Garmin Striker Plus 4 Fish Finder with GPS vs Thomas Buoyant Spoon 1/4oz Trout Lure
Head-to-head spec comparison to help you pick the right gear for your needs.
Garmin
$164
Thomas
$6
Spec-by-Spec Comparison
| Spec | Garmin Striker Plus 4 Fish Finder with GPS | Thomas Buoyant Spoon 1/4oz Trout Lure |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fish Finder | Trolling Spoon |
| Length | 0 ft | 0 ft |
| Power | ||
| Action | ||
| Line Rating | lb | lb |
| Lure Rating | oz | 1/4 oz oz |
| Material | Brass/Chrome | |
| Weight | 0 oz | 0.25 oz |
| Price | $164 | $6 |
| Rating | 4.5/10 | 4.9/10 |
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Pros & Cons
Garmin Striker Plus 4 Fish Finder with GPS
Pros
- Built-in GPS with Quickdraw Contours — map Eleven Mile or Spinney yourself
- Dual-beam sonar reads bottom structure clearly at 80ft
- Simple interface — up and running in under 20 minutes
- Bright 4.3" screen readable in Colorado high-altitude sunlight
- Best entry-level fish finder under $200 for reservoir fishing
Cons
- No live sonar — traditional 2D readings only
- Smaller screen than Paul's Lowrance — acceptable for a starter unit
- No networking to share waypoints between devices
Thomas Buoyant Spoon 1/4oz Trout Lure
Pros
- Paul's #1 confidence lure — the one he throws when nothing else is working
- Wobble action is irresistible to reservoir rainbows and browns
- Gold/silver finishes read well in South Park's clear water
- Floats when stationary — stays out of weeds at slow trolling speeds
- Under $7 each — you can afford to lose one to a big fish
Cons
- Treble hook needs replacing after a season of heavy use
- Chrome finish can spook fish in ultra-clear water on bright days
Our Verdicts
Garmin Striker Plus 4 Fish Finder with GPS
The fish finder Paul recommends for anglers just getting serious about South Park reservoirs. The GPS alone is worth it — marking productive depths at Spinney changes your catch rate immediately. Paul runs a Lowrance now, but he started here.
Thomas Buoyant Spoon 1/4oz Trout Lure
This is the lure. Gold at Spinney, silver at Eleven Mile, 1.5–2.0mph trolling speed — Paul has caught more trophy trout on this spoon than everything else combined. Buy a handful in different finishes.
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