Best Fish Finders for Jon Boats: 4 Picks for Small Aluminum Boats
A jon boat is small, flat-bottomed, and usually aluminum, which shapes what fish finder makes sense. You have limited dash...
By James
Updated November 11, 2026
A jon boat is small, flat-bottomed, and usually aluminum, which shapes what fish finder makes sense. You have limited dash space, often a single small battery, and a hull that sound cannot pass through. Many jon boat anglers also move the unit between boats, or take it off to keep it from walking away at the ramp.
This guide compares four fish finders that suit jon boats from Lowrance, Garmin, and Humminbird, from a portable kit you can move between boats to a 7-inch unit with down imaging and mapping. We compared each maker’s published screen size, sonar, mapping, and what comes in the box. For a broader range of units, see our main fish finders guide.
Our Top Picks
| Best for | Product | FH Score About FH ScoreThe FH Score is our editorial rating from 0 to 10, based on published specs, materials, warranty and value. It is not based on Amazon ratings and is never influenced by commissions. Learn more › | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall |
Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 SplitShot
|
7.5/10 | Check Price |
| Best portable |
Garmin Striker 4 with Portable Kit
|
7.3/10 | Check Price |
| Best mapping on a budget |
Garmin Striker Plus 4 (Dual-Beam)
|
7.4/10 | Check Price |
| Best big screen |
Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G4
|
7.9/10 | Check Price |
The Picks in Detail
Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 SplitShot
Why it made the list: The HOOK Reveal 5 fits a jon boat well: a 5-inch screen that does not crowd a small console, a SplitShot transducer that pairs wide CHIRP sonar with DownScan Imaging, and preloaded C-MAP maps of almost 4,000 U.S. inland lakes, per Lowrance. FishReveal overlays the two sonar views so fish stand out, and autotuning sonar adjusts settings for you.
Key specs: 5 in SolarMAX display; SplitShot transducer with wide-angle high CHIRP and DownScan Imaging; FishReveal; autotuning sonar; preloaded C-MAP US Inland maps; Genesis Live for creating your own contour maps.
Skip it if: you want to move the unit between boats often. The Garmin Striker 4 portable kit is built for that.
Pros
- Maps of many U.S. lakes included
- CHIRP plus down imaging
- Automatic sonar settings for beginners
Cons
- No side imaging
- Warranty not stated on the listing
Garmin Striker 4 with Portable Kit
Why it made the list: The portable kit is the simplest way to put sonar on a jon boat without drilling. You can move it between a jon boat, a rental, a kayak, or the ice. The Striker 4 has CHIRP sonar, GPS for marking waypoints on brush piles and stumps, and a built-in flasher view for vertical jigging. Its keyed controls work with wet or gloved hands.
Key specs: 3.5 in display; CHIRP sonar; GPS waypoint map; built-in flasher; portable kit; kayak in-hull transducer mount included; 200 W (RMS) transmit power; maximum depth 1,600 ft fresh water, 750 ft salt water, per Garmin.
Skip it if: you want lake maps. The Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 includes them.
Pros
- No permanent install needed
- GPS waypoints
- Low cost
Cons
- Small 3.5 in screen
- No maps or down imaging
- In-hull mount does not work through an aluminum hull
Garmin Striker Plus 4 (Dual-Beam)
Why it made the list: The Striker Plus 4 adds Garmin Quickdraw Contours, which builds your own depth map as you drive the boat, with 1-foot contours for up to 2 million acres, per Garmin. That is useful on small lakes and ponds that commercial maps skip. It has a 4.3-inch screen, GPS for waypoints and routes, and a dual-beam CHIRP transducer.
Key specs: 4.3 in sunlight-readable display; dual-beam CHIRP transducer; Quickdraw Contours mapping with 1 ft contours; built-in GPS with waypoints, routes, and speed; 50/77/83/200 kHz; 200 W (RMS) transmit power.
Skip it if: you want maps on day one without driving the lake. The HOOK Reveal 5 comes preloaded.
Pros
- Make your own lake maps
- GPS waypoints and routes
- Larger screen than the Striker 4
Cons
- No preloaded maps or down imaging
- Requires a transom mount on aluminum hulls
Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G4
Why it made the list: If your jon boat has room for a 7-inch screen, the HELIX 7 is a large step up. MEGA Down Imaging shows structure down to 125 feet, per Humminbird, and Dual Spectrum CHIRP gives a wide search mode and a narrow detail mode. AutoChart Live maps depth, bottom hardness, and vegetation as you drive, and the unit works with LakeMaster and Navionics charts.
