What is a Fishfinder and How Does it Work?
A fishfinder or sounder is an instrument used to locate fish underwater by detecting reflected pulses of sound energy, as in sonar. A modern fishfinder displays measurements of reflected sound on a graphical display, allowing an operator to interpret information to locate schools of fish, underwater debris, and the bottom of body of water. Fishfinder instruments are used both by sport and commercial fishermen. Modern electronics allows a high degree of integration between the fishfinder system, marine radar, compass and GPS navigation systems.
Fundamentals
A fishfinder is an electronic device, consisting of a display and a transducer that uses sound waves (Sound Navigation And Ranging, or sonar) to “see” things in the water under your boat.
The sonar unit sends high-frequency sound waves through the water and waits for them to bounce off of underwater objects and return. By processing the outgoing and incoming sound waves, a fishfinder can determine, among other things, water depth, submerged structure, and where those sneaky fish are hiding.
Displays
The fishfinder’s display screen shows you what the sonar’s seeing under your boat. The display’s graphics can be monochromatic (shades of gray) or color, depending on the unit.
Some fishfinder display screens work well in direct sunlight, whereas other displays tend to fade/wash out in the sunshine. This is important, because if you can’t make out what’s on the screen on a sunny day, the fishfinder might as well be an electric paperweight.
Display resolution, measured in pixels, determines the clarity of the image appearing on the display screen. More pixels means a sharper representation of what’s in the water below your boat.
Transducers
The transducer is responsible for transmitting and receiving the sonar’s sound waves. These sound waves radiate from the transducer in a cone-shaped formation called a beam. Beam width refers to the angle of the sound waves as they’re sent through the water.
A transducer with a wide beam width shows a larger area of the bottom in shallow water; a narrow beam width works well in deeper water.
One of the keys to good transducer performance is to mount the transducer in an area free of turbulent/bubbly water—off to one side of the transom, if possible. The transducer should be installed so it is perpendicular to the lake bottom, for maximum sound wave efficiency.
Bells & Whistles
Temperature sensors tell you what the surface water temperature is—information that may not be relevant to water temps in deeper water.
A paddlewheel transducer provides fairly accurate boat speed, a very important piece of data when you’re trolling. In addition, a paddlewheel transducer can tell you how far the boat’ traveled in a given time frame.
Bottom hardness is displayed as a horizontal line across the screen. With experience, you’ll be able to determine if the bottom is solid or muddy.
What are GARMIN Fishfinders and what is the price?
Garmin STRIKER™ fishfinders include built-in GPS plus CHIRP sonar and CHIRP scanning sonar capability. Now you not only have a better way to find fish, you can also mark the spots to return to later. Plus, you can mark boat ramps and docks so you can find your way back to where you started.
The price of Garmin Fishfinders started from BDT. 50,000 to BDT. 2,00,000 in Bangladesh 2023, this price may vary increase/decrease of USD rate.
Where can I buy fishfinders equipment?
Techno Planet System is the best seller of fishfinders equipment in Bangladesh. We are authorized distributor of Garmin Fishfinders. Feel free contact us for your product with 1 year warranty.
