Echo sounders for fishing from the shore: an overview of the best, reviews

Finding promising fishing spots from the shore is much easier if you use an echo sounder. If you throw an echo sounder sensor from the shore, this will determine the bottom topography, depth, and the presence of fish. The task of the angler is to choose the right echo sounder.

There are several types of echo sounders for fishing from the shore, which are divided depending on the fishing conditions, as well as the method of application. For example:

1. Universal. This type of device can be used in various conditions, both from the shore and from any watercraft. They determine the depth of the reservoir, the bottom topography and display information on a special display device. Devices with more features, such as universal ones, always cost more.
2. Standard, for fishing from the shore. Such types of devices do not have universality and are intended solely for determining the location of fish in conditions of fishing from the shore. Despite the wide range of functions, such devices are much cheaper than universal ones, which makes them accessible to a wide range of anglers.
3. Compact. Such devices are not large in size, but they are inferior in terms of functionality. Despite the limited functions, echo sounders of this class are very popular among anglers, and the prices for such devices are more affordable. In most cases, such echo sounders are bought by inexperienced anglers, although such devices perform their functions – searching for fish.

The principle of operation of the echo sounder

From the name of the device itself, it becomes clear how it works: “echo” means a reflected signal, and “lot” means a depth gauge. If you combine these concepts together, you get a device that measures depth due to the reflected signal.

An echo sounder for fishing from the shore consists of an indication device and a sensor. Often this is a wireless sensor. To determine if there is a fish at the fishing point, you need to fix the sensor on the fishing line and throw it at the bite point. When the sensor gets into the water, it starts working immediately, as the contacts close when it comes into contact with water.

After the sensor is turned on, it transmits all information via the radio channel. Developments that use a tablet or smartphone as an indicator may attract the attention.

The sensor slowly moves to the shore and scans the bottom, as well as the water column below it. The fisherman watches everything on the screen of the receiving device, which reflects the bottom topography, as well as all objects that fall into the sensor’s field of view. If a place is baited, then the sensor can be placed over this place and observe how the fish react to the bait.

Criteria for choosing an echo sounder for fishing from the shore

Each device meets the parameters specified in the technical data sheet. The main parameters to pay attention to are:

1. Sonar power. A good device has a powerful transmitter and a sensitive receiver. A weak signal will not allow you to get a good picture on the echo sounder display. The best option is the ability to adjust the sensitivity of the receiver, otherwise problems with the transmission of a high-quality picture cannot be avoided.
2. Sensor range. In other words, this indicator refers to the sensor coverage area. Devices with a coverage area from 30 to 70 meters are produced.
3. Viewing angle. The higher this indicator, the more water area can be observed.
4. Monitor resolution and color gamut. The higher the resolution, the more information can be traced and the larger the color gamut, the more clearly the structure of the bottom topography can be seen.
5. Sound warning system. This system can be attributed to an additional function of the device. It notifies the fisherman if an object or object is found in the water column.
6. Sensor mount. To make it easier to work with the device, manufacturers equip products with appropriate fasteners. It can be fastened to the blank or to the angler’s hand.
7. Protection against moisture. A very important indicator, since fishing is constant contact with water. It is very important that the echo sounder is protected from both temperature extremes and moisture.
8. The presence of backlight. It is needed in conditions where fishing is carried out in the dark.

Recommendations for selection

• Before you go shopping for an “assistant”, you need to decide which device and with what set of functions you need. Naturally, for a novice angler, a set of additional functions does not mean anything. Only with time will come an understanding of what functions are missing for the convenience of fishing.
• If fishing is in the first place and the fisherman does not feel sorry for anything for this, then a universal device will never hurt. If a person goes fishing from time to time, then you can opt for a primitive device.
• In any case, a device with a sensitive receiver should be preferred.
• The presence of additional functions increases the comfortable conditions for fishing.

Overview of the most popular models

When choosing an echo sounder for fishing, you should pay attention to the products of the well-known brands Humminbird and JJ-connect.

The most sought after are:

Humminbird PiranhaMAX 230 Portable

The device is wireless and is intended for fishing from the shore. Technical characteristics of the device: it is able to determine the depth of the reservoir up to 36 meters, transmits a signal at a distance of up to 40 m in a radius. Works regardless of fishing conditions thanks to Dual Beam and Smart Cast technologies.

