How To Level a Fish Finder Transducer (For Better Images)
Vložit
- čas přidán 14. 02. 2017
- I'm back with more install tips as I've been installing the new Humminbird Helix 12 G2N and getting to use the new Humminbird Mega Imaging. I'm using a Humminbird fish finder but the same process applies to any transducer.
I frequently post screenshots on social media from my sonar unit and constantly have a steady stream of anglers and guide clients on my boat.
A comment I get from anglers all the time (who often have the exact same fish finder” is my screen doesn’t look like yours, they’re not as clear or detailed.
My fish finder is EVERYTHING when it comes to finding and catching fish. I spend a LOT of time watching it, searching for fish and rely on it almost exclusively for finding catfish. I’d be lost without it.
Today I'm going to show you one of the simple things most anglers miss which is leveling the fish finder transducer, this is a MAJOR reason you don't get the good images on your fish finder.
The process is simple and best of all I'll show you how to level the fish finder transducer with one time out on the water to get it perfect, no pulling on and off the trailer making transducer adjustments.
Get more details
www.catfishedge.com/level-fish...
Timestamps
00:49 Fish Finder Interference
03:39 How To Tell When Transducer Is Not Level
04:20 How To Level a Transducer
For more details on fish finder installation and other steps to take to make sure you get the best performance check out the video below.
www.catfishedge.com/fish-finde...
• 5 Fish Finder Installa...
*****Get more catfishing tips and information*****
www.catfishedge.com
*****Get official Catfish Edge gear, ebooks, feature length videos and more*****
www.catfishedge.com/products/
*****Fish with me*****
www.txcatfishguide.com
www.catfishedge.com/catfish-e...
*****About Chad Ferguson and Catfish Edge*****
Chad Ferguson is a professional catfish angler with over 20 years of experience fishing for catfish who owns and operates Catfish Edge and North Texas Catfish Guide Service. Chad founded Catfish Edge producing articles, videos and other resources to help catfish anglers go out and learn more and bigger catfish by passing along the catfishing information he’s learned throughout his career as a professional catfish angler and fishing guide. He’s obsessed with catfishing and has been accused many times of being one of the few people on earth that actually thinks like a catfish.
*****Products I Designed*****
► Chad Ferguson Signature Series Catfish Rod gocatfish.in/CFCatfishRod
► Versa-Rattle Catfish Rig Rattles gocatfish.in/VersaRattle
► LockJaw Catfish Fishing Grips gocatfish.in/WSTLockJaw
► T3 Triple Threat Catfish Hooks - gocatfish.in/T3Hook
*****My Catfishing Gear and Equipment*****
►Boat: gocatfish.in/ProCat240
►Sonar: gocatfish.in/Helix12G2N
►Sonar Mount: gocatfish.in/Balzout
►360 Sonar: gocatfish.in/Humminbird360
►Trolling Motor: gocatfish.in/Terrova
►Navigation: gocatfish.in/iPIlotLink
►Rod Holders: gocatfish.in/driftmasterduo
►Bait Table: gocatfish.in/baittable
*****Camera Gear*****
►Editing Software: gocatfish.in/fcpxedit
►GoPro: gocatfish.in/CEGoPro
►GoPro Case: gocatfish.in/CEGoProCase
►GoPro SD Cards: gocatfish.in/CEGoProSD
►GoPro Pole: gocatfish.in/CEGoProPole
►GoPro Tripod Adapters: gocatfish.in/CEGoProTriMnt
►GoPro Aluminum Thumb Screws: gocatfish.in/GoProScrews
►Chest Rig: gocatfish.in/chestrig
►Suction Cup Mount: gocatfish.in/goprosuc
►Gorilla Mount: gocatfish.in/goproflex
►DSLR Camera: gocatfish.in/maincam
►DSLR Lens: gocatfish.in/mainlens
►DSLR Case: gocatfish.in/dslrcase
►DSLR SD Cards: gocatfish.in/dslrsdcards
►Big Tripod: gocatfish.in/bigtripod
►Little Tripod: gocatfish.in/smalltripod
►Wireless Microphone: gocatfish.in/2irt85c
►Shotgun Mic: amzn.to/2imcVtd
►Wired Microphone: gocatfish.in/2iAyauG
►Drone: amzn.to/2im74nE
*****Sponsors*****
►Whisker Seeker Tackle: gocatfish.in/2iiJWeO
►SeaArk Boats: gocatfish.in/2iiFSv9
►Abu Garcia Reels: gocatfish.in/2iiCxfk
►Humminbird: gocatfish.in/2iiEecQ
►Minn Kota: gocatfish.in/2iiKb9I
►Driftmaster Rod Holders: gocatfish.in/2iiPXbx
►Rig Rap: gocatfish.in/2iiCZu9
►Under Armor: gocatfish.in/2iiKocP
►Columbia: gocatfish.in/2iiKpxp
►Some links in description are affiliate links so you if make a purchase I receive a small commission on the sale, it doesn’t cost you any money and the proceeds from your purchases help to support my efforts producing these videos for you.
