4 Best Shallow Water Fish Finder Reviews

Fishing in shallow water can be a hassle as fish cannot be found easily. Therefore, investing in a good shallow water fish finder is a great idea. It is a piece of equipment that provides valuable information about the location of fish in the water.

All the information is displayed on a screen through which the fishermen get an idea about what is around them. Based on this information, the fishermen can find a region to fish in and make the right decisions.

There are plenty of shallow water fish finders in the market that are very reliable and handy, especially for those who have to go shallow fishing frequently. When using a shallow water fish finder the chances of fishermen finding fish are increased by a significant factor.

We have compiled a list of the top four shallow water fish finders that are available in the market. In the end, we have also added a buying guide that mentions all the factors that need to be taken into consideration when buying a shallow water fish finder.

1. Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer Fishfinder:

Features:

Simple Interface:

This fish finder comes with a very basic interface that is extremely easy to understand and use. There are dedicated buttons for every function and the display is clear too. Customers can choose between display sizes of three-point five, five, and seven inches as per their liking and need. The boat’s fish is also visible on the screen so the fishermen can easily adjust it according to the requirements of their lures and the fish they are trying to catch.

Easy Navigation:

This shallow water fish finder comes with a Waypoint Map. The GPS included is also highly sensitive therefore, all the information provided is accurate and reliable. This makes navigating easier and fishermen can easily find their way around. The Waypoint map can not only be used to find the way but can also be used to mark routes and locations.

Portable And Easy To Carry:

You can carry the Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer Fishfinder everywhere with ease. It can be used when going for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and even ice fishing. The battery of the fishfinder is long-lasting and sealed so the fishermen don’t have to worry about it. A transducer cable management, storage, and a suction cup holder is also included in the kit.

Pros:

Accurate and reliable.
Intuitive and basic display.
Three different screen sizes.
Easy route navigation.

Cons:

Mount does not have suction.

2.Vexilar SP200 T-Box Smartphone Fish Finder:

Features:

Warranty Period:

In order to protect the customers and ensure that they are provided with nothing but the best, this shallow water fish finder comes with a warranty period of two years. The battery itself has a warranty period of one year. During this time, the manufacturer takes responsibility for any manufacturing defect to the product.

Easy Access Battery Compartment:

The Vexilar Sp200 T-Box Smartphone Fish Finder comes with a separate battery compartment. Since the battery is placed separately, the fishermen can easily access it with ease. The battery is also long-lasting therefore the fishermen can use it without having to worry about recharging the battery frequently.

Holes For Accessories:

There are pre-made holes for accessories so that the fishermen can easily mount them without having to put in much effort. Use these holes to add optional accessories to your shallow water fish finder. These accessories make the fish finder portable and also help attach it to different surfaces.

Pros:

Holes are drilled for different accessories.
One year warranty period for the battery.
Two-year warranty for the product.
Pre-tapped transducer support.

Cons:

Have to sign in again and again.
The software of the fish finder needs improvement.

3.Garmin Striker 4 With Portable Kit:

Features:

High-Quality Transducer:

The transducer is the main element of any fish finder. The Garmin Striker 4 fishfinder comes with the Garmin CHIRP (77/200 kHz) transducer that is commendable in terms of performance. It is clear and reliable. The fishermen can get a comprehensive idea about everything around the boat along with the specific details of these objects. The CHIRP Sonar Sensor is very efficient in terms of performance.

Speed Displayed On Screen:

At times, it is important for fishermen to maintain a certain speed of the boat. This shallow water fish finder displays the boat’s speed on-screen through which the fishermen can plan their lures and adjust the boat speed accordingly. The speed display also helps the fishermen abide by any speeding regulations for a particular shallow fishing region or area.

Dedicated Buttons:

The Garmin Striker 4 is a fish finder that is very easy to use. The interface and display of the fish finder are simple and straightforward. Each of the buttons has a dedicated use so the fishermen don’t have to toggle between controls. The display screen is also just perfect. It shows all the necessary information that the fishermen may need in a concise manner.

Pros:

GPS is accurate and reliable.
Long-lasting battery.
Simple and straightforward interface.
Kits come with everything that is needed.

Cons:

Transducer quits reading sometimes.
Not suitable for ice fishing.

4. Deeper PRO Smart Portable Sonar Wireless Wi-Fi Fish Finder:

Features:

Powerful And Accurate:

Unlike other shallow water fish finders that rely on Bluetooth for connectivity, the Deeper PRO Smart Portable Sonar Wireless Wi-Fi Fish Finder makes use of Wi-Fi. The transducer has only one-inch target separation and due to Wi-Fi, it can transfer data to your smartphone very quickly. Moreover, the transducer has the capacity to run fifteen scans every second which is very powerful and efficient.

