As much as we’ve all heard about forward-facing sonar in the last few years, it’s still a new technology. Anglers are learning more about it every season and finding new applications to use it. Originally it was just Garmin and now Lowrance and Humminird have their version and anglers who run any of the big three electronics brands can now have it on their boat without running multiple brands of electronics.
Russell Marine Products is one of the leading retailers for electronics and everything else for your boat. They field many questions on this technology from customers and on their popular YouTube page. Owner Justin Russell says one of the biggest things he sees forward-facing sonar as more anglers are using it is just how versatile of a tool it can be for anglers of all species.
More Uses for Forward-Facing Sonar
Many bass anglers heavily rely on forward-facing sonar during the colder months with swimbaits and A-Rigs, but it’s a tool that can help anglers catch more fish all year long, according to Russell.
“It’s still a hot topic and the biggest theme is people are asking ‘does it work year-round?’ as it was thought of as just a tool for the winter and pre-spawn for bass anglers,” he said. “It works great then, but it’s become a tool for all months of the year. I use it more to locate fish when the water is cold and to locate cover and structure in warmer months. It really helps you line up your casts.”
Russell feels that we are just beginning to learn how to use it and there will be many situations to use it in the future, including in shallow water.
“When Garmin first came out with it, it was the crappie anglers who really started using it heavily,” said Russell. “Then the bass guys adopted it and now we are seeing walleye anglers, lake trout guys, and more using it. It’s a lot more widespread now and they are all finding more uses for it.”
In shallow water, you can adjust the transducer with different modes based on the manufacturer you run, but it shows a different perspective of what’s around your boat.
“Putting it in Perspective (Garmin), Landscape (Humminbird) or Scout (Lowrance) mode is great for shallow water fishing and incredible for what you can see,” he said. “It’s a tool I use to find shallow laydowns, ditches, and grass, and it will also show you baitfish. It’s much better than idling and trying to side scan in shallow water because it doesn’t scare the fish as much and everything shows up much better.”
Deciding on What Brand to Use
Russell Marine Products sells all three major electronics brands, each with its fans. Some anglers prefer to stick with one manufacturer for all their electronics and trolling motor, while plenty of others mix and match. They’ve seen it all; and learned that much of it comes from angler preference with the different technologies.
“It’s like Android versus Apple phones; some people prefer one or the other,” he said. “They all make good products, but the downfall to picking different brands is you have to learn different operating systems, so you have to ask yourself if that’s something you want to do. There are pros and cons to every brand. We ask our customers what their buddies are running, so if they have a question, they can easily ask them, but we are also happy to help.”
Trade-Ins and Bundles
As technology advances, new products often come to market, and some want the latest and greatest but have perfectly functional electronics. Others would be perfectly satisfied with a unit that’s a generation or two older. Russell Marine Products services all customers and have a unique trade-in program to fit both groups.
“We were one of the companies that pioneered the program and it has been very successful,” he said. “We give those who trade in electronics a fair value to use towards their new units and re-sell the older products. For those buying used, we do a full inspection, ensure everything works, and offer a 30-day warranty when they are sold.”
Russell Marine Products sells bundles of Lowrance and Garmin products with everything you need to get started for those looking for a complete kit for forward-facing sonar. They have different screen sizes and pricing options based on customer needs and can offer cost savings when bought together as a bundle with the graph and transducer.
The team at Russell Marine Products has knowledge that is unmatched in electronics, trolling motors, and everything else for boats. They’ve become the experts when it comes to anything for your boat and would be happy to help you get the right products for your needs.
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