*****Connect****
Subscribe if you like watching!
Have questions, want to see more, suggestions for more videos? Comment! - Sport
What issues do you have with your fish finder and what can I cover to help you better use and understand your electronics to catch more fish?
Difference between CHIRP and Down scan/image and which is better for catfishing? I have a Fish Finder for my Kayak now that is a dual (chirp/DSI). So I have to learn which helps with what situations (drifting, anchor fishing, looking for stumps for flatheads, look for other structure, etc).
Catfish Edge my feet don't read on plan?
My helix 12 turned off and when I try to turn its faded screen and it turns white and you cannot see anything
Check your wiring sounds like a power issue
I lost my on water map on my lowrance hdi elite 5
When I installed mine I used the natural level line that was created on my jack plate. If you have had your boat for a while this "line" will eventually be there. Your boat will always sit in the water the same and this line will always be level as it is created by the water line which is always naturally level. You could also use the scum line created after a trip as your level line. I just measured the distance from the line on the jack plate to the transducer both on the front and back of the transducer to match. Your technique is also good and is more of a scientific and mathmatical approach.
man this was a good informative video. I appreciate you doing it! Leveling my transducers always baffles me!
+cochrankoi thanks
NEVER used any type of imaging and we just got a Helix5 SI GPS. Soon as it comes in the mail, I think this video will definitely help. thanks for your time Catfish Edge.
Thanks
Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing this tip!! Awesome video!
Another championship grade video from Chad. THANKS !! That big Helix is the boss !!
Thanks
I was not looking for this but I needed it lol. Thanks. Just happened to pop up as a suggestion for me to watch.
Thanks
Good advice and easy to follow. Thank you.
+Jeff Lefebvre thanks!
Good information for sure. As I always tell folks, if your transducer is not properly installed you have a very nice GPS / CHART-PLOTTER.
Truth!
great Info! I’ve never even thought about this!
Great video. I did the same thing but I wasn't going 3 mph which makes sense because that is the normal speed while side imaging. I had to bring my transducer angle front to back down just a little. We have 500 pounds of outboards on the transom so the boat sits in the water at an angle till you travel and then it lifts up a bit. I also had the traditional sonar blinking at times like it wasn't getting signal then it would start receiving. So I thought maybe I had a little too much angle.
Thanks for giving the info that's in the description. Great tip
Thanks
simple in concept very well presented, Thanks
Thanks
Keep it up. Super nice detail video.
Thanks
Thanks I really appreciate that you have made life so much easier.
Thanks
I'd heard about leveling with coins and it went right over my head. Us carpenters use shims and a level but...
thanks catfish Edge nice video hello from Austin
Great video. Great info. I just wish I saw this 5 years ago! Thanks bro
Glad it was helpful!
Great idea! Thanks for the video!
Thanks
Very nice, that is a solid procedure
Thanks
Very helpful! This will help me troubleshoot why I am getting little to no readings in deep water!
Glad it helped!
Awesome video man !!!thank you ….what holder are you using for your screen
I really appreciate your videos and especially this one as I have been struggling with the picture on my Humminbird.
Jeff, try this and make sure you have good power. Check out my install video, link in description!
Thanks and I have watched it. I have the unit connected to the starter battery
Did you use shielded wire?
I don't think so. Just the wire that came with the unit as it was long enough to make the power connection
Where do you get the shielded wire? I just used the wire that came with the unit as it was long enough.
