Offshore fishing has aways presented a challenge when choosing a transducer for your fishfinder. Tuna, marlin, and other pelagic fishes can be found throughout the water column, from the surface to several hundred feet deep, spread out over huge swaths of open water. At the same time, offshore targets for deep-dropping require a transducer that can probe the depths. Plus, most offshore fishermen spend at least part of their season plying inshore waters. So, how do you choose the best transducer for canyon-bound sportfish or center console?
Let’s start with a quick review of basic transducer technology. Transducers are categorized by frequency. Lower frequencies travel farther and achieve greater depth, while higher frequencies will provide greater detail at shallower depths. Beam width is also an important consideration. A wide beam will cover more water, like a searchlight, while a narrow beam will focus on a smaller area but travel farther and penetrate deeper.
“When it comes to tuna fishing, maximum coverage of the widest possible area under the boat is almost always an advantage,” explains Craig Cushman, director of marketing for Airmar Technology, a primary source for marine transducers.
Therefore, when fishing for open-water species like tuna or billfish, a wide-beam, searchlight-style transducer is ideal. That’s the inspiration behind the revolutionary new design of Airmar’s Medium Ultra-Wide transducers which are available in thru-hull and transom mounts.
“Rather than using only one ceramic to shoot straight down, we created an array of seven separate ceramics,” explains Cushman. “When the signal transmits from this new design, it delivers a super-wide, fan-shaped beam, as wide as 73° from port to starboard and narrow at 6° from fore to aft.”
However, because it operates on a medium frequency band from 60-100 kHz, it also works for seeking deeper species–like swordfish and tilefish–all the way down to 1300 feet. And if you also fish inshore for part of the year, you’ll still get great performance in shallower waters, fishing for striped bass, bluefish and fluke.
Rigging your boat with transducer frequencies and beamwidths that will match your fishing style is simple and doesn’t always mean replacing the one you already have. Today’s fishfinders have the ability to receive multiple transducers. Adding a second transducer can be as simple as adding a transom mount model which is easily done by the boat owner.
“For the most complete coverage of just about any fishing situation you might encounter on the East Coast, the B175 Medium Ultra-Wide transducer can be paired with a second transducer, such as the B275LHW,” says Cushman, “This arrangement would provide the angler with a broad set of frequencies (Low, Medium-Wide, High-Wide) to interrogate all possible targets from deep to shallow.”
If you have questions about choosing the right transducer for your needs and boat style, Airmar has a Certified Installer locator on their website where you can find your nearest Airmar transducer specialist.
