LUCKY Castable Wireless Fish Finder Review
Quick Overview
FEATURES
QUALITY
PRICE
Pros
Cons
Castable fish finders are a tad different from boat-mounted models.
As the name suggests, these devices are cast out into the water with a fishing line to help you find fish.
They are typically not the cheapest accessory, so many anglers look for reliable yet budget-friendly options.
When it comes to affordable and compact fish finders, LUCKY Sonar is one of the most trusted innovative brands in the market.
Here’s a LUCKY Castable Wireless Fish Finder review to get you started on the right track.
LUCKY Castable Wireless Fish Finder Review
The castable wireless fish finder from LUCKY detects the movements of nearby fish and provides depth information at the same time.
It features a sonar beam angle of 90 degrees with 125 kHz of sonar frequency.
Not only is this portable fish finder suitable in most bodies of water, but it is also effective in bringing the fish to you.
When it comes to aesthetics, yellow and black colors dominate the exterior design of the device.
You will find three buttons (setup, enter, and power) below the display to ensure convenience and user-friendliness.
This fish finder runs on four AAA batteries, making it easy to bring extras for extended fishing trips.
Since its first release, the LUCKY Castable Wireless Fish Finder hasn’t updated its design and features.
Who Is This Product For?
Due to its versatility, this find finder is ideal for those who have a diverse choice in fishing spots.
Amateur anglers will find the gadget easier to understand compared to models that are CHIRP-powered.
As such, this LUCKY Castable Wireless Fish Finder review recommends it for beginners and casual kayakers still developing their fishing skills.
What’s Included?
The package includes the main gadget, a wireless sonar sensor, and a corresponding antenna.
The wireless sonar sensor arrives with a CR2032 battery, allowing you to go ahead and start fishing.
Lastly, an English manual comes with the package to help you master how to use the LUCKY Castable Wireless Fish Finder.
Overview of the Features
As you might expect, this LUCKY fish finder can determine the fish’s position and the depth of water.
That said, let’s highlight its most outstanding qualities that could convince you to consider getting it for your fishing sessions.
- Depth Display
In addition to water depth, other elements such as rocks, weeds, and water bottom contour are detected and shown by the fish finder.
What’s more, you have the option to choose the measurement of the water depth, which can either be in meters or feet.
The green LCD backlight lets you view the screen clearly at all times of the day.
Also, the device has a fish alarm feature that will notify you when schools of fish are nearby.
- Range of Operation
The LUCKY Castable Wireless Fish Finder’s operating range is an impressive 393 feet or 120 meters.
Compared to other portable units with similar prices, it boasts more operation distance for fishing.
To help ensure you don’t exceed the allowed range, the fish finder will shut off if the operating distance goes beyond the 393-feet mark.
As soon as the transducer comes into contact with water, it will activate automatically, letting you have more time to do other fishing tasks.
- Compact Design
This fish finder measures 6.6 by 12 centimeters, making it small enough to fit inside your pocket or wear around your neck.
This size also means it will not take up significant space in your luggage.
Then again, since it is lightweight and exceptionally portable, the chances of misplacing it or accidentally dropping it without you noticing are higher.
To minimize or eliminate this potential inconvenience, ensure that the LUCKY Castable Wireless Fish Finder is always secured in place.
- Versatility
Ideal for boats, kayaks, canoes, or even float tubes, this fish finder can carry out its functions in various fishing setups.
Since it is wearable, you won’t need to purchase additional tools to mount the device onto your boat, saving you time, money, and effort.
Plus, the addition of the portable depth finder means you can use this device when ice and sea fishing.
- Battery Saving Mode
The biggest concern about outdoor gadgets is how long they’ll last, as most run on batteries.
This factor is more evident in fishing because there’s only so much you can bring with you on your boat.
To lessen your worries about losing power while fishing, the LUCKY Castable Wireless Fish Finder features a Battery Save mode.
When activated, you can enjoy up to six hours of continuous operation.
