The Best GPS Devices for Fishing
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GPS technology revolutionized the way we fish. It’s easier than ever before to locate and catch our favorite underwater critters. Gone are the days of guessing what lies beneath your boat or the conditions in store for your next big trip.
From simple, lightweight gadgets to game-changing beasts, there are a variety of GPS devices out there to step your game up.
Here are the best GPS devices for fishing.
1. Minn Kota Terrova Freshwater Bow-Mount Trolling Motor
With this bow-mount trolling motor from Minn Kota, you’re able to focus more on catching tasty fish and worry less about controlling your boat. It features i-Pilot Link GPS, giving you complete control over your boat’s speed and steering using the device’s touchscreen remote or a Humminbird fish finder. Plus, the GPS can record your route and retrace your path, making it easier to bring home what you catch.
The GPS also enables Spot-Lock technology. This innovative feature lets you focus on your catch while the motor maintains the boat’s spot. With the Jog feature, you can even move up to five feet from your location without losing the original Spot-Lock spot. It’s all done on the controller; there’s no need to touch the motor or manually steer the ship.
Not only does this trolling motor from Minn Kota let you focus on catching more fish, but it’s also designed for effortless use. It’s lightweight, attaches to your boat’s bow with ease, and features fallaway ramps for easy deployment. When you’re ready to hit the road, its spring-loaded Lift-Assist design ensures simple stowage. Its Weedless Wedge 2 propeller boasts a 55-pound thrust that helps you power through anything. And with superior all-day battery life and a dynamic-delivery power system, you won’t have to worry about running out of juice, either.
2. Deeper Pro+ 2 Sonar Fishfinder
This revolutionary device was the world’s first castable fish finder and continues to be among the best on the market today. It’s a game changer for shore fishing and is also an excellent addition to boat and even ice fishing.
The GPS lets you create detailed bathymetric maps and track all your fishing expeditions in real time. It provides information on depth, bed contours, consistency, vegetation, and fish behavior with a target separation accurate to 0.5 inches. Whether fishing from a boat or the beach, this device will help you plan your fishing trips more effectively, analyze your results, and help improve your technique.
it’s possible to simply cast it out and reel it in for instant depth and temperature readings. It can cast to a maximum of 330 feet and scan down to 260 feet deep. It’s also a tiny, featherweight device with just a 2.5-inch diameter, making it easy to throw in with the rest of your gear. Thanks to its independent Wi-Fi signal, you don’t need internet or cellular data access either; simply cast and enjoy.
3. Garmin Striker Plus 4 Fishfinder
The Garmin Striker Plus 4 is a fantastic small-form GPS fish finder perfect for novice and experienced anglers alike. This durable little device is lightweight and easy to use, making it ideal for use on small boats or from the shore. But, best of all, it’s very affordable.
With its dual-beam transducer and Garmin CHIRP sonar technology, finding fish is easy and precise. Garmin’s Quickdraw Contours mapping software enables you to effortlessly track your location and record exact data on the depths and contours of your favorite fishing spots. it’s possible to create up to two million acres of customized maps with 1-foot contour intervals for pinpoint accuracy on lakes and river beds.
Additionally, the GPS offers waypoint capabilities, allowing you to mark up to 5,000 locations including fishing spots, docks, and boat ramps. The Striker Plus 4 also lets you create new routes and get real-time information on water depth and your boat’s speed, helping you maintain the perfect trolling velocity for your lure.
Everything is in vivid detail, too. The 4.3-inch HVGA color display is easy to read, even in direct sunlight. However, if you need a closer look, the zoom feature helps you focus in on the data you want to see.
4. Suunto Traverse Alpha GPS Watch
The Suunto Traverse Alpha is an exceptional watch for those who love exploring off-the-beaten-track locations. It’s packed with all the features an angler could want, including mapping, navigation, tracking, waypoint management, and data logging, to name but a few.
Even in low-accuracy mode, the GPS is still precise enough to get you to and from your destination without any issues. Plus, if you happen to get lost while hiking to that remote lake, the accurate breadcrumb trail feature will guide you back safely to your starting point.
This SUUNTO watch also boasts a highly-accurate digital compass, a moon phase calendar, an excellent barometer, and information on sunrise and sunset times. And let’s not forget about the weather update alert, which could prove to be a lifesaver in the event of a sudden storm.
It’s also incredibly sturdy and built to last, thanks to its scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass lens and water-resistant design. you could even swim or accidentally drop it in the water without worrying about damage thanks to its 100-meter depth rating.
Additionally, it has a solid battery life of around 14 days and comes equipped with a host of features for anglers who enjoy other outdoor activities like hiking and running.
