Top 5 Fish Finder Mistakes (Most Anglers Make)
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- čas přidán 12. 07. 2024
- I get tons of questions from people both on social media and on my guide boat about fish finders and have a ton of anglers that come to me to better learn how to use and read their sonar. Several years ago I started to notice a pattern of mistakes that almost every angler that contacted me would make when using their fish finders.
I finally got around to putting together this article and video covering these top 4 fishfinder mistakes that most anglers make. If you’ll pay close attention to the information covered in this video and make the suggested changes you’ll unleash the true power of your down imaging, side imaging, and 2D sonar and you’ll be a better angler because you’ll find and catch more fish!
These tips aren’t just for catfish anglers as these rules apply to any species of fish!
Timestamps:
00:55 Clean Fish Finder Install and Transducer Level
01:40 Fish Finder Scan Speed
03:09 How Fish Finder Speed Impacts Fish Size
03:54 Fish Finder Sonar Cone Sizes
04:40 How Higher Frequency Sonar Impacts Finding Fish
05:15 When To Use High and Low Sonar Frequencies
06:42 Fish Finder Color Palletes
07:55 Change This Fish Finder Setting NOW and OFTEN
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I think this is the best video out there. You explain it so well. I also learned you have to constantly play with the contrast. All the time. This is a great video. Best one in my opinion. It should be at the very top of CZcams recommendations.
That short video cleared up a lot of issues for me! Good job helping a fisherman!
Great Info! The delivery was easy to understand! Thanks!
Thank you for that information. I just purchased a new Helix 7. Can’t wait to try it out this year. I’ll definitely be sending you questions haha.
Happy fishing.
This opens my eyes to moving my electronics settings around much more especially the megahertz.
Thank you
I've been trying to figure out the balance between chart speed and boat speed for a while. Crystal clear now
Thanks a million
Thank you sir. I bought a Solix 10 in Nov. and had them install it. Just waiting for ice out now so I can finally give her a go. I will come back to your videos as needed (I did take notes)
I appreciate your time and effort. Really great info!
Glad I could help
Thank you so much for the layman terms used that was very comprehensive on my ability to be a better angler.
Good info, Chad, thanks! this is definitely helpful to those of us out here who are not the sharpest on the technology! Also found your video on maintaining your MinnKota Ulterra to be very helpful! Thanks again.
Thanks
Excellent! Thank you for covering the ground basics like proper installation, boat and chart speed, cone size and adjustments such as color, sensitivity and contrast. All of that was news to me! I'm looking forward to getting on the water and adjusting my Humminbird. I've been using it for 2 years now and have never had it properly adjusted. I will keep this video to refer to over and over. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for clear, precise explanations of a fish finder.
Thanks
Awesome content.ive been watching these videos for 3 months now.i am buying my 1st fish finder tomorrow.garmin 93sv uhd.9"screen.i can not wait to get it out.and get into the guts of it & learn it.thanks for the vid.tight lines.
Good luck!
Awesome video, covered everything a new angler would need to know!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for the tutorial. This was very helpful and as a new user this will surely help me be more effective on the water.
Did it help?
I just installed IPilot Link and love it. My daughter and I use it for bass fishing and my wife love to catfish and panfish. Still learn the operation on the new Helix 9 MSI and MDI units.
Wow this was great. Well done. I thought I had mine dialed in. I like your style of explaining. Thanks.
Glad it helped
great video next time out I will adjust accordingly thanks
As always..good information !
Thanks
Awesome info!
Hi sir and I love your video. I believe the manufacturers of all electronics don't do the buyer justice. I would love for Humminbird to put on a 8 hour class on how to use everything they sell for your boat. I have Helix 9 on bow and console and I have Mega 360 and live on my Ultrex trolling motor . I know for certain I am not good at using any of this for say. I probably get 20% of what the units are capable of doing. Or better yet I would love for someone to actually take me out on my boat and teach me on the job training for say how to set it up and use it. I would pay to do this if you know of such a person that lives around central Illinois . The younger generation definitely catch on to this technology quicker and better than us old folk .
Thanks for this video...I'm learning to read one now and this really helped...thanks 🙌
Thanks
Very well done !
Thanks for the info
Very well done video and great explanation. I know from viewing YT videos I have increased my catch rate. Slowing down, spending time adjusting sensitivity and contrast have really brought the quarry into better understanding view. Thank you for taking the time to put this video together. All your comments shouldn't fall on deaf ears.
