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10 Best Fish Finder For Pontoon Boat 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv, U.S. with GT20-TM Transducer - Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02552-00)

The Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv is a strong contender for those looking for a fish finder tailored to pontoon boating. With a 7-inch color display, it offers vivid scanning sonar color palettes that help users easily differentiate between fish and underwater structures, making it user-friendly for both novice and experienced anglers. The included GT20 transducer supports both traditional CHIRP sonar and CHIRP ClearVü scanning, enhancing your ability to identify fish and their surroundings.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,380
Display Size and Resolution

Most important from
329 reviews

Display Size and Resolution
The large screen on this depth/fish finder is fantastic—easy to read and program.
#2
10.0 score

Garmin 010-02550-00 Striker Vivid 4cv, Easy-to-Use 4-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Color Palettes

The Garmin Striker Vivid 4cv is an easy-to-use fishfinder suitable for pontoon boats with its compact 4-inch color display. The display, although on the smaller side, offers vivid scanning sonar color palettes that make it easier to distinguish between fish and underwater structures. This can be particularly useful for both novice and experienced anglers. The included GT20 transducer provides both traditional CHIRP sonar and CHIRP ClearVü scanning sonar, giving you a clearer and broader view of what’s beneath your boat. This helps in identifying fish and underwater obstacles more precisely.

Rating
10.0
GPS and Mapping
Transducer

Most important from
2000 reviews

GPS and Mapping
The screen size, fish finder, and GPS are great. It guided us perfectly through fog on Lake Erie, making it a significant upgrade from a compass.
Transducer
This device is packed with features for the price. Although the transducer is bigger, it works well when mounted correctly.
#3
9.9 score

Lowrance Eagle Eye™ 9 Live + C-MAP®, 9" IPS Screen, Eagle Eye™ transducer, C-MAP® Discover microSD Card Charts for The US and Canada

The Lowrance Eagle Eye 9" Live Sonar is a robust and versatile tool designed to enhance your fishing experience on a pontoon boat. One of the standout features is its ability to offer four sonar views from a single transducer without needing additional modules. This includes Live Forward and Live Down views, which can significantly improve your ability to locate fish. The autotuning capability is user-friendly, allowing for focused imaging that adjusts automatically to provide optimal clarity, making it easier for both seasoned anglers and novices alike.

Rating
9.9
Display Size and Resolution
Sonar Type
GPS and Mapping

Most important from
52 reviews

Display Size and Resolution
This unit is amazing; the screen is clear enough to see even small fish swimming.
Sonar Type
While the down live view isn't as impressive, the forward live view is quite good.
GPS and Mapping
Good mapping with the upgraded C-MAP card enhances the overall experience.

Top 10 Best Fish Finder For Pontoon Boat 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

Garmin Striker Vivid 7cv, U.S. with GT20-TM Transducer - Easy-to-Use 7-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02552-00)

Display Size and Resolution: 7-inch color display
Sonar Type: traditional CHIRP and CHIRP ClearVü
GPS and Mapping: high-sensitivity GPS, Quickdraw Contours
Power and Frequency: Battery Powered
Transducer: GT20 transducer
Connectivity and Networking: Wi-Fi for ActiveCaptain app

Chosen by 1380 this week

Garmin 010-02550-00 Striker Vivid 4cv, Easy-to-Use 4-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Color Palettes

Display Size and Resolution: 4 Inches
Sonar Type: CHIRP sonar, CHIRP ClearVü scanning
GPS and Mapping: High-sensitivity GPS, Quickdraw Contours
Power and Frequency: Battery Powered
Transducer: GT20-TM transducer
Connectivity and Networking: Wi-Fi

Humminbird 411610-1 HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G4

Display Size and Resolution: 7 Inches, Color TFT
Sonar Type: MEGA Down Imaging, Dual Spectrum CHIRP
GPS and Mapping: Internal GPS, Humminbird Basemap, AutoChart Live
Power and Frequency: Battery Powered
Transducer: XNT 9 HW MDI 75 T

Lowrance Elite FS 9 Fish Finder with Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer, Preloaded C-MAP Contour+ Charts

Display Size and Resolution: 9 Inches, multi-touch LCD
Sonar Type: Active Imaging 3-in-1
GPS and Mapping: Preloaded C-MAP Contour+ charts
Power and Frequency: 12 Volt DC
Transducer: Active Imaging 3-in-1 Transducer
Connectivity and Networking: Full networking support

Humminbird XPLORE 9 GPS Fish Finder with Transducer, MEGA Side Imaging+ & HD Touchscreen Display

