10 Best Kayak Fish Finder Gps 2025 in the United States

The Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 102sv is a robust fish finder and GPS combo ideal for serious anglers. It features a large 10” touchscreen display with an easy-to-use interface and vivid color palettes, making it straightforward to differentiate between fish and underwater structures. The unit comes equipped with a GT56UHD-TM transducer, offering CHIRP traditional sonar, Ultra High-Definition ClearVü, and SideVü scanning sonar. This ensures detailed and clear imaging with a range that is 20% greater than many competitors.

The built-in GPS functionality is robust, including a worldwide basemap and compatibility with BlueChart g3 and BlueChart g3 Vision cartography, allowing for efficient route planning and navigation. One of its standout features is the Quickdraw Contours mapping software, which lets you create personalized fishing maps on-the-go with 1-foot contours, ensuring you have detailed local maps for future trips. The ability to share sonar, maps, and waypoints with other ECHOMAP devices adds another layer of convenience, particularly for those with multiple units.

Mounting is versatile with options for bail, tilt/swivel, and flush mounts included. The unit is also wireless, adding ease of use. The relatively large size and weight (12.58 pounds) might not be suitable for smaller kayaks, and its higher price tag could be a drawback for budget-conscious users. While the waterproof rating is decent, it’s always advisable to ensure additional protection in harsher weather conditions. This device is well-suited for dedicated anglers looking for advanced features and capabilities in their fish-finding and navigational equipment.

The Lowrance Elite FS 9 is a solid choice for kayak anglers looking for a combination of detailed fish-finding technology and reliable GPS navigation. Its 9-inch high-resolution touchscreen is large enough to view maps and sonar images clearly without being bulky. The standout feature is the Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer, which combines CHIRP sonar, SideScan, and DownScan with FishReveal technology to give sharp, detailed underwater images. This helps you spot fish and underwater structures more easily, which is great for both beginner and experienced fishers.

The unit comes preloaded with C-MAP Contour+ charts, offering precise contour lines for thousands of U.S. lakes, making it easier to find key fishing spots like drop-offs and ledges. GPS functionality is reliable, allowing you to mark waypoints and navigate confidently. It also supports ActiveTarget live sonar, which shows real-time fish movement around your lure, a feature that can give you an edge on the water.

Mounting options include surface mount, which fits kayak setups well, though the device requires a 12V power source, so you'll need a compatible battery setup on your kayak. The package includes necessary mounting hardware and a sun cover, which helps with screen visibility in bright conditions. The device is durable and designed for fishing environments. Battery life depends on your power source but generally will last for a good part of a fishing day with proper battery capacity. The device also supports networking features like wireless and Ethernet connectivity for sharing data or adding radar and autopilot systems, though these extras might be more than what casual kayak fishers need. The Lowrance Elite FS 9 delivers excellent sonar clarity, strong GPS mapping, and useful fishing features in a user-friendly package. It’s a bit on the heavier side and requires a 12V power source, which might be a consideration for lightweight kayaks, but its detailed imaging and charting capabilities make it a great tool for serious kayak anglers.

The Simrad GO9 XSE is a solid choice if you're looking for a kayak-friendly fish finder and GPS combo with a sharp 9-inch touchscreen display. Its 9-inch size strikes a good balance—not too big to be cumbersome on a smaller boat or kayak, yet large enough for clear navigation and sonar views. The standout feature is the Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer, which combines CHIRP sonar, SideScan, and DownScan imaging. This gives you detailed underwater images that help spot fish and structure better than basic sonar systems. The included FishReveal technology enhances this further by distinguishing fish from bottom and cover.

The GPS functionality is robust, supported by a C-MAP Discover chart card with detailed maps covering U.S. and Canadian waters along with tide and current info, which is great for fishing trips and navigation. Mounting options are versatile, with both dash mounts and bracket included, making it adaptable to different kayak setups. The unit is waterproof and designed for marine use, so it can handle splashes and wet conditions common in kayaking. Connectivity features like the ability to mirror the display to your smartphone or tablet add convenience.

One minor downside is that, with a package weight over 5 kg and dimensions of about 9 inches cube, it’s a bit heavier and bulkier than simpler fish finders, which might affect portability for some kayakers. Also, while radar readiness is a nice touch, it’s more useful for powerboats than kayaks. If you want a feature-rich, easy-to-read fish finder with reliable GPS and excellent sonar detail in a mid-size display, the Simrad GO9 XSE performs very well, especially for serious kayak anglers who want more than just basic gear.