Glad it was helpful!
Roy. Very informative
Great video! I think my biggest mistake I'd not knowing what I'm looking at when it comes to fish and their size. A lot of times I find fish but they are not what I'm looking for. Other times I misidentified other things for fish or miss the fish. Keep up the good work. Some of us definitely need the help.
Thanks!
Very informative
Thank you Chad. Really appreciate this tutorial. Would like to see one showing the sonar when you are actually cruising around, find the fish and set up on them.
Thanks!
I agree with Jay, I would like to see you locate and how to set up according. Great video!
Great job 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾
Thank you great pointers
Great vid man excellent explanation and walkthrough of a new hummingbird fish finder. I have a g4n helix9 with mega si/di and wifi. Just subbed to your channel👍
Would really like more info on down imaging settings on hummingbird helix, this video answered some of my questions on side imaging but could use more help if possible on side imaging on the helix, thank you for the great videos
Great video and explanation of settings. Thanks so much. Just subbed👍🎣
Awesome, thank you!
Thank you!
VERY helpful video! One thing I could use more help on is what is a fish and what is not. At 5:36 in this video you zoomed up and I thought there were no fish in that spot. Just a bunch of rock, but you mentioned it was loaded. Obviously I'm not good at picking them out and could use some help in that area. Thanks again!
Good information, thanks
Thanks
A few things I will start doing after watching this video is knocking my Chart speed down from 7 to about 4... Also playing more with the different color palettes👍👍... You have done a great job on this video and going into great detail👍👍😁👌 I found a ton of catfish and bait but of course I did not have my cat fishing rods I was crappie fishing😢😢🙄🙄🙄
Thanks
One thing that I would suggest to someone new to side imaging is look for shadows of the fish. If you see a little gap between what looks like a fish and the shadow, it's most likely a fish. A rock or debris on the bottom usually won't have those gaps. Also you can get a pretty good idea how far off the bottom the fish are by the size of the gap
This is true but fish and other items laying on the bottom are easily identified.
Been fishing for over 50 years yes I used a OLD barrowed Humminbird multi-color flasher ice fishing FF and same one once on a fly-in Canada fishing trip (worked great both applications helped me catch a 36" walleye and a 44" northen on the FI Canadian trip) but haven't touched a FF for over 25 years so Id judge myself as a absolute fish finder novice who just bought after HOURS of research a Garmin 73sv as it was over $150 cheaper than its H/bird technalogical equivalent
Now after buying
I have watched over 50 beginner on SI/DI 101 videos on how to etc etc etc
NOT A SINGLE video I have ever watched said a SINGLE word about you must be in motion for SI/DI to work
Not ONE
You taught me more Important information in 20 minutes than I learned after watching many hours of other people's videos
Subscriber for life.
Absolutely simplisticly understandably superb videos
Thank you sir, as always love your videos. Wish you were going to be at cat,con.this year
Thanks. It’s a long haul for me. Maybe next time!
Very interesting thank you
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks so much really did help
Thanks
Thanks good information
Welcome
Geez I make some of those mistakes! Thanks for the tips!
I can find the fish. I just need help getting them to bite once I do! Great video.
Thank you.
I hit subscribe and I 👍. I have a new 10" si, di mega 4gn Hummingbird I haven't even hooked up yet. I also have a Hummingbird 7 di I am going to I move the transducer to the bow on my trolling motor. I have not been able to find structure in the new lake I have moved to but I just haven't taken the time to scan the water for such.
I think I have watched enough video now to successfully find crappie. I was fishing Ky. Lake near Paris, TN. but the Asian Carp have taken that lake over. 😢
I now fish Percy Priest in Nashville, Tn.
Thank you for your videos.
Great video knowledgeable
Thanks 🙏
New to garmin 73sv . I'm learning alot much appreciate it . When in the water whats the average
degree angle the Transducer needs to be .
Good info...
Thanks
Nice Job....
Thanks!
Very Nice video, as usual. Took me about an 1 1/2 to go thru it, LOL. Was going back over and over and taking notes. You touched on some very good points in it, Thank You. Also, what was the group of fish off to the right side?
Thanks, Yes those were fish.
Yes
I make these mistakes for sure. I have a helix 15 at the console. I have no idea how to change the MH to 400s or 800s. I'm sure mine is in mega now. I've been so busy trying to fish that I've not spent the time I should learning my electronics. Any help I can get would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for the time you put into these videos.
