The one-two punch used by successful anglers everywhere is a map and a good depthfinder, known to some as a “fish finder.” There are several types of electronics available, primarily distinguished by how the sonar information is displayed. The basic types are: flashers, liquid crystal displays (LCD), digital and cathode ray tube (CRT).
LCD’s are the most commonly used and are available in numerous styles and price ranges. An older style, the paper graph, is no longer widely available but there are digital versions now that accomplish the same thing, without a hard copy.
The data obtained by these units provides necessary information to use in conjunction with you maps, like bottom composition, bottom terrain, depth, structure type and configuration, the presence of and the size of fish, submerged weeds and wood. With all this info a savvy angler can create a complete picture of the fish’s world – a picture that will help catch more fish.
It’s not necessary here to discuss how the mechanics of sonar units work…it’s just important to know how the information received can be used. If your screen shows a wide line, the bottom material is hard, such as sand, gravel or rock. When you read a thinner line, the transducer echoed off a soft bottom. No signal or a faint return indicates a marsh or bog of undetermined depth.
Gamefish, weeds, fish attractors, submerged timber, schools of forage fish and all other underwater objects show up on a depthfinder. It’s your job to interpret that detail and practice makes perfect. While the electronics are a great fishing tool, they become twice as useful when coordinated with a map. How? Good question.
Knowing precise location - If you’re unsure about your correct position, check the map by reading the closest contour line. If your depthfinder agrees with the map, you at least isolated the general location.
Updating your map - Navigating with a map and depthfinder also tells you if the map is correct. Also, if you happen to discover an unmarked spot with your electronics (mid-lake hump, abrupt point, breakline or similar honey hole), you can draw it in on the map.
Finding specific locations and structures - Although tha map depicts many details on finding areas to fish, a depthfinder is necessary to confirm the exact location. You may want to criss-cross a potential spot several times to determine the correct profile of the mapped structure. Also, if you’ve got the technology, record a GPS point to find that exact location again later.
Visualizing a 3-D image - Most depthfinders show a one or two-dimensional image. On an LCD, for example, you see a bottom line, surface line and objects in between. That’s enough data to project a mental view of the subsurface environment. The new generation of depthfinders can translate those echoes into 3-D images. On the screen will be a curving, grid-like display, mimicking the shape of the bottom. It’s an acquired taste because it takes some getting used to. But, it helps in determining just what is beneath the boat and what shape it takes.
Staying on edges with Fish - Weed edges and breaklines are outstanding places to catch fish. Both appear on fishing maps, but you must have a depthfinder to stay on top of them. New technology has this feature built into trolling motors, where the user can set the desired depth and the unit will automatically track the depth to keep the boat literally hugging a specific contour line. Working edges in this manner is highly productive.
Estimating distance - If you know the speed you’re traveling, distance is easy to calculate. Some electronics display speed and distance actually traveled.
Locating Fish - Maps made specifically for anglers identify plenty of information relative to the location of fish. When you attempt to fish one of these zones, a depthfinder will often tell you whether fish are present. Motor on to the next predetermined area if you don’t see fish on the screen. Over time, depthfinders will save you thousands of casts.
The combination of the electronics in your boat (depthfinder/GPS/trolling motor) and a map is nearly unbeatable. But you still can’t make the fish bite.
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