Fish Finders VS Sonar
Sonar is a new way of finding fish which enables you to not only see what is directly beneath you (as standard fish finders do) but also see around you, to the sides, in front, and behind. With sonar you can see a much broader area, which can give you a better indication of the best spots to go for better outcomes. Different depths of the sea floor can be scanned to search for specific types of fish, larger ones further down etc, and scanning types will even show you which direction the fish are swimming and at what speed.
Both fish finders and sonar devices have benefits, there are a variety of reasons someone might choose one or the other, let’s explore the options.
Fish Finders
Fish finders use sonar on a smaller scale, sending sound waves directly below the boat in a cone shape, which bounce back and give you information on objects below the surface.
Fish Finders are cheaper and generally smaller and more easily portable compared to sonar devices. They still provide practical knowledge for finding fish, and if you’re not after big game fish or anything specific, just trying to have a good time and come home with a good catch, they are absolutely fine for that. They also have a wide variety of types, and options that you can get added on to the basic fish finding capability, and more apps have been created for them as they have been around longer than the sonar type devices. The main types you can choose from are:
· Standalone: Basic fish finder simply for looking below you under water.
· Combination: Fish finder with an added chart plotter GPS navigation function.
· Networked System: This is similar to how you can buy car GPS devices that are networked into a system with data from a wide range of sources being fed into your device from elsewhere. You receive up to date information from experts and there is generally more features and more detailed information being received that can help you have a successful fishing trip. These are often connected to WIFI or Bluetooth and can be controlled through your phone if you choose to, which can be quite convenient if you have attached it to your boat in a harder to see or reach area, or you want someone else to navigate and give directions from their seat beside you.
Sonar
Sonar offers a significantly wider range of sight, as well as more detailed, easier to decipher images. It is a high performance horizontal fish finder, able to display data from all directions, not just directly below. Sonar also offers more sound frequency options, allowing you to search specifically for big fish only, deeper down, if that is what you are after. There are two types of sonar to choose from:
· Searchlight: Photographs below the surface like a lighthouse or prison searchlight, scanning back and forth repeatedly to check for movement, sending data back and constantly updating it each time a sweep is made.
· Scanning: This type can show 360° views instantaneously, like taking an aerial photograph from a plane, except under water. It is a wider beam option and gives you information faster than searchlight methods. Scanning Sonar devices can also determine the direction fish are swimming using multiple timer controller oscillators which are set to turn off and on sequentially, and they are also able to determine the speed at which the fish are travelling using the 1000+ oscillators in the transducer.
Furuno provides more information on the two different types of Sonar Fish Finders and how they work here, for you to read more into it, which we suggest you do for sonar types and standard fish finder types before making your purchase.
Fish Finders are probably better suited smaller, private boats, and even kayaks. They have a wider variety of sizes, features, and price options available.
Sonar is for more serious, big game fishermen, larger boats, commercial fishing charters etc. However private recreational boaties can enjoy the wider scope too.
You should weigh up your budget, the size of your boat, and what results you are aiming for from your fishing trip when deciding which device to buy. Do you need to see further around you? Will it make a big difference to the number of fish you are able to catch in a certain time-period? Both options, Fish Finders and Sonar, have positive features and reasons you may lean more towards one than the other, it’s not a one size fits all situation. So, take this information into consideration and read further into each type (and their sub types), before deciding which device is best suited to your boat and fishing goals.
Here is another article on Fish Finders.
