Bass fishing has driven more marine electronics innovation than any other discipline in the last five years — forward-facing sonar in particular was built with bass anglers in mind. Here’s what’s actually worth investing in.
1. Forward-facing live sonar
Garmin LiveScope, Humminbird MEGA Live and Lowrance ActiveTarget have genuinely changed how competitive bass anglers fish — watching a bass react to your lure in real time is a different game entirely. If you fish competitively or want to close the gap fastest, this is the single highest-impact upgrade. See our Best Live Sonar System comparison for the full breakdown.
2. A GPS trolling motor with Spot-Lock
Holding position on a spot without dropping anchor is essential for working structure thoroughly. The Minn Kota Ultrex Quest range with Spot-Lock is the standard here.
3. A capable chartplotter/sonar combo
CHIRP, side imaging and down imaging together let you locate structure fast before committing to forward-facing sonar for the close-in work. A 9-inch unit is the practical minimum for reading detail while running multiple sonar views.
Building a full setup from scratch? Get in touch and we’ll help you prioritise spend across sonar, GPS and trolling motor based on your budget.
Live, forward-facing sonar is the biggest shift in fishing electronics of the last decade — instead of seeing what’s already passed beneath the boat, you see fish and structure in real time, ahead or beside you, as they move. Garmin, Humminbird and Lowrance each build a competing system. Here’s how they compare.
Already run a Garmin, Humminbird or Lowrance chartplotter? Staying within the same brand’s live sonar system is almost always the simplest and best-supported route, since compatibility and software integration are guaranteed.
Buying a display and live sonar together? Compare the bundled system prices above rather than buying separately — bundles are usually better value.
Prioritise target clarity if you fish heavy cover and need to distinguish individual fish from structure; prioritise field of view if you fish more open water and track moving schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a compatible chartplotter to run live sonar? Yes — all three systems require a compatible display from the same brand to process and show the live sonar feed.
Can I mount live sonar on my trolling motor? Yes, all three brands offer trolling motor and pole mounts as accessories, letting you scan ahead of the boat as you move.
Is live sonar worth the cost? For anglers targeting individual fish in real time — bass, crappie, pike — most say yes. For general cruising or trolling, a standard CHIRP or imaging sonar is usually sufficient.
Not sure which live sonar system fits your existing electronics? Our team can check compatibility before you buy — browse the full range in our online shop.
