Fish Finder - Choosing the Best One For Your Needs

Technology has made fishing a great deal easier. Just consider how difficult it must have been in the past when they had to use the trial and error method to locate fish and determine depth.

Fish finders are handy devices that use sonar to find the fish under the water and as a result they increase the fisherman's chances of catching fish. There are a variety of different types of fish finders on the market today, so regardless of the type of fish you are wanting to catch, a fish finder can be a great help.

There are two basic types of screens used with fish finders. The first type of screen is known as the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) and the second is called a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). CRTs have lost popularity since the invention of the LCD screens. This is because LCD screens have the ability to display high resolutions. If you find a screen that has been labeled as a TFT screen, it is just another version of the LCD screens.

For the average recreational fisherman the CRT screen is the wisest choice. It's cheaper than an LCD unit, provides very good clarity and is easy to read in direct sunlight.

Another thing you need to consider when looking for a fish finder is your budget; you do not want to get your heart set on an item that is out of your price range. The best way to avoid this issue is to search for those finders that are within your allowable price range and ignore the rest.

When you are working out your budget, remember that a colored screen will be more expensive than a non-colored screen. It is most often the case that a more regular fisherman will be willing to spend a higher amount on a fish finder than the occasional fisherman.

Another technical aspect of the fish finder is the frequency it uses. Kilohertz (kHz) is the measurement used with frequency and is used in the water to find where the fish are and where the best place to cast a line will be.

The screen on the finder will not be able to tell you precisely the type of fish available, just where groups of fish can be found, so it is important to know the depth. The best kHz is between 80 and 125 kHz, because the higher the frequency, the narrower is the signal range cone and the greater the detail available to you.

One other important factor to consider is the inclusion of a global positioning system. GPS fish finders are an excellent tool to use when you are going for a weekend trip and you don't know the area very well. They allow you to record any position in the system, which means you can find it again any time you want, without any issues.

Whether you decide to purchase a regular fish finder or one with GPS, it will prove to be an excellent addition to your other fishing equipment. Just think about how many more fish you will be able to catch with a great fish finder and how easily you can get back to that great little hideaway if you have to leave for any reason.