Understanding your fish finder

[lovecranking]

I bought 2 new fish finders with my new boat. The console is a LMS-334C iGPS and the front is a X102C. I am looking for dvd's that teach you how to understand what your fish finder is showing you. I looked at the Lowrance website and they do have some info on their fish finders. But I was hoping I could find some dvd's that would show you how to tell the difference between say baitfish and debris. I've always kept the locator in the auto mode because I have a hard time in reading manual. How did any of you learn to read your units?

[huskertko]

Follow this link, http://www.lowrance.com/Software/PCSoftware/Install/X102C/X102C_demo.asp, and it will allow you to download a emulator.  It basically is a program that works on your computer and acts just like you were on the water, it will allow you to sit and have your manual open while seeing what is displayed on the unit.  It is basically a demo for your unit.  

Hope this helps.

[lovecranking]

Thanks huskertko, I'll try to get to my neighbors computer, I can't get it to come up on my iMac. I think you may have saved me money. I appreciate it, tight lines. Thanks, lovecranking.

[fishbear]

OK,

I have a question on this.  When you see fish marking on your fish/depth finder, especially in a lake full of crappie,bream etc.....  how will you know when you find bass??????  I mean crappie hold to structure also, so are you just seeing fish and hoping they are bass????  

Example:   I see fish stacked up in water  that is 12-15 ft. deep and the fish are holding in about 10 ft. of water,  How in the heck do you determine if they are what you are after.....  I was watching bass saturday on ESPN, and the guys were literally watching the fish take thier plastics on the fish finder,,, how did they know they were bass to start, and not catfish or crappie, or stripers, or????????

Am I making this to complicated?????  

[Hale]

how will you know when you find bass??????  I mean crappie hold to structure also, so are you just seeing fish and hoping they are bass????  

First and foremost, when it comes your depth finder you have to remember it is only a tool.  A screwdriver only allows you to take a screw out, it wont do it by itself. Your depthfinder is there to assist you on catching fishing. Your expereince and knowledge will have to be in control 85% of the time when it comes to the electronics.

You dont know its bass, you just evaluate the structure, cover, water, etc. and determine thats a place that should be holding Bass. Then wet a line and see. A lot of people become slaves to their electronics and it causes them to shut down any type of instinct or ration. Go with your gut on where the fish is and use the electronics to help you understand why there would be fish there.

[RollONTwo]

I agree with Hale. I would also like to add.

I feel the most important reading on a fishfinder for bass is depth this include looking for humps and off the bank structure depths.

[fishbear]

Thanks guys, I use my fish/depth finder mainly for depth and structure, I was just wondering how these guys just look at thier screen , and go there are bass stacked up down there,, and start catching them...   guess I still have a lot to learn,, which is something I dont mind...