What’s the difference between traditional fish finders and ice fishing fish finders?
When thinking of a more traditional fish finder, most people would imagine something connected to a boat with an LCD screen showing what is happening below the water’s surface. This would be correct and as long as you are able to safely disconnect the transducer and the screen from the boat (or device), there is nothing stopping you from using that fish finder in an ice hole also. However, not all traditional fish finders can be used for ice fishing.
Ice fishing fish finders, also known as flashers, contain more advanced technologies and are sonar-based portable devices. These ice fish finders or flashers are created to give the user a wider variety of data and information with relative ease. Most flashers will give you the exact depth of the water, as well as the size and location of the fish and sometimes even where your bait is.
This device is more advanced and usually requires some contextual knowledge and familiarity in order to understand what’s being displayed on the LCD. This device is far more advanced than a traditional fish finder and can give you access to extensive information and data on-site. That being said, consider bringing an underwater fishing camera as well, as it really helps.
Features To Consider:
Weight
For your ultimate convenience, it is important to find a lightweight and portable fish finder. It should be easy to carry around, and should not affect your balance when on the ice.
Beam angle
When choosing an ice fishing fish finder, it is important to know the beam angle capabilities. The cone angle indicates how much the sonar beam is able to spread out when it travels through the water. The angle of the beam will affect the area size and water depth the transducer is able to scan and reach. This will also affect how much detail and data you will be able to pick up under the ice.
Small angles generally mean a narrow beam, and that is ideal for targeting specific fish that are located further down in the water. Larger angles are better for scanning a wide area.
Display
It is imperative that you are able to read the display of your ice fishing fish finder at all times, whether it is bright and there is a glare, you maybe don’t want to take your fishing sunglasses off, or you are simply fishing at night or during gloomy winter days.
We find that a backlit display makes it easier to read the data on your device clearly, and will help you to distinguish between the objects and fish below you, despite the weather conditions.
Portability
Portability is important depending on what exactly you’re planning on doing. Most fish finders will be mounted onto a boat so they will usually provide a fixed image.
As technology advances and the industry develops, more and more compact and portable ice fishing fish finders are emerging on the market. This makes them easier for you to use on the move, while still having access to all the conventional features and more, though keep in mind that it’s extra weight to carry. So if you go full-on portable, keep in mind you’ll probably be carrying a light-weight trolling motor, or a fishing kayak as well, adding to the weight. Devices can now be linked to your smartphone or tablet, making it 100% portable and accessible.
Durability
Like any product, durability is crucial, especially when you are likely to use your product during the cold and wet seasons. The best ice fishing devices are built to withstand extreme conditions and still transmit clean signals for a long period of time.
The quality of the transducer that creates signals is also an important thing to take into consideration. This is because it affects the overall quality of readings and general durability of the unit.
Frequency
The area and depth covered by an ice fishing fish finder will also depend on the frequency of the unit’s beam. Frequency refers to the number of energy pulses that are emitted from the transducer per second and travel to the bottom of the body of water.
The higher the frequency, the more accurate and detailed data you will get. You will be able to differentiate between a single fish and a school of fish with ease. On the market, there are single, dual, and multiple frequency fish finders. This allows you to select the ideal frequency for the coverage and data you require.
Power source
The wattage of the unit will affect the clarity of the readings you obtain. Ice fishing fish finders with higher power wattage will generally offer the best performance as higher wattage is likely to give you faster readings.
Battery Life
Like any product, long-lasting battery life is imperative. We recommend you select a unit with sufficient battery life to last for the entire duration of your ice-fishing trip. Some devices now include a backup battery.
Simpler fish finders generally do not require large amounts of battery power. The more advanced units have a variety of additional features, which is likely to affect your battery life making it slightly shorter.