13 Best Fishing Handheld GPS

Fishing requires a lot of gear, and each person needs different gear according to the type of fishing they are up to. One of these important instruments is a handheld GPS for fishing. This is a small and compact device with massive functions that ease your fishing trip. It helps you find your way to the nearest fishing spot. Further, you can save waypoints and routes from guiding you the next time. It’s also a great device to explore the sea or the lakes and tell you if it’s an excellent spot to fish here or not.
To help you, this article is here with the 13 best fishing handheld GPS devices and a comprehensive review of each one. We’ll also tell you how to choose the best option based on some criteria. Here you are the list.

Garmin eTrex 10

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The Garmin eTrex 10 has the basic sunlight-readable 2.2-inches screen. Aside from the screen, the body itself is durable and waterproof. As for the navigational features, the eTrex series from Garmin is known for its high sensitivity and accuracy. It uses GPS and GLONASS satellites to gain this accuracy.
Moving to the battery’s life, it lasts up to 20 hours. This is considered a mediocre battery life. The maps are good as well but not the most advanced ones. They will do the job, but you can’t download extra maps for advanced features. If this is your goal, it’s a good beginner’s option at a value-for-money price.

Garmin etrex Touch 25

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Garmin etrex Touch 25 is another option from the same eTrex series. It’s known for its multipurpose as you can use this magnificent handheld GPS for many activities, including fishing. You can create a profile on the GPS and save your data from tracking your progress.
The device features a three-axis compass and a barometric altimeter responsible for accurate geolocating. On the other side, it has a durable waterproof case, and it could get into the water to 1m deep with no issues. Maybe the only downside to this device is the battery that lasts for 16 hours only.

Garmin Rino 750 Rugged Handheld GPS

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Garmin Rino 750 Rugged Handheld GPS gives you an overview of the surroundings using GPS and GLONASS satellite reception for higher accuracy. Get this view on a 3-inches display with dual orientation for the clearest view. The device is both a GPS navigator and a satellite at the same time. You can even send voice messages to other users of Rino GPS. Hence, it’s a premium device that distinguishes its users among others.
Plus, all the users in the same area can spot each other using their devices. It’s a must-have for a group of friends going on a fishing trip together. It’s also one of the best handheld GPS hiking and outdoor activity devices.

Garmin inReach Mini Marine Bundle

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You have two options to use Garmin inReach Mini Marine Bundle as a fishing handheld GPS. Either use it for communication and sharing your location or pair it with a smartphone to sync your data and view a navigational map. You need to get the device in both cases, and you certainly have the smartphone. This handheld GPS is pairable with any smartphone using the free Earthmate app.
It also has other features like sending SOS messages. Moreover, you can subscribe to basic or premium weather packages to get information about the weather. All of these features and more are available in a very small and compact handheld GPS made of rugged materials.

Garmin Oregon 700 Handheld GPS

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Garmin Oregon 700 Handheld GPS is an upgrade to the previous version from Garmin. It’s one of the best handheld GPS in general and a good option for fishing. The screen is 3 inches, and you have a dual-orientation option for a better view. Moreover, the visibility is good in sunlight and low light conditions.
One of the distinguishable features of Oregon among its peers is that it works with both types of batteries; rechargeable and replaceable ones. Moreover, the device receives text messages from phone devices. Overall, it’s a good fishing handheld GPS, but intermediate or experienced people as beginners might get difficulties dealing with it at first.

Garmin GPSMAP 86i, Floating Handheld GPS

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With the floating feature, you don’t have to worry about losing this handheld GPS in the water. If it suddenly falls into the sea, Garmin GPSMAP 86i, Floating Handheld GPS, will resist water and wait on the water surface with no problems with the device. Thus, it’s an ideal option to choose for fishing and doing all the water activities you want. But also, it’s one of the best handheld GPS hiking devices as well. In fact, it’s good for all purposes.
So, let’s talk a little about its features. The GPS provides a two-way communication service. You can use it as a radio besides a GPS navigator. Additionally, there are many apps compatible with the devices that give access to more features. You can also subscribe to get weather forecasts.

Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer GPS Fishfinder

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There is no way you can’t trust and rely on Garmin Striker 4 with Transducer GPS Fishfinder as your one and only fishing handheld GPS. This GPS features a high-frequency sonar that offers perfect clear images. The information you’ll get from this device is more than enough. You won’t need any other devices to complete your fishing trip.
Some of the features include creating and saving waypoints, navigating to these waypoints, and viewing up to 1,600 feet. Furthermore, there are a few options here if you decide to buy this product. You can get the GPS Fishfinder alone or with a protective cover. Another option is to get the batteries within the package. Anyways, all the packages aren’t expensive at all.

