By Jill Goodwin
Fish finder on kayak
If you want to make the most of fishing on Michiana waters, a fish finder is an excellent addition to your kayak. Fish finders or “sounders” help you to locate fish underwater by using SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging) technology, making it easier to see where the fish are and where you need to paddle to.
While fish finders are not a standard feature of kayaks, they’re fortunately very easy to install. Some kayaks even come with pre-drilled holes or locations underneath the hull for mounting your fish finder, making the process even simpler.
Here’s everything you need to know about installing a fish finder on your kayak so that you can have a fun day out on the water and land a decent catch.
Key Considerations
Fish finders are made up of two parts—a main unit with a screen and a transducer. The screen should be within view as it helps you to see where the fish are and to map out the water, while the transducer should be underneath the kayak. No matter what type of kayak you own, there are 4 important things to consider when installing a fish finder:
- Placement of the unit- you need to be able to see it easily at all times.
- How you will run your wiring - through the hull or on the deck.
- Transducer (sensor) placement for best sonar readings.
- Battery placement and type.
Main Unit Mount Placement
The placement of the main unit is largely dependent on what type of kayak you’re using. However, it's best to always place the main unit where you can reach and see it when you are seated in your kayak. It’s also essential to ensure that the placement of this unit doesn’t interfere with your paddle stroke or any of your fishing gear.
The type of mount that you use will also determine how much movement and adjustability you have on your main unit. For example, a mount with a ball and socket allows for rotation and easy adjustment should you experience any glare or direct sun on your screen display.
Another great benefit of this type of mount is that it’s interchangeable between kayaks, should you use more than one. The ball and socket mount is also relatively small and doesn’t take up too much space.
Magnetic Mount
If you’re not a fan of drilling or glueing, there are magnetic mounting alternatives that attach the transducer to the outside hull of your kayak.
The magnets, however, are typically designed for kayaks made of thicker plastic and are not ideal for inflatable models as they can cause damage.
A magnetic mount is an easy DIY solution that allows you to mount your transducer on the outside of the hull below the waterline. This allows your transducer to provide clear imagery and accurate water temperature, and it gives you the freedom to move it around or from kayak to kayak.
Cup Method - Through-Hull Mount
Installing a transducer can be one of the biggest challenges. You need to decide how and where you can safely mount and install it to produce a clear image.
A transducer can also be installed inside the hull of the kayak using the ‘cup method’.
- Use a piece of waterproof high-density foam that is quite thick (about 2 inches) and slightly larger than the size of your transducer.
- Trace the outline of the transducer onto the foam. Cut through the foam block to create a cut-out in the shape of the transducer. This will create a well in the shape of your transducer.
- Clean the area where you will mount the found block using rubbing alcohol and let it dry completely.
- Glue the foam cup to the inside of your hull using water-tight glue or silicone and let it set for a minimum of 24 hours.
- Fill the foam cup with water - check that your cup is not leaking and holds the water.
- Push your transducer halfway inside the cup of water. The water allows for the transducer to produce a clear image.
Important things to remember when installing your transducer inside the hull of your kayak:
- Install below the waterline, making sure the transducer is pointing forward.
- Be sure to use an adhesive that will not react with the foam.
- There should be no air gaps between the mount, transducer and hull of the kayak.
- The surface should be flat.
- Make sure that your cut-out hole fits the transducer quite tightly.
Ball Mount System With A Flexible Arm
These mounts are purpose-manufactured and allow you to easily swap out the transducer between different kayaks.
How to install:
- The ball-joint mount is attached to the side of your kayak, this could be placed next to your rod mount or your fish finder display unit.
- The flexible arm is then fixed to the ball joint mount.
- Attach your transducer to the opposite end of the flexible arm.
- Bend the arm, ensuring that the transducer is submerged below the surface of the water.
Battery Placement
You may be fortunate and already have a kayak that was manufactured with a battery storage bracket or compartment located in the storage compartment. If your kayak doesn’t have a dedicated spot, you will need to consider battery placement. This can be on the deck of the kayak, in a storage compartment, or even a side-mounted bracket that holds the battery.
Whenever you choose to install your battery, think about how you will run your wiring and if you’ll need to drill any holes. There are some through-hull wiring kits available that contain plugs with adaptors. This allows wiring to run through the hull while creating a water-tight seal, keeping your storage compartment dry even when navigating rough water. You can also use silicone or tape to create a watertight seal.
If you need help, Kayak Guru has some great articles on kayak maintenance. They cover how to drill holes, how to fix leaks, how to protect your hull, and a whole lot more. Visit https://kayakguru.com/kayak-theory/maintenance/.
Get Casting and Catching
Installing a fish finder on your kayak doesn’t need to be a complex task. There are many kits readily available that make getting the job done quick and simple.
However, you need to carefully consider the placement of your fish finder, all its mounts, and how you’ll run your wiring. Make sure it works for you and your kayak so you can find those fish, fast.