures can also cause this issue, so try to keep your unit out of direct sunlight on hot days.
False Fish Readings
Sometimes your fish finder might show fish that aren’t really there. This can be caused by debris in the water, your paddle strokes, or even schools of tiny organisms. Adjusting the sensitivity and noise rejection settings can often help with this.
Interference
If you see strange lines or patterns on your screen, it could be due to interference from other electronic devices or even other fish finders nearby. Try changing the noise rejection settings or switching to a different frequency.
Using a fish finder on a kayak can significantly improve your fishing success. It helps you locate fish, understand the underwater terrain, and make more informed decisions about where and how to fish. With practice, you’ll become adept at reading your fish finder, finding those perfect fishing spots, and hopefully catching more fish.
Remember, a fish finder is a tool to enhance your fishing, not a magic solution. It works best when you combine its data with your fishing knowledge and skills. So get out on the water, practice with your fish finder, and enjoy the adventure of kayak fishing.
As you become more proficient with your fish finder, you’ll discover that it not only helps you catch more fish but also deepens your understanding of the underwater world. This knowledge can make every fishing trip a learning experience, whether you’re exploring a new fishing spot or revisiting a familiar one. Keep practicing, stay curious, and most importantly, enjoy your time on the water!