Eagle FishEasy 350c
This unit has a unique screen that offers greater visibility in direct sunlight, which is a must for shallow water anglers constantly watching the screen when fishing close to fish holding cover. The 60-degree cone angle on the transducer provides a wide viewing area, which is critical for covering water in search of actively feeding fish, and the housing is sealed and waterproof to stand up to the elements. Suggested price in 2009: $199.99.
Garmin Fishfinder 140
The Fishfinder 140 from Garmin offers 240 vertical pixels to 129 horizontal pixels to provide the degree of accuracy needed by shallow water anglers. The four-level gray scale gives anglers a good idea of the bottom composition and size of fish based on the degree of color. Darker-colored readings mean larger fish or hard-bottom structure; lighter-colored readings mean small fish or soft bottom like sand or mud. Ultrascroll provides fast redraw for high-speed trolling applications, and the Fishfinder 140 also offers an internal memory backup. Suggested 2009 price: $119.99.
Lowrance X50
The dual-skimming transducer on the Lowrance X50 provides up to 120 degrees of fish finding coverage; this is a huge advantage for shallow water anglers looking to cover vast expanses of water in a day of fishing. Fish Track is another great feature for trolling anglers, as the unit will designate the depth at which a fish is marked. This allows for precise lure placement needed to draw strikes consistently from suspended fish. With 800 watts of peak power and 200 khz of sounding power from the transducer, this unit will provide accurate detail at any depth. Suggested 2009 price: $119.00.
Article Written By Brian M. Kelly
Brian M. Kelly has been freelance writing since 2003. His work has been published in respected outdoor magazines such as Outdoor Life, Great Lakes Angler and Salmon Trout Steelheader. He holds an associate's degree in automated machine design from Macomb College.