I make every one of those mistakes sorry to say. As long as the finder tells me at what depth the trout or kokanee are so I can set the down rigger, or leaded line accordingly, I'm good. I will definitely take note and look into these things.
Hi there.. I'm running A Parker pilot With a some simrad. Go9. The details you gave me it's very helpful is that some similar to what I have
Thanks. I don't yet own a fish finder; trying to make sense o f them.
Didn't have a clue that Sensitivity and Contrast needed to be adjusted that often. Thanks
Try it!
Side Imaging and down Imaging do not use cone-shaped sonar signals. It's a very narrow vertical slice of a shape. The higher the frequency the less distance the signal can propagate through the water.
Thanks..
Thanks
Thank you I bought my first boat this year and my first fish finder I’ve read the manual several times and still lost. I guess what I really need is some one to give me a lesson. With that said. What would it cost me to charter your services all day and while fishing. Give me a pvt lesson on the finder and what I’m looking at?
Great video Chad. Is there a way, with sonar, to identify the hardness of the bottom? Also, is there a way with sonar, to identify the hardness of fish, such as scale fish vs catfish?
Yes based on the hard or soft return
Post a video on identifying fish w side scan...I dont use it much cause I predominantly walleye fish and most of time their laying on the bottom...once they suspend summer time its definitely easier
I’ll try
Hey Chad. I have a kayak. I wanted to put a fishing finder on it. I don't know anything think about them. I mostly fishing small river and creek. I don't want to spend a lot of money
My son and I are relatively new to bass fishing and bought a 2010 Ranger with two Lowrance Ti2 12 inch graphs on it with two 3 in 1 transducers. I was thinking of switching to Hummingbird for the better side scan imaging. What are your thoughts? Thank you 🙏🏼
I prefer Humminbird over Lowrance for a variety of reasons.
Does anyone have a recommendation for which graph to use at the trolling motor? Thank you for the great video! Tony
Thanks, really just depends on budget.
@@Catfishedge I was leaning toward the Humminbird 360 or the Garmin Livescope, but wasnt sure which one would be best to go with?
It would help this rookie, if when you say “Burnout” on sensivity, and too dark, if you would show an example side by side images of the two so I get eye/brain association of what you’re trying to teach me! Thx for considering!
Jim Virginia
Thanks, there’s just so much to cover it could go on forever.
I know you was running a hummingbird in the video, But for the weekend fisher what fish finder would you recommended.
What makes you personally go with Hummingbird electronics ?
Hey. My hummingbird will show on SI “mega 360 not detected”. I have to reset to factory settings to get it to work. It doesn’t do it all the time
Just purchased my first good fish finder, a Helix 7 MSI G3N. Fishing in lakes from 20-40 depths in MN. My question is about the transducer beam and how wide it is at various depth. On the monitor, I can't figure out the 2D and DI area of effectiveness, how big is the cone of effectiveness on the bottom and on suspended fish? Is it 2 ft diameter or 10 ft diameter?
Depends on frequency
Nurse presentation enjoyed it going to be buying a new fish graph considering Garmin and hummingbird any import would be appreciated
Hey mate I’m in nsw Australia with a lowrance elite ti and anything under 10 meters in lakes /dams I i use 800 and get a great picture anything over 10 I use 455
Do you see fish on 455 or are they hard to spot?
@@MH-ls1xi you do but since the update they don’t tell you to adjust water clarity low/med/high visibility and I zoom in one to highlight from 2/5 mtrs down
Bob Harris
After undating my software 0n my two solixs my ulterra do not show up on the 2 fish finders.Soliox. I'm not finding and help with this problem. I hope you can help?
How do you spot crappies using S/I in a lake that has alot of weeds at the bottom.
Chad have you added a second unit? I have link and am going to add a second graph. Do you use one of the Ethernet boxes and does it need the separate tinned wire to battery?
No, just one for now. I'm adding a Helix when I add Live. Yes you need a separate wire.
Hey Chad, I run Lowrance and I cannot find a chart speed setting in the set up. I know guys that run hummingbird and they are always changing it to match the boat speed. I usually scan at idle so your comment about 1 to 3 mph confirmed for me the way I size fish based on that. I have 2 units and I keep one on 2D sonar and run down scan or side scan on the other one. I run 83 kHz on 2D and 455 kHz on down scan/side scan. That seems to provide the least interference between transducers. My issue with side scan is how to mount the transducer so I can use side scan with the motor in the water. I don't know any way to see both sides without trimming the motor. Any suggestions?
