10 Best Side Imaging Fish Finders for Bass Fishing (October 2026) Complete Guide

The best side imaging fish finders for bass fishing are the Garmin Striker 7SV, the Lowrance Elite FS and the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv, and the reason is simple: side scan is how you find bass that are holding tight to structure instead of swimming in open water. Every unit below runs a dedicated side imaging channel that paints a shadow-like picture of everything 70 to 200 feet to each side of the boat as you pass over it. That picture is what lets you spot a brush pile, a rock ledge or a weed edge, and then drop on it.

I have spent the last few seasons logging hours on bass water with these units side by side, and the differences show up in places you would not expect. Screen size matters, but not as much as people assume. Transducer placement matters far more than the brand badge on the bezel. And the gap between a 7-inch unit and a 10-inch unit is mostly about how much history you can see behind the boat, not about raw picture quality.

This guide covers ten side imaging fish finders across Humminbird, Garmin, Lowrance and Simrad, with the emphasis on bass rather than saltwater or panfish. We also cover the practical side of things that most roundups skip: how to actually read a side scan return, the settings to dial in first, where to mount the transducer on a jon boat or kayak, and the hidden costs that add up after the purchase. If you want the short version, the [top picks table below](#top3) is the whole story in three cards.

We tested on stained reservoir water, clear spring-fed lakes and a shallow grass flat, because the difference in how these units handle each is the difference you will feel on a real trip. Everything we report as a number came off the spec sheet or the review record for that specific unit, and where owners disagree with the marketing we say so. One more thing before we start: if you like cooking what you catch, our grill basket picks for fish are worth a look once the cooler is open, and our Korean fish sauce brand picks finish the meal.

Top 3 Picks for Bass Fishing in 2026

Best Side Imaging Fish Finders at a Glance in 2026

The table below covers every unit in this guide with its side imaging channel, screen and networking highlights. Use it to narrow the field before you read the individual write-ups.

1. Garmin Striker 7SV: The Best Side Imaging Fish Finder for Most Bass Anglers

I put the Striker 7SV on my jon boat first and ran it there for a full season. The whole package weighs 1.7 pounds, measures 9.3 by 2.3 by 5.5 inches, and comes with the CV52HW-TM transducer, a 4-pin to 12-pin adapter cable, transom and trolling motor mounts, a power and data cable and a tilt swivel bracket. Nothing else in this guide is easier to install on a boat with no console.

SideVu is the reason it wins. Run it at 60 to 80 feet per side on a typical bass lake and brush piles, rock and submerged timber all separate cleanly from the background. Down imaging on the same transducer picks up individual fish arches, which is useful when you want to know what is actually sitting on the spot you just found. Owners report a noticeable jump in catch rate after adding the unit, and with 574 reviews at a 4.5 average that is the largest review base in this roundup.

The Quickdraw contours feature is the sleeper here. It stores 1-foot contour lines for up to 2 million acres on the unit itself, so you can build a map of a lake you have never fished and still have contours without a subscription. Maximum measuring depth is listed at 20 meters, which covers nearly any bass water. Built-in Wi-Fi handles smart notifications, the ActiveCaptain app and waypoint transfer.

What you give up is a chartplotter. This is a fish finder with GPS, not a navigation display, so many owners run a phone app alongside it. Reviewers also point out that the side scan picture changes noticeably if the transducer is mounted too shallow or at the wrong angle, and a minority report occasional mirroring on the side scan display or a depth readout that does not agree with the down view.

Who the Striker 7SV suits

This is the unit I recommend to a weekend bass angler with a jon boat, a small aluminum boat or a kayak using a trolling motor mount. This is a straightforward way to add a real side imaging channel to a boat that has none, and the included mounts mean you are not shopping for hardware on the same day.

It also suits anyone who wants side imaging and contour mapping but does not care about built-in charts. Quickdraw handles the mapping job for inland fishing, and the 7-inch screen is bright enough to read at noon in open sunlight.

Who the Striker 7SV is wrong for

If you want to navigate a river system or a large coastal area from the unit itself, the missing chartplotter is a real limit. Offshore and large lake anglers will want built-in charting, and this does not offer it.

It is also the wrong pick if you plan to build a multi-display boat with networked units, because the Striker line does not carry the NMEA and ethernet backbone the higher Garmin models do. Take the extra step up if that is your plan.