Your a smart cookie , thanks
Thanks, this helped me alot
I have never seen it done like that that is genius
+Ryan Bancroft 👍
Thanks for this video. I have a small boat (Lund A14) and do a lot of camping as well as hunting with it. I'm constantly flipping it up which is a pain, so I took a ruler and engraving pen and marked it with a line. Otherwise I will smash it up.
+Universal Steele 👍
I enjoy watching your videos great job.i was curious what do you do with your old electronics?
Thanks! Usually sell them with my boat!
This was an awesome and step by step instruction. Right now I'm running a 899 at the console, but have had the 1198 also at the console. Not once had I ever had any arches. Even on the trolling motor I've never had arches...that's hard to figure out why. I will try this next time out on the water and let you know.
This should help! If not come back and comment and I'll try to help you troubleshoot.
hey, well I finally got on the water this morning for a little bit. I can see the ramp on my side imaging from 120 feet away, so I know the ducer is set correctly, but I'm not seeing any arches. Maybe the fish are not in my location. When I have my phone or a SD card with me I can screen shot a picture.
Well, I've been out on the water a couple times now. The side imaging is never a problem. The first time I just eyed it into place and got lucky. My thru hull puck is the issue for high speed travel. I should have gone out in deeper water to test it, but it's flat so I'm confused. There should be arches???
Good video thanks for sharing
Thanks
Excellent tip
+tim pham thanks
Good job I appreciate the help
Thanks!
Thanks man that helped a lot! 😀
Thanks
What's your thoughts on side to side rock.. what's the affect on side scan and down.. most guys like me aren't running 24' boats like yours we have alot more rock
Has some impact in really big waves
Awesome!
ive linked this video to so many people! lol good stuff
Thanks
This was very helpful in my first transducer installation thanks👍🏻. I do have a question..when I in stalled my helix 8 with DI i ran a little short on the transducer cable so I purchased a Y cable to get the needed length. I’m getting a reading for the DI but not the 2D sonar can you help?
Make sure it's plugged in good. Other than that it may be a bad cable.
Great process, thank you
Thanks
Thanks
GREAT VID!
Thanks
Thanks Chad even my helix directions said level with the bottom of the boat. I disagree your method is level with the water, it's a no brainer just wanted to be sure thanks again.
Thanks
Awesome video. Thanks
Thank you!
Very Smart ! Thank U !
Thanks for sharing. I have to try this technique, js
Thanks
Awesome video!
Thanks
Awesome video! I will have to do this once I get my boat back from the shop. I've noticed my arches are off a little while out on the water. It's hard for me to steer at less than 5 mph (jet). Would that hurt leveling to that speed? Also what is your scrolling speed on the sonar? 1 per 1 mph? I have a Helix 7 G2N.
Thanks
Panfish, chart speed equal to boat speed.
Good info. Thanks. I've got a drinking game to go with this video. Take a drink/shot for every time Chad says transducer. Cheers 🍺
LOL, that's pretty funny!
Or any time he says level or leveled
Great info thanks
+Hatya05 👍
Thanks great info
Thanks
how did you run 2 transducers with zero interference? or are they from the same unit?
Nice video...pretty clever
Thanks
Thanks for the info
Thanks
Prior to leveling my transducer as prescribed, I had little if any need to adjust my 2D sensitivity. Since leveling, I get increased screen clutter as I increase speed. Is that to be expected, or did I do something wrong?
Hi, I bought a helix g2n mega imaging unit for my kayak recently how would you go about setting up the transducer? Would I Just need make sure my transducer is leveled?
Yes and located where it has a clear view
Incredible video!!! Maybe this will help my down imaging. My side imaging has always been pretty clear, but down is bad. Also, side view is clearer to right then left. There's nothing in the way and the transducer is mounted on the correct side to deal with the prop's rotation. Any tips? THANK YOU
Are you trimming your motor up?
Catfish Edge yes I usually trim about halfway up
Tweet me @catchcatfish a screenshot and a picture of your transducer install and I'll try to help. Just remind me what it is when you do!
Catfish Edge I don't have a twitter but I do have an Instagram and I found your site. I'll DM you if thats ok. Also my boat is currently winterized in another state as I live up here in the north country but I will get back to you once I get the boat back! Thanks so much for your help I really appreciate it!!!
