Shallow Water Side Scan

[Team_Robbins_Fishing]

Hey all, I Just purchased a new elite 7ti with 3-in-1 active imagine and mounted it on the trolling motor of my nitro 290. I  have a gen 2 hds 5 mounted on the console. I mainly fish the upper Chesapeake bay and Potomac river for large mouth bass so i spend most of my time on the bow of the boat so i mounted the new unit there. Side scan is new to me so I'm unsure of how to use it effectively in my shallow water fishing or if that is overkill.

 

So essentially does anyone have any tips for fishing in under 6 feet with side scan on a trolling motor/is it an effective tool to use? Also any potential advice regarding settings would be appreciated. 

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

[Logan S]

My primary usage on the Potomac and Bay for side imaging is finding grass that hasn't reached the surface.  Keep the range at 60 to 100 feet and set the contrast/sensitivity to a point where the areas right under and near the boat are a little washed out - That will give you a good picture of grass further out when you come across it.  Idle the areas you're searching, drop waypoints on the edges of grass you see on SI.  You'll probably also find submerged laydowns, rocks, and other cover that's worth a waypoint.  

 

I'm also a Lowrance user (HDS 9's) and this is what works for me...Lowrance unfortunately is not as good at shallow water scanning as HB (I ran HB previously), but with some practice you can dial it in to show you essentially the same thing.

 

One thing though, you'll want the SI unit mounted on the console...You can use it up front but it will be way more effective and efficient when mounted at the console.  It's not overkill because it's definitely useful, you fish the Potomac and Bay so I'm sure you know how valuable it is to know where grass is - especially when you can't see it on the surface .  

 

FYI, when you go to a lake and look for 'real' structure/cover, you'll need to change the settings a little bit...Setting it up to find shallow grass will give you poor results in deeper water and harder bottoms.  

[gim]

Side scan is best used when going approximately 5mph. If your going that fast using the bow mount for a significant period of time, you’ll drain your battery power quickly.

 

Use the side scan at the console with the big motor, as Logan stated.

[flyfisher]

57 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Side scan is best used when going approximately 5mph. If your going that fast using the bow mount for a significant period of time, you’ll drain your battery power quickly.

 

Use the side scan at the console with the big motor, as Logan stated.

I completely disagree.  Sidescan is best when your chart speed matches your boat speed.  I get plenty clear images on my kayak and i never go 5mph.  I actually have my chart speed a little faster than my normal paddle speed becasue it helps to clean up the image so to speak.  This is on humminbird first gen helix unit

 

[Logan S]

12 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

I completely disagree.  Sidescan is best when your chart speed matches your boat speed.  I get plenty clear images on my kayak and i never go 5mph.  I actually have my chart speed a little faster than my normal paddle speed becasue it helps to clean up the image so to speak.  This is on humminbird first gen helix unit

 

On HB you can adjust scroll/chart speed, on Lowrance you can't...So you do have adjust boat speed to get the best picture.  5mph is faster than I've ever scanned though, but everyone's rig is different so who knows.  2.5 to 3mph is the sweet spot for my boat.  

 

Lowrance does change chart speed based on your range setting, but you can't adjust the chart speed yourself.  

[flyfisher]

5 minutes ago, Logan S said:

On HB you can adjust scroll/chart speed, on Lowrance you can't...So you do have adjust boat speed to get the best picture.  5mph is faster than I've ever scanned though, but everyone's rig is different so who knows.  2.5 to 3mph is the sweet spot for my boat.  

 

Lowrance does change chart speed based on your range setting, but you can't adjust the chart speed yourself.  

wow that is crazy you can't adjust.  HM has an auto setting but it is ridiculously fast.

Lowrance is now officially off any electronics upgrade list for me lol

 

[Team_Robbins_Fishing]

3 hours ago, Logan S said:

My primary usage on the Potomac and Bay for side imaging is finding grass that hasn't reached the surface.  Keep the range at 60 to 100 feet and set the contrast/sensitivity to a point where the areas right under and near the boat are a little washed out - That will give you a good picture of grass further out when you come across it.  Idle the areas you're searching, drop waypoints on the edges of grass you see on SI.  You'll probably also find submerged laydowns, rocks, and other cover that's worth a waypoint.  

 

I'm also a Lowrance user (HDS 9's) and this is what works for me...Lowrance unfortunately is not as good at shallow water scanning as HB (I ran HB previously), but with some practice you can dial it in to show you essentially the same thing.

 

One thing though, you'll want the SI unit mounted on the console...You can use it up front but it will be way more effective and efficient when mounted at the console.  It's not overkill because it's definitely useful, you fish the Potomac and Bay so I'm sure you know how valuable it is to know where grass is - especially when you can't see it on the surface .  

 

FYI, when you go to a lake and look for 'real' structure/cover, you'll need to change the settings a little bit...Setting it up to find shallow grass will give you poor results in deeper water and harder bottoms.  

Thank you a ton. This was the type of break down I was looking for. I had a feeling I would end up needing to move the unit to the console but just wanted a second opinion from someone who knows what they are talking about lol. 

[GaryH]

12 hours ago, Logan S said:

My primary usage on the Potomac and Bay for side imaging is finding grass that hasn't reached the surface.  Keep the range at 60 to 100 feet and set the contrast/sensitivity to a point where the areas right under and near the boat are a little washed out - That will give you a good picture of grass further out when you come across it.  Idle the areas you're searching, drop waypoints on the edges of grass you see on SI.  You'll probably also find submerged laydowns, rocks, and other cover that's worth a waypoint.  

 

I'm also a Lowrance user (HDS 9's) and this is what works for me...Lowrance unfortunately is not as good at shallow water scanning as HB (I ran HB previously), but with some practice you can dial it in to show you essentially the same thing.

 

One thing though, you'll want the SI unit mounted on the console...You can use it up front but it will be way more effective and efficient when mounted at the console.  It's not overkill because it's definitely useful, you fish the Potomac and Bay so I'm sure you know how valuable it is to know where grass is - especially when you can't see it on the surface .  

 

FYI, when you go to a lake and look for 'real' structure/cover, you'll need to change the settings a little bit...Setting it up to find shallow grass will give you poor results in deeper water and harder bottoms.  

Great advice. Spot on.