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Fish finders for bank fishing were unheard of 20 years ago. If you didn’t have a boat, you couldn’t have a fish finder; simple as that.
Today, we’re lucky to have great on shore fish finders that open up the water to people who can’t afford or store a boat somewhere.
The thing is, you need to understand the different things you’re looking for when shopping for a bank fishing fish finder. I’ve been using these units all my life and I’m a big fan of them.
I especially like the Deeper fish finders like the CHIRP 2.
What these fish finders may lack in terms of performance and clarity, they make up for in versatility and portability. Let’s take a look at some of the best options out there.
Table of Contents
Best Bank Fishing Fish Finders
- Deeper Sonar CHIRP 2
- Deeper Pro+ Smart Sonar
- Garmin Striker Cast
- ReelSonar iBobber
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Bank Fishing Fish Finder
| Deeper Sonar CHIRP 2 | Deeper Pro+ Smart Sonar | Garmin Striker Cast | ReelSonar iBobber | |
| Weight | 3.2 oz | 3.5 oz | 2.6 oz | 4.3 oz |
| Sonar Type | Triple Beam | Dual Beam | Single Beam | Single Beam |
| Scanning Depth | 330 ft | 330 ft | 160 ft | 60 ft |
| Range | 394 ft | 330 ft | 200 ft | 135 ft |
| Battery Life | 15 hrs | 6 hrs | 10 hrs | 10 hrs |
Before we dive into the reviews, let’s take a look at some of the important factors you’ll want to keep in mind when you’re looking for fish finders for bank fishing.
Remember that there are a lot of cheap, crappy knockoff products targeting inexperienced shore anglers. There aren’t a lot of premium options like traditional fish finders so you want to make sure that you’re choosing products from the most reputable brands like:
- Deeper
- Garmin
- Lowrance
Let’s take a look.
Compatibility
Compatibility is crucial when choosing a castable fish finder to use from the shoreline because it ensures seamless communication between your fish finder and your phone.
It’s important to keep in mind that these fish finders will operate specifically using your smartphone so if they’re not compatible, you’re out of luck.
To ensure compatibility, it’s important to check the specifications of both your phone and the fish finder and make sure that they are compatible with each other.
Some factors to consider include operating system, Bluetooth connectivity, and the availability of a dedicated app.
All of the major brands reviewed in this guide have apps that go along with them.
You’ll want to read reviews of each app to make sure that it functions properly because this can have a tremendous impact on your success on the water.
Battery Life
The battery life of a castable fish finder is an important factor to consider when choosing one because it affects the length of time you can use the device without having to recharge it.
A castable fish finder with a long battery life is especially important for anglers who spend the whole day fishing and do not have access to a power source.
A good battery life for a castable fish finder can vary, depending on the type of device and its features, but between 5-10 hours is pretty standard.
That said, the new Deeper Sonar CHIRP 2 actually has a battery life of 15 hours so they’re starting to step up their game.
Some castable fish finders also have a battery-saving mode that helps extend the battery, making it even more important to choose a device with a good battery life.
Range
On shore fish finders use wi-fi connectivity to connect the castable “bobber” unit to your smartphone so you’ll want to know the range of your unit because this will determine how far you can cast it out.
The range of a castable fish finder is determined by the power of the device’s transducer, which sends out sonar signals to locate fish.
The greater the range, the more area the device can cover and the more accurate the data it provides.
A good range 5-10 years ago was around 150-feet but today, most fish finders for shore fishing cross the 300-foot mark.
However, if you fish in deep water, you may need a device with a longer range. It is also important to consider the clarity of the data provided by the device, as a longer range does not necessarily mean that the data will be more accurate.
Keep in mind that maxing out the range usually means that you’ll get a choppy quality reading if any reading at all.
These units also aren’t only for the shore, you can use castable sonar in a small boat as well.
Sonar Type
When choosing the best fish finders for bank fishing, you need to keep the sonar type in mind. In these basic fish finders, you’re pretty much given two options:
- Dual-beam sonar
- Single-beam sonar
They operate exactly as they sound.
Single-beam sonar sends out a single ping and listens for the return signal to determine the depth and location of objects in the water, including fish. This type of sonar is basic and can provide limited information.
Dual-beam sonar, on the other hand, uses multiple beams to create a more detailed and accurate picture of the underwater environment.
This type of sonar provides a much wider coverage area and can detect fish and structure in greater detail.
When choosing a fish finder for shore fishing, you want to consider the type of fishing you do as well as the type of waters you fish.
Dual-beam sonar in my experience is well worth the cost because it provides you with more detail and flexibility in terms of where you can fish.
Frequency
The kHz frequency of the shore fish finder isn’t something we need to get into really deep. The main thing you should understand is that dual-beam sonar has two frequencies and that’s what makes the difference.
A lower frequency provides greater screen resolution and clarity but narrows the viewing angle and penetration making it the better choice for areas you’ve already determined have fish.
A higher frequency provides less resolution and clarity but expands the viewing angle to scout a wider area.
Scanning Depth
The scanning depth of a fish finder refers to the maximum depth it can scan and detect fish and underwater structure.
A good scanning depth will depend on the type of fishing you will be doing and the water conditions you will be fishing in.
