Forward scanning sonar for bass fishing

[TnRiver46]

18 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

 The stand alone turret with smash buttons for directional control is worth the $$. 

Relatively speaking. If it extracted the fish, filleted them, and fried them it still wouldn’t be worth the $ to me 

 

[FryDog62]

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

 

When you work it out, post some pictures of your setup here.  I'm not sure if I'd love to have it or hate having it on my autopilot.  I love my helix but it can't do 360 or anything live.  I'm looking $2500 or so to get one or the other when you factor in the new head unit so its isn't a simple go for it.  I would love to try it and see how it works on my waters, but I don't know anyone here that has it so that's out.  

Funny, I've been working on it just today... getting stuff off my bass boat which is in storage now, order additional parts, etc.  

 

I am doing this in phases - Helix 7 last year, phase 2 is the Helix 7 plus the Garmin 1042 off my bass boat + Livescope Plus this year. If all goes well, I may swap out the Helix 7 for the Helix 10/360 off my bass boat next year.  

 

All in phases, but I'm encouraged to try... why not, all my expensive fishing stuff just sits 7 months of the year here in Minnesnowta.

 

Will try to remember to post pics in January of the new Phase 2 set up...  

[gim]

10 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Relatively speaking. If it extracted the fish, filleted them, and fried them it still wouldn’t be worth the $ to me 

 

Especially since it would likely rust in a short period of time too!

[TnRiver46]

Just now, gimruis said:

Especially since it would likely rust in a short period of time too!

Somehow I’ve never had a depth finder rust. Did get a little blue corrosion on a plug once 

[FryDog62]

50 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

Just a note from a users perspective.  If you can swing it, buy the separate trolling motor mount that doesn’t attach the transducer to the trolling motor shaft itself.  If attached to the tm shaft, it renders the unit less effective with spot lock engaged or if you are casting in a direction the tm is not pointed to.  The stand alone turret with smash buttons for directional control is worth the $$. 

I just bought the separate pole (Fishing Specialities) for my kayak and so the Livescope transducer won't be on the trolling motor for the first time for me. It will definitely be helpful to be able to move/position the Livescope transducer when in spot-lock mode!  

 

A second benefit I'm also hearing from people that you get a much better forward view with the separate pole. The reason is that when mounted to the trolling motor, the transducer has to be tilted at 8 degrees off center to avoid visual interference from the trolling motor.  I've noticed sometimes with that set up on my bass boat that its hard to get a clear angle on structure, lure, baitfish, etc at times.

 

However, if mounted on a separate pole, there is no degree offset needed and you get a clear, straight, unobstructed view. If its as good as I hear on my kayak this winter, I am definitely thinking of switching my bass boat to a straight pole as well next summer.  

 

It will also be interesting to see the difference between the LVS32 transducer on my bass boat versus the new LVS34 on my kayak.  I hear the ability to distinguish cover, fish... or fish mixed in the cover with LVS34 is quite a bit better.  Give me a month or two and I'll try to post my findings with that too. 

 

Only 27 days, 17 hours and 18 minutes until I leave the frozen tundra... but whose counting?!?

[rboat]

I think it would be neat to see what's in the lake like structures and stuff, but seeing a fish on sonar and casting and catching it just feels wrong. Nature no longer stands a chance. Figuring out where they might be is the fun part of the puzzle known as fishing. My fondest memories is fishing with my father in an old rented sears gamefisher metal v hull with an old 5hp pull start Johnson on it. No electronics, not even a cell phone for photos. We caught fish almost every time out. Times change, I get that, I now have a small older glass bass boat, 2 stroke, and TM, I still catch bass almost every time out. Fishing is quiet away time in nature. I don't need any electronic screens to have fun. I am not whining or jealous, to each his own. I believe technology changed it from fishing to catching and removed some of the sporting nature involved. Technology does not always make things better.

 

[WRB]

Bumped this older thread because of the 2021 dated replies are worth reading.

Tom

[TnRiver46]

John Soukup is one of the best with FFS and he came in nearly last in the elite series

 

Conversely john cox has yet to use FFS in a tournament and he stays near the top

 

theres a bit more to it than just turning it on and catching fish