New ponds for fishermen have always been a mystery. They have to spend a huge amount of time studying the terrain and finding fish habitats. This is very tiring, but new technologies came to the rescue, which greatly simplified their lives.
The echo sounder is a real savior for lovers and professionals in the field of fishing. Such a device can not only show unevenness of the bottom, the presence of snags, but also demonstrates the movement of schools of fish, their accumulation, etc. Let's analyze in more detail what kind of device it is, how it can be used.
What is an echo sounder?
An echo sounder is a special device that is used to study the bottom and detect underwater objects using sound waves of a certain frequency. The depth and clarity of the research result depend on the power and parameters of this equipment. So, echo sounders, which have a good transmitter, a large screen with high resolution and contrast, can not only reliably display the bottom of the reservoir, all its hollows and elevations, but also accurately indicate the location of the fish.
The use of these devices consists in immersing the sensor in water and further emitting sound waves in the form of a cone. Passing through the thickness, the sound is reflected from obstacles at the bottom and returns back to the trap. The processor analyzes the return time and amplifies the signal, displaying it on the sonar screen in the form of an image of the bottom and all objects located in the area of operation.
It is worth paying attention to one very useful feature of echo sounders in the form of a memory function on the device itself. This allows you to save the depth map in memory for additional analysis by the owner, being no longer fishing, but at home. Thus, returning to the same reservoir, you can immediately begin the process of fishing, without wasting time. You can also purchase a 3D echo sounder, which provides a three-dimensional image of the bottom (the best option is Humminbird 748x 3D). This makes it possible to more accurately determine the likely places of accumulations and sites of the desired fish.
The most famous manufacturers are Humminbird, Lowrence, Eagle, BottomLine, Northstar.
Device Features
When deciding to purchase this device, the question immediately arises of how to choose an echo sounder? What should you pay attention to first, so that in the future the result of fishing is positive? Be sure to consider the following characteristics:
- resolution and screen size;
- number of rays;
- additional sensors;
- power and frequency of the emitted signal;
- Battery capacity.
Let's take it in order.
Screen size and resolution
Determining which sonar to choose, the first thing you need to pay attention to the dimension and resolution of its screen. On the shelves now you can find models of different sizes. First of all, you need to select a compact device that will be convenient to transport. Having decided on this value, you need to look at the screen resolution. If it is low, then the image will not be displayed clearly, but with a large error. Brightness and contrast play a big role when using the echo sounder in sunny weather, since the visibility of the output depends on them. Naturally, large and high-quality devices cost a lot. For this reason, you need to select the most appropriate price-quality ratio.
Number of rays
The area covered by the echo sounder depends on this value.Most novice fishermen, not knowing how to choose the echo sounder, decide that the more the better. This is absolutely wrong, since in devices with several beams there is a drawback in the form of "dead" zones. This minus complicates the research process a little. Therefore, experienced specialists recommend that beginners in fishing should choose a single-beam device. It is simpler and much cheaper.
Availability of additional sensors
You do not know how to choose a fish finder for fishing? It is worth looking first of all at the number of sensors. So, simple devices require a master device that emits and receives an audio signal. Echo sounders of this kind are perfect for lovers who just want to spend time with a positive result. Professionals and athletes use additional sensors for temperature, current strength, catch location relative to the fisherman, etc. This allows them to more accurately determine the factors that affect the behavior of underwater residents.
Signal frequency and power
Not imagining how to choose an echo sounder for fishing, amateurs and professionals very often miss the power and frequency parameters of the signal. All devices operate in the range from 50 to 200 kHz. For large depths, low frequency sonar is recommended. For medium and shallow depths - with high.
The clarity of the image also depends on the signal strength. Weak echo sounders can not always accurately show the shape of the bottom, regardless of what frequency they work at, and too powerful quickly “eat up” the battery without much need. Experts who have already passed this stage recommend focusing on custom echo sounders. Although they are much more expensive than other options, they provide a guarantee of image clarity in any body of water.
Battery power
The sounder selection also depends on the battery power. In this case, a very important point is the technology of its manufacture. So, lead, lithium and nickel-cadmium-based power supplies are most commonly found. But which battery to choose for the fishfinder? It all depends on the conditions in which to operate the device, and also whether it is possible to neglect its size.
Lead batteries can be used in a wide range of temperatures, and they last up to 10 years. But because of their bulkiness and heavy weight, it is inconvenient to transport them. Nickel-cadmium batteries are also not so picky about operating conditions, but have a memory effect, which greatly complicates the process of their operation. Lithium batteries are the most durable and most compact. But due to the loss of a large percentage of the charge at low temperatures, the operation of these batteries is limited only to use in the warm season. For this reason, when considering how to choose an echo sounder for fishing in winter, you can immediately discard the option with lithium batteries.