Since you’re fishing from the shore, the water will get deeper the farther away you get. This means that you’ll likely need around 100-feet or more of scanning depth to get an accurate picture.
It’s also important to understand that when many shore fish finders are used beyond their scanning depth, they will not provide a reading at all.
That said, you’ll find that most modern on shore fish finders have max depths as deep as 250-feet so you don’t have much to worry about.
Best Bank Fishing Fish Finders
1. Deeper Sonar CHIRP 2
Specs
- Battery Life: 15-hours
- Compatibility: iOS and Android
- Range: 394-feet
Pros
- Incredibly far range and depth
- Triple beam sonar (47, 20, and 7)
- 15-hour battery life
Cons
- No GPS
Why We Chose It
The Deeper Sonar CHIRP 2 is the newest addition to the Deeper brand of castable fish finders. This is the best portable fish finder for bank fishing for a number of reasons.
One of the standout features of the Deeper Sonar CHIRP 2 is its advanced CHIRP technology.
This technology allows the sonar to transmit a wide frequency range, providing you with a more detailed and accurate picture of the underwater environment.
You will be able to see fish and structure more clearly, making it easier to find the best fishing spots.
It’s important to realize that a lot of shore fish finders are limited in their clarity so this is a big improvement.
The CHIRP 2 has a casting range of 394-feet and a scanning depth of 330-feet making it by far the most versatile casting unit on the market today. With .4-inch target separation you’re getting great readings sent right to your smartphone.
With a 15-hour battery life, there’s not much negative to say about this unit. Check it out for yourself!
2. Deeper Pro+ Smart Sonar
Specs
- Battery Life: 6-hours
- Compatibility: iOS and Android
- Range: 330-feet
Pros
- GPS feature
- 330-foot range and depth
- Affordable unit
Cons
- Slowly becoming outdated
Why We Chose It
The Deeper Pro+ is the on shore fish finder we all know and love. It’s a great and affordable choice for anyone looking to improve their fish finding ability from the bank.
One of the key features of the Deeper Pro+ is its long battery life. You can use it for up to 6 hours on a single charge, giving you plenty of time to fish without worrying about running out of power.
The device is also compatible with both iOS and Android devices, allowing you to view the sonar data directly on your smartphone or tablet.
Another great feature of the Deeper Pro+ is its range. The device can scan up to 330 feet in depth and range, providing you with a detailed and accurate picture of the underwater environment.
Another unique thing that you get in the Pro+ that isn’t in the CHIRP model is bathymetric maps and GPS. Not to mention the fact that this one is about half the cost.
Click here to read our complete Deeper Pro+ review.
3. Garmin Striker Cast
Specs
- Battery Life: 10-hours
- Compatibility: iOS and Android
- Range: 200-feet
Pros
- Quickdraw Mapping for fishing locations
- 10-hour runtime with smart battery
- Garmin brand
Cons
- Less range and depth compared to others in this price range
Why We Chose It
The Striker Cast from Garmin is a popular option for its compact and lightweight design.
You’ll use the free STRIKER Cast app for this unit which gives you access to the Quickdraw community so you can download maps and make charts in real-time.
This depth finder uses CHIRP sonar, providing you with a more detailed and accurate picture making finding fish that much easier.
You will be able to see fish and structure more clearly, making it easier to find the best fishing spots.
This on shore fish finder only has a 200-foot range so it lacks in that department but it’s a great option for ice fishing because of its 10-hour runtime and smart battery that only turns on when the unit is floating in the water.
Either way, would I recommend the Striker Cast over either of the Deeper models? Probably not… but if you’re looking for a unit that’s from a big name brand like Garmin, this is basically your only option!
Click here to read our complete review of the Garmin Striker Cast
4. ReelSonar iBobber
Specs
- Battery Life: 10-hours
- Compatibility: iOS and Android
- Range: 135-feet
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Great app
Cons
- Limited range and depth
- Kind of basic
Why We Chose It
The iBobber is a simpler bank angling fish finder that doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles.
You’ll connect this one using the iPhone or Android app and the iBobber app actually comes with a lot of interesting features like GPS, fish alarms, water depth, water temperature, and trip logs.
The unit itself looks exactly like a bobber, it’s very portable, and it’s easy to use and sync with your smartphone.
Some of the downsides of this more basic technology is a shorter range of 135-feet and a depth capacity of around 60-feet.
Ideally, you’ll be using this to scout the shoreline and identify fish without going too far out. It uses a basic single beam CHIRP sonar with fish ID technology rather than sonar arches.
One of the things that appeals to most about this unit is the fact that you can grab it for less than $100 so it’s great for weekend warriors and people fishing as a family.
Want to learn more? Click here to read our complete ReelSonar iBobber review.
Final Thoughts
The battle for bank anglin’ supremacy rages on so which unit are you going to bring to the table? If I had to pick one it would be the Deeper Smart CHIRP 2 or the Deeper Pro+ without question.
These two units are designed specifically for shore and kayak fishing.
Finding the best portable fish finder for shore fishing is easy when you know what features you should be looking for such as range, compatibility, battery life, and a high-quality app.
If you decide to pick one of these units up, be sure to let me know in the comments how it’s working for you!
