Last Updated on July 26, 2022 by Donnell Henderson
There’s more to buying a fish finder than meets the eye — or in this case, than meets the (fish) finder. To the untrained purchaser, it might seem like all you need to do is consult a few paying customer reviews, and away you go. But as any seasoned fisherman will tell you, there’s more to it than that, especially when it is about a Pontoon boat which is rare and unique.
For starters, not all fish finders are created equal and with the same features. If you’re one of the proud owners of a pontoon boat, you’ll need to consider a couple of unique characteristics that will make a depth finder suitable for your needs. Pontoon boats are notoriously tricky to map (due to their flat-bottomed design), so you’ll need a fish finder with GPS capabilities. You’ll also need one that can read depths accurately, as pontoons are often used in shallower waters with a trolling motor.
Don’t be caught out when choosing your next fish finder for a pontoon boat – take the time to do your research and choose wisely. Most Pontoon Boats can be your pride and joy. Make sure you check out our best fish finder reviews before you decide on a model — just for your peace of mind.
Once you land with a suitable fish finder model, you’ll be lost on how to install it on your pontoon boat, so it gives accurate readings and turns out to be worth the cost. So here we are with a few tips and a complete guide to keeping you on track.
Step 1: Transducer Mounting Location
The transducer is one of the most significant parts of a fish finder. The readings and location are defined by their receiving and sending sonar signals. This requires you to be vigilant while choosing a place for mounting it and regarding the transducer wire. Therefore, while placing the transducer on your boat, you must consider where you will be mounting it.
Make sure there are no other wires close enough for interference by choosing a different place off of water if possible. Also, make sure not too many electrical devices like pumps or solar panels exist near where the sensor would go because this could cause problems with receiving an accurate reading from the transducer cord.
While considering how far away from these obstacles one should ideally put their sensors, it is recommended to keep them at least 20 feet away from any electrical interference. You may purchase extension cables if needed, but most come included in length when you buy them, so there’s no need for concern unless going longer than 19′ or 20′ in a pontoon tube.
Step 2: Display Location
You’ll want to ensure you’ve got enough room for the fish finder cable and other cables running through your boat. If there isn’t enough space under or near where it will go, then get down on all fours so that nothing gets in its way, as this one is the tool that will surely guide you to the schools of fish and show you what`s going on like sonar waves, weather and GPS locations.
While you’re down on the ground, ensure that nobody will interfere with your fish finder’s cord run or mounting. Also, check where the fish finder bracket is installed in engines and consoles before getting started.
Step 3: Install the Transducer in Your Pontoon Boat
The next part of the installation process transducer mounting bracket is easy because you have to drill through a mounting bracket on your boat, allowing us access to fixing it with nuts and bolts. Make sure that they’re stainless steel. After this step, you should be able to install your new transducer mount in its place using an electrical conduit so as not to damage anything along the way–and voila: You’ll now have oceanic sound at your fingertips wherever life and your pontoon take you.
Step 4: Install the Display Monitor
When installing one of the most challenging parts, figuring out where they want to put it can be tricky. It’s not just about following some simple steps and somebody else’s craft – there is so much more that goes into making this happen than meets the eye in a fish finder monitor.
The first step would usually involve drilling through fiberglass for installation, but if done incorrectly could potentially cause significant damage or, even worse, loose in the rivers.
Marking spots to drill using a pencil is essential when installing your new monitor bracket. You can then go straight through if you like, but it’s better with rubber washers in place. Finally, slip the bolts up through these holes and tighten them down – don’t forget about those pesky utility clips either.
Step 5: Power
Whenever you buy a new fish finder, there’s always some weirdness with the cord. First, they’ll give only about 5′ (1.5 meters) of wire to power up your device and connect it securely on board with the soaking part of the engine. But then instructions tell us that we should tie our electricity into one side while connecting at least 3 feet out into deep water to avoid damaging anything when things start getting bumpy. So what kind-hearted person designs something like this?
To avoid having long wires running behind you or under your seat looking messy, you have two options for the power cable: get your fish finder installed on the pontoon boat. The first option is using a fuse box for electrical cord, which will take longer since you need tools and knowledge of how electricity works for it to be done correctly.
The other choice would involve hooking into battery power directly with cables – whoever does this job should know what they are doing because playing around power connector plugs could cause serious problems. Make sure you read our article on connecting a fish finder to the trolling motor battery.
You’re all done and ready to be on the go. Once you have everything plugged in with the electrical cable, your fishing adventure is just beginning. If the first time using this device seems slow-acquiring a GPS signal takes some patience because subsequent uses should be much quicker.
If there are any problems, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help from one of the specialists who will ensure that each client gets what they need when it counts most.
Factors to Consider While Choosing a Fish Finder for Your Pontoon Boat
You can’t install a fish finder on your boat as it would generally be because they are designed with different features. For example, if you have triple pontoons instead of just two like then, there’s no room for an underwater radar or sonar system in between them which means those accessories won’t work either. To use any detection device successfully, make sure to keep in min the following factors:
Size of Pontoon Boat
To be successful at fishing, you need to know where your fish are and what they’re doing. A pontoon boat will always have a more oversized deck than traditional boats for the same length. In addition, it helps in better visibility from different parts on board when searching through water or looking up toward shoreline vegetation while trolling with an anchor out waiting patiently just beneath us.
If we’re after basses, walleye pinesants, etc., there may come times during our day that requires more than one screen- so as not to spend too much time scanning back over shoulder blades, trying desperately and hoping for a glimpse of some kind. Keep in mind the size of your boat, so you buy a fish finder according to that.
Size of Monitor Display
If you need to see what’s going on in front of a greater distance, getting one with an extra-large display will help your pontoon boat. For instance, a 7-inch wide LED panel like Humminbird Helix 7’s seems enough and has good reviews that provide plenty of space and great clarity from behind. What is better, though, than having more pixels while also sporting an anti-glare coating so we can spot any lurking objects no matter how brightly lit up they may be. So ensure checking up on the display size so you can relax and catch some good fish.
Transducer Mounting Issues
To ensure that you get accurate readings from both ends of your boat, it’s best practice to install a side-imaging fish finder or two. If the transducer is too far (18 – 26 feet), there will likely be lots of issues while fishing for specific types, like bass anglers who spend the most time standing in front o the vessel. Ensure transducer placement is correct, whereas it needs to be as guided in the steps above.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to install a fish finder on your pontoon boat and what to look for before making a hefty investment, you’re ready to start enjoying the fruits of your labor. Not only will you be able to detect fish more quickly, but you’ll also be able to go into deeper waters and find some big fish. With your new fish finder, you’ll be able to enjoy the best fishing trips ever-and. Who knows, you might even catch the big one.
All in all, installing a fish finder on your pontoon boat can be a great asset. Not only will it guide you in locating fish, but it can also help you avoid obstacles and keep an eye on your surroundings. With some research and patience, you should be able to get your fish finder up and running in no time. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start fishing!