The advantage of the device is that:

1. He is able to determine the size of the fish.
2. Scans the bottom topography.
3. It has an image magnification function.

Humminbird SmartCast RF35e

The device works well when fishing from the shore. It is characterized as a device that allows you to determine the depth of a reservoir up to 35 m, with a capture angle of about 90 degrees. The transmitter operates at a distance of up to 22 m.

The device is single-beam, therefore it scans the bottom in one plane. To determine the nature of the bottom topography, the device must be moved.

The advantages of the device:

1. You can get a high quality picture.
2. Optimal depth limit.
3. Can determine the size of the fish.

JJ-connect Fisherman Wireless 3 Deluxe

Not a bad development of a wireless fish finder with a sensor. The characteristics of the device are as follows: determines the depth up to 40 m, with a capture angle up to 90 degrees, with a sensor range up to 40 m.

Advantages of the model:

1. The device is ultra-sensitive, therefore it reacts even to small fish.
2. All objects are clearly displayed on the screen.

Fish Finder ffw718 Wireless

This model is considered a universal echo sounder, with performance characteristics: determines depths up to 35 m, with a transmitter range of up to 70 m. It is possible to extend the antenna, as a result of which the radius increases to 300 meters.

The advantages of the device:

1. Determines the water temperature of the reservoir.
2. The ability to adjust the sensitivity of the receiver.
3. Automatic shutdown of the device if the echo sounder is pulled out of the water.
4. The case of the device is reliable and waterproof.
5. Can continuously work about 550 hours.

Fish finder luckylaker ff916

This model is one of the latest developments from Lucky. It has improved performance and is designed for various fishing conditions. With this device, you can measure the depths of water bodies up to 45 m, with a capture angle of 90 degrees. The device can be thrown at a distance of up to 50 meters.

The echo sounder has a Wi-Fi function, through which information can be presented on a smartphone or tablet.

Able to determine depths with an accuracy of tenths of a meter. In addition, it provides the function of a sound signal, and its tone depends on the size of the fish.

Pricing Policy

The cost of the device directly depends on the available functionality: the wider the range of functions, the more expensive the device.

The budget options include the JJ-Connect Fisherman 200 and 220 echo sounder models. The advantages of such devices include compactness and convenience, as they are equipped with a convenient foam float. Such models cost from 3 to 4 thousand rubles.

Humminbird Smart Cast RF25e and Humminbird Smart Cast RF35e class models should be attributed to the middle price category. For these “assistants” fishermen will have to pay from 5 to 6 thousand rubles. They are compact in size and have clear images.

The Humminbird Piranha Max 230Portable echo sounder comes with a durable case with a compartment for storing the battery and 2 sensors. For this device, you will have to pay from 10 to 12 thousand rubles.

More expensive devices include the Humminbird Fishin Buddy 140c model, which is equipped with a color display and has several additional features. This device can cost from 18 to 20 thousand rubles.

Some tips

Choosing a device such as an echo sounder is a rather responsible task, which depends on several factors that you should pay attention to. For example:

1. When choosing an echo sounder, you should not forget about the conditions of fishing.
2. You should not save on additional functions of the device.
3. It is better to arm yourself with an echo sounder that has sufficient power.
4. To fish at different times of the year, you should give preference to a universal device.

Fishing is a great way to spend your time. It allows a person not only to relax, but also to provide a family with fish, which is quite useful for a person. In it, in an accessible form, there are all the vitamins and minerals necessary for a person. There are practically no contraindications to eating fish, except for people who have a personal intolerance to this type of food. Fish is tasty and healthy in any form: it can be fried, boiled fish soup, baked on a fire or in the oven, marinated, etc.

Recently, fish stocks are melting literally before our eyes and the irresponsible attitude to this problem of the person himself, who constantly worsens the ecology on the planet, is to blame. It actively pollutes the rivers, as a result of which a lot of fish die, and some species will soon have to be forgotten altogether. Today, catching fish with a bait is a serious problem, so with the help of an echo sounder, this problem is solved much faster, since you have to constantly look for fish sites. This is equally true, both for summer fishing and for winter fishing.

To buy a really good echo sounder, you need good money. Unfortunately, this is not available for all anglers, and even cheaper models are also a financial problem. If you take the cheapest ones, then you should not buy them, as they do not meet the declared characteristics and quickly refuse to work. So the echo sounder is an indispensable assistant to the angler in our time, which requires considerable investment.