Finding offshore structure...

[StrictlyBiznuss]

Ok guys...so I am new to the whole world of being a boater with electronics and such. I finally got myself a boat a few months ago, and so far it has served me well with some pretty big bruiser bass (for Utah standards). However, I am now living in a part of Utah where I am closer to lakes holding much more smallmouth bass than largemouths. So I am trying to get more into trying to find these offshore hotspots. I purchased myself a topographical map of one of the lakes here, and as I'm looking at it, I'm finding all sorts of cool things. Now here's my question, how the heck am I supposed to actually find some of these submerged roadbeds, railroad tracks, old house foundations, etc??? I mean, I know I can use the map to find the general area of where these things should be, but from there it kind of seems like a shot in the dark to me. Are there things that I ought to be looking for on my electronics or what? Any help would be appreciated...

[Joe W.]

The topo map will get you close. You're going to have to just cruise around the areas where the structure should be until you see something on the sonar. I'm not the greatest at interpreting what exactly I am looking at on my sonar just yet, but most of what you listed should be pretty easy to spot. Just keep en eye on the finder!

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

Good question Alex..If you can find them on the topo, you should be able to find them with your electronics..Of course they may be a little difficult to recognize on the scope..I think that is one of the reasons the Hummingbird SI is gaining a following..It seems the side imaging sonar does make it a lot easier to find those hidden gems..Using regular depth/fishfinders it is not easy to always recognize these structures..I know some fishermen when they do locate a suspected/presumed underwater structure then use some type of bottom working bait to refine the area, such as a Carolina rig..If you have a good GPS system, you can mark the area and be more assured of being able to return to it..I really hope some of the more seasoned pros respond to this post, I too would like to see what they have to say..Good luck to you Alex..

mac

[Adrian]

Your map should have GPS coordenates on it...doesn't it? with that and a cheap Wallmart GPS handheld ($89) you should be able to pinpoint those locations.
Another thing I did, I spent a lot of time on my sonar unit's instructions manual, trying to understand what everything on the screen means, so I know what I'm looking at. Then, I'll go to the general vecinity of that structure I'm tying to locate and idle or troll over it in every possible direction and try to render a mental picture of what I'm going over. A tip I wish somebody had given me is to start with big and obvios things like a big bridge or big island top and as you get better go to smaller or more difficult spots. Remember, the less obvious the spot, the less presure it receives!
Good Luck!!!
Adrian

[Jeff C.]

If the lake you're fishing is a major lake, there should be a topo map in the form that a GPS with mapping capabilities can use. For instance, the Fishing Hotspots maps are now available as a chip that you can show on a GPS.

[StrictlyBiznuss]

Yeah, the topo map that I have doesn't have GPS coordinates on it at all. I suppose that would definitely help out...it sounds like I should also invest in actually getting one of those "cheap" handheld GPS units from Wal-Mart. The other problem is that the boat that I bought was a used boat and the guy I bought it from lost the instruction manual to the fish finder a while back...so I can't study the manual either. I've been trying to kind of play around with it to figure out what exactly it is I'm looking at on the screen, but I think I'm still a little lost. I guess I just need to give it a little more patience and I'll start to figure it out a little better...

[Guy Kelley]

you did not mention the type of electronics that you are currently using. But if it is Lowrance they have a web site were you can download the instructions and use a version on line. Check it out on links here on Western Bass.

[StrictlyBiznuss]

It's a Garmin Fishfinder 240

[Joe Bruce]

if the lake level changes like they do here. go out while its low with a handheld gps, a camra and some hikeing shoes.

[MIKE TREMONT]

All the above, but don't forget throwing something down there. I'll throw a hula grub on a one ton. That will tell you a lot about what's going on down there.
It's cheaper than all that high dollar stuff and fish will bite them. It's like a broken drum, just can't beat it!

[hunterdave]

Make friends with a scuba diver. jk...the reality is, all you can do is study the maps and learn your sonar the best you can.

[Andy Giannini]

I would find Iovino on the web, and order his old video "Sonar How to use it"

The thing may seem dated, but actually the only thing that has really changed is how the information is displayed. The newer graphs are so much like paper graphs its unreal. And that is a big lesson of the video, the flasher, paper graph, or LCD all do the same thing, they just display the information differently.

The video gives instruction on how to interpret what the sonar is trying to tell you. And that is the key. It is not an instruction manual telling you what button to push. The frustration with sonar is not being able to figure out what is going on, and it just becomes another high tech thing on the dashboard, that doesn't get used.

Everybody I loaned that thing to, said they learned something new. Even the serious structure guys, that I considered real sonar experts.

sTony might have one in the library, but mine has since gone the way of Ebay.

Its worth a look to establish new areas, active fish, as a sonar refresher, or just to get the basics down pat with a few strategies.

A.G.