Get a finder
It is a whole new perspective on what’s below the surface
Why kayak anglers need electronics.
The most popular item of electronics carried by most kayak anglers is the fish-finder, which is highlighted by the design of most angling kayaks incorporating recesses for housing the units.
For the uninitiated, a fish-finder is not a magical device that lands fish into the kayak for you; it serves to help the angler build up a picture of what is happening in the water column below them by providing information such as water depth, water temperature, sea bed composition and structure present or absent, to name a few. This can save time in looking for potentially good fish-holding areas when fishing ‘blind’.
A finder works by emitting a pulse through the transducer, which is set up below the waterline. The pulse passes vertically through the water column and is bounced back to the transducer when it hits the bottom, displaying the bottom contours on the screen in front of the angler.
Should there be any fish between the kayak and the seabed, then the pulse will pick up on the empty space in the swim bladder of the fish and display them as arcs or dots in the water column. Because the unit detects the empty space in the swim bladder, there are situations where fish will be present, but will not show up on screen – the fish might have a
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
small swim bladder, or could be ascending or descending when you pass over it.
Keep in mind that I usually look for fishholding structure with my unit; just because there are no fish on the screen, it doesn’t mean that they are not underneath me. Bear this in mind and use the information that the unit gives you with a bit of common sense and you will find the addition of a fish-finder a useful bit of kit to help maximise your fishing time on the water. When looking for a fish-finder for your kayak fishing, the one thing to be absolutely certain of is that the unit is fully waterproof. That sounds obvious, but you would be surprised by the amount of units that are not.
Brands come down to personal preference. I use Lowrance units and I really like them but, admittedly, I have not tried other types. I liked the first Lowrance unit I got and have continued using them since. I like the layout and user interface, which seem intuitive, but I have heard the same said for other units.
Next thing you need to look at is budget. As with anything, there are great, reasonably priced starter units, with the prices building to levels that would make your eyes water. The basic units give you exactly what you need – water temperatures and bottom contours – so anything you need to spend over and above a basic unit is at your discretion.
I recommend buying a basic, simpler unit if you have not used one before. It is a good way to familiarise yourself with how it works, and allows you to decide whether or not you want a better unit or are happy with the basic unit.
Extra money will give you extra features like a larger screen or an integrated GPS/chart plotter, for example.
As with any additions to the kayak, make sure you use marine-grade parts to avoid deterioration over time. Powering the unit is done with a small battery. I use a 12v 7ah battery, similar to that for a motorbike or house alarm, and I get a full day out on the water with it.
The affordability of fish-finders, with basic units to be found for less than £60, has made them accessible to more anglers. They seem easier to understand now and appear to have become foolproof. If you have been considering one for your kayak I would be the first to urge you to get it. It gives an insight and new perspective on what is beneath the surface.