Choosing The Best Fish Finder Battery

Here, fishy! Ever wish you could call over the fish in the same way you call over your dog. Unfortunately, that’s not the way it works. When it comes to fishing, you’re the one who’s got to do the finding and fetching.

But there’s one gadget that can make finding fish a snap: a fish finder. You’ll also need a fish finder battery to power it. But what battery is best? Read on to find out!

Best Fish Finder Battery: What to Look For

So you’re thinking about purchasing a fish finder. Or maybe you already have one. You probably already know this, but they’re amazing at revealing fish hangouts. Even if it’s an underwater tree trunk hidden in murky water. They’ll help you skip spots with no fish, so you can troll on to the good spots. Some fish finders even let you mark your favorite areas on a digital map so you can come back.

But a fish finder is only as good as the battery that powers it. Otherwise all you have is a weird decoration taking up space in your boat or kayak. Speaking of space, you may not have much of it. That’s why one of the most important aspects of a fish finder battery is a lightweight design.

Here are other key characteristics to look for:

• Sturdy and spill proof. Leaking toxic chemicals into the lake? Mother Nature would rather you didn’t. Your battery should be tough enough to take the jostling and rocking of your boat without making a mess.
• Lightweight and compact. Extra weight makes your boat sit lower in the water and creates drag. Extra bulk takes up precious space where you could put your fishing gear. So go as little and lightweight as you can. Especially if you need a kayak fish finder battery. 
• Maintenance-free. Who wants to top up batteries with water and then babysit them? Probably not you. The best fish finder battery is the one where your only worry is finding time for fishing, not maintenance.
• Reliable. The last thing you need is to get hyped up for a day on the water, only to have your battery cop out 10 minutes in. Reliability is key.
• Fast and easy to charge. Is it hard to find time to fish? Try finding time to charge your battery. You want the kind that charges in 2-3 hours or less. Which battery chemistry is that speedy? LiFePO4. (More on that below).
• High capacity. Every pound counts on boats, so strike a balance between capacity and size. A high capacity battery like Ionic lithium will give you more power per pound.
• Compatible with other gadgets. You can power more than your fish finder with the right battery.
• The right price. A fish finder battery shouldn’t break your budget. But consider more than just the initial price. Cheaper batteries may last only 2-3 years. Ionic lithium, on the other hand, can last 10 or more. It’s worth considering the long-term cost, because cheaper batteries often require more frequent replacement.

Fish Finder Battery Types

By now you might be thinking, “There are a lot of requirements for a fish finder battery.” Is there a battery out there that lives up to those standards?” Yes!

A deep cycle battery is the kind you’ll require for a bass boat or kayak fish finder battery. There are two main types of battery chemistries you can buy. The first is lead acid. This includes flood lead acid, sealed lead acid batteries, gel, and AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries.

The other option is lithium LiFePO4 batteries, which are built from lithium iron phosphate. It’s the safest, most reliable type of lithium battery out there. Use it on the water without any issues! And here’s some great news. LiFePO4 batteries have all the qualities of the best fish finder battery. That’s right, they are the most lightweight, most compact, and fastest-charging batteries on the market.

The Best Fish Finder Battery for Your Energy Requirements

Now you know what the best fish finder battery chemistry is. But what size (capacity) lithium battery should you get? The larger the fish finder (or the more features it has), the more energy it will need.

Remember back in highschool when you wondered when you would ever use math equations? Well, here’s your chance. But don’t worry, it’s nothing complicated.

First, check the manufacturer specs for your fish finder. For very basic models the current draw may be around 1A or less. In that case, a 12V 9A battery may suffice for powering your fish finder alone. For the more modern devices, you’ll likely require a more powerful battery. To take advantage of advanced fish finders, many of our customers use one 12V 125Ah battery or two in parallel. That way they can power all of their electronic devices and enjoy forward image sonar. To figure out what battery is best for you, use the formula below. That way you can make sure you’ll have enough run time hours with the battery you choose.

Amp Hours of your battery
—————————————        =    hours of run time
Amp draw of your fish finder

For example, if your fish finder has a current draw of 0.30, you would get about 30 hours of run time from a 9A battery. Keep in mind that the run time will be reduced for less efficient batteries like lead acid.

That’s one more reason why a lithium battery makes a great fish finder battery for your boat or kayak. You’ll get a runtime closer to your calculation. Plus, they have consistent output even after you drain them past 50%. Unlike lead acid batteries, using them when half drained won’t harm them.

Ready to add a fish finder battery to your bass boat or kayak? Browse our marine batteries here. If you need help choosing the right battery, click here to message one of our experts. Real humans right here in the USA.