It used to be under Advanced Settings, I think it's called scroll speed on Lowrance units. Trimming the motor is common or you can run two transducers.
good info, I stay on 455 most of the time....people I fish around are always trying to run the higher 800 or 1200 and clear the picture up so much that they miss seeing lot of the fish.
Thanks
Good video. My problem is. When I see fish on finder, how do you position a boat and catch them
Drop a waypoint on the fish and then navigate to the waypoint.
Do them units come with portable units off the side of the boat.
I have a hummingbird 7 g2n with side imaging . It’s 3years old. I was thinking of moving up to a G4n and hook them up together. My question is do you want think the technology is worth the upgrade.
Yes there's some big differences with the Mega imaging.
How would I set up mega down/side imaging for deep saltwater fishing?
Same way
Idk if i can drill holes in the ice at 1-3 miles per hour. Can i not use my ice transducer?
A modern flasher would work better. You can use The a Scope, though ..
Can I update my Helix 12 in the simulator mode, if I have a updated sd card. Will it work.
IDK why would you do that?
why does my humminbird 597ci hd start to flash at 16.4" and I continuesly have to reboot it
Because they haven’t made them in like 10+ years.
Genuine, No BS question that would greatly appreciate your honest opinion, please:
With so many of these Fish Finder videos being uploaded on CZcams, all I am seeing are other reviewers using their cell phones attached to their fishing rods and matched up with their Fish Finders. Is it possible for me to be able to match mine up to my iPad for my screen instead of my iPhone? As above, this is a genuine question I would like to ask with your answer dictating whether or not I purchase one of these Deeper Smart Fish Finders I intend to purchase within the upcoming weeks. Your honest opinion and feedback will help me to decide if the $'s bulk remains in my wallet or if it suddenly disappears for some unknown reason lol. Thanks again and best regards to you and yours 👍
Yes you can download a app that matches your brand , Lowrance has one , simrad has one , and it mirrors what's on your fish finder , I have the simrad go9 , it does that , it will work on your tablet also , I had it on my last phone , I haven't messed with it much but I need to learn to preplan my trip and stick to the plan , I fish solo alot out of Boca Grande fl. Tarpon capital of the world ..I'm decent with inshore, just trying to get my offshore boat/ game dialed in , I have both boats , inshore, and offshore ..it's a tuff choice someday though . I need some help with the learning curves ..
I'm running a Lowrance Elite 9 Touchscreen. How do I go about seeing my lure or bait ?
You can’t
Sensitivity is something I will pay attn to
Careful how you say that , someone will get the wrong impression 😂
I am a coach, therefore a teacher. That video was excellent. To the point and not in love with the sound of your voice.
i need a video that tells me everything about fish finders. i've never used them, so i know basically nothing. i've watched several videos about various aspects of them, but it's just really confusing. i need an explanation of everything, start to finish :|
I just Subscribe to your channel I am new at this fishfinder GPS business I’m looking for one to put on my boat so I could find Croppie and bluegill here in South Louisiana we don’t have their deep water but would like to find them so I could fish over any recommendations I have up to $1000 to spend on one wants something kind of easy to understand and learn thank you
Get the biggest screen you can afford!
Should my helix 7 run off it's own dedicated battery?
What is chart speed?
Chart Speed
I've only got 800 to buy a new graph. Any recommendations? Mainly fishing for big cats on the Ohio and Tennessee rivers. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Biggest screen you can afford with side imaging.
Will do thank you!
I wish there was a class you could take with your own boat
I do on the water training
Tell that to ice fisherman that 2D isn’t supposed to work sitting still…
Si and DI aren't cones....
Ok
we all can't buy these top of the line machines. Have to rely more on fishing
And those that do have them should find this really helpful.
I'll tell you the biggest mistake is thinking you can send your humminbird back to the factory for repairs after six years,who would spend the money on a car that the dealership won't work on??? Fishing industry needs to be held accountable for the throw away products, the landfills are getting enough junk without these electronics.
It’s not a car. It’s an electronic device and has an end of life. Pretty standard.
You can add west marines 2 year extended warranty , but they will loose your information before 6 months is out , and your still stuck with a glitch simrad go9 with a turtle slow pentium processor ..that over heats in the sun , maybe I needed a bigger screen😂 😂😂😂😂😂
I've been looking at Helix7 lately so this is a informative video on Hummingbird even though it's Solix
They function the same
Good info!