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Omnidirectional Sonar is Everywhere All at Once

Aug 11, 2025 | Magazine | 0 comments

At the core of all angling endeavors exist the two most basic challenges: 1) finding the fish, and 2) convincing them to take the bait. Throughout history, countless lives have been spent, tips marketed, and products engineered to aid in this simple, but oh so complicated, pursuit. Rarely does a “game-changing” innovation come along that truly provides an instant advantage in hook-up rates. But over the last several years, electronic fish finding technologies have undergone remarkable advancements that have undeniably boosted the success of large sport fishing vessels and their crews.
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See this article in our Summer 2025 issue of OnBoard Magazine
The decades-long arms race of introducing incrementally stronger or more nuanced hull-mounted transducers has been recently eclipsed by far more sophisticated systems: Omnidirectional sonar. Instead of being fixed permanently to a boat’s hull, these retractable systems deploy vertically, several feet below the hull and running gear. This offers an unobstructed 360-degree view of the underwater surroundings—a far-reaching, all-seeing eyeball under the boat while fishing.

Captains and sonar operators can adjust and focus the device in specific directions to enhance detection and target their quarry. This technology greatly advances a crew’s ability to mark fish, quickly determine their position relative to the trolling spread, and anticipate a bite in real time.

Some of Bluewater’s most experienced anglers have been raving about these new tools. But they still must leverage their traditional skills in finding the temperature breaks and good water that hold billfish, but once that is accomplished, the omnidirectional sonar becomes critical in staying on top of the fish while coaxing them in for a bite. Then the mechanical ingenuity of these units provides for them to retract safely and completely into a tube in the hull when it’s time to pick up and get going.

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The mother of all through-hulls: drilling through the fiberglass keel of a 60′ sportfish

Tournament Integration

Several years ago, the advent of omnidirectional sonar prompted significant trepidation within tournament circles. At that stage, the cost and availability of these systems was prohibitive and early adopters would have a clear advantage over other teams. Organizers recognized the profound impact this technology would have on their competitions and worked to adjust their rules accordingly. For example, the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament announced rule modifications to ensure fairness by introducing separate divisions for boats equipped with omnidirectional sonar. Invitation tournaments such as the Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament (VBBT) were also concerned with keeping a level playing field and giving everyone a chance to catch up. Thus, they asked participants to switch off their omnisonar during competition during the last several installments of the event.

the transformative impact of omnidirectional sonar on sportfishing is undeniable.

However in 2025, VBBT announced they will now allow the technology with no restrictions or special categories. “As the sport has evolved and the equipment has become more common, it’s the right time to embrace the advancements that are shaping competitive fishing. We’re excited to see how this adds to the thrill of the tournament!” explained Marketing Director Deirdre Bell Loftin in an announcement.

The White Marlin Open has embraced a similar unified approach, with the only sonar rules existing to prohibit their use prior to the “lines in” start of each day of fishing. In 2025, the Big Rock will also allow its use, but offers a “Non Sonar Level” encouraging teams to wager on winning a Calcutta among boats who will not use the technology at any time during the tournament. The Pirate’s Cove Billfish Tournament has perhaps the most interesting solution, assigning a handicap to sonar-equipped boats by way of a different point-scoring system for teams with and without the technology.

These shifts in rulemaking underscore the significant advantage that the technology provides in competitive fishing scenarios;

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A deployed sonar on a custom Carolina boat
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A Must-Have Feature

Without question, the integration of omnidirectional sonar has quickly become a defining feature of modern sportfishing vessels. Captains and boat owners recognize that investing in these systems stand to significantly enhance their fishing success. While the cost is substantial—systems start at $100,000—the potential for increased catch rates and competitive advantage is easily justified on a multi-million-dollar yacht with substantial operating costs.

Bluewater sportfish brand specialists can confirm that almost all new sportfish models are now being designed with the necessary space for these advanced sonar systems. Moving forward, it is quite likely you will no longer see certain models offered by a builder, if it can’t accommodate an omni-scan sonar in the engine room.

Retrofitting existing vessels has become an increasingly common request at our partner yards. On a pre-owned boat, the installation process can involve significant planning and modification, but is still well worth the effort and investment. Manufacturers such as Furuno, Simrad, and MAQ have been at the forefront of developing these systems, but much of the integration falls to local yards and electronics dealers. Craig Messick, Service Manager at Safe Harbor Bluewater, says they have done at least twenty of these installations in custom and production sportfish. They’ve even had a couple early adopters return recently to replace their first units with the newer style sonars that include gyroscopic stabilizers.

Dwayne Furlough, owner of Marlin Marine Electronics in Virginia Beach has also overseen the installation of omnidirectional sonars on a variety of boats in the area. His company has recently completed work on a couple Viking convertibles in the 56-64 range and several custom Carolina boats. In practical terms, the sonar unit requires approximately one square foot of hull space somewhere along the centerline and forward of the running gear, plus approximately five or six feet of vertical clearance in the engine room to allow the hoist and wiring harness poised over top of the sonar tube. The available vertical space in the engine room is a factor in planning for the install, but having enough space to move around the unit afterwards, often in close proximity to the existing engines and other equipment, is by far the biggest challenge in these retrofits, according to Messick. He also adds that cutting the 8-inch diameter hole clean through the keel is typically easier on a custom-built boat that isn’t all-fiberglass.
Owners who are able to move forward with this upgrade will have to plan for at least a few weeks in the yard. “We estimate the project at around 3-4 weeks depending on the weather and getting the tubes glassed in,” Furlough states. Most of their customers who have completed this work then head for the islands on their own bottom or a transport ship to immediately put their new tools to work in finding fish.
The learning curve associated with operating these units is another consideration worth mentioning, as some owners are reporting varying results. Captains must invest time to understand and adjust the settings to maximize the sonar’s effectiveness, or consider dedicating another crew member to its operation. Afterall, it’s only a valuable tool if someone is paying close attention to what pops up on the screen. A few local Captains who have mastered the new tech are offering to help others, and Furuno does have instructional opportunities, says Messick.

Despite any installation or operational challenges, the consensus within the sportfishing community is resoundingly clear: omnidirectional sonar is an indispensable asset, and now a must-have feature on the modern sportfishing yacht. “This has changed the way you fish offshore because you can cover so much more ground now than you could five years ago,” Furlough concludes.

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The adoption of omnidirectional sonar has marked a new era in competitive sportfishing, offering exciting advancements in fish finding, tracking and trolling presentation. Its widespread adoption in modern yacht construction and tournament regulations underscore its significance to the sport.

As technologies continue to evolve, the sportfishing community must strike a familiar balancing act; leveraging the latest innovations while also working to hone the traditional skills that define a successful angler.

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