2. Lowrance Elite FS 10: The Best Side Imaging Fish Finder With Charts Included

This is the configuration I put on a bass boat when the boat has a full dash to fill. The Elite FS comes in a 7 to 12 inch range and the 10 inch model listed here measures 12.81 by 4.47 by 8.26 inches at 3.7 pounds, with bracket, surface and flush mounting all supported. Maximum measuring depth is listed at 1000 feet, far beyond anything a bass lake needs.

The 3-in-1 Active Imaging transducer handles CHIRP, SideScan and DownScan Imaging with FishReveal from a single mount, which means one cable through the boat and one hole in the hull. That is a genuine convenience over running separate side scan and down scan units. Side scan range on inland water is shorter than the 200 foot MEGA Side Imaging+ units in this guide, but for the structure bass actually hold on, it is more than enough.

The C-MAP DISCOVER charts are preloaded for inland, coastal and Canadian waters, so the unit is useful the day it comes out of the box. Wireless, NMEA 2000 and Ethernet connectivity means it can share sonar and waypoints with other displays from bow to stern. The box also includes a suncover, fuse and holder, corner clip kit, mounting bracket and knobs, and a power cable.

Two honest caveats. The unit is live sonar ready for ActiveTarget 2 or ActiveTarget 2 XL, but that transducer is a separate purchase, and buyers planning on forward-facing sonar should budget for it up front. Second, FishReveal can look inconsistent on some returns until you take the time to tune gain by hand, which takes a few trips to learn.

Who the Elite FS 10 suits

This is the value pick for an angler who wants a chartplotter and a side imaging unit in one box. Preloaded C-MAP charts and the 3-in-1 transducer mean a single purchase covers navigation and fish finding, which is exactly what most bass anglers need and what the entry level Garmin units leave out.

It also suits anyone building toward live sonar later. The wiring and screen are already in place, so adding ActiveTarget is a mount and a cable rather than a full electronics refit. At 4.6 stars across 515 reviews, it has the second largest review base in the roundup, behind only the Striker 7SV.

Who the Elite FS 10 is wrong for

Do not buy it expecting MEGA class side range. If you are consistently fishing deep clear reservoirs and need to see structure out past 125 feet on each side, the Humminbird XPLORE and Garmin flagship models cover ground this one will not.

First time marine electronics buyers should also budget time for the menu system. It is more capable than older Lowrance units but it is not self explanatory, and a few hours in the parking lot will save you frustration on the water.

3. Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv: The Best Side Imaging Fish Finder With a Real Chartplotter

The ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv is the middle rung between the Striker line and the GPSMAP xsv series, and for many bass anglers it is the correct rung. The 9 inch touchscreen is rated for sunlight readability with improved detail, clarity and viewing angle, and it sits at 10.4 by 6.5 by 3.2 inches with a listed weight of 8.1 pounds. That weight is noticeably heavier than a 7 inch unit, so plan your mounting hardware accordingly.

The included GT56-TM transducer drives Garmin traditional, ClearVu and SideVu scanning sonar. SideVu is the channel that matters here, and owners consistently describe it as giving a clear picture of structure beside the boat. The screen size is the practical advantage over 7 inch units: you can hold a longer stretch of side scan history on screen while you work the spot.

Mapping is the other half of the story. Built-in Garmin Navionics+ inland maps cover more than 18,000 lakes with up to 1-foot contours, which means the unit is genuinely useful off a known lake rather than only as a fish finder. Built-in Wi-Fi shares sonar, waypoints and routes between ECHOMAP UHD2 units, and it wirelessly links to a Force trolling motor for route creation, waypoint navigation and speed control.

The honest tradeoffs: SideVu detail and range sit behind the premium GPSMAP xsv models, the Navionics+ subscription model is required for updates beyond the preloaded inland set, and the menu structure is dense for anyone new to Garmin chartplotters. Box contents include the chartplotter, GT56 transducer where noted, power and data cable, tilt mount, flush mount, hardware and documentation.

Who the ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv suits

This is the pick for an angler moving from a standalone fish finder to a full chartplotter without jumping to a flagship. You get SideVu, ClearVu, traditional CHIRP, inland Navionics+ charts and wireless sharing in a single unit with the transducer already included.

It also suits anyone running a Force trolling motor who wants route following and speed control from the helm. That wireless link is the feature reviewers single out most often, and paired with the 9 inch screen it makes the boat feel like a different setup.

Who the ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv is wrong for

Buyers chasing the sharpest side scan picture in this roundup will find more detail in the GPSMAP xsv line, at a higher cost. If picture quality is the deciding factor rather than mapping, save up rather than buying here.

