FS Digest

I understand that you get what you pay for. What’s the best one? Or when you buy the cheaper ones does it really even matter?

Never bought a fish finder before so just curious if anyone had thought on it. Thanks!

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by buoyblaster

Ronniejw Loc: West Point MS

Too many people look for fish instead of structure, when they don't see the fish the sounder gets the blame. As long as you can find drop offs or other things where fish could be then you have a chance of catching.
I've used Sounders for over 40 years and used them to find specific areas, the fish were a bonus.

TBRhino Loc: NC and FL

Ronniejw is correct finding drop offs and structure is critical. Fish will be there. You really have two decisions IMO first how big a screen do you need the smaller the less expensive and then what's your budget. For instance I use both Hummingbird and Lowrance. Haven't tried the other brands. For the money Lowrance has a reliable product that shows good depth as in drop offs and pretty good structure in their Hook series. I have the more expensive one on my dash but for the money the hook in a smaller screen can do most of what you what within a smaller budget.

Ronniejw Loc: West Point MS

Back in the 90s when I was game fishing I had 2 sounders, 1 had gps and would drop out in depths past 600 ft, used that mainly for going to my waypoints, the other was black and white and would show down to 1500 ft so we knew if we were getting too far out. Was good at finding baitfish schools. Inshore ise for finding reefs and drops as well

Catfish hunter Loc: Riggins idaho (Paradise)

Makes a huge difference. You’re looking for structure and bait fish more so than the fish you’re after. Cheap models will, actually, make fish appear from bubbles off of your prop. Don’t trust the cheap stuff.