When you go fishing on a trolling motor, you need the right kind of fish finder. A fish finder helps you find fish and structures underwater so you can have a smooth fishing experience.
Many kinds of models are available with various price tags, features, sizes, brands, functionality, and more. This article will review 7 fish finders from top companies along with the features, specifications, and pros and cons.
Quick Overview – 7 Best Fish Finder for Trolling Motor
- Garmin Striker 4 – Best fish finder for identifying prey quickly
- Humminbird 410210-1 Helix 5 – Best fishfinder display features
- ReelSonar iBobber – Best low budget fish finder
- Lowrance Hook2 – Best bullet skimming transducer
- Lucky Portable Fish Finder FFC1108-1 – Best affordable portable fish finder
- Deeper Chirp Castable and Portable Fish Finder – Best CHIRP sonar technology
- JOYWEE FF688C Phiradar – Best color LCD
7 Best Fish Finder for Trolling Motor in 2022
Let us take a look at our top picks of fish finders for trolling motors:
1. Garmin Striker 4 – Best Fish Finder for Identifying Prey Quickly
The Garmin Striker 4 fish finder is very quick at finding fish in water. It allows you to ease your mind and not worry about finding your next target.
It is a handy tool that helps you keep track of your target. The Striker 4 is perfect for those who want to find their target quickly and move on to the next prey.
Product Features
The Garmin Striker 4 can easily be attached to a trolling motor. This device, although small in size, is sturdy and has a wide coverage.
As a result, it can quickly find fish hiding even in the deepest waters. Fish can often go undetected by the human eye, but this device will ensure you do not miss your prey! It can find fish up to 1600 feet deep in freshwater and 750 feet deep in salt water.
Additionally, it displays the current speed of your boat to help you determine if you are going too fast or too slow to catch your prey. It also has a waypoint map feature to mark objects and places like the docks, etc.
Why Choose This Product?
This fish finder for trolling motor may be small in size, but it is a powerful device that will make it easier to find your prey. The screen clearly indicates when it finds a fish, along with offering a wide coverage area.
Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 3.6 x 1.6 x 5.9 inches
- Weight: 8 ounces
- Batteries: 1 Lithium-ion battery required
- Display Resolution: 480 x 320 dpi
- Other Display Features: Wireless
- Color: Black
- Included Components: Transducer, transom, and motor mounts, Striker 4 fish finder, documentation, power/data cable, tilt/swivel mount.
Pros
- Portable design
- Wide coverage with CHIRP sonar technology
- Waypoint map feature
Cons
- Not waterproof
- Needs a 12V battery
Garmin Striker 4 is an easy-to-use fish finder for trolling motors. It is affordable and portable, so it is a good choice for many fishing enthusiasts and professionals.
2. Humminbird 410210-1 Helix 5 – Best fish finder display features
Humminbird fish finders are well-known for their top-quality products and excellent performance. The Helix 5 has a 5-inch screen that adds to its portability and ease of use.
The screen display is extremely bright with a good pixel density to see the picture very clearly. In addition, it has a mounting gear that helps you quickly attach it to the trolling motor.
Product Features
The Helix 5 fish finder uses high-frequency beams and clearly displays structures and contours. Its side imaging feature allows you to see the world from a unique perspective.
The down imaging feature lets you see what is happening directly under your boat by creating a fish-eye view.
It has a GPS as well as built-in features for mapping. You can also add an external SD card if you want to increase its storage capacity. This fish finder keeps track of locations even while you move on to your next location.
Why Choose This Product?
The Humminbird Helix 5 has top-notch display quality with a ton of features that allow you to see your prey better.
In addition, its built-in GPS and mapping functions are good for keeping track of high fish density locations, so you can come back to that place whenever you want to.
Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 1.13 x 7.55 x 4.28 inches
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- Brand: Humminbird
- Color: Black
- Batteries: Not included
- Screen Size: 5 Inches
- Display Type: Color TFT
Pros
- GPS and built-in mapping features
- Side imaging and down imaging features give information about what is happening around your boat at all times.
- Mounting gear allows easy installation on the trolling motor
Cons
- The screen is small in size
If you are looking for a fish finder with many display features, then the Humminbird Helix 5 is the right choice for you.