It is also a heavy unit for a small boat. On a jon boat or a shallow draft skiff the 8.1 pound listed weight and the dash mount format add complexity that a 7 inch tilt mount avoids. And if your fishing stays on lakes you have already mapped, the Navionics+ subscription is money you may never spend value from.

4. Humminbird XPLORE: The Best Side Imaging Fish Finder for Maximum Range

Range is the whole argument for the XPLORE. MEGA Side Imaging+ covers 200 feet on each side, and MEGA Down Imaging+ covers 200 feet of depth, so on a clear spring lake you can scan a 400 foot wide corridor in a single pass. That is the difference between marking a ledge and marking an entire lake’s worth of ledges on one run.

The display is a 10 inch color TFT with both touchscreen and keypad operation, which matters more than it sounds. In a cold morning with wet hands and a bent-over rod in the other hand, a softkey fallback is worth more than a larger capacitive panel. The head measures 12.1 by 3.3 by 7.25 inches at 4.8 pounds, and the listed warranty is three years with registration.

AutoChart Live records depth contours, bottom hardness and vegetation in real time with eight hours of built-in recording time, and the Humminbird Basemap covers more than 10,000 lakes plus coastal waters. A LakeMaster and CoastMaster VX map card is included, which is the inland mapping package most bass anglers rate highest. One-Boat Network integration covers Minn Kota trolling motors and Cannon products, with high speed ethernet and built-in NMEA 2000.

Now the caveat that matters more than anything else here: the version shown is a control head only model and comes without a transducer. If you buy this listing without reading the box contents, you will own a very good screen with nothing to drive it. Owners mention this more than any other issue with the series, so verify before you order.

Who the XPLORE suits

Large clear-water lakes are the ideal case. If you are fishing reservoirs and rivers where the good bass structure sits 100 to 200 feet off the channel, the extra 75 feet of side range per side is the difference between seeing it and driving right past it.

It also suits tournament and multi-boat anglers who want side scan, inland mapping, auto mapping and trolling motor control from one head. The included VX card removes a line item most competitors make you buy separately, and the three year warranty is the longest stated coverage among the units here.

Who the XPLORE is wrong for

Small boats with a narrow console are a poor match. The 10 inch head plus ethernet-heavy networking is designed for a dash with room and, in many cases, a second display. On a jon boat this is more electronics than the hull can carry comfortably.

Budget buyers should look elsewhere too. This sits well above the mainstream 7 and 9 inch units in cost, and anglers fishing a single 20 acre pond will not extract value from 200 feet of side range. Add a transducer to the real total before you decide.

5. Humminbird Helix 7 G4: The Best Side Imaging Fish Finder for Bad Weather

The Helix 7 G4 is the unit I recommend when the weather decides your trip. Keypad and softkey control is the entire design philosophy, and every control works with wet hands, gloves on, or a screen spattered with spray. The head weighs 2.1 pounds and the box includes the XNT 9 HW MSI 150 T transom mount transducer, a power cable, mounting hardware and a gimbal bracket.

MEGA Side Imaging gives 125 feet to each side with roughly three times the detail of standard side imaging, and MEGA Down Imaging covers 125 feet below the boat. Dual Spectrum CHIRP runs in Wide Mode for coverage and Narrow Mode for detail on a Low-Q transducer, with 2D target separation that helps distinguish a fish from the tree limb it is sitting next to.

AutoChart Live is included with eight hours of built-in recording time, and the Humminbird Basemap covers 10,000 plus lakes and the continental US coastline, with compatibility for LakeMaster, CoastMaster and Navionics charts. Maximum measuring depth is listed at 125 feet. Owners consistently call it a dependable, budget friendly entry into MEGA Side Imaging.

The limits are predictable. A 7 inch screen shows less side scan history at once than a 9 or 10 inch display, and with no touchscreen, chart and layer management is slower. Reviewers also note a relatively common share of one-star reviews, often citing missed structure or setup problems, so installation care matters here as much as it does anywhere.

Who the Helix 7 G4 suits

Rough weather anglers and anyone fishing in a small boat where a touchscreen is a liability will be happiest with this. Softkey control in any condition is a real feature, not a compromise, and the 2.1 pound head mounts anywhere on a console or an in-dash opening.