Great video, how about side to side? My boat tends to sit favoring the driver side with me and batteries on the same side. Same process?
+kevin watters I supposed but the best route would be to get the boat leveled in the water.
I'm to go ahead and try this out. I have gotten a bit use to what I see but I think that the transducer needs leveled out at ride height to really get better images. Most I have my normal partner in the boat, what happens when I replace normal partner with a sub that weighs 275 lbs more then him to the front?
Great tip thnx
I may have a problem with interference on my transducer cable. From the back of the transom the cable goes across to a tube that goes through flotation and out under the tray that runs along the side of the boat. All of my outboard wiring and cables run there too. No heavy battery cables but Tach, ignition and one wire to a electric downrigger not being used at the time of testing the fish finder. What did you do to eliminate going through the flotation tube? I adjusted my transducer the same way you showed in the video. My transducer is sitting sort of higher on the trailing end. Your transducer looked almost perfectly level but that all depends on how your boat sits in the water.
It doesn't matter what it looks like compared to other boats. Every boat sits in the water different. My boat has pods so the transom sits higher than a boat without pods will.
So glad YT algorithm brought me here
Thanks!
Where did you locate your transducer I also have pods and not many options
I finally got the best side images ever after a number of things. I was told to send my Helix 12 Chirp Mega Si G2N to Humminbird. They actually tested on the water and got the same problems. Replaced a circuit board for Si and Sonar. Tested again on the water and good. So we tested on the water after getting it back and seem to work a lot better. The side imaging was still a bit hard to see. I had told Humminbird something isn't right people are posting vivid snapshots of Crappie on side and down imaging. We are fishing for Salmon and Steelhead. That is a big target compared to a Crappie. They didn't really give me much help.
So here is where things changed. Chris Felts on Facebook Humminbird Tips and Tricks tells me to replace update 1.840 with 1.640, an older version. 1.840 I noticed my Si darkened. Read that other people noticed the same thing. Chris also told me settings to use.
Jigging Mode "ON" this forces the unit to read every ping. This is a major help for better screens.
Color Pallet for seeing fish 1, 4 or 12. I liked 4
Make sure Sonar is on High Frequency. Chris claims that the setting affects other functions
Chart Speed just over what I am traveling
Sensitivity and Contrast - When I spot structure I move the pointer to pause the screen and adjust for best screen
Range 3X the Depth - good starting point. I spotted fish holding close to the bottom and adjusted making sure to still have good appearance.
I would say I'm a bit afraid to load anymore updates. Plus if the update doesn't benefit me because I don't have the accessories it helps I don't need it.
I think the biggest benefit of the settings Chris gave me was the Jigging Mode "ON". I had done that July 2017 messing with settings and for got it on. We went fishing for Chinook Salmon Sept 4, 2017 and we were spotting schools of Chinook all through the day even a bait ball of Anchovy. Later I watched a video by Technological Angler on the Jigging Mode. He said turn it off when done because it will make side and down imaging not work as well. So I checked and turned Jigging Mode off. Later we went fishing for salmon and nothing on the screen for Si or Di. Could not figure out why we were doing so well and now nothing. It never dawned on me I had Jigging Mode On and that was the key to seeing more fish plus better screen resolution to display fish.
We went back out for a test run Jan 31, 2019 being that we were having Spring like weather. I ran the side imaging and next thing I'm seeing fish all over the bottom maybe 10" off the bottom. Bass angler told me he fishes the area and catches Smallmouth Bass and Pikeminnow there.
Awesome glad it worked out.
I think you mean you had jigging mode “off”. This can be confusing to the reader. Jus sayin
@@chumchisk No the setting is either On or Off. I was told having it on increases pings and better results. Set to Off for “Jigging Mode” means the transducer pings less.
I used this setting on my Humminbird Helix G2N Si unit.
Great video very helpful. Is it necessary to do the transducer mounted on trolling motor? I have side imaging on that also
If it’s not part of the trolling motor then yes it would help.
Thank you for the come back.i guess i would have to see how level the boat is when using.and just shim the transducer to make level if needed.running a ranger rt178 with totalscan transducer in front and active image 3in1 on transom.again great video thanks
excellent video!!! I will level mine just like that. I have a question, i read that the side matter depending if the prop rotates clock or counterclockwise. is that true? if yes what is the rule? would the transducer in the middle right behind the motor work better? I have a helix 7 side imagine.
