Best Humminbird Kayak Fish Finders

Humminbird offers a range of kayak fish finders tailored to suit the needs of anglers of all levels, from casual to professional. 

Their lineup includes compact, portable units like the PiranhaMAX series, which are budget-friendly and simple to use, perfect for beginners or those who prefer a minimalist setup.

For more advanced users, the HELIX series provides a step up with larger screens, CHIRP Sonar, and detailed imaging technologies such as MEGA Down Imaging and MEGA Side Imaging, allowing for a more comprehensive view of the underwater environment. 

Across the range, Humminbird’s kayak fish finders are known for their robust construction, clear displays, and user-friendly interfaces, making them a popular choice among kayak anglers looking for reliable and effective sonar devices.

Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G4

The Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G4 is a solid fish finder for kayak enthusiasts due to its combination of size, features, and performance. Here’s an overview from a kayak perspective:

• 7-Inch Screen: The 7-inch display is large enough to provide clear images and maps, which is great for the limited space on a kayak.
• Side Imaging: The Side Imaging allows you to see a clear picture of what’s happening to the sides of your kayak, which is great for finding structures and fish.
• Down Imaging: Gives you a detailed look directly beneath your kayak, crucial for understanding the bottom contour and locating fish.
• Chartplotting: Comes with the capability to support various mapping options, which can be extremely useful for navigation and marking fishing spots.
• Mounting: Like most fish finders, you’ll need to find a suitable mount for the Helix 7, as kayak consoles are usually small. It can be mounted using RAM mounts or other third-party solutions designed for kayaks.
• Transducer: The transducer is kayak-friendly and can be installed on the transom, through scupper holes, or on a deployable arm.

Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 PT

The Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 PT (Portable) is a compact fish finder designed for anglers who need a portable and easy-to-use device. Here’s an overview from the perspective of a kayak angler:

• 4.3-Inch Screen: The display is smaller than some other models, which can be beneficial for kayaks with limited space.
• Dual Beam Sonar: The PiranhaMAX 4 PT utilizes Dual Beam sonar (usually 200/455kHz), which allows you to choose a narrow or wide beam for detailed or broad information, respectively.
• Portable Kit: As denoted by the “PT” in its name, this model comes with a portable kit, which includes a carrying case, battery, and suction cup transducer. This is ideal for kayakers because it means easy installation and removal from the kayak.
• Battery Life: Portable units have decent battery life, which is essential for longer kayak excursions.
• No GPS or Mapping: This model doesn’t include GPS or mapping capabilities, which means you can’t chart or save waypoints. If navigation is important to you, this may be a limiting factor.

Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP GPS G3

The Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP GPS is a more compact fish finder compared to its larger sibling, the Helix 7. This model could be particularly suitable for a kayak for several reasons:

• 5-Inch Screen: The smaller display is a good fit for the limited space available on a kayak. It still offers full-color, high-resolution imaging, making it easy to read in various lighting conditions.
• CHIRP Sonar: CHIRP Sonar technology provides a continuous sweep of frequencies for better detail, accurate fish arches, and clear target separation.
• Dual Beam: Allows you to choose a narrow or wide beam for detail or coverage, which can be useful in the varying environments where kayaks can go.
• Integrated GPS with Basemaps: This is a key feature for marking waypoints, tracking your route, and speed on the water.
• Mounting Options: Due to its smaller size, the Helix 5 might be easier to mount on a kayak. You can use a variety of mounts, including those designed specifically for kayak consoles or rails.
• Power Efficiency: It’s designed to be energy-efficient, important for kayak use where battery life is at a premium.
• Transducer Compatibility: Comes with a transducer that should be adaptable for mounting on a kayak, either through the hull, on the transom, or on a sliding mount.

Humminbird Helix 7 MEGA SI GPS G4

Humminbird’s Helix 7 MEGA SI GPS G4 is well-suited for kayak anglers who want a feature-rich device with strong sonar capabilities and good screen size. From a kayak angler’s perspective, here’s a brief overview:

• 7-Inch Display: The unit has a 7-inch widescreen display that provides ample viewing space without overwhelming the limited space on a kayak.
• MEGA Side Imaging: This provides detailed images of the water to the sides of your kayak up to 125 feet, which is excellent for identifying fish and structure.
• MEGA Down Imaging: Offers a detailed view beneath the kayak, providing a clearer picture than standard sonar.
• Built-in Basemap: Comes with a basemap of lakes and coastal areas, which can be enhanced with additional mapping software.
• Mounting: Will require a sturdy mount due to its size; RAM mounts or other kayak-specific mounts are commonly used.
• Transducer: The transducer for MEGA SI needs to be mounted carefully to get the best images, which can be a bit more challenging on the limited space of a kayak.
• Power Requirements: It’s relatively power-efficient, but you’ll still need a 12V battery that can fit safely in your kayak.

Humminbird Transducer Mounts for Kayak

Humminbird transducers for kayaks can be mounted in several different ways, depending on your kayak design and preferences. Here are some brief descriptions of the most common Humminbird transducer mount options for kayaks:

1. In-Hull Mounts: These are glued inside the hull of the kayak. They work by shooting the sonar signal through the plastic of the kayak hull. This is a popular method as it protects the transducer from external impacts and is generally easy to install.
2. Transom Mounts: The transducer is attached to the back (transom) of the kayak using a bracket. This type of mount is typically adjustable and allows the transducer to sit in the water, providing direct contact and potentially more accurate readings.
3. Suction Cup Mounts: These are portable mounts that use suction cups to attach the transducer to the kayak hull temporarily. They are easy to install and remove, making them suitable for kayakers who use different boats or rent kayaks.
4. Scupper Hole Mounts: Many sit-on-top kayaks have scupper holes that can be used to mount transducers. This method allows the transducer to be flush with the bottom of the kayak, offering protection and accurate sonar returns.
5. Arm Mounts: These mounts use a swing arm that can be lowered into the water when in use and lifted while landing or launching. This setup keeps the transducer safe during transport and provides excellent sonar returns when in the water.