h'bird mega in very fertile water

[BBug]

Hey all,

I have a Mega DI/SI Helix 12 that I run on my console that was somewhat new to me last summer. By the time I started really trying to learn the unit, the water was extremely green with an algae bloom and I just found myself in a struggle of should I be fishing or learning the unit. I was getting so much bounce from all of the junk floating around, that the screen was a mess. I tried adjusting contrast above the sensitivity and below. I tried setting the sensitivity around 13 and working my way down. I was never really able to get the view that I wanted. My question is this, Is it possible to get a nice clear view of whats down there and should I be able to pick up small detail when it is dialed in, in "pea soup" water? If it is possible, I guess I will just take a day or whatever it takes, and figure out what settings work.

Thanks

[slonezp]

Unfortunately you just kinda have to deal with it. I've said this before but it's been some time now. Are you looking for pretty pictures or are you looking for fish, cover, and structure? If you lessen the sensitivity to not see dead vegetation and algae blooms, you lessen the sensitivity for everything. Try getting out before the algae blooms to get clear views of the structure and then mark waypoints. Remember, you're trying to catch fish, not watch a HD movie.

[BBug]

Thank you

I totally understand the get out early thing. I moved from OH to MN and was unable to get my boat out here until the lakes were full bloom. Then I added the H12 with the idea of learning more about the lakes around me. I was able to get a vague idea of what I was dealing with however, bottom hardness and fine detail, I was not able to make the adjustments to see these. With limited amount of time on the water to start with, and having my son who was really starting to get into fishing, I found it more important to catch some fish then to spend time figuring out the unit. I have told him but not been able to show him what can happen if you find them on some obscure piece of cover or structure. Now that school has somewhat open, I plan to take some spare time to do exactly what you recommended.

Thanks

[BBug]

 So, it stands to reason that with the forward facing units like livescope, one is less likely to be able to see fish on this thicker water too. Or, is it a different animal, being able to cut thru to pick up the smaller detail?

[Team9nine]

If you’re not already, you might try running in Clear Mode (instead of Max Mode) and playing with settings to see if that helps. It will take out the majority of the weak signal clutter you typically get on your screen.

[BBug]

I will check my settings to see where it is on that. Thanks

[slonezp]

11 hours ago, Team9nine said:

If you’re not already, you might try running in Clear Mode (instead of Max Mode) and playing with settings to see if that helps. It will take out the majority of the weak signal clutter you typically get on your screen.

On my Legacy units (1198/1199) I never had luck with clear mode.

[Team9nine]

6 minutes ago, slonezp said:

On my Legacy units (1198/1199) I never had luck with clear mode.

 

Just something to try. On mine (998/999) it makes a big difference with clearing the screen and clutter, but I almost always run Max Mode myself - but I'm not in pea green soup, either. 

[slonezp]

22 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

 

Just something to try. On mine (998/999) it makes a big difference with clearing the screen and clutter, but I almost always run Max Mode myself - but I'm not in pea green soup, either. 

Lund is gone a month ago, nothing more for me to try. I just bought a Garmin Echomap unit for my in between boat. I paid more for the graph than I did for the boat.