Supposed to be opposite side of prop rotation but doesn't seen to have much impact IMO. The issue with going behind the motor is in many boats that will limit you from full trim.
Thank you very much!!!
great video
Thanks
What about the height from the bottom of the boat. The Si Transducer looks like it is above the bottom of the boat. Do you use the cheaper 2D Sonar lower so it still reads when running from spot to spot?.
Location depends on the boat.
I have side imaging and down imaging transducer, should I place the transducer under , in the middle , or above the bottom of the boat? Thanks You
At or above the bottom.
Newbie here about fishfinder stuff. Do i do it on a kayak this way too?
To some extent, yes
Just curious as to why you switched from the Onix to the Helix? Secondly, is it just as important to have the transducer leveled with the older Humminbird sysytems?
+D Jurgens because of Mega imaging. Yes on leveling
would like to see a picture of your transducer placement on your Seaark.I have a Seaark and it may save drilling a bunch of holes.Thx Chad
+Mark Rothrock I'll try to post a video soon
many thanks!
Thanks
Do u recomend mounting the transducer a little below the hull, even with the bottom of the hull or above the bottom of the hull? Thanks.
Mount it at the waterline
Does it matter distance from motor?
great tip
Thanks
With the Mega Si transducer is it important to look at adding the second high speed transducer? I know it depends on the boat. I have had some issues with trying to adjust for Side Imaging and then the traditional sonar messes up on the current unit. I was told to try running just the Mega Side Imaging transducer if problems then buy the Y cable and transducer for high speed. I will be installing a new unit in another week.
The HS transducer will help with getting readings on plane because it's a smaller surface area and therefore less prone to cavitation. How much it will help depends on the boat.
Thanks. My other thought is that if $80 transducer gets hit not a huge loss. The Si transducer is over $300. Seems like a good idea having it up from the bottom. The high speed transducer has a kick up bracket too.
great video and instructions! I can't seem to ever be able to see cats on si .
Thanks. Working on a way to cover some of that soon. May be a webinar instead of video but we'll see!
Thank you!
You're welcome!
I'm looking to track my depth, and mph mostly with a Garmin Stryker. Does this method work for this as well ? Thanks
Yes it does
Thanks again for the tip, best video on this I could find.
Is your mega transducer height level with the back edge?
+KentDrumz no, lower
Does running the Humminbird XNT 9 20 along with the Mega transducer interfere with your frequencies for the 2D chirp?
No
If your transducer is attached to the bottom of the bow mount trolling motor, can you just level it when boat is on trailer, or do you need to take the steps that you did on the water? Thanks
The bow of the boat moves so much it’s not going to matter get as close as you can and move on
Are you running your trim all the way down? When using the level that makes a big difference on the angle
No, it's trimmed like it would be when scanning for fish,
I will trie this and see if it helps thanks
did it work?
We have the Helix 12 Chirp Mega Si G2N unit and I did the water level and then level the transducer on the trailer using the boat jack to get it level as I did on the water. I was wondering about a few things. Our boat sits low in the back because of the 500 pounds of outboards on the transom. So I have two transducers and adjusted the Mega transducer using that level on the water going around 1.5 mph. The 2D Sonar I adjusted for low to full throttle and to still get a signal on plane. You mentioned you do the same level on the two??
Our Helix unit has been sent in three times and last two Humminbird replaced the Sonar, Si circuit. Have been having a lot of trouble with seeing fish with the Si and Di. September 4, 2017 we were seeing schools of salmon. After that pretty much nothing. Not sure what changed. I might of installed update 1.640 but that is it. I'm running 1.840 right now and considering going back to the 1.610. Any thoughts on that?
Humminbird told me I might have interference on the transducer cables or power. I moved my transducer cables to an electrical conduit from back to front of boat. The electrical is a Marine harness with fuse at the battery and I have run it in a conduit to the front of the boat. I don't think any of that has made any change. I even had tried a device to clean the power before the unit and that made no change. I removed it.
I also after loosing signal on the right I added a right Mega Transducer and that eliminated the problem. Someone told me adding transducers may even lessen the performance of getting good screens. I tried just one mega and that didn't do anything different.