Display Size and Resolution: 9-inch full HD
Sonar Type: MEGA Side Imaging+, MEGA Down Imaging+, Dual Spectrum CHIRP
GPS and Mapping: Built-in GPS, Humminbird Basemap, LakeMaster, CoastMaster VX, AutoChart Live
Transducer: Included
Connectivity and Networking: Ethernet, Bluetooth, NMEA 2000

Garmin 010-01870-00 Striker Plus 4 with Dual-Beam transducer

Display Size and Resolution: 4.3 inches, 800 x 480 pixels
Sonar Type: Garmin Chirp sonar, dual-beam
GPS and Mapping: Built-in GPS, quickdraw contours
Power and Frequency: 200 W (RMS), 50/77/83/200 kHz
Transducer: Garmin dual-beam transducer
Connectivity and Networking: Bluetooth

Garmin Striker Vivid 5cv, Easy-to-Use 5-inch Color Fishfinder and Sonar Transducer, Vivid Scanning Sonar Color Palettes (010-02551-00)

Display Size and Resolution: 5-inch color display
Sonar Type: CHIRP traditional and ClearVü sonar
GPS and Mapping: High-sensitivity GPS, Quickdraw Contours
Power and Frequency: Battery Powered
Transducer: GT20-TM transducer
Connectivity and Networking: Wi-Fi

Garmin STRIKER Plus 7cv with CV20-TM Transducer and Protective Cover, 7 inches 010-01873-00

Display Size and Resolution: 7-inch LCD, high resolution
Sonar Type: CHIRP
GPS and Mapping: Built-in GPS
Power and Frequency: Battery Powered
Transducer: CV20-TM
Connectivity and Networking: Wi-Fi

Humminbird 410190-1 HELIX 5 SONAR G2

Display Size and Resolution: 5 Inches, LCD
Sonar Type: DualBeam PLUS, SwitchFire
Power and Frequency: Battery Powered
Transducer: XNT 9 20 T transom-mount
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Buying Guide for the Best Fish Finder For Pontoon Boat

Choosing the right fish finder for your pontoon boat can significantly enhance your fishing experience. A fish finder uses sonar technology to detect fish and underwater structures, helping you locate the best fishing spots. When selecting a fish finder, it's important to consider several key specifications to ensure it meets your needs and preferences. Here are the key specs to look out for and how to choose the best fit for you.
Display Size and ResolutionThe display size and resolution determine how clearly you can see the information on the screen. Larger screens with higher resolution provide better visibility and more detailed images, which is especially useful in bright sunlight or rough waters. If you have difficulty seeing small details or plan to use the fish finder in various lighting conditions, opt for a larger screen with higher resolution. Smaller screens may be more compact and easier to install but can be harder to read.
Sonar TypeSonar technology is the core of a fish finder, and there are different types to consider: traditional 2D sonar, Down Imaging, and Side Imaging. Traditional 2D sonar provides basic depth and fish detection, Down Imaging offers detailed images of structures directly beneath the boat, and Side Imaging scans a wider area to the sides. If you fish in shallow waters or need detailed images of the bottom, Down Imaging is beneficial. For a broader view of the underwater environment, Side Imaging is ideal. Choose based on the type of fishing you do and the waters you frequent.
GPS and MappingGPS and mapping features help you navigate and mark fishing spots. Integrated GPS allows you to track your location, set waypoints, and create routes. Mapping features can show underwater topography and help you find productive fishing areas. If you fish in unfamiliar waters or like to keep track of your favorite spots, a fish finder with GPS and mapping capabilities is essential. For casual fishing in familiar areas, basic GPS functionality may suffice.
Power and FrequencyThe power of a fish finder, measured in watts, affects its ability to penetrate water and provide accurate readings. Higher power is better for deep water and rough conditions. Frequency, measured in kHz, determines the detail and range of the sonar. Higher frequencies (e.g., 200 kHz) offer more detail but less range, while lower frequencies (e.g., 50 kHz) provide greater range but less detail. Choose higher power and frequency for deep-sea fishing and lower power and frequency for shallow waters.
TransducerThe transducer is the part of the fish finder that sends and receives sonar signals. It can be mounted in various ways, such as transom-mount, in-hull, or through-hull. Transom-mount transducers are easy to install and suitable for most pontoon boats. In-hull and through-hull transducers are more permanent and provide better performance but require more complex installation. Consider your boat type and installation preferences when choosing a transducer.
Connectivity and NetworkingModern fish finders often come with connectivity options like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NMEA 2000 networking. These features allow you to connect your fish finder to other devices, such as smartphones, tablets, or other marine electronics. This can be useful for sharing data, updating software, or integrating with other navigation systems. If you value having a connected and integrated system, look for fish finders with these connectivity options.

FAQ