The main types of devices
Today, on the shelves there are a large number of different modifications of echo sounders. They can be both the simplest and cheapest, and can be multimedia devices that are in a very high price category. But which is the best sonar to choose? Consider the categories of these devices, as well as in which cases they are used.
So, echo sounders are divided into four main groups:
- for fishing from a boat;
- for fishing from the shore;
- for winter fishing;
- universal models.
Fishing from a boat
Sounders for fishing from a boat are selected depending on the level of knowledge about the habits of fish. Specialists buy, as a rule, devices with maximum parameters. They are equipped with various sensors and additional beams. For a beginner or just an amateur, it is recommended to purchase an echo sounder for fishing on a boat with the simplest design. The abundance of additional functions can confuse a person, and at the same time he will not know what to do with the values, even if he understands what information they carry.
Before choosing an echo sounder, you need to deal with its mount. It is produced in several ways. So, if the boat will constantly float, it is better to attach the device to the bottom through the hole. This will significantly increase the viewing angle and will not interfere. If you plan to use the echo sounder rarely, then experts recommend purchasing a transom mount so as not to make a hole in the bottom. If fishing is carried out when the boat is stopped, then you can use any kind of mounts, up to the simple immersion of the sensor overboard.
Shore fishing
Very often, fishermen think about how to choose an echo sounder for fishing from the shore. There is nothing complicated, the main thing is to adhere to certain rules. It is worth noting that these devices designed for this type of fishing are very compact. They do not take up much space. The most popular model is the Humminbird SmartCast RF 35e.
When fishing from the shore, the sensor is mounted on a fishing line and thrown using spinning. It is advisable to use a wireless device. Gradual pulling of the sensor allows you to scan the topography of the bottom. The drawing is immediately transferred to the device and displayed on the screen. Here in this case, a very useful function will be to save the card in the device’s memory (one of the most popular devices is Lowrance Mark-4).
Winter fishing
Winter fishing has always been different from summer fishing, as you can easily move on ice to any point in the reservoir. At the same time, you do not have to carry a large number of bulky items. It is also worth saying that at this time of the year, echo sounders are even more necessary than in summer. The fact is that if you can easily move the bait in other directions from a boat or from the shore, then in winter you should constantly drill holes and look for the place of shift of the flock after catching several fish.
But how to choose an echo sounder for winter fishing? It is not so simple. If in previous versions it was possible to use touch panels, then during winter fishing this is excluded due to the constant presence of gloves on the hands. At low temperatures, diodes that respond to pressing or infrared radiation burst, which leads to damage to the screen. For this reason, it is better to choose a button device.
If the echo sounder is purchased specifically for use in the winter, then its dimensions and weight are very important. The reason is this: the fisherman himself needs to carry all the equipment and uniforms in his hands. And on the ice with excess weight I do not want to be. For this reason, before choosing an echo sounder for fishing on ice, be sure to check its acceptable dimensions and weight. You also need to focus on what was mentioned earlier. Be sure to choose models with lead or nickel-cadmium batteries, as they perfectly tolerate low temperatures without losing their properties.
Universal models
I would also like to mention separately universal models of echo sounders. You must know about them before choosing an echo sounder for winter and summer fishing, for fishing from the shore, from a boat. To have in your pocket a universal all-weather device is simply a dream of any avid fisherman. But it is worth paying attention that such echo sounders have a very high cost. And they are not in force to completely replace specialized brethren. So, with increasing capabilities, the bulkiness of the echo sounder also increases. If you make it smaller, it will not work fully, and the temperature range of its use will significantly narrow.
Conclusion
Summing up all of the above, it should be noted that universal options for echo sounders that would work perfectly in all areas do not exist. To achieve maximum effect, it is necessary to use specialized models. This must be considered before choosing an echo sounder.
Before purchasing the device, you need to decide in what conditions it will be operated, in which reservoirs and at what temperatures.If the budget for the purchase of the device is limited, then you can take the device with certain required parameters. This solution will significantly save financial resources and will allow you to get the desired result from fishing. Having preferred the increased frequency range, you can take an echo sounder with a lower resolution and screen size. It is also recommended that you regularly review the sounder ratings. This will make it possible to more accurately determine the desired model in a certain price range.
If you can’t afford branded products, you need to select cheap options and gradually improve them. For example, before choosing a fish finder for fishing, try to see the prices of more powerful batteries. This will be necessary to replace the battery, as the power sources for cheap models are very weak. You can also improve the firmware, but the signal strength and its range, unfortunately, cannot be changed.
