13 Types of Fish Finders: How To Choose & Buying Guide

Patience may be an angler's strongest virtue. However, investing in a fish finder can help you maximize your time on the water. In this guide, we compare 13 different types of fish finders plus a few additional features to consider:

A fish finder’s main function is its sonar capabilities. Sonar sends out sound waves to help you ‘see’ beneath the water. Traditionally, there were two main types of sonar (down and side imaging). However, these days, modern technologies have expanded that into six sonar types:

Standard sonar is the oldest fish finder sonar technology that emits a cone-shaped sound wave into the water. 2D sonar has a lower resolution but a greater depth than other types of sonar — making it a favorite for fishing in depths of more than 150 feet.

Down imaging (or down scanning) sends a narrow sonar beam that scans for fish directly beneath your boat. It typically uses shorter wavelengths that result in a very high resolution and target separation.

Side imaging uses two sonar cones that scan up to 240 feet on each side of your vessel. Similar to how down scanning works, side scans use short frequencies that generate detailed images but do not travel to great depths. Use side imaging when fishing in heavy weeds, rock piles, and ledges.

Live sonar echos update in real-time. You’ll have a view of exactly where fish are at any given time and how they are reacting to your bait. While live sonar is not great at scanning large areas, you may want to use it with other sonar technologies (like side imaging).

360 imaging sonar technology scans in every direction around your boat — even when your boat is motionless. Fishing in shallow waters and analyzing specific locations that other types of fish finders can’t detect is where its highly detailed imaging shines!

Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse (CHIRP) sonar uses a combination of multiple frequencies at once to produce a more accurate picture of what’s in the water. CHIRP technology is found in most modern fish finders: even the most basic models.

A fish finder with a fully networked system can support a variety of data and technology capabilities that your smartphone connects to and controls like the following:

When you only want to see what lies beneath, a standalone fish finder offers the best bang for your buck! They’re a good choice for trawling small inland bodies of water. Many units give you the option to add a GPS later on.

Combination/chartplotter fish finders combine sonar and GPS capabilities. They can help you in the following ways as well as save time on your next trip:

• Track your location
• Upload a map and check your position
• Chart your waypoints
• Create your own map of the best fishing grounds

Some fish finders have very specific uses or conditions required that honestly might be overkill for what you need. Before you get caught up in the hype, consider these other features before investing in one:

3D fish finders combine data that uses side transducer scans and special software to create easier-to-read three-dimensional images. You won’t have to interpret any other information. That function alone is generally the hallmark benefit behind these.

Castable fish finders float on top of the water while scanning what’s underneath. Although relatively cost-effective compared to some other types of fish finders, you will need a smartphone or tablet with Bluetooth capabilities to receive and read the data.

Ice fish finders (commonly called flashers or depth finders) show the depth for vertical fishing. The differences between a flasher and a fish finder are minimal. However, the displays of each are the most distinct.

Ice fishing finders may look and perform similarly to open water devices. Flashers have a simplified system of multicolored lights that show (in real-time) what happens beneath your hole.

Certain features may not be as important to you as they are to others. And that’s okay! Fish finders can be a hefty investment. Prioritize what feels right for you and your fishing preferences.

Portable fish finders allow you to enjoy all types of fishing since you can move them to different vessels. They will usually have lower-grade technology and smaller screens than fixed devices. But they’re lighter weight and easy to transport.

Most fish finder screens fall between the 3.5-inch and 16-inch range. If this feature is at the top of your list, check for the pixel number. The quality of the image is often sacrificed as the screen size goes up.

• The bigger the screen, the more information you can see. Just make sure you don’t sacrifice other important features for viewability.
• When fishing from a vessel small and low to the water like a kayak, you’ll want to choose a smaller screen that is lightweight and waterproof.

Bright sunlight can make a fish finder screen hard to read. Newer fish finders may have glare-resistant screens. Alternatively, you can use these other methods:

• Relocate the fish finder to a shadier spot
• Get a shade visor
• Apply a glare-reducing LCD film
• Dim the screen’s brightness and contrast

Fish finders transmit sonar (sound) waves that detect where your next catch is underneath the water. They’re also a great tool to have so you always know how deep your body of water is.

• The frequencies range from very low (infrasonic) to very high (ultrasonic).
• Higher-end devices even provide enough detail to identify individual fish.

Some devices on the market boast extra features like integrated GPS navigation, marine radar, and compasses. These help you beyond finding the fish you seek. They can also navigate you through low visibility below and above water!

The best beginner fish finder depends on which boat you’ll use and the type of fishing you’ll do.

• If you are an occasional fisherman, the best fish finder for you may be portable and simple with more basic sonar technology like 2D, down imaging, and/or side imaging.
• If you plan to do some serious fishing, you might want to opt for an investment with more bells and whistles.
• Some units allow you to add features like live sonar and GPS at a later time, so you can always start with an entry-level fish finder and make upgrades as your angling advances.

A quality fish finder is worth the investment that will likely cost more than most of your other fishing gear. Shop our selection of fish finders online or head to your nearest Academy Sports + Outdoors to compare the different types of fish finders in person.