Casting And Scanning Range:

A good fish finder is the one that has a good scanning and casting range. The PRO has a commendable casting range of 330 feet per hundred meters and can be used to scan to a depth of around two hundred and sixty feet per eighty meters. Therefore, it covers a larger area and can be used to identify whether there is fish or not over a larger region. This saves a lot of time and effort for the fishermen as they get all the information about the fish quickly and more accurately.

Data Saving On Cloud:

The Deeper PRO Smart Portable Sonar Wireless Wi-Fi Fish Finder automatically saves the data on the cloud. This way the data does not occupy space on the phone. Also, since the data is saved on the cloud, it is easily accessible and one does not have to worry about any sort of data loss. The data can also be used to plan future fishing trips as well. The fishermen will be able to keep a record of all the different places where they have been fishing before.

Pros:

On shore mapping via GPS.
Data is stored on the cloud.
Deeper scanning and casting range.
WiFi connectivity.

Cons:

Connection with the phone lasts only within a few feet.
Fish finder displays generic error messages.

Comparison Chart:

Product Name	Weight	Dimensions	Rating
1. Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer Fishfinder	8 ounces	3.6 x 1.6 x 5.9 inches	4.5 stars
2.Vexilar SP200 T-Box Smartphone Fish Finder	1 pound	7.2 x 3.8 x 5.8 inches	4.2 stars
3. Garmin Striker 4 With Portable Kit	8 ounces	3.6 x 1.6 x 5.9 inches	4.6 stars
4. Deeper PRO Smart Portable Sonar Wireless Wi-Fi Fish Finder	12.3 ounces	3 x 5.3 x 5.9 inches	4.2 stars

Buying Guide:

There is a diverse range of shallow water fish finders that can easily be found in the market. Considering the number and the variety of these products, it is easy for one to get overwhelmed when trying to choose one. This buying guide will mention all the things that should be taken into consideration when picking a shallow water fish finder.

Transducer Quality:

The most important part of any shallow water fish finder is the transducer. It is the element of the fish finder that sends and receives the sonar waves. In a nutshell, it is the source of data collection as well as data processing.

When buying a fish finder, make sure that the one you pick comes with a good transducer. The strength of the signals and their processing should be on point. Otherwise, the results obtained will not be reliable. Since reliability is the main feature for any good fish finder, make sure that you don’t compromise on the quality of the transducer at all.

Material Of The Transducer:

The fish finder transducers come in a number of different material types. When choosing a shallow water fish finder it is very important to select the transducer material that suits your needs. If you are a fan of ice fishing, you will need a transducer made of a material that is compatible with your needs.

When looking at transducer materials, also bear in mind the way you wish to use the fish finder. Whether you would like it to be mounted or it would need a suction cup. Also, consider whether the fish finder has pre-drilled holes for accessories or not.

Connectivity:

The shallow water fish finders are often connected to smartphones. You need to consider which means of connectivity the fish finder relies on. The Bluetooth connectivity is great but some fish finders also make use of WiFi to connect to smartphones.

The connection between the fish finder and the smartphone should be secure and strong. A good fish finder is the one that can establish a continuous connection with the smartphone even if it goes afar.

Range And Scanning Power:

The way a fish finder works is by sending and receiving sonar waves. The transducer of the fish finder emits SONAR waves which hit the objects around the fish finder and are reflected back to the fish finder. Based on the time and the distance traveled by the waves, the objects around are estimated and the fish finder indicates whether there are fish around or not.

The range and the scanning power of the fish finder that you choose should be large. This way, the fish finder can actually cover a larger area at the same time. Moreover, the shallow water fish finder can also go in deeper and find the fish that may be present in the bottom part of the water.

Price Range:

The price is obviously an important factor that should be taken into consideration when buying a fish finder. Each fish finder has its own pros and cons and based on the features of the fish finder, they come with different price tags.

Before you go ahead to purchase a shallow water fish finder do ample research. Consider different products and compare their features. At the same time, also have a look at their price range and find one that not only lies within the budget that you have designated for the purchase but also meet the requirements that you have.

Interface:

The interface and display of the fish finder you choose should be simple. The fish finders with designated buttons and a display that shows all the necessary information in a comprehensive manner is highly recommended in this regard. This makes the fish finder easy to use.

Conclusion

A fish finder is a lifesaver and helper for all the fishermen. This is an equipment that helps fishermen navigate, adjust their boat speeds, and also get information about the objects that are around them.

There is a diverse range of shallow water fish finders that are available in the market. Each of them has its own features, pros, and cons. When purchasing and selecting a fish finder make sure that it is accurate and reliable. Otherwise, there is no point in you investing in a shallow water fish finder.

Furthermore, if you’re looking for the best fishing gear then have a look at this detailed guide.