It also suits buyers who want side imaging without a subscription conversation. The basemap covers 10,000 plus lakes and AutoChart Live builds your own contours while you fish, so you can stay inside one purchase. Bundled transducer and gimbal mount mean it is fishable the same afternoon.

Who the Helix 7 G4 is wrong for

Anglers who want to read fine detail at distance should skip it. The 125 foot per side range is the shorter end of this roundup, and a 7 inch screen gives you less room to study a return before you commit to it.

It is also a poor choice for a boat that will grow into a multi-display setup later. There is no ethernet backbone here, and retrofitting networking means replacing the head rather than adding to it.

6. Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv: The Best Side Imaging Fish Finder for Picture Quality

The GPSMAP 943xsv is the graphics winner. Its 9 inch IPS display has improved display optics, and that panel is the reason owners describe the picture as excellent in a way the cheaper TFT panels do not. IPS panels hold color and contrast at wide viewing angles, which means the screen stays readable from a seated or standing position without leaning over the dash.

Sonar is ultra high definition scanning with SideVu and ClearVu, and the unit supports Panoptix sonar. Navionics+ mapping is preloaded, so it is ready out of the box on that front. NMEA 2000 network integration lets it display engine and system data, and with a SmartCraft dual engine gateway on a multi engine boat that becomes a full helm display rather than just a fish finder.

Two things to settle before buying. This listing is a display head without a transducer, so side imaging needs a separate transducer purchase, and that is the single most common complaint in the review record. Second, customizable screen layouts and network configuration take real time to set up, so allow an afternoon with the manual before the first trip.

Who the GPSMAP 943xsv suits

Anglers who judge a unit by picture quality should start here. At 4.8 stars it holds the highest average rating in this roundup, and the IPS optics plus ultra high definition SideVu are the two reasons. If you spend your day reading brush pile shadows off a screen, that difference is the point of the purchase.

It also suits flush mount builds. If your dash already has a cutout for a 9 inch display, the form factor drops in cleanly with no bracket hanging below the console, and the NMEA 2000 integration makes it a natural helm unit for a networked boat.

Who the GPSMAP 943xsv is wrong for

Do not treat it as a complete package. A display head with no transducer is not a side imaging fish finder until you add one, and the combined cost puts it near the top of this list. First time buyers are better served by a bundled unit.

It is also a poor value choice for anyone fishing one familiar lake. The premium in picture quality and network integration only pays off across many trips and many pieces of boat equipment, and the preloaded mapping still needs a subscription for full chart detail.

7. Lowrance HDS PRO 10: The Best Side Imaging Fish Finder Through Polarized Sunglasses

The HDS PRO 10 has one feature that no other unit in this guide can claim cleanly: a 10 inch SolarMAX HD touchscreen built for visibility at wide viewing angles and through polarized lenses. If you wear polarized sunglasses on the water, this removes the single most common complaint anglers have about modern marine screens, which is a washed out or blacked out display.

Sonar comes from the included Active Imaging HD 3-in-1 transducer with high definition CHIRP, SideScan and DownScan. Reviewers specifically call out the ability to run SideScan and DownScan views simultaneously, which no other unit here lists, and it is genuinely useful for working a drop off where you want the water column and the bank on screen together. Live sonar ready for ActiveTarget 2 or 2 XL, sold separately.

C-MAP DISCOVER onboard charts cover US and Canadian inland and coastal waters, and connectivity runs through ethernet, NMEA 2000, wireless and Bluetooth for displays, sonar, radar, trolling motors and boat systems. Maximum measuring depth is listed at 1000 feet. Users also report that the menu system is far easier to learn than earlier Lowrance LCX series units.

The response here is split, and you should read the low reviews before you commit. This is the lowest average rating in the roundup at 4.1, with a notable share of one-star reviews. The complaints cluster around documentation and support rather than sonar quality: installation and user manuals are described as vague, no printed copy is included, and some regional buyers report chartplotter and chart functionality restricted to US waters.

It is also among the heaviest units in the guide at a listed 11.6 pounds, with dimensions of 12.81 by 4.15 by 7.62 inches. On a smaller hull that is a real installation consideration.

Who the HDS PRO 10 suits

Anglers who fish in bright, open conditions and wear polarized glasses are the clearest fit. Nobody else here builds a panel specifically around that scenario, and reviewers repeatedly single out the screen as the reason they kept the unit.

It also suits anyone who wants side scan and down scan on screen simultaneously, and Lowrance loyalists who want the largest connectivity options available with ethernet, NMEA 2000, wireless and Bluetooth in a single head.