How To Use the LUCKY Castable Wireless Fish Finder
There are a few suggestions and tips on how to use the LUCKY Castable Wireless Fish Finder efficiently.
For switching between units of measurement, press the Enter key for about five seconds to change the depth measuring.
The device cannot discriminate between fish sizes, unlike other models, but there’s a workaround.
In good water conditions, you may be able to estimate the fish size by playing with the sensitivity.
When ice fishing, keep in mind that the sonar sensor wouldn’t function normally in a given condition.
Once the thickness of the ice exceeds the 12-inch mark, the sensor will not deliver optimal functionality.
If fishing for small fishes, keep in mind that the device cannot detect bait or fish less than 10 centimeters in size.
After fishing, always dry the sonar sensor transducer to extend its service life.
While the wireless sonar transducer is waterproof, that is not the case with the fish finder.
As such, it’s advisable to get a waterproof cover to protect it from water damage.
When used for kayak fishing, we recommend attaching the sonar sensor to the hull’s bottom.
It is also important that you ensure it is submerged underwater by about one inch.
For ice fishing, place the sensor into a hole on the ice and make sure that the sensor’s two poles touch the water.
If you don’t own or rent a boat, you can still use this fish finder for shore fishing.
To do this, simply secure the connection between the sensor and the fishing line and cast them into the water.
Alternatives
While this review has highlighted the LUCKY Castable Wireless Fish Finder’s significant features, other models have more capabilities.
Here are two castable alternatives you may also want to consider.
Garmin STRIKER Cast GPS
If you want more functionalities out of your castable fish finder, take a look at the Garmin STRIKER Cast GPS.
Unlike the LUCKY Sonar castable unit, this device offers a phone app interface instead of the usual fish finder design.
The lack of a separate device means you won’t need to worry about batteries, display, and other factors since your smartphone will provide them all.
Let’s talk about this castable fish finder’s most remarkable attributes.
- Custom Maps
Thanks to the built-in GPS, you’re able to make customized Quickdraw maps with a one-inch contour.
This capability makes tracking and sharing your favorite fishing spots more convenient.
- High-Quality Build
The STRIKER Cast GPS is built to last but also lightweight enough to cast easily.
Its shape and color are distinct, making it easier to spot even in waters with low visibility.
As you might expect from Garmin, this device has IPX6 and IPX7 standards for water resistance.
- Power Efficiency
Since it doesn’t have a separate display, this fish finder will save you from the hassle of purchasing or charging batteries.
Moreover, the sonar device automatically shuts down whenever it’s not on the water and powers on when it is.
In one full charge, the STRIKER Cast GPS is capable of operating for more than 10 hours.
Charging the sonar is also convenient since it is designed to fit standard USB chargers.
Deeper CHIRP
Are you willing to spend additional dollars on a high-quality castable fish finder?
If so, the Deeper CHIRP is another excellent choice despite its higher price.
Similar to the STRIKER Cast GPS, it doesn’t have a separate display for its readings.
Instead, you must pair this fish finder with your smartphone to fully activate its functions.
Plus, there are some exceptional features that the Deeper CHIRP can deliver that the LUCKY Castable Wireless Fish Finder cannot.
- CHIRP Technology
According to Deeper, this gadget is the world’s first castable fish finder that makes use of CHIRP technology.
A typical sonar transmits only a single-frequency pulse at a time.
On the other hand, a sonar that runs on a Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse or CHIRP sends out a continuous flow of frequencies spanning from low to high.
As a result, the readings are considerably more precise and have a better resolution than standard sonars.
- More Details
Expect the visuals received by the fish finder to be highly detailed and clear.
You’ll be able to distinguish predators from baitfish, as well as bottom huggers from bottom contours.
Underwater elements, such as vegetation, fish, structure, water depth, and temperature, are all detectable.
Is the LUCKY Castable Wireless Fish Finder Worth It?
The LUCKY Castable Wireless Fish Finder may not be as sophisticated as other models.
Even so, its budget-friendly price and set of features are hard to argue against.
This is why it is one of the most recommended castable fish finders for amateur and casual anglers alike.