I’d always run the latest update. I adjust level to scan speeds, don’t care about depth on plane, I have charts for that. Here’s some good basic troubleshooting tips. Have you followed all of these? www.catfishedge.com/fish-finder-troubleshooting-steps/
@@Catfishedge Thanks for the reply. Yes I read through all your steps. Very good outline. I actually have a marine grade wiring harness from battery to unit that was made for me. I also ran my transducer cables in a conduit to the front of the boat. Power is in it's own conduit from battery to unit at front. As far as I know I have good connections. They aren't soldiered. The wire harness was made by an installer and sent to me. I have had a lot of problems with the unit and had to send it in three times. last two they replaced the Sonar, Si circuit. I did look for a Humminbird expert in my area and found no one. Everyone is going to Garmin and not much available for Humminbird.
Cool 👍🏻
I bought new sensor
XHS 9 HDSI 180 T Transducer
for my
HELIX 9 SI GPS.
Instaleed new Versions
HELIX 9 SI GPS,Vers.1.46 and Basemap,Vers.1.051.
Fishing deepth 4-7 meters.
After updating cannot see any of fish symbols(Fish ID-On) on
the sonar screen.No fish alarms(alarms-On).
I am using 455Hz.
What reason could be???
+Juris Lipiniks Why do you want fish symbols and alarm? Learning to read the graph is the only reliable way of finding fish. I haven't used these features in 20+ years so I can't help with troubleshooting.
Do you level the transducer on the top or bottom with your torpedo level.
Doesn't matter.
I have a 1959 Duracraft that used to have a transducer in the ideal spot to put it. Can I put it higher than the existing holes and still be ok???
Possibly. Hard to say without seeing it.
I am going to put a piece of plastic 3/4" outdoor trim board over the holes and rivets. I will bore holes where the screws are and JB weld the plastic trim piece to the boat so I can have it in the ideal spot. This way I am not screwing thru the boat.Thanks for this video.
It worked.
Got a good idea here from your video. Two torpedo levels, roll of masking tape and a roll of coins. With boat in water moving mount one level Fore and Aft and the other Port and Starboard. Secure shimmed levels with masking tape. Now, with the trailer jack and floor jack on land pitch the boat on the trailer to return both levels back to the bubble marks. In theory what was described in this video assumes the boat will always be trailered the exact same way and that the ground under the trailer is level and that is two flies in the ointment.
You're way overthinking it.
Catfish Edge Naw, I was a experienced kitchen and bath designer, fabrication and installation crew foreman before the owner. Levels don’t lie and repositioning the boat on land to mimic couldn’t be any easier. Now, using two 4’ levels on the other hand is “over thinking it”.
How do you do side to side on your side scan
Not sure what you're asking.
what does staight lines from top to bottom on the screen mean?
I have a bass tracker with an offset on the bottom of the transom. My marina installed my transducer on the upper step right beside the speedometer mount. My images are horrible. I am very disappointed after spending for a Helix 10, and 360 sonar. Should I move the transducer to the recessed step which moves it nearer the bottom of the boat? Am I getting too much turbulence? My 2D sonar is great. Everything else is worthless. Can you advise me?
Every boat is different. I can’t answer that without seeing it.
I have the same issue as you: the SI transducer is next the speedo pickup and my 2D, DI, and SI all look like total garbage. Did you ever get your issues resolved?
amazing ty
Thanks
How can I get a brighter read on my DI with my Humminbird Helix 7 chirp
Turn the sensitivity up
Home Depot sells a angle gauge. You can set it on boat then it has a marker to slide to zero. Round over by tape measures. You’re idea works. The gauge is just simpler and I use it to level mounting trolling motor on a boat with a 9 degree dead rise
iPhone level has become the new go to
Good idea. I forget I even have that
perfect
Thanks
Any issues running two transducers side by side for two differnt fish finders?
Yes, they’ll get crosstalk
You think this quality is possible on a 999Ci Bird?
+Gills_Grills _And_Yaks it will get good images but no not the same
Great tutorial. Easier than using coins is using the bubble app on your phone to get an exact angle; just don't let go of your phone.
I found it to be unreliable
You moved the transducer 3X ... and drilled your boat 3X?
Poly mounting board
Does it matter when you are running the level if you are up closer to the bow
No