Is a Fish Finder Right for Me?

There are many fishing enthusiasts out there.  Some do it for the competition.  Some actually earn a living doing it; while some, like this writer, do it more for the recreational aspect than anything else.  After all, there is just something about being outside, sitting beside a body of water, and dropping a line into the water to see if anything bites.

If one were to run a search on the internet about ‘fishing’, literally thousands upon thousands of suggested sites will pop up on the computer screen.  There are sites about boats, tournaments, rods and reels, and other equipment—such as fish finders.  The last caught this researchers eye, bringing up the question, ‘Do I need a fish finder?”.

After searching several websites devoted to the topic, this writer came away with mixed feelings about the devices.  Not only because of the cost (some top of the line models can cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars); but, some ethical questions as well.

Does the use of a fish finder lever an unfair advantage in favor of the angler?  After all, most fish species are relatively harmless and do not attack human beings.  But also, does it take away their only defense, which is the ability to hide underwater?

After much thought on the matter, this writer decided there was really more to the question, because if you do happen to find the hiding place of fish, is there any guarantee they will take whatever bait that is dangled before them?  That’s where the skill level comes in, supposedly.  It would take a learned and experienced fisherman to determine what species the fish is, what type of food they would normally consume, and any other myriad factors involved in catching a fish.

Wood knowing the depth of the body of water be helpful?  Of course in would in some cases.  Would the GPS function, which is included in most moderately to high priced models, be useful?  Yes, particularly if you were lost on an unfamiliar lake and need to find your way back to boat ramp. 

How about the ability to see underwater hazards such as submerged trees and logs?  Definitely, if you’re zipping along at a high speed on the water, you wouldn’t want to run into something like that.  There are accidents reported every year where boaters have either been severely injured or died by hitting unseen objects under the water.

We began this article wondering if a fish finder would be useful while fishing.  We have discussed some ethical concerns associated with what could be an unfair advantage for the angler.  We have also talked some good points too, such as the GPS function and fish finder the ability to see hidden objects, which could be potentially harmful or even fatal to the boater.  So what is the answer?

As with a lot of things, the answer is a definite—maybe.  Each topic is applicable only to the person who is asking the questions.