Fishing has a lot to do with patience. But there’s only so long you can wait for fish to bite, especially if you went through the trouble of driving all the way to a lake. A portable fish finder takes the guessing game out of fishing. You can spend more time fishing and less just sitting around.
Since they’re portable, you don’t need to mount them anywhere. Some models will even fit in your pocket — that’s how small they get. In this article, we’ll go over the best portable fish finders. We have reviewed them based on key features, ease of use, convenience, accuracy, and price. Also, if you are a fishing lover, you will definitely need a portable fishing boat.
Portable Fish Finders Under $100
This category includes products that have basic functionality and the most important characteristics. They do not belong to professional models, but will fully meet all the necessary goals. So if you like fishing, you can choose one of these models.
You may also like: Best Portable Air Compressors
Venterior VT-FF001
You won’t see the scans in colors on the display. There are no fancy display methods. Instead, you’ll get the information in black and white.
That doesn’t have to be a drawback, though. We find it much easier to read the scans this way, without any weird blotches showing up on the screen.
This device does a lot more than just scan for fish. It gives you readings of how deep the water is and of where rocks, sand, and tall plants are.
You can use the Venterior fish finder at night. Simply turn on the backlight setting for the screen. The fish alarm also helps with nighttime fishing or even ice fishing.
This is a very simple fish finder but it does the job well. With very low depths and a loud alarm, this fish finder really shows you what’s lurking below. With a two-year warranty, this is a great little fish finder for those starting out.
RICANK Portable Fish Finder
The last item on our list is quite modest and affordable. It just goes to show that a good fish finder doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg!
Sure, the RICANK screen is black-and-white and doesn’t have any fancy display settings. But that’s not a bad thing! For once, it’s a lot easier to read and understand than other fish scanners. It’ll clearly point out to you how deep the school of fish is.
The yellow float connected to the transducer makes it easier for you to spot it in the water. Whether you’re fishing in a lake, river, or by the shore, you won’t lose sight of your precious sonar.
This device has a depth range of up to 300 feet. You can use it in shallower water or deeper waters alike. The sound wave cone emitted is 45 degrees. While you don’t have the flexibility to narrow or widen it, it’s still a decent angle for most kinds of fishing adventures.
Lastly, you can recharge the batteries of both the handheld scanner and the transducer. They both have a battery life of up to 5 hours, but if you turn on the battery-saving setting, it will last you longer.
LUCKY Portable Fish Finder
A LUCKY fish scanner is also an affordable option. It’s smaller than other units, and so more easily transported, but works just as well.
You’ll find that the screen of this fish scanner is much smaller when compared to others on the market. It measures just 2.4 inches diagonally, but it’s still big enough for most people with no visual impairments to see the readings perfectly.
The unit tracks water depth, underwater contour, water temperature, and—of course—where fish are.
A unique feature is the fish attractive lamp. The transducer is yellow and, at the bottom, has two light beams meant to attract fish. It also helps you see the transducer in the dark if you go night fishing.
Both the transducer and the handheld scanner can be recharged. They come with two USB cords for this purpose. The scanner itself has a battery life of approximately four hours, while the transducer lives for up to 10 hours.
ReelSonar Wireless Bluetooth Smart Fish Finder
Another popular choice is the Reel Sonar Wireless scanner. It’s a bit different from the ones we’ve reviewed so far, as it uses your phone to show you where the fish are.
It doesn’t get more portable than this. The transducer (the piece that emits the sonar waves) fits in the palm of your hand. It’s shaped like a small ball and sends the image of what it scans to your smartphone. You can the two via Bluetooth.
On top of all that, the unit allows you to mark fish, map the depth contours and underwater structures, save the water temperature, and memorize your specific location. Then, you can share all this information on social media.
As if that weren’t enough, you can use the unit with its GPS functionalities. Thus, you can mark on the map your favorite spots, a dock, water depth, and so much more.
It’s also worth mentioning that the iBobber has a built-in LED beam and a strike and fish alarm. All this makes it a great option for ice fishing or nighttime fishing.
A great basic tool, this fish finder works with an app for easy use. The app has a whole bunch of features, including alarms that help you see when something is happening under the water.
The beacon makes it easy to spot, but it doesn’t connect well to the app beyond 50 feet, making it less useful for shore fishers. Anglers casting close by should consider this, but, as it has a long battery life and variable fixtures to make it a trusty and versatile tool that can be transported easily.
