Best Fish Finder for Kayaks in 2025

If there is any industry that continues to produce new and innovative strategies, approaches, or niche markets, it’s the fishing industry. A widespread consumer trend that has continued to grow in popularity in the North American Angler market is the move towards Kayak fishing and other alternative watercrafts.

This trend has become such a popular movement that the global market for kayak fishing has grown to almost $3 billion dollars in 2025 with a projected annual growth rate of over 7%.

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Growing Popularity in Kayak Fishing

So, why is kayak fishing growing so popular in recent years? There are a variety of criteria that have contributed to the growth of this niche market ranging from cost, to technology all of which we will cover throughout this article. We will also be taking a look at one of the significant new trends within the kayak fishing world; the introduction of live sonar to kayaks, a technology which has traditionally been limited to larger watercrafts such as fishing boats.

Kayak Fishing Offers a Lower Cost

One of the most significant benefits to fishing from kayaks is that they offer a low-cost, low-impact alternative to motorboats, ideal for recreational anglers. Fishing is one of the more strange recreational activities in that the total costs can range from a few dollars for a rod, line, and a hook to millions for a boat, technology, and the list goes on and on.

Most people start close to the bottom end of the spectrum and work their way up, but what has been found more and more these days is that the cost barrier to entry into the intermediate level of angling has traditionally been seen as purchasing a boat with motors to improve your mobility. The problem is that most entry level boats still run a few thousand dollars. In comparison, thanks to innovations, today’s kayaks are much more affordable with entry-level prices around $300 and the best units still only costing up to $2,000 (significantly less than a boat).

Enhancements in Kayak Designs Improve the Fishing Experience

Moreover, many kayak companies, like Zestkayak, are now providing modular designs that make for easy transportation to and from the water, as well as the ability to customize your kayak with batteries, live sonar like PingLive, fishing net holders, and more. Pedal-driven kayaks, enhanced stability designs and integrated fishing features are attracting more users because anglers can be more efficient with their time and energy when they are on the water which means more time with your line in the water and a higher likelihood of catching fish.

Strong Demand and Culture have Stoked Inclusivity

In some way, it appears also that a large part of the growth seen in the kayak fishing world is related to a prevalent surge in North American culture towards outdoor activities. As communities continue to place an emphasis on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and work-life balance, people have begun building their interests and hobbies into more consistent pursuits, namely in the angling world, around freshwater & saltwater kayak fishing.

There are few activities that enjoy a combination of the freedom to explore new regions and waters, the physical and mental benefits of being outdoors, and the challenge and rewards that kayak fishing offers. It is no wonder that what was once a small niche market has grown to be a significant industry that fosters not only significant growth in terms of new annual entrants, but also encourages strong bonds within its community.

Time and time again, whether in local communities or across internet platforms, the kayak fishing community remains inclusive, supportive, and a forum for both men and women to learn from others and share what they themselves have learned.

What is the Best Sonar for Kayak Fishing in 2025?

With the innovative changes in the kayak fishing world that allow for higher technology, many anglers are starting to wonder what sonar units are the best for their set ups and how they can get the most value out of them. For these reasons, the Accuphy team has engineered PingLive to be the best fish finder for kayaks in 2025.

PingLive Offers More Portable Sonar

Related to the affordability that kayaks bring to the fishing world is the portability that new fishing sonar technology, when paired with kayaks, brings anglers. As the barrier to entry with a watercraft continues to lower, so does the barrier for more affordable and new fishing technologies, such as PingLive sonar. With a pole-mount solution, adding a fish finder to your kayak in 2025 has become very simple with the PingLive product because it requires 50% less wiring, no black box, and sends the sonar image directly to your iPhone or iPad.

Learn more about the benefits of having a portable fishing sonar in our article: Best Portable Fish Finder 2025: Lightweight Units for Any Situation

These significant advancements in technology mean that PingLive is not only highly portable (which is exactly what kayak fishing requires) but can also be sold at a significant discount compared to other popular fish finder companies because it requires less components to operate.

This means kayak anglers now have access to the same technology advantages that have typically been restricted to fishing from a costly boat.

Get Your PingLive Unit Today

If you are interested in taking your kayak fishing to the next level, visit our PingLive sonar page today to learn more about sonar and receive:

✅ Live image with iOS devices (Wi-Fi or USB-C)

✅ 2 year warranty

✅ 3 unique viewing modes

✅ No more bulky black boxes needed

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