5. SwellPro Fisherman Drone FD1
With the SwellPro Fisherman Drone FD1, shore anglers can now explore deeper waters and discover new fishing spots without the need for a boat. The thrill of deep-water fishing isn’t the only thing this drone offers; you can also cast lines up to a mile from the shore and drop multiple baits of up to 4.5lbs simultaneously.
The FD1’s GPS system provides real-time data on your drone’s position, altitude, and velocity, giving you accurate control and navigation abilities. Flights are stable, and it’s possible to program the drone to follow specific routes. Plus, the return-home function ensures the drone won’t get lost due to a dropped connection or low battery.
On top of all this, the FD1 also features a high-quality 4K camera to capture all the action in stunning videos or stills. And, with its IP67 water resistance rating, the SwellPro FD1 drone is seawater-proof. It also floats, so you don’t have to worry about accidental submersion.
Battery life is also solid, with 33 minutes of fly time allowing for six bait-drop missions. And the splash-proof controller has One Key Takeoff and Landing, which makes it easy for even novice pilots to use. You don’t even need to connect it to a smartphone or tablet. Simple.
6. Humminbird 411620-1 Helix 7 Chirp MSI GPS G4 Fish Finder
The Humminbird Helix 7 G4N is an incredible tool for elevating your angling skills. It features advanced GPS technology, crystal-clear imagery, and unbeatable accuracy typically only found in high-end devices. Plus, it’s so user-friendly that anyone from novice hobbyists to seasoned pros can use it with ease to track down their next big catch.
The XNT-9-HW-MSI-150-T transducer is the powerhouse behind the impressive Mega Side and Mega Down imaging technology. With the ability to view underwater environments up to 125ft on either side of and under your boat, this transducer offers serious fish-finding power. Its dual CHIRP and standard sonar capabilities deliver excellent target separation on a 7-inch ultra-wide display with precision and detail. Additionally, you can customize the sonar data it presents and how it displays it with numerous preloaded split-view options.
The precise GPS on the Humminbird Helix 7 G4N makes navigating a breeze. It allows you to set accurate waypoints, track your speed and distance, and explore new fishing grounds trouble-free. With advanced features like AutoChart Live, you can even make high-definition maps of uncharted waters and upload them to your PC. And with i-Pilot Link compatibility, you can effortlessly create and follow routes or hold your boat’s position and course without the need for a separate controller.
7. Garmin Fenix 5 GPS Smartwatch
The Garmin Fenix 5 is a multi-sports watch that has many fishing-specific features. It’s perfect for anglers who love other outdoor activities, too, and is much more affordable than the Suunto Traverse Alpha. Yet, it still offers many of the same features as its pricier counterpart.
In addition to GPS, the Garmin Fenix 5 has GLONASS and Galileo capabilities. These features are advantageous when exploring remote fishing areas with challenging environments. They enhance the watch’s tracking capabilities, and if you ever get lost, Garmin’s breadcrumb-trail feature, TrackBack, makes it easy to find your way home.
It’s durable, water-resistant up to 330 meters, and has many other helpful tricks and tools for fishing. These include a moon phase calendar, sunrise/sunset information, a digital compass, and those all-important weather updates. Although it doesn’t have tidal charts, it’s still a great choice at this price point.
The Garmin Fenix 5 has a long battery life of up to 14 days, but this does decrease to just one day when continuously using GPS. You can also choose from three striking designs and a variety of lens materials.
Q: What Should I Look for in a GPS Device for Fishing?
Most importantly, you want your GPS-enabled device to offer high accuracy, especially if you like to go off the beaten track looking for remote fishing spots. It should offer useful navigation features like waypoints and routing to help you find where you are and how to get back.
Quality fish finders should provide information on underwater topography and fish activity, while accurate mapping is also desirable. You may also wish to share your maps and data with other anglers, in which case you should look for a device that comes with a companion app.
Features such as tide tables, sunrise/sunset times, moon phase calendars, and weather forecasting are helpful features you should look for in a GPS-enabled smartwatch. Altimeters and barometers are also helpful for judging weather conditions. You may want to be able to customize all of your data fields, too, so you don’t get overwhelmed by any information you don’t need.
As it’s a fishing device, you should also look for good marks in waterproofing and durability. Running out of power can be troublesome as well, so ensure any GPS-enabled device you buy has decent battery life or offers remote charging capabilities.
Q: Do I Need GPS on My Boat?
You never know when you will encounter a sudden layer of fog or an issue that forces you to stay out in the boat after dark. It’s always a good idea to be prepared and have a GPS device on hand to help navigate your way home safely.
