Super User buzzed bait Posted February 4, 2016 Super User Posted February 4, 2016 I'm really trying to better locate and understand the ditches in some of the waters i'm fishing, but having a little trouble with finding good information on them. i'm looking for some info about how to locate some potential fish holding ditches using the navionics web app or local topo maps to pre-scout. and then how to put my lowrance 4x HDI to work while on the water to really key in on the ditches. can anybody point me to a thread or link or something on how to locate ditches and then beyond that what makes one more compelling than another? Thanks! Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 4, 2016 Super User Posted February 4, 2016 Look on the shoreline for inlets. Then read the super structure, and analyze the bottom material. Since the "ditches" as you call them are created during times of high flow at these inlets, you aren't going to find anything accurate on a map. They change. Look for those high percentage spots, and then narrow down the bottom contour with your graph. I have a number of lakes that have creeks running into them, and they're different after every high flow event, like rains, snow melt off, draw down, etc. 2 Quote
Super User gardnerjigman Posted February 4, 2016 Super User Posted February 4, 2016 Look for the snitches... (snitches get ditches) lol. In all seriousness J Francho nailed it. Quote
PsuFish Posted February 4, 2016 Posted February 4, 2016 good ol fashion way..get out there and start idling. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted February 4, 2016 Super User Posted February 4, 2016 You can find somewhat locations that may have a ditch with any contour mapping. You have to check potential areas with your sonar. As you move along you will see the depth change -shallower to deeper and then shallower again. A ditch would have a fast changing depth in a short amount of travel. On a topo map an area that looks like this would have the ditch potential: This is a small creek channel that was crossed diagonal to its flow and basically close to what a ditch would look like recorded: 3 Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted February 4, 2016 Author Super User Posted February 4, 2016 8 minutes ago, Wayne P. said: You can find somewhat locations that may have a ditch with any contour mapping. You have to check potential areas with your sonar. As you move along you will see the depth change -shallower to deeper and then shallower again. A ditch would have a fast changing depth in a short amount of travel. On a topo map an area that looks like this would have the ditch potential: This is a small creek channel that was crossed diagonal to its flow and basically close to what a ditch would look like recorded: Thank you Wayne, helpful as always! the map there helps for a starting place for the "high percentage spots" as j was saying. maybe should have mentioned this is in the kayak.... "idling around" is a little different for me! Wayne, i have a follow up question on my unit, i have a lowrance 4x hdi on my kayak. transducer is mounted on a side arm that is in the water right around the mid point of my kayak, probably about 3-4 full inches under water. anyways, would i be better off in the 83 or 200 mode to get better detail on finding these "ditches" or creek channels? i'm a fishfinder dummy..... and thanks all! Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 4, 2016 Super User Posted February 4, 2016 It' actually easier to accomplish in a smaller craft. I really enjoy map work from my kayak. Oh, 83 or hybrid to find the trench/ditch, and 200 when you want to see the nitty gritty details. Unless you're fishing in 200' of water, lol. Then you'd just use 200. 2 Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted February 4, 2016 Author Super User Posted February 4, 2016 Just now, J Francho said: It' actually easier to accomplish in a smaller craft. I really enjoy map work from my kayak. i mean i have the stupid fish finder and feel like an idiot trying to use it sometimes. every time you see these guys who consistently catch fish, you see them really using the electronics to their advantage. if i were to have any type of goal this year it's to get better at reading a map/depth finder! 2 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 4, 2016 Super User Posted February 4, 2016 You just gotta get time under your belt. I've used flashers, chunky old pixellated screens from the 90s, B&W, etc...you'll get what you need out of the simplest graph. 2 Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted February 4, 2016 Super User Posted February 4, 2016 The 83 or 83/200 khz setting will give you more coverage, but to get the most detail use 200 kHz since it covers less area. This is another ditch with a few fish around and using 83/200 kHz. 1 Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted February 5, 2016 Super User Posted February 5, 2016 This is another ditch using 200 kHz: 1 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 10, 2016 Super User Posted February 10, 2016 Nice examples, Wayne. Thanks for posting them. 1 Quote
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