Fishing is not just a hobby, but a technological activity, as evidenced by a fishing echo sounder. This novelty touched all types of fishing: fishing, spinning, feeder, fishing from a boat. On the market are devices of various manufacturers that differ not only in cost, but also in functionality. In order not to get confused in this variety, the fisherman should know as much as possible about the device.
What is an echo sounder
A fishing echo sounder is a device that is equipped with a transducer. It sends sound pulses in a certain direction, and is also able to receive signals reflected back from surfaces. Then they arrive at the processor unit, where the received information is processed and displayed on the display. As a result, fishermen can see the bottom surface, underwater objects in the selected area, and depth on the screen.
The choice of sonar for fishing
The selection criteria for the sonar largely depend on the type of fishing for which it will be used. Based on this, you can make a choice of the device itself. The main criteria are:
- echolocation power;
- scanning depth;
- type of display;
- nutrition;
- bracket type;
- the ability to install additional devices.
The stores have a huge assortment, but when choosing a model, it is important to consider not only its technical and functional data, but also the price. There are options that have great potential, up to displaying in real time the bottom of the reservoir and the schools of fish floating on it , and there are those that display only the structure of the bottom.
Types of Sonars
In the photo, fishing echo sounders are used for a variety of types of fishing. The following division of devices occurs for this type of application:
- Models for boats.
- Sonars for winter fishing.
- Devices with the possibility of use from the shore.
For winter fishing, sonars should be compact and have excellent resistance to low temperatures. An important indicator for them will be the ability to scan the state of the bottom at shallow depths.
For fishing from the shore, wireless devices are used. They scan the bottom and transmit the signal using radio waves. Externally, such devices are easy to distinguish from others: coastal sonars have a float to which the sensor is fixed. The float is fixed on the fishing line and thrown with the sensor into the water, then dragged in the opposite direction. During the movement, the reservoir is scanned.
Echolocation
All fishing echo sounders operate on the principle of reflection from the bottom and underwater objects of a signal of different frequencies. A beam, i.e., a signal directed in a certain direction, has a fixed viewing angle. In its width, it can be narrow and wide, combined. The most advanced models of fishing echo sounders are able to create 3D images of underwater terrain. However, such devices are expensive. Cheap options have one beam.
A narrow beam is able to conduct studies of the bottom of the reservoir at an angle of up to 24 degrees. Due to the small dispersion of the signal, the picture is more realistic. However, due to the small viewing angle, finding a fish with such a beam is difficult.
Wide rays conduct a survey of the surface at an angle of up to 90 degrees. However, such models draw a little worse. This option allows you to see a large area of the reservoir and quickly find schools of fish.
Depth of echolocation
Many people ask: how to choose a fishing echo sounder? The answer to it is ambiguous. When choosing one of the most important indicators is the depth of echolocation. It depends on the output power of the device and the beam frequency. If the approximate depth of the reservoir where it is planned to use a sonar is known, then it is better to take a device with a small margin. If there is no reference to a specific reservoir, then it is worth taking an echo sounder with the greatest depth of measurement.
Display
After you select the type of device and its power, you should decide what the display should be and how it will display the received data.
Winter fishing sounders and other devices for other purposes can show a picture in black and white, in color. The latter type is more expensive. The price is also affected by the diagonal of the screen, graphic resolution. It is measured in pixels and gives an accurate picture. This is important when exploring a deep water body.
A small number of vertical pixels in deep water will not be able to display small objects.
If you plan to use the echo sounder at great depths, then you should consider buying a device with a function to enlarge the image on the screen. Such models will provide more detailed information about what is happening at depth.
Horizontally a large number of pixels will be very useful. Such devices are capable of additionally displaying topographic maps, according to which it is possible not only to follow the route, but to mark selected places with points on the map.
During operation, the device not only displays the bottom structure, but also transmits information about underwater objects, highlighting points on the screen with different color intensities. To see the pond in more detail, it is better to buy an echo sounder with a color display. Moreover, the more shades displayed on the display, the more information the fisherman receives about the place of fishing. On the other hand, if you plan to use the echo sounder only for fishing in a certain reservoir, then the monochrome version of the device is quite suitable: 16 gradations of gray will be enough to determine the schools of fish.
Some models may display a realistic picture of the bottom. This function allows you to create photorealistic images on the display of the fish finder. However, such devices are not cheap, but they can show not only the bottom, but also all objects: fallen trees, piece fish. Such a fishing echo sounder will reveal a human corpse under water at an impressive depth.
The displays themselves can be very different. For fishing from the shore, boats are considered the most convenient models of displays that can be fixed on the hand (in the form of a watch). On a small screen, the sonar displays the status of the bottom and shows if there is fish.
Fishfinder Power
The power supply of the device depends on the model, although there are subtleties. The type of battery depends on the permissible input power, power consumption.
Sonar Sensor Mount
Different manufacturers offer products with different types of mounts. There are models equipped with universal solutions, but this is rare. Most often, sonars are equipped with fasteners for transom boats, submersible options for winter fishing. A fishing echo sounder from a boat may have a bracket for PVC inflatable boats. With improper fastening, you may need to repair a fishing echo sounder in Saratov or in any other city.
Additional features
You can connect additional devices to some sonar models. Most often, an additional echolocation module, a color display, is used.
In addition to additionally connected devices, when choosing a sonar, it is important to consider the additional capabilities of the sonar itself. The best are sonars equipped with:
- water temperature indicator;
- navigation system;
- sensitivity setting;
- sound signal when detecting fish;
- moisture protection;
- the ability to save settings.
When choosing a model, you should take into account the size of the boat, because it will be a pity to drop an expensive device into the water.
Any type of fishfinder will guarantee a good catch in any body of water and in any weather. If you choose the right model, then even in places where no one can find fish, a sonar will allow you to catch impressive specimens, and in a short time, because with this device the fisherman will know exactly where to throw the tackle and in which direction the school of fish is swimming. In addition to sonar fishing, it is worth taking activators of bite, as well as gear with increased sensitivity. Some fishermen use pheromones, which allow them to attract schools of fish found by a sonar to the place of fishing. There are other ways to get huge catches, but in any case, sonar is an indispensable thing.