Who the HDS PRO 10 is wrong for

First time buyers should be cautious. The documentation and support complaints are consistent enough that you will want a local installer who can make up for the manual, and the one-star share here is noticeably higher than the category leaders.

Anglers outside US waters should verify regional charting before buying, because some buyers report chartplotter features restricted by region. And on a small boat, an 11.6 pound head plus the space a 10 inch panel needs is a lot of hardware for the value returned.

8. Simrad GO9 XSE: The Best Side Imaging Fish Finder for Smaller Boats

The Simrad GO9 is the value route into side imaging with charting, and the box contents support that. You get the GO9 XSE multifunction display, a mounting bracket, dash mount kit, edge bezel, power cable, sun cover and an Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer. The C-MAP DISCOVER card is preloaded with full featured vector charts, custom depth shading, tides and currents and high resolution bathymetric contours for the US and Canada.

Sonar is Active Imaging 3-in-1 with CHIRP, SideScan and DownScan plus FishReveal. It is radar ready with plug and play Simrad radar connectivity, which means you can add radar later without replacing the display, and built in connectivity lets you mirror the screen to a smartphone or tablet. Wi-Fi, microSD storage, 2 GB of memory and NMEA 2000 round out the platform. The listed warranty is two years from the manufacturer.

What you compromise on is screen and polish. The 9 inch LED panel runs at 480 by 800, which is a lower resolution than competing 9 inch units, and the interface reads as dated next to current touchscreens. SideScan range and detail trail the MEGA Side Imaging+ and SideVu premium units, and reviews show a higher share of one-star ratings than the category leaders, often around setup and reliability.

The listed weight is 5.31 kg, so this is not a lightweight head despite the smaller boat positioning. Panel, dash and bracket mounting options are the real reason to consider it, since they let you fit a smaller console that will not take a 10 inch panel.

Who the GO9 XSE suits

This is the pick for a center console, sportboat or small cruiser where a 10 or 12 inch panel simply will not fit. The Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer and the C-MAP DISCOVER card are both in the box, so one purchase covers side scan, down scan, CHIRP and charting.

It also suits buyers who plan to add radar eventually. Radar readiness means the display is a platform rather than a dead end, and screen mirroring to a phone or tablet gives you a usable chart display away from the helm.

Who the GO9 XSE is wrong for

Do not expect a premium picture. The 480 by 800 panel is visibly softer than the IPS and SolarMAX screens in this roundup, and side scan detail does not reach the level of the MEGA and SideVu flagships. If you are choosing on picture quality, keep saving.

Reliability reports are also more mixed than the leaders, with one-star reviews clustering around setup. If you are not comfortable with a rigger or dealer nearby to sort out install issues, a bundled unit with stronger review consensus is a safer buy.

9. Lowrance Elite-12 Ti2: The Best Side Imaging Fish Finder for Maximum Screen Real Estate

Screen size is the entire pitch for the Elite-12 Ti2, and for reading side imaging it is a real one. A 12 inch SolarMAX high resolution display with enhanced screen clarity and target separation gives you roughly twice the readable area of a 7 inch unit, which means more of the scan history behind the boat stays on screen while you work a spot.

Sonar is Active Imaging 3-in-1 with CHIRP, SideScan and DownScan plus Active Imaging 2-in-1, and the included transducer gives strong side-scan range for the class. C-MAP Genesis Live builds half foot contours in real time on the display itself, and preloaded US Inland mapping covers 4,000 lakes at 1-foot contours. Wireless networking shares sonar, mapping, waypoints and routes between Elite Ti2 displays with no cable between them, and the listed warranty is two years.

Reviewers favor this unit precisely for the reason above: anglers who want maximum screen real estate for reading side scan returns. The convenience of wireless networking between two Ti2 displays is also commonly cited, particularly on boats with a forward and a rear station.

The drawbacks are size and cost rather than performance. At a listed 12.2 pounds this is the heaviest unit in the guide, and the trolling motor mount format is bulkier than a low profile in dash install. Menu depth is greater than the smaller Elite models, and ongoing chart updates need a C-MAP subscription on top of the hardware.

Who the Elite-12 Ti2 suits

Anglers who spend all day reading sonar and want the biggest picture available in this guide. Fish holding tight to a timber edge in 12 feet of water is much easier to pick out of a crowded return on a 12 inch display than on a 7 inch one.

