Travel rods are essential gear when travelling. It offers some security against the risk that charter boat tackle might not meet your standards, or is simply subpar.

Travel rods typically feature multiple parts that fold up into a case or rod tube for storage and transport. Look for travel rods made from materials like stainless steel or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), as these surfaces make cleaning simpler while not harboring bacteria.

Handheld Fish Finder

If you fish from either kayak or shore, a handheld fish finder is an essential device. These handhelds use transducers you throw into the water that transmit underwater sonar back to an LCD display unit – simple ones show depth and fish location data while more advanced versions may offer features such as tracks and waypoints.

Most handheld fish finders work by transmitting ultrasonic waves that bounce off the bottom of the water and record their echoechoes through sensors and sends them back to your display unit in color screen format. When selecting your handheld, look for one with a sturdy carry case or shuttle house to protect the control unit and easily access batteries and accessories; some portable fish finders also come bundled packages including an ice transducer specifically tailored for ice fishing or boat transducer tailored for larger boats.

Castable Fish Finder

Castable sonar fish finders provide anglers who fish from shore or without a boat with an ideal portable device for targeting marine environments. Acting like transducers, these small gadgets are cast like bobbers to send signals which rebound off of underwater environments before being displayed on either a smartphone screen or dedicated screen.

Manufacturers have worked tirelessly to equip modern castable fish finders with innovative features like live view sonar and premium charts, while still managing to make it portable enough for convenient transport in compact carrying cases.

Garmin’s STRIKER Cast and Deeper’s Smart Sonar CHIRP+ 2 both offer an effortless out-of-the-box experience that includes initial battery charging and setup through their apps on mobile devices. Which model may best meet your out-of-the-box needs may depend on factors like screen size, Bluetooth compatibility or whether or not a waterproof unit appeals.

Portable Fish Finder

Mountable fish finders require you to permanently attach and wire into your motor, while portable units allow you to take them onto the water with you. Some models are small enough to fit in your hand or carry in your backpack and come equipped with clips for attaching the transducer to rod and line for casting.

Castable models often come equipped with a float to help stabilize them in the water and an adjustable sonar zoom for zeroing in on fish and structures. A strike alarm can also be activated to alert when predator fish are nearby; additionally, the iBobber comes equipped with an electronic fish attractor which simulates vibrations of prey to draw in desired species.

An integrated GPS unit makes a useful addition to any castable fish finder for navigational purposes, as some models come preloaded with detailed maps of lakes and rivers in 1-foot contours, while others accept map “chips” for expanded coverage.

GPS

GPS (global positioning system) devices are essential tools for navigating marine areas and finding fish. They use signals sent out from satellites located by the U.S. government to accurately pinpoint a person’s position despite having no mobile signal. Slim enough to fit into pockets or fishing bags, GPS trackers can also be attached directly to gear such as rods and hooks, allowing real-time visibility as you navigate boats more effectively and providing theft protection by sharing real-time location updates with loved ones or authorities via map display.

Most boaters should carry a GPS device aboard, especially those who travel outside cell coverage zones frequently. GPS devices provide invaluable safety assistance if you become disoriented in fog or adverse weather, helping navigate back towards shore and preventing you from becoming lost at sea. Most GPS units feature multi-channel designs which lock onto multiple satellites for position accuracy of fifteen to three meters.