With the fishing season starting to wind down for us up in the north, and perhaps a ton of others heading to the woods, I like to spend as much time on the water as possible during the month of October. It’s also a good time to reflect and take stock of the season for me… and looking back, it’s been a great year.
I hit new PBs in both largemouth and smallmouth this past year, had some of the biggest bags of my life, but most importantly, I learned how to be a better angler… using the Humminbird Xplore, as well as forward facing sonar addition of Mega Live 2, I was able to learn a handful of new techniques… quickly and efficiently… and really take my game to the next level.
But I want to talk specifically to kayak anglers, because it’s a little different than fishing out of a boat. I do both, but when I’m by myself, I primarily use the kayak just because it’s easier to get into tight places, I don’t live on a massive fishery, and I don’t need to use gas to get around the lake.
If you spend any amount of time kayak fishing, you already know how important it is to run a fish finder that can get the job done as efficiently as possible. That’s exactly why the Humminbird Xplore series, paired with their Mega Live 2, has been a game changer for me… it delivers big-boat performance in a kayak-friendly package.
I run a Old Town Sportsman kayak, fitted with a Minn Kota Terrova trolling motor and a Humminbird Xplore 9 with Mega Live 2… so for anglers who want a top-tier graph with reliable navigation and a clean setup that doesn’t overcrowd the kayak, doesn’t weight a ton, doesn’t requireXplore checks all the boxes.
Shop the Humminbird Xplore 9 at Tackle Warehouse – $1,399.99
Shop the Minn Kota Terrova Kayak at Tackle Warehouse – $1,599.99
*This post contains links through the Tackle Warehouse Affiliate Program. While all products are independently selected by our expert Riff Outdoors team, if you use these links to make a purchase, we may earn a commission.
Elite Sonar in a Compact Package
One of the biggest challenges with kayak fishing is finding a unit that doesn’t dominate your entire cockpit. The Xplore series solves that. Even the smaller 9-inch models give you incredibly sharp imaging without overwhelming your kayak with bulk or weight.
The real magic is under the surface:
MEGA Side Imaging+
MEGA Down Imaging+
Dual Spectrum CHIRP
For kayak anglers prowling grass lines, shallow flats, rock piles, and submerged timber, the details are insanely crisp. Humminbird’s MEGA Side Imaging is largely regarded as the best in the business, and the Xplore offers an even more refined experience.
World Class GPS & Mapping
When you’re fishing out of a kayak, maintaining boat position is everything. Drifting off a spot or losing track of structure can cost you big. The Xplore series comes with built-in GPS and detailed LakeMaster & CoastMaster maps right out of the box, so you can mark every drop-off, rockpile, submerged timber… whatever cover or structure you’re looking to fish, you’ll know the lake like the back of your hand.
And with support for 10,000 waypoints, you can build out entire lakes over a season — from seasonal patterns to honey holes you don’t want to forget. Waypoint management has truly never been easier.
Pairing With Minn Kota & One-Boat Network
If you run a motorized kayak, the Xplore integrates seamlessly with Minn Kota’s ecosystem. Spot-Lock, heading control, waypoint syncing — it all comes together to keep your kayak exactly where it needs to be, even in wind or current.
I run the Minn Kota Terrova kayak model on mine and it’s the ultimate one-two punch. It can hold me steady in some pretty gnarly waves and wind, and it can into some pretty skinny water, ripping through the thickest and nastiest cover. I wear the Bluetooth remote around my neck and it could not be easier to get around… whether I’m running to a location that would take your average kayak paddler hours, flipping along the bank, or drop shotting in deep water, it’s just incredibly easy and efficient.
The One-Boat Network allows you to update Your XPLORE software right from your phone, edit and share waypoints from anywhere, integrate all your devices in one easy place, it’s incredible efficient.
Built Tough for Kayak Life
Kayak fishing is rougher on gear than most people think… constant water splash, confined space, and frequent transport. The Xplore is relatively lightweight for being built like a tank, easy to mount and super stable with RAM or YakAttack systems, quickly removes when you’re hauling the kayak around, and doesn’t require a separate “black box” to run forward facing sonar, which saves you even more of that precious real estate inside your kayak. It’s truly a do-it-all graph.
The Xplore’s quad-core processor means menus transition instantly, sonar loads quickly, and switching screens mid-cast doesn’t lag — a big deal when you’re marking fish or adjusting course in moving water. The touchscreen is fantastic, it’s incredibly user-friendly, and you can quickly tinker with settings on the fly. You’ll spend more time catching fish and less time fiddling with technology.
Here’s some more details on the Humminbird Xplore:
If you’re a serious kayak angler who wants top-tier imaging, a fast interface, rock-solid mapping, and a compact form factor, the Humminbird Xplore series is one of the best fish finders you can buy right now.
The Humminbird Xplore paired with MEGA Live 2 is a top-tier setup and has completely changed the way I fish… in the best possible way. Pair it up with a Minn Kota Terrova Kayak motor and you’ll have everything you need to catch some serious bass.
Take the leap, you won’t regret it.
Humminbird Xplore 9 at Tackle Warehouse – $1,399.99
Minn Kota Terrova Kayak at Tackle Warehouse – $1,599.99
