Finding Bait

[Rooger]

I've been lucky on a few occasions to find bait exploding on the surface near the boat or seeing birds on the attack and reaped the rewards of some fast action.

It's the bait below the surface that has puzzled me. Do you guys find these bait balls running full speed or do you search out the likely areas and explore with your electronics at slower speeds?

The former is not an option for me since the transducer doesn't get solid readings at the higher speeds. I keep searching the areas that I think should produce while idling, or slightly faster, but without success. (Maybe what I think is likely, isn't Perhaps I should check the sensitivity settings on the meter. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[acm95301]

I have a Lowrance HD-7 and it doesnt not chart above lets say 5 mph...plus or minus. I don't think that cheaper units can either, although they may show a screen with info... as likely as not its just sensor artifact from the movement and cavitation. I also consider some of the info even at low speeds to be artifact too.

I've only had my HD-7 since september.

[split172]

I dont think its just the unit, but mainly where the transducer is set at. I had a lms 520 that could read goin 25-35 mph on gps.

[snapitoff2002]

I hate my old Pinpoint's, but they read going over 50!

[tunaman]

It's your transducer that limits what speed you can graph... if you have a through-hull 'ducer glassed in, you can read up to WOT.

I'll typically hit an area I expect the bait to be located, then start metering around on the big motor to see if there are any large concentrations. This presumes you're referring to finbait like shad, silversides, etc.

Roger

[Rooger]

When you're searching, do you adjust the sensitivity and screen speed on your meter or just leave it on Auto?

[Rooger]

It's your transducer that limits what speed you can graph... if you have a through-hull 'ducer glassed in, you can read up to WOT.

The boat's a Boston Whaler. I don't think you can shoot through those hulls can you?

[tunaman]

I never use Auto settings... typically on reservoirs/lakes I can set up my speed and gain settings to one level and it suffices for everything from searching at speed, to video dropshotting/spooning (watching your line and lure on the meter).

Since coming to the Delta and fishing the more shallow river system, and also since installing the Humminbird 1197, I find that I have to tweak the side imaging contrast frequently depending on many variables, including depth, water clarity, and cover features (grass vs rock, etc.).

It is always best to become extremely familiar with your electronics, regardless of brand and model, and make your own settings rather than relying on the automatic settings.

Roger

[tunaman]

It's your transducer that limits what speed you can graph... if you have a through-hull 'ducer glassed in, you can read up to WOT.

The boat's a Boston Whaler. I don't think you can shoot through those hulls can you?

Sure... just have to have a through-hull fitting, rather than a 'shoot through' 'ducer.

Roger

[tunaman]

Here's a link to the Lowrance transducer selection guide:

http://www.lowrance.com/Support/Tips-an ... cer-Guide/

Roger

[Oldschool]

Most units will show suspended shad schools when traveling 15 to 20 mph on plane, with shoot through hull mounted TD's. You need to manually set you ping speed to 75 for a starting point and adjust the sensitivety to where you have some light clutter on the screen.
Bird (grebes) watching will help locate mid lake shad schools. The shad best schools will be those approaching under water high spots, so meter those areas' humps (underwater islands), ledges, major points or points the drop off into deep water.
Tom

[Rooger]

Most units will show suspended shad schools when traveling 15 to 20 mph on plane, with shoot through hull mounted TD's. You need to manually set you ping speed to 75 for a starting point and adjust the sensitivety to where you have some light clutter on the screen.

I have a Lowrance X-97. It's a pretty good unit but I've never experimented with the ping speed. btw - what's the relationship and/or difference with sensitivity/chart speed/ping speed?

[ash]

two seperate things,

Chart speed is the speed that the "history" is moved across the chart page. Ping speed is the frequency of sonar pings to the bottom. If you are moving fast a fast ping speed is necessary to give you the most information.

My con has fast ping, fast chart. When I am really slowing dowing to paint the bottom I may slow down the chart speed some just to gain a better picture of my surroundings.