Lowrance Hook Reveal

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Lowrance Hook Reveal is an excellent item in nearly everything except only one thing; it’s a bit larger than most other handheld GPS for fishing. The screen size is 7 inches; this is a mixed blessing for most people. You have a good view with a good resolution, but on the other side, it becomes harder to hold it in your hands. This wide display is useful, particularly for the two display modes it comes with.
The package includes this device, mounting hardware, and a cable. Surprisingly, it’s sold at the same price as Garmin’s best handheld GPS hiking. Above all, this GPS is very easy to use, and the key controls are soft and flexible.

Garmin GPSMAP 64sx

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Garmin GPSMAP 64sx is another GPS of the best fishing handheld GPS devices around. The main reason behind choosing this device as one of the best is the quad helix antenna it has for excellent signals and accurate location determination. Moreover, the screen is 2.6 inches, a bit larger than the older Garmin handheld GPS, and with better resolution.
Furthermore, GPSMAP allows for downloading extra maps. These maps could be stored in the internal memory of the device, but if there is no space, just get an extra SD card. Overall, this is a professional handheld GPS for fishing. It doesn’t connect to the GLONASS system, but the connectivity is decent.

Garmin GPSMAP 78sc Waterproof Marine GPS And Chartplotter

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Garmin GPSMAP 78sc Waterproof Marine GPS And Chartplotter come as an upgrade to GPSMAP models. It isn’t only a perfect handheld GPS for fishing but one of the best handheld GPS for boating and hiking. It’s a good choice for nearly all the outdoor activities you want to do. You’ll never lose this GPS in water because it floats, and even more, it’s water-resistant, so it won’t stop working either.
The device comes with a hunt/fish calendar and a weather forecast for fishing. This information lets you find out the best possible times for fishing. Also, the accurate navigational features let you choose the best fishing spots. Then, you can save all this data for further use. You may even share the data with your peers to help them fish at the right time and place.

Garmin inReach Explorer+

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Garmin inReach Explorer+ is available in several models, including this and another mini model. All options are perfect for fishing and from the best handheld GPS hiking devices. This particular GPS device has a larger screen than the mini option, so it gives a better and clearer view. In addition, it features the 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass for the most accurate geolocating.
As for the available maps, this fishing handheld GPS has all the maps you can think of with all the landmarks you would like to see. Thus, you’ll start the trip on the GPS from your home door till you’re back. This device is on the pricey side, and you need to pay a subscription for extra features. However, it’s considered a professional GPS for many outdoor activities. Thus, the price is justified here.

ReelSonar Wireless Bluetooth Smart Fish Finder

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Apart from handheld GPS devices that use satellite networks to show navigational maps, ReelSonar Wireless Bluetooth Smart Fish Finder is a different product, but it does nearly the same job. The device looks like a small ball that goes into the water to detect fish. It syncs with a smart device where you can download the app to see the deep ocean or sea map. However, there is no option for satellite maps.
Another thing you can do using this device is to view the weather. Professional fishermen know how the weather is related to fish activity. One last thing about this small fish finder is that social media sharing is available directly via the app.

Garmin GPSMAP 64st, TOPO U.S.

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Garmin GPSMAP 64st, TOPO U.S. is the best fishing handheld GPS with the smartest and most accurate locations you can get from any handheld GPS. Accompanied by many pre-loaded maps, finding out your way in the sea will be the easiest. Besides, seeing through the waters to spot the fish is not an issue. Also, navigating through all these features to reach your destination is very easy using the soft-touch buttons.
Furthermore, the device is so smart that it gives you notifications about nearly everything. You can customize the notifications according to what you need to see. In addition, you may connect the GPS to your phone to see everything on your smartphone. Finally, share all this data with your friends and see who has the better fishing achievements.

How To Choose The Best Fishing Handheld GPS?

Handheld GPS devices have many uses and purposes. The best handheld GPS for fishing is similar to the best handheld GPS hiking, boating, and hunting devices in many things. If you’re stuck and don’t know how to choose the best. Here is a guide that might help you.

Display

The display or screen is where you’ll see all the information you need for fishing. Most probably, you’ll go fishing in the morning. Thus, you need a sunlight-readable display with a good resolution and good screen size. A 2.2-inches handheld GPS is the minimum you can get.

Satellite networks

The better the connection to satellite networks, the more accurate the locations that it can triangulate. Most of these devices can connect to GPS satellites, but the best ones have access to GLONASS and other networks.

Water resistance

Since it’s a fishing handheld GPS, it should be water-resistant. This means it won’t stop working if it falls in the water. For an added feature, get a handheld GPS that floats on water to spot easily if you lost it in the water.

What is a handheld GPS for fishing?

A handheld GPS is a small device that tells you your exact location using satellite networks. It can also create waypoints and drive you to the destination. For fishing, handheld GPS devices see through the waters to tell you the best fishing spots.

How do GPS devices work?

Handheld GPS devices connect to satellite networks to give you accurate locations. They don’t need WiFi or any cellular network.

Are GPS fishing devices different from handheld GPS hiking devices?

Not many differences. The only addition for fishing GPS is that they tell you where fish reside in the sea or lakes.