It is a sophisticated model with superb quality and performance, making it a useful tool to have while fishing.
3. ReelSonar iBobber – Best low budget fish finder
If you are looking for a fish finder but are low on budget, then the ReelSonar iBobber is the right choice for you. It was designed while keeping portability in mind.
You can use Bluetooth to sync your phone with the iBobber; this way, you can mark objects, locations, temperatures, and pictures on your trip log.
Product Features
The iBobber is strong, sturdy, and includes a transducer. It can find fish in water within 135 feet depth and 100 feet across. The casting range probably seems too less, but it makes up for it with its built-in mapping feature.
It is efficient as it helps you catch more fish in less time. Its mapping function is beneficial as it helps identify surfaces, contours, and places where fish may be hiding.
Its battery can last for more than 10 hours. It has features that are suited for night-time fishing as well. For example, the fish alarms tell you when a fish is nearby and when it bites on the hook. It also has a built-in LED beacon.
Why Choose This Product?
The ReelSonar iBobber is the best fish finder for those who are on a budget. It is portable but strong.
It has features that will help you if you are fishing at night. In addition, its mapping feature helps you catch more fish in a lesser amount of time.
Product Specifications
- Manufacturer: ReelSonar
- Color: Classic
- Battery Life: 10 hours
- Free app on iOS and Android
- Compatible with Google Watch and iWatch
Pros
- Fish alarm and built-in LED beacon are useful for night-time fishing
- Long battery life
- Batteries are rechargeable
- Portable device with a strong build
- Powerful sonar
Cons
- The casting range is less
- Sonar function will work only if the water depth is more than 4 feet
- Impurities in water may affect its accuracy
Although it is small in size and not expensive, do not underestimate it. It has a powerful sonar mechanism that helps you fish efficiently and quickly.
In addition, it is easy to operate and a good choice for when you go fishing on a trolling motor.
4. Lowrance Hook2 – Best bullet skimming transducer
Lowrance Hook2 is another famous low-budget fish finder. It is easy to set up on your trolling motor. Its high-resolution SolarMAX display shows clear and crisp photos of fish and structures.
Product Features
The sonar in Lowrance Hook2 transducer has a wide area coverage with more range than a typical sonar.
It helps map out and identify surfaces, contours, fish, and more; you will know the location of objects and surroundings and decide where you will find your prey.
It is easy to install and operate. It has auto-tuning sonar settings that will help you find fish easily.
The MicroSD card can store routes, locations, and waypoints. The SolarMAX display shows bright, vibrant, and super clear pictures.
Why Choose This Product?
It is inexpensive and easy to install. Its bright screen display lets you identify fish and surrounding structures easily. Its powerful sonar transducer covers a wide area to detect objects, structures, and fish easily.
Product Specifications
- Manufacturer: Lowrance
- Bullet skimmer transducer
- SolarMAX display
Pros
- Portable design
- Super clear and bright screen display
- Wide area coverage by sonar
Cons
- Small screen size
Lowrance Hook2 is famous for its low price and excellent sonar performance. In addition, its portable design and easy installation make it a popular fish finder device.
5. Lucky Portable Fish Finder FFC1108-1 – Best affordable portable fish finder
The Lucky Portable Fish Finder is a good affordable option for both beginner and expert fishing trips.
Product Features
As the name suggests, the Lucky Portable Fish Finder FFC1108-1 has a small build and can easily fit in your palm. It can find fish within 3-328 feet depth and is sure to make your fishing experience very enjoyable.
It comes with a 25-feet long cable. Although you cannot throw it too far, you can use the fish finder for a long time because its battery can last for quite a few hours.
Its sonar technology is sensitive to objects in its surroundings, such as rocks, fish, weeds, etc. Its LCD has a colored screen that displays the detected objects.
In addition to its top-quality sonar system, this fish finder has fish alarms to alert you when a fish is present nearby.
Why Choose This Product?
Novices, as well as professionals, can use the Lucky Portable Fish Finder FFC1108-1. Its sonar technology can accurately detect structures and objects underwater and display the information on the LCD screen.