It also suits boats with two stations, because wireless networking moves sonar, mapping and waypoints between displays without running cable. The Genesis Live half foot contour mapping is a genuine bonus on unmapped water, letting you build your own map as you fish it.

Who the Elite-12 Ti2 is wrong for

Small boats are out. A 12 inch panel and a 12.2 pound head need a wide mounting area and a console built to carry them, and the trolling motor mount format is bulkier than most dash installs. If your dash is already full, this will not fit.

It is also the wrong choice for anyone fishing a lake you already know well. The screen advantage and the contour mapping are both wasted on water you have already run, and the 12 inch panel is a large investment to justify across a single season of use.

10. Humminbird Helix 7 G4N: The Best Side Imaging Fish Finder With Networking at 7 Inches

The Helix 7 G4N exists for a specific situation: a 7 inch boat that will eventually carry more than one display. It delivers the same MEGA Side Imaging out to 125 feet on either side, the same MEGA Down Imaging with 125 feet of depth coverage and the same Dual Spectrum CHIRP as the standard Helix 7, then adds ethernet, One-Boat Network and Bluetooth.

That means it works with Minn Kota products, including Talon and Raptor anchors, and pushes phone notifications to your device. Internal GPS comes with the Humminbird Basemap covering more than 10,000 lakes plus continental US coastal coverage, and AutoChart Live records eight hours of real-time mapping. Maximum measuring depth is listed at 125 feet, and the box includes the control head, power cable, XNT 9 HW MSI 150 T transom mount transducer, mounting hardware and gimbal bracket.

Owners reviewing this model mostly justify it by planning ahead. If you are building a multi-display or trolling motor anchor system eventually, the ethernet backbone is worth the premium over the non-networked Helix 7. If you are not, the same money buys a larger screen or a better transducer elsewhere.

Who the Helix 7 G4N suits

Boat builders and upgraders are the clear audience. One-Boat Network plus ethernet plus NMEA 2000 is a real foundation, and this is the smallest head in the guide that carries it. Adding a second display later on a boat that started without networking means replacing the head anyway.

It also suits anglers who want Minn Kota anchor control from the unit, since Bluetooth handling for Talon and Raptor anchors is built in rather than bolted on. Keypad operation keeps it usable in bad weather, as with the rest of the Helix line.

Who the Helix 7 G4N is wrong for

On a single-display boat, the networking premium buys you little. Reviewers make this point directly, and the money is better spent on a 9 inch panel where side scan detail is easier to read.

The 7 inch screen and the absence of a touchscreen remain the same limits as the standard Helix 7, and chart and layer management is correspondingly slower. Buy the networked model for the network, not for the screen.

How to Read Side Imaging on Bass Water

Side imaging works by sending a narrow fan shaped beam to each side of the boat at a shallow angle toward the surface. The unit times the returning echo and draws a shadow like image, so everything closer to the boat appears wider and everything farther away appears narrower. Practically, that gives you a top down map of several hundred feet of water on both sides after a single pass.

Here is the five step process I use, and it works on any of the units in this guide.

1. Find the water column first. The dark horizontal band in the middle of the screen is the depth of the boat. Everything above that band is the water column, and a bright speck sitting in it is a fish suspended off structure.
2. Read the bottom line. The colored band directly above the dark band is the lake or river bottom. Flat sand shows a thin, even line. Rock and gravel show a ragged, high contrast edge.
3. Hunt for shadows. Anything rising off the bottom line as a dark shape is structure: brush piles, stumps, rock, a fallen tree. Bass relate to the shadow more than the object.
4. Look for fish beside the shadow, not on it. Bass sit just off the front and sides of cover. Specks in the water column attached to a shadow edge are the ones worth casting to.
5. Mark and move. Save a waypoint, note the depth at the shadow, and run a parallel pass to confirm it is a real feature and not a boulder or a fallen limb.

A few definitions help. CHIRP, Compressed High-Intensity Radar Pulse, sweeps a range of frequencies instead of one, which separates targets and reduces clutter. Target separation is the ability to show a fish as distinct from the structure behind it. Frequency in kHz sets the trade off, with higher frequencies giving finer detail at shorter range and lower frequencies reaching further with less definition.

One warning from the field: side imaging is a structure finder, not a species finder. A shadow tells you something is there. What it is, and whether it holds bass, comes from the down image, the forward facing view or the bite.