Key specs: 7 in display; keypad control; MEGA Down Imaging to 125 ft; Dual Spectrum CHIRP; internal GPS with Humminbird basemap; AutoChart Live with 8 hours of built-in recording; compatible with LakeMaster, CoastMaster, and Navionics charts; includes transom-mount transducer, power cable, and gimbal bracket; 1-year limited warranty.
Skip it if: you run a single small battery or have little console space. A 4 or 5-inch unit is a better fit.
Pros
- Large, detailed screen
- High-detail down imaging
- Strong mapping options
Cons
- Costs the most here
- Large for a small console
- Draws more power than small units
Jon Boat Fish Finders Compared
| Unit | Screen | Sonar | Maps | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 | 5 in | CHIRP + DownScan | C-MAP US Inland preloaded | Transducer included |
| Garmin Striker 4 Portable | 3.5 in | CHIRP | Waypoints only | Portable kit |
| Garmin Striker Plus 4 | 4.3 in | Dual-beam CHIRP | Quickdraw Contours | Transducer included |
| Humminbird HELIX 7 MEGA DI | 7 in | Dual Spectrum CHIRP + MEGA DI | Basemap, AutoChart Live | Transom transducer, gimbal |
How We Picked
We did not install or use these units for this guide. We researched each one and compared the specifications published by the makers and in their Amazon listings. Our criteria:
- Fit for a small boat: screen size and console space.
- Sonar: CHIRP and down imaging for finding fish and structure.
- Mapping for small lakes and rivers.
- Mounting options that work on aluminum hulls.
- Value.
The FH Score in each product box is our editorial rating, built from five weighted criteria: performance for the job, build quality, versatility, warranty and value. It is not based on Amazon ratings. See how it works on our How We Review page.
How to Choose a Fish Finder for a Jon Boat
Mounting on an aluminum hull
Sonar does not pass through aluminum, so in-hull (shoot-through) mounting does not work on most jon boats. Use a transom-mount transducer, a clamp-on or pole mount, or a portable kit with a suction or arm mount. Mount the transducer where water flows smoothly, away from rivets and strakes that cause bubbles.
Screen size
Four to five inches suits most jon boat consoles and tiller setups. Seven inches is easier to read but needs more space and power.
Sonar type
CHIRP sonar shows fish arches and bottom. Down imaging adds a picture-like view of brush, rock, and timber below the boat. Side imaging is rarely worth it on a small, slow jon boat.
Power
Most units run on 12 volts. Many jon boat anglers use a separate small battery for electronics so a trolling motor does not drain or add noise to the sonar. Wire the unit with the inline fuse its maker specifies, and keep battery terminals covered.
Theft and portability
Quick-release mounts let you take the display home. Portable kits go one step further and move between boats.
Related Guides
- Best Fish Finders
- Best Trolling Motors
- Best Lithium Batteries for Trolling Motors
- Best Underwater Fishing Cameras
See more in our Fish Finders section.
FAQ
Can a fish finder shoot through an aluminum jon boat hull?
No. Sound does not pass through aluminum well. Use a transom, clamp-on, or portable mount instead.
What size fish finder is best for a jon boat?
A 4 to 5-inch unit fits most jon boats. Choose 7 inches if you have room and want easier viewing.
Do I need GPS on a jon boat fish finder?
It helps. GPS lets you mark brush piles and productive spots and find them again.
Can I use a kayak fish finder on a jon boat?
Yes. Portable and kayak kits work well on jon boats, as long as the transducer mounts outside the hull.
Final Thoughts
The Lowrance HOOK Reveal 5 SplitShot is our top pick for its jon boat-friendly size, CHIRP plus down imaging, and preloaded inland lake maps. Choose the Garmin Striker 4 portable kit to move a unit between boats without drilling, the Garmin Striker Plus 4 to build your own maps on a budget, and the Humminbird HELIX 7 MEGA DI for a large, detailed screen.
About the author
James writes reviews and buying guides for Fishing Hacking, covering rods, reels, line, lures, and the gear anglers rely on. His work focuses on clear criteria, balanced pros and cons, and practical advice to help readers choose equipment that fits how and where they fish.