Portable Fish Finders Under $150
This category includes models with an average cost. They come with additional accessories to help speed up the search process. They are suitable for frequent use. Judging by the customer testimonials, they show quite a good result.
Garmin 010-01550-00
It can detect fish and bottom structure down to 1,600 feet in freshwater and 750 feet in saltwater. It also features traditional CHIRP sonar technology, which allows it to produce very detailed images.
Garmin’s CLEARVU scanning sonar is available as an option, for those who want the most detail possible from a portable fish finder. It also comes equipped with a dedicated flasher circuit, making it perfect for ice fishing or vertical jigging.
Perhaps the best feature is the integrated GPS system. When you’re on a boat on a lake, having navigation tools is always a bonus. With this scanner, you can check where fish are at the same time that you see your geographical position. Even better: you can create custom paths to go over your favorite spots at the lake.
Designed to work on a kayak, dock, boat, or on the ice, the Gamin Striker 4 Portable Bundle comes with a high-powered transducer, transom and trolling motor mounts, a tilt-swivel mount, a power cord, and a padded carrying case to protect the unit from damage and make it easy to carry.
In fact, the entire kit only weighs 10.8 pounds, so you’ll find it very easy to carry around the lake.
You may also like: Portable Marine Air Conditioners
Lowrance FishHunter PRO
It works in depths from 1.5 feet up to 40 feet which covers most needs. Additionally, it operates in both saltwater and freshwater. With a dual-frequency, you can switch to one or the other for better reading.
Using this wireless echo sounder is as easy as attaching it to your fishing line. It’s perfect for those hard to reach places, like bridges, docks, or when ice fishing. It has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 6 hours, and a range of up to 130 feet.
The Deeper Companion app is free. It features an integrated camera function, fishing calendar, accurate weather reports, diary, integrated social media networks, and a map.
All in all, the Deeper Fishfinder is ideal for enthusiasts and weekend fishermen. With a tablet, you can have a big screen fish finder for a fraction of the price of a professional device.
LUCKY Fish Finder
This device really lives up to its name as it will increase your chances of catching fish no matter the conditions or style of fishing. As one of the more budget-friendly portable fish finders out there, this gadget by LUCKY gives you a great range of features and settings that will help any fisherman.
If you are looking for a fish finder that can be used in a variety of settings, then this option could be for you.
Featuring wired and wireless options, this is one of the most powerful castable products out there. It features an impressive depth capability of 328 feet with the cable, or 147 feet when wireless.
When looking at the sonar coverage, it boasts 200 kHz with the cable and 125 kHz without it. This means that regardless of whether you choose wired or wireless, you will still have access to some serious capabilities.
The device has a floating and waterproof design so it can be trolled from any kayak or fishing boat. Also, it can be used continuously for 10 hours from a single charge and can handle both salt or freshwater.
Because it allows you to adjust its sensitivity, add or remove fish icons and alarms, and choose your scanning based on different fishing types, this gadget is as versatile as it is practical.
HawkEye Fishtrax 1C
The thing that separates the Hawkeye Fishtrax 1C from the rest is that it comes with a sonar that is perfect for trolling. Whether it’s still or on the move, the sensor picks up real-time information and displays it on the VirtuView HD color screen. Besides, the unit comes with FishArc and FishID options so you’ll know the exact type of fish you’re dealing with.
For better scanning results, the unit uses two beam angles (14° or 26°). The largest depth it can cover is 240 feet and its algorithmic software makes sure that you don’t get any false results. Last but not least, it’s equipped with an audible alarm that will notify you every time the sensor finds fish.
With perfect recursive programming, the Norcross HawkEye F33P can deliver reliable readings. So you don’t have to worry about getting false readings. You can use this fish finder in virtually any weather condition.
This fish finder is powered by four AAA batteries, which can last for up to 22 hours of non-stop usage. Another notable feature is the 2.3-inch LCD screen. This screen allows you to use the fish finder even in direct sunlight.
It is to prevent fog build-up, which can compromise visibility. Moreover, it has a soft-glow backlight so that you can use the device comfortably at night.
Portable Fish Finders Under $250
In this category, we have assembled the items with the highest price. Some models can be used directly in water, which makes it more accurate. These models can be used even in the professional sphere, which confirms their high-quality functionality.
Humminbird 410150-1
The PiranhaMax not only works — it works well. Built on the same 197c di technology as traditional, permanently mounted sonar units, the PiranhaMax is still one of the most impressive portable fish finders on the market.
