How to Read A Fish Finder ~ A fish finder is a navigational tool used by the fishermen to find fish in the water. It has a Sound Navigation and Ranging system that is a tracker that can identify the fish’s favorite spot for their leisure activity. It’s no wonder anymore in today’s technology as they have developed other electronic compasses and GPS to make their fishing easier.
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Display Of The Fish Finder
The transmitter is responsible for sending out signals in the waves while the SONAR system handled the echoes to bounce its soundwaves back to the transmitter. When the reflected waves are being recorded, a signal is sent to your screen. The display screen will show you if the fish is present in the water, but you have to make sure that these signals are not false signals. Because of advanced technology, many companies have taken their interest to develop more fish finders to give convenience to the fishermen.
Best Fish Finders
Garmin Striker 4 With Transducer
Garmin Striker 4 has a lot of features to look out for. It has clear photographic SONAR scanning that shows you the detailed image of the things underwater up to the maximum depth of 1,600 feet freshwater and 750 feet in saltwater. It also features a built-in flasher where you can see the sonar data. The display size of this fish finder is 1.9 x 2.9 inches and 3.5 inches diagonal.
LUCKY Handheld Fish Finder
LUCKY Handheld Fish Finder is a portable device that can detect fish below 328 feet below the fishing sonar transducer. It also includes some incredible functions like having 5 modes of sensitivity options for battery saving and backlight. The normal battery life of a fish finder is only up to 5 hours, however LUCKY Handheld Fish Finder can extend more than 5 hours once you’ve clicked in the battery save mode. This fish finder can be best used in ice fishing, lake fishing, and sea fishing.
MOOCOR Portable Fish Finder Camera
Another spectacular fish finder found in the MOOCOR Portable Fish Finder Camera where it is partnered with an HD LCD monitor to see what kind of fish is present underwater. It has a high multi-functionality low battery power reminder, high definition video, and power-saving mode. Other accessories included are the Far Infrared LED Lights and 1000TVL HD Camera for you to get a better view underwater.
Setting Up A Fishfinder
Installing a fishfinder is a simple DIY job that you can handle. All you need are quite a few equipment and know-how guidelines so you can set up the fish finder perfectly.
Install The Binnacle Mount
Finding the best location is the first thing that you’ll need to do before mounting the binnacle. Keep the fish finder with the best view and it should be closed to the helm center. Make sure that your selected location would allow you to move and turn without hitting the boat’s major equipment. When inspecting the helm station, also ensure that there’s no obstruction underneath, and it should have a room for protruding wires.
Now that you have the location, use the binnacle template with the fishfinder and mark the location and then, drill out the mounting holes with the drill. Once you’ve got the entry and the exit point, you need to inspect if there’s a hole for mounting the binnacle and all of the unit’s wires. Run a silicone sealant around the binnacle mount base.
Running The Power Leads And Mounting The Transducer
This usually depends on the wire’s length so you may need to shorten or lengthen the power leads. Follow the wire-to-wire connection and push the power leads through the exit hole that you have drilled while securing the wires with a cushion clamps. Crimp the female spade connectors if the male spade terminal is blocking the fuse.
Hold the transducer bracket and adjust its position horizontally, about 1/8 inch below the hull’s running surface. Run the transducer’s wire to the dash.
There are a few warnings before you secure the wires in the holes: do not cut the transducer wire down because it will lead to the fishfinder’s performance to suffer severely and do not bundle or confuse the transducer wire with any engine’s wiring harness because it will cause degradation on the unit’s performance.
Complete The Installation
Before you turn on everything, make sure that every wire is protected inside the helm and if possible, use a grommet sealing. Attach the final wires and connect the power leads as you plug on the power and the transducer wires at the back of the fishfinder. Go for a test run and see if the unit is working fine and if the transducer has ample time to dry.
The warning that you have to take notice is how the fish finder works. If you thought that the unit loses its entire reading, then the transducer might be too high so you have to position it lower than its former position. If the reading is intermittent, adjust again for a better position. Either you have to try to lower or raise the transduces in 1/8 inch increments until you find the perfect fit for the transducer.
Setting up the Fishfinder will take one week before you can be sure of using it in your fishing, so you have to be patient with it because you will be running a few test runs before you go officially for another fishing adventure.
Conclusion
It is never impossible that our fishermen are getting more fishing technology because it will only help to be more efficient in their field. For more fish finders, they can go to a fishing local shop to personally take at their desired fish finders. They might not be the cheapest products but they come in handy and durable for long use.
There are also some pretty fish finders on the internet and before you can do online shopping, make sure that the product gets at least a 4-star rating to ensure good quality and service.
