How do I know if my depth finder is set up correctly?

[Stillhouse bassman]

I am new at fishing with a Depth finder, I have lowrance elite 3x,  I am unsure is my transducer is set up correctly.  At anything above idle the screen shows fish in the fish ID setting.  I turn the fish id setting off and I have trouble identifying anything.  I need help understanding how to use this device.  I have researched several topics on you tube, there is limited information about the low end depth finders.  This is what i have i cannot buy one more expensive for a few years.

[IndianaFinesse]

With the fish ID on, the depth finder will change what it registers as fish into fish symbols.  With the fish ID turned off it shows more detail and instead shows the fish as arches, you will have to practice with it a little to figure out what fish look like.  Past that I can't help much, I am everything but an authority on electronics.

[RoLo]

You want the transducer mounted perpendicular to the water surface, not the bottom of your hull.

In addition, the face of the transducer should be flush or a tad below the bottom or your hull

and the trailing edge of the transducer should be about 1/8" lower than the leading edge (anti-cavitation)

 

By all means, turn off the Fish ID option, and leave it off forever.

The Fish ID option is a wild electronic guesstimate that obliterates the actual signal.

Over time, you'll understand the raw signals far better than guesstimates made by your unit.

 

Roger

[CenCal fisher]

check out page 11 of the screen shot thread. There are a few pictures of budget fish finder on there. Look for things not connected to the bottom and try to catch them. You will have confidence in what you are seeing when you start catching fish using it