The sensitivity levels can be adjusted depending on the fishing environment and conditions. The fish alarm is useful as it alerts you when fish are present nearby. The backlight makes it easy to see the screen even in bright sunlight.
Product Specifications
- Batteries: 4 AAA batteries (not included)
- Manufacturer: Lucky
- 2-inch TN/ANTI-UV LCD
- Blue LED backlighting
- Measurement Unit: ft./m
- 81-inch diameter transducer sensor
- Detect Depth Range: 3 ft. – 328.08 ft. (0.6 m – 100 m) under sensor
- Sensor Coverage Range: 45 degrees beam angle in 200 kHz
- Sensor Operating Temperature: 14°F to 122°F (-10°C-50°C).
- Cable Length: 25 ft (7.62 m)
Pros
- Portable, compact device
- Sonar technology that can easily detect underwater objects nearby
- Bright, clear display on the colored LCD screen
Cons
- Cable length is short
- Not waterproof
This fish finder is specially designed to give you a complete fishing experience, even with a low budget. It has good features along with sonar technology that is perfect for identifying fish.
6. Deeper CHIRP Castable and Portable Fish Finder – Best CHIRP sonar technology
The Deeper fish finder uses CHIRP sonar technology, which essentially sends out beams in a continuous flow of frequencies instead of sending a single beam like in traditional sonars.
These multiple ranges of frequencies give a clearer picture and a higher resolution.
Product Features
The Deeper fish finder is popular due to its castable nature, and its sonar has a good range. It has a 330-feet casting range and depth range.
In addition, the powerful sonar technology can accurately detect rocks, weeds, and fish; this way, you will know where to cast your line with your bait to lure fish.
The Deeper app allows you to fully map out your fishing route before you begin your trip. You can mark fishing locations, depth measurements, mark locations, mark target’s location, and much more.
In addition, you can create bathymetric maps from your boat and access and review data on any device.
It has a fast-charging battery. The fish finder can be charged to 80% in 45 minutes and 100% in just 75 minutes. It also has a 5-year warranty.
Why Choose This Product?
The Deeper fish finder has CHIRP sonar technology which improves your fishing experience overall. In addition, it has an impressive casting and depth range of 330 feet, along with a 5-year warranty.
Product Specifications
- Manufacturer: Deeper
- Uses CHIRP sonar technology with beams operating on 3 frequencies: wide-angle beam 47° (100 kHz), mid beam 20° (240 kHz), narrow beam 7° (675 kHz).
Pros
- Top-notch quality device
- Impressive 5-year warranty
- 330 feet casting and depth range
Cons
- Expensive for some users
Deeper is known for producing good quality products. This fish finder is a bit on the expensive side, but it makes up for it by using CHIRP sonar technology and giving you a 5-year warranty. This versatile and accurate fish finder is worth the extra money.
7. JOYWEE FF688C Phiradar – Best color LCD
The JOYWEE Phiradar fish finder is perfect for all fishermen. It allows you to find the location of fish, depth of water, and contours. It can be used in any water body, including rivers, lakes, and seas.
Product Features
The JOYWEE fish finder uses dual-beam sonar technology, operating at frequencies of 200 kHz and 83 kHz; this frequency range gives you accurate details and information about fish, rocks, weeds, and other underwater objects.
It is a portable device that can measure the depth of water and its temperature and comes with the option of adjusting sensitivity. Fish and depth alarms make sure that you do not miss your prey. It has a 3.5”, 18-bit, sunlight-readable TFT screen with a crisp and bright display.
You can see the fish and surrounding objects on the screen with ease. You can easily choose the language of your choice as well, due to its multilingual feature.
Why Choose This Product?
It is a versatile and inexpensive fish finder that anyone can use. Its user-adjustable options make it easy for the user to operate this device according to their preference. Its screen display is of good quality and shows fish and objects clearly.
Product Specifications
- Material: Plastic
- Display: 3.5″ TFT LCD
- Resolution: V320 x H240
- Front Lighting: White LED
- Depth Range: 0.6 m – 300 m / 2 ft. – 984 ft.