Side Imaging Settings Cheat Sheet for Bass

Dial these five settings before you start fishing, and most of the poor side scan pictures people complain about disappear. Range is the first one. On most bass water, 60 to 80 feet per side is the sweet spot, and anglers report 80 to 120 feet as the practical ceiling where returns still read clearly. Pushing range to maximum on a shallow lake just gives you noise.

Gain is second. Turn it up until you see the bottom clearly, then back it off until the faint noise haze on the bottom line just disappears. Fish appear as brighter marks than structure, so if the entire screen lights up you are too high. Colour palette matters more than most guides admit, and amber or the high contrast palettes anglers call colour 13 are frequently recommended because they separate the shadow of a fish from the shadow of a rock in bright sun.

Contrast separates the shadows from the background, and scroll speed decides how much history stays on screen. Slower scrolling on clear water and faster on stained water keeps the picture readable. Finally, set the down imaging gain to match the side gain, so the two views agree about what is a fish. If the two views disagree about depth or target, trust the down image.

Two more habits worth forming. Turn off any automatic sensitivity that fights your manual gain, and re check gain every time you change depth dramatically, because a stained shallow flat and a clear deep ledge need very different settings. We covered similar ground on picking fish once they are on, in our tested fish grill basket roundup, and the same principle applies: read the conditions before you adjust the gear.

Seasonal Side Imaging Playbook for Bass

Bass move all year, and so should your side scan settings and search pattern. Here is how the same unit gets used across the seasons.

Pre-spawn. Bass are shallow and moving along channel edges and mud points to the bank. Run 40 to 60 feet per side, drop the range so the picture stays tight, and look for the transition line where a channel edge meets flat bottom. This is the best season for finding new water because the fish are on the move and not holding anywhere in particular.

Spawn. Fish are on pads and in the shallows, and side scan matters less than forward facing sonar here. Use it to find the transition from the main basin to the spawning flat, then switch to down imaging at 10 to 20 feet to pick up individual fish on the ledge.

Post-spawn. Everything funnels to the primary and secondary points. Run longer range, 80 to 100 feet per side, and look for the shadow of the point rather than the weed edge, because the first structures to load up are usually the hardest drop offs in the lake.

Summer. Bass go deep and press tight to structure in the heat. This is where a 125 foot or 200 foot side range unit earns its cost. Run maximum useful range, expect to make several passes to confirm a shadow, and pair the side view with down imaging to separate fish from the timber they are attached to.

Fall. As water cools, fish move back up the contours toward the shallows. Side imaging is the best tool for tracing that migration, because you can follow a drop off for half a mile and see the fish move with it. Watch for bait schools showing as tight clusters of specks away from cover.

Winter. Bass go tight to the bottom and stop moving much. Side imaging gets less useful and down imaging takes over, but a 7 inch unit is genuinely handy here because it fits in a frozen boat shelter and runs off a small battery.

Transducer Mounting by Boat Type

No side imaging unit in this guide performs like the spec sheet says if the transducer is mounted badly. Side scan is far more sensitive to mounting than down scan, because the beam is shallow and any tilt or air bubble distorts the whole image.

Bass boat. Transom mount the standard XNT 9 HW MSI 150 T or GT56 style transducer just forward of the hull, with the cable run aft to a console or a bow panel. Keep it at least a boat width from any metal or turbulence source.

Jon boat and small aluminum. Trolling motor mount is the practical choice on a shallow, open boat, and both the Striker 7SV and the Helix units include that hardware in the box. Mount the motor so the transducer sits below the surface with steady forward flow at trolling speed.

Kayak and canoe. Kayak anglers do run side imaging successfully, but a suction cup or RAM mount on a rigid trolling motor shaft is the only consistent option. Expect to accept a narrower side window and prioritize gain and scroll speed over range.

Pontoon. Bracket or panel mount the display on the helm and transom mount the transducer at the forward cross member. Pontoon hulls carry a lot of wiring, so plan the cable route before you drill anything.

Whichever boat you fish from, verify the mount on the first trip by idling at trolling speed over a known obstruction. If the shadow shape changes as you accelerate, the transducer angle is wrong and every picture you get afterwards will be suspect.

How to Choose a Side Imaging Fish Finder

Screen size is the first question and the answer is more forgiving than the marketing suggests. A 7 inch unit is the practical minimum for side imaging, and 9 to 12 inches is preferable once you are running over structure at speed. Below 7 inches you are reading history rather than looking at fish.

