Transducer Covers: Do You Really Need One, and Which Type Fits Your Setup?

You probably spent a lot of time thinking about which forward-facing sonar system to buy. You compared screens, watched videos, looked at image quality, figured out your battery setup, chose a transducer pole, and finally got everything dialed in.

Then, at the end of the day, you pull the transducer out of the water and toss the pole into your boat or sled. That's the moment we're talking about.

Your forward-facing sonar transducer is designed to spend its fishing life underwater. But between fishing spots, on the drive home, in your sled, or sitting in the garage, that transducer can be exposed to everything else you carry.

An auger, tackle boxes, tools, other electronics, the side of the boat, the garage floor, that's where a transducer cover comes in. It's a very simple accessory designed to solve a very simple problem:

Protect the transducer when you're not using it.

Do you absolutely need one? No.

But when you consider the cost of today's forward-facing sonar systems, a small protective $15 cover starts making quite a bit of sense.

Let's talk about when a transducer cover is worth having, when you probably don't need one, and how to make sure you're getting one that actually fits your setup.

What Is a Transducer Cover?

A transducer cover is exactly what it sounds like. It's a protective piece that fits over the exposed portion of your transducer when the sonar isn't being used. Think of it as a travel cover rather than something that's part of the sonar while you're fishing.

You remove the cover before putting the transducer into the water. When you're done fishing and the transducer is being transported or stored, the cover goes back on.

Simple.

Ideal transducer covers create a protective barrier between the transducer and all the other hard objects it encounters when it's out of the water.

Why Would a Transducer Need Protection?

Forward-facing sonar transducers are built for fishing. They're going to get wet, handle cold temperatures, spend a lot of their time in the water but they're not meant to be bumped around. These transducers cost too much money to let them aimlessly get damaged between fishing trips. A cover simply adds another layer between the transducer and everything around it. 

Think About Cost vs. What You're Protecting

This is ultimately why transducer covers appeal to us. They're not super exciting, they don't help you see another 20 feet and unfortunately they're not going to make the fish bite. But it's protecting one of the more expensive and important pieces of your forward-facing sonar setup. Think of it like insurance, yes you might not want to pay for it ahead of time but if something does happen it can save you money in the long run. Sometimes the best accessories aren't the ones that add another feature.

Do You Actually Need a Transducer Cover?

Here's the straightforward answer: No.

Your forward-facing sonar isn't going to immediately fail because you don't own a transducer cover. Plenty of anglers have used sonar for years without one. A cover is simply an extra layer of protection. Whether it's worthwhile depends on how you use and transport your equipment. Especially when you look at the cost of getting a new transducer cover versus a new transducer. The extra $15 might be worthwhile! 

What Makes a Good Transducer Cover?

A transducer cover doesn't need to be complicated. In fact, we'd argue that simpler is better. There are a few things we'd look for.

1. Proper Fit

This is number one. A cover should be designed for the specific transducer. You don't want something so loose that it constantly falls off. And you don't want something you're forcing onto the transducer every time you use it.

2. Easy Installation and Removal

Remember, this is an accessory you'll potentially use every fishing trip.  If installing the cover becomes a five-minute project, you're eventually going to stop using it. Make sure the cover is simple to attach to ensure you will continue to use it. Summit Fishing's transducer cover has a latch you snap on & off for easy usage. 

3. Protection Where It Matters

The cover should protect the vulnerable areas it's designed around without unnecessarily interfering with the rest of your setup.

4. Durable Construction

It's going into a boat, sled, truck, or garage. It should be built for actual fishing use. Summit Fishing recently switched their 3D printed cover to a marine grade heavy duty injection molded plastic which will surely hold up for all your fishing trips & traveling. 

Don't Forget to Remove It Before Fishing

Yes, we're saying it. Because eventually someone will forget. A travel cover is designed for transportation and storage.

Portability

Summit Fishing Equipment was founded on the idea of portability. To make these big expensive electronics able to go from your boat to the ice. Since 2019, we have been serving fishermen all over the globe & making their equipment easier to use. The transducer cover is easy to overlook but it is an important piece to the puzzle to building a completely protected portable setup. 

Protect Your Forward-Facing Sonar Setup

Summit Fishing Equipment offers transducer covers designed to protect compatible forward-facing sonar transducers during transportation and storage.

Pair your cover with a Summit transducer pole, sonar shuttle, shuttle bag, and ice fishing accessories to build a portable system that keeps your electronics organized and protected from the truck to the boat to the ice.

Because protecting your electronics shouldn't be complicated.

Cover it. Pack it. Fish.