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Sonar Bobbers
Fishing sonar isn’t anything new, but for the longest time, it was something mounted to a boat and came with a hefty price tag. If you’re unfamiliar with fishing sonar, it’s a method of finding out the water depth and where the fish are located by sending pulses of sound waves down and waiting for them to ricochet back to the device. A screen then relays this information to an angler. They’re often used to map out pond and lake beds while searching for the biggest fish, or they’re used to check for schools of ocean fish on larger rigs.
Regardless of the past, technology has a way of evolving even items like fishing sonar to be usable by anyone, anywhere. Enter: sonar bobbers. A sonar bobber is a round device, about the size of your palm, that you cast into the water on a line. It then does the work of a sonar device, pinging out sound waves and relaying all of the information back to your phone. Currently, the most common, affordable, and well-rated systems on the market work on iOS and Android devices only. Still, that’s a huge step up from the previous sonar that came with a separate screen and required a battery connection to the boat itself.
Now, there are a few things we must mention. Using these in a river or on the ocean is not recommended. Unlike sonar that is attached to a boat and uses a rod down below the water, the sonar bobbers on the market rest at the surface. This means that the water needs to be relatively calm to read accurately. Another issue is that they must be charged, as they aren’t connected to an external battery. Some give four hours of usage; some give eight. It’s best to throw it out, get a good idea of what’s going on under the surface, then reel it back in and begin fishing. This isn’t to say that you can’t leave it out there for an hour or two. You can. Just know that it will eventually die and need a recharge. However, these bobbers have the perk of being portable, which is a considerable step up from guessing and casting for hours on end. For ponds that can’t fit a boat or shore fishing along a lake, this can be a great solution to not having boat sonar.
As for what reviews are saying, the different brands come with a bevy of perks and issues. It’s best to read up on the capabilities of each solar device and compare that against the price. For instance, some sonar bobbers are only $70, but reviewers say these are more a gimmick than anything else. It’s not until you hit the $125+ range that you’ll find something reliable. Another thing that has been said repeatedly is that if the Wifi isn’t getting a reliable connection, try turning the cell service off for a little while.
Hopefully, you find the perfect one for you! Happy fishing!