- Sonar Frequency: 200/83 kHz dual beam
- Language: English / Russian/ French / Japanese / Finnish / Polish / German / Italian / Spanish / Dutch / Korean / Swedish / Greek / Danish
- Input Power: DC 10-18 V
- Operation Temperature: -20~+70°C
- Item Size: 16 x 10.2 cm / 6.30 x 4.02 in
- Item Weight: 388 g / 13.69 oz.
- Package Size: 18 x 11.7 x 17.2 cm / 7.09 x 4.61 x 6.77 in
- Package Weight: 977 g / 2.15 lb.
Pros
- Portable design and affordable price
- The display is visible even under bright sunlight
- High-power transducer
Cons
- Short cable length
The JOYWEE fish finder has good value for money. It allows the user to adjust settings accordingly with its simple interface. In addition, the high-power transducer helps catch fish efficiently.
Tips for Choosing the Best Fish Finder for Trolling Motor
A fish finder is a useful device that allows you to see fish underwater and surrounding structures and objects.
After detection, all of these are displayed on the fish finder’s screen. While buying a fish finder, you must consider some important factors. Our buyers’ guide mentions some of those factors that will help you make a decision:
Transducer Mount
The transducer is the main component of a fish finder. It is responsible for converting energy signals from one form to another.
This case converts electrical signals and sends out sound waves, which come back as echoes and convert back. These waves carry information about the depth, location, fish, objects, contours, etc.
The transducer mount attaches it to the trolling motor. Some require additional parts for attachment, while some fish finders already include a transducer mount.
It is best to go for the latter type of fish finder if you wish to avoid unnecessary hassle and save time.
Battery
When a fish finder is low on power, it can give inaccurate readings, and you will end up not catching any fish at all. Make sure to go through the battery requirements of the fish finder.
Some do not need an external power source and run on batteries, while some require external power. In this case, try to keep the power source of your fish finder separate from the source for your trolling motor.
Waterproof Feature
When you go fishing, water splashes will inevitably come into the boat, the trolling motor, and the fish finder.
A good fish finder is waterproof. If it is not, then it will not run properly the instant it makes contact with water. Hence, it would help if you had a fish finder resistant to water and can function even after getting wet.
Screen Display
While the above features are important, the display screen of the fish finder is equally crucial. The screen size should be appropriate, but the display quality is even more important than the size.
It should show clear, crisp, bright, and vibrant images. The screen should be visible even under bright sunlight; otherwise, you will not be able to go fishing during the daytime.
A colored screen is preferable since it will have more pixel colors that will contribute to a clear picture that displays what the sonar detects.
Navigational Capabilities
Low-budget fish finders usually do not include navigational features. Although you do not need a high-functioning GPS to catch a fish, it certainly helps you keep track of your previously visited locations.
Thus, you can completely enjoy the trip without worrying about where you came from or where the previous fishing location was.
Best Fish Finder for Trolling Motor FAQs
Let’s address some frequently asked questions that you may have in your mind as well:
✅ Should I buy a fish finder with a colored screen or with a black-and-white screen?
Color screens are more preferable since it is easier to make out the details when you have different colors on the screen. The information relayed by your transducer will be easy to understand and read. Colored screens are also easier to read in sunlight.
✅ How do fish finders work?
Fish finders make use of sonar technology. Sonar works by emitting high-frequency sound waves into the water. When these waves come across any object, they bounce off and return. These waves are then processed by converting them into electrical signals. The data is visually displayed on the fish finder’s screen, and you can see everything on the screen. As you move across the water, the environment also changes, and you keep getting new visuals based on the information received by the sonar.
✅ Do I need the GPS feature in my fish finder?
No, it is not a necessary feature. However, it is useful as it helps keep track of coordinates while fishing, so you do not have to worry about doing that yourself.
Conclusion
Whether you are a novice or a professional fisher, it is easy to get confused by the plethora of fish finders available. Each model has its own unique features, price range, and capabilities. Therefore, you should choose the one that suits your needs the best.
The Garmin Striker 4 is our top pick. It is available at a reasonable price and with good features. It uses CHIRP sonar technology and has built-in mapping features.
The display screen is good, showing clear pictures. There are also plenty of other options available if you are looking for a low-budget fish finder, such as Lowrance Hook2 and Lucky Portable Fish Finder FFC1108-1.
Last update on 2023-05-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API