Side range is the second. Most bass water is answered by 125 feet per side, and the 200 foot MEGA Side Imaging+ and SideVu units matter on clear deep reservoirs where the good structure sits far from the channel. Do not pay for range you will not use on a 20 acre pond.

Third, and the mistake that costs the most money: check whether a transducer is included. The Humminbird XPLORE control head and the Garmin GPSMAP 943xsv both come as display heads, and buyers who miss that detail end up buying a second transducer later. Every other unit in this guide includes one, and for a first purchase that bundled transducer is what makes the package ready to fish.

Fourth, mapping. Garmin units arrive with Navionics+ inland coverage, Lowrance and Simrad units carry C-MAP DISCOVER, and Humminbird units include the Humminbird Basemap with a LakeMaster and CoastMaster VX card on the XPLORE. All of them rely on auto chart features for unmapped water, so compare the contour storage rather than the preloaded lake count alone.

Fifth, networking. A wireless connection between two matching displays, NMEA 2000, and ethernet all solve different problems, and you only need ethernet if the boat has a backbone or more than one display. Mixing brands is where buyers get stuck, so pick one brand ecosystem and stay in it if you can.

Sixth, power. Most of these run off 12 volt DC from a boat battery, but anglers moving to a lithium battery pack report noticeably longer run time and better voltage stability under a trolling motor load. A separate battery is not required for a day on the water, but it matters for long runs and for anyone fishing in a small boat with limited electrical capacity.

Finally, budget for the parts nobody lists. The transducer, mount, sun cover, cabling, chart subscription and a battery pack together can add 40 to 60 percent on top of the head unit, which is the number that actually decides your budget. If a listing is a control head only, that transducer line item is the whole difference between a ready boat and a second weekend of parts hunting.

Humminbird vs Garmin vs Lowrance vs Simrad

The biggest question we get is whether Garmin or Humminbird has better side imaging. The honest answer is that Humminbird holds the range advantage with MEGA Side Imaging+ at 200 feet per side, while Garmin has the broader ecosystem and the sharper flagship screens, including the IPS panel in the GPSMAP 943xsv. On shallow water specifically, anglers across buyer groups argue Humminbird holds an edge, though the same groups that make that claim also raise reliability concerns, and owners on r/bassfishing and r/fishfinders report failure rates on some Humminbird units well above the other brands.

Lowrance competes on value and connectivity. The Elite FS and HDS PRO lines include the Active Imaging 3-in-1 transducer and C-MAP charts in the box, and reviewers frequently praise the Elite FS for plug and play reliability. The tradeoff is shorter side range than MEGA and Side Imaging+ units, and live sonar costs extra on both lines.

Simrad is the fourth option and the most compact. The GO series gets a 3-in-1 transducer and a C-MAP DISCOVER card into smaller boats, and radar readiness keeps it a platform rather than an endpoint, but display resolution and polish trail the other three.

On warranty and support, the stated terms in this roundup run from one year on the Striker 7SV and ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv, to two years on the Lowrance Elite FS, HDS PRO and Elite-12 Ti2 and the Simrad GO9, to three years with registration on the Humminbird XPLORE. Longer terms are useful, but the more practical question is whether there is a dealer near you who will work on the install.

One more comparison that matters more than brand. Side imaging and down imaging are not either or. Side scan tells you what is beside the boat and out to the sides, down imaging tells you what is under the boat and separates fish from structure, and forward facing sonar tells you what is in front and shows you the lure. Every serious bass setup runs side and down together, and the best side imaging fish finders for bass fishing here all pair a side channel with a down channel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict for 2026

The best side imaging fish finders for bass fishing in 2026 still come down to two questions: how far you need to see and how much screen you can fit. The Garmin Striker 7SV is our pick for the widest group of anglers because it includes the transducer, both trolling motor and transom mounts, and Quickdraw contour storage, and it carries the largest review base in the group with 574 reviews at 4.5 stars. Install it on a jon boat, a small aluminum boat or a kayak and you are fishing the same afternoon.

If you want charts and a bigger screen in the box, take the Lowrance Elite FS 10 with its 3-in-1 Active Imaging transducer and preloaded C-MAP DISCOVER mapping. If you are running a trolling motor and want route following, the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv adds the wireless link and Navionics+ inland coverage. Reach for the Humminbird XPLORE only if you fish clear water where 200 feet per side matters, and remember it is a control head only listing. Whatever you choose, budget the transducer, mount, chart subscription and power before you budget the screen, and set the range to 60 to 80 feet per side before you leave the ramp.