This dual-beam sonar used 200 and 455-kilohertz frequencies, with a 28-degree cone at 200 kilohertz and a 16-degree cone at 455 kilohertz. The viewer provides a detailed, multi-colored display, making it easier to determine contour type and return quality.
Despite it looking like a simple model, it is anything but. You can fiddle around with fish alarms, depth alarms, and zoom for a more tailored experience.
Novice sonar users will enjoy the added Fish ID+ and audible alarm features that make understanding what is or is not a fish easier.
This portable fish finder allows those fishing from a kayak, small boat, or even a rental to enjoy high-quality sonar on the go. Clamp it in place, and you are ready to go. Provides great visuals, an audible alarm, and Fish ID + at your fingertips from any boat.
Deeper PRO+ Smart Sonar
This portable fish finder works a little differently and is ideal for the casual angler who doesn’t need the vast amount of settings and features found in some of the other units out there.
While this device comes in at a more affordable price and is very simple to use and operate, it does not lack performance though. It is a smart gadget that really works and is perfect for easy use on any fishing trip.
The Deeper Pro+ fish finder can be cast out onto the water. From there it generates its own wifi signal, meaning you will not need to use any mobile data or internet.
Once on the water, you can connect to the device through your Deeper smartphone app. This super easy to use app will then show you where the fish are located, their depth and size, the water bottom contour, and vegetation. Being able to easily access all of this info directly from your smartphone is seriously convenient.
The device itself can cast out to 165 feet and scans down to 165 feet from where it is. It boasts a 40° sonar beam which gives you total accuracy and coverage. Every scan from this beam is automatically saved with its time and location. The unit has an automatic night fishing mode, it’s very lightweight for longer casting, and is ideally designed for easy reeling in.
The rechargeable battery will last at least 6 hours so you will be sure to get a good long fishing session in with this device. The size and weight of this gadget are seriously convenient. Because it connects to your smartphone app, portability is absolutely maximized. You really can take this little fish finder anywhere. For a product at this price and simplicity, it is a great tool for the everyday fisherman looking to up their game a notch.
If you are ashore or kayak angler, the Deeper Smart Pro is a game-changer. You can finally have the same detailed results that boat anglers have enjoyed for years.
You may also like: Best Portable Couches
Lowrance HOOK²
The first thing to note about it is how easy it is to use. Gadgets like this can often be very confusing at first, but with its phone-like menus, you will have the HOOK2 figured out in no time.
This device is not just simple though, it really delivers results. Featuring the beloved wide-angle CHIRP sonar cone, you will get the most out of this fish finder. The sonar here will give you double the coverage of traditional devices.
Included in the product is a Bullet Skimmer transducer. This transducer gives you the traditional 2-D CHIRP sonar (fish arch) views.
The single transducer here can easily be mounted on the transom, hull, trolling motor, or through a scupper hole. This makes it the ideal fish finder for small boats, kayaks, or canoes that have limited console space.
Beyond the fish finding capabilities, the unit has an effective GPS as well. This gives you basic navigation, and the ability to add waypoints and follow trails.
FAQ for portable fish finders buyers:
How are fish finders powered?
Fishfinders and other electronics need electricity to function. On boats, electricity is supplied from the batteries installed in the battery compartment. The battery is connected to the main switchboard, and the power cable from the fish finder is connected to the same switchboard.
Do fish finders actually work?
If you hang out around a marina, boat launch, or other places where fishermen are with their boats you’ll notice that just about every boat is equipped with a fish finder. It is considered an essential piece of equipment, but for most people, it is a waste of money because it doesn’t help them catch more fish.
Do I need a transducer for my fishfinder?
Transducers are essential parts of every fish finder. Transducers come with different types of mounts. The easiest one to install is the transom mount. But, if you have a bigger boat or need something more serious, you can opt for another type, like the thru-hull mount.
Are portable fish finders any good?
A portable fish finder is a small device that uses sonar technology to detect things beneath the surface. It is great at detecting all kinds of fish, both small and large ones. The best thing about these gadgets is that they don’t need to be mounted on a boat to work.
What do fish look like on a fish finder?
While fish may look the same with a 2D sonar, fish do appear smaller on side imaging because it features a down beam that comes as a narrow slice of the water column. So you’re likely to see something like Crappie looking like circles, or small ovals.
What should I look for when buying a fish finder?
When choosing a new fishfinder, beginning fisherman can be overwhelmed by all of the features and options: Power Wattage, Number of Pixels, with or without Transducer, Display Screen Size, and the list goes on and on. But there is one feature you should not go without and that is GPS.