my kayak fish finder is getting JANKY, what was it like fishing without one?

[Darth-Baiter]

the thermometer is way off.  just an entry level Hook Revel-5.  simple.  I can still see time, depth.  my friend can park over a bush with his updated unit and say, "hey, I see a bush!".  I can grab the side of his kayak and lock to him and I dont see the bush.  hahah.

 

while I troubleshoot...could be my weakening batteries, to anything at this point.   it can still show the occasional blip on the bottom. hahhah.  but I can still find fish.  I just cast to usual suspects for the season.  I assume winter is the most challenging and a good fish-finder is really appreciated.  

 

but spring summer, I know the haunts.  shoreline, mats, etc.  

 

what was it like when there was only old school fish finders..or none?  there were no winter giants taken?  

 

I will buy a new fish finder later,  maybe next year.  I have spent enough (for fishing) this year, and it is only Feb.  I know I will have fun and success this spring and summer at least.  

[BrianMDTX]

I don’t have one. No place for one on my small inflatable. 
 

You fish where you think the bass are at. Dropoffs, points, logs, standing timber, overhanging tree limbs, grass. I may not catch as many bass as those with fish finders, but I still catch ‘em. 

[A-Jay]

what was it like when there was only old school fish finders..or none?

 

Bassheads who have been there & done that, will all have their own version of what it was or maybe even is, like to fish without ANY electronics or even the earliest bare bones models.

Without anything, for me, there was a lot of triangulation, a lot of fishing memories rather than the conditions and some long stretches of going without a bite.  I always started fishing for bass way too late in the season and stopped way to early.  Bottom contact baits were my 'fish finders' for a Loooong time.  Finding drops, humps, holes, hard & soft bottoms, as well as weeds, wood, rocks and other types of cover, often not exactly identified.  Just knew they held fish. 

 

Reality is, I could 'get by' with a depth finder and some half way decent mapping. 

GPS was cool when it first came out but lacked the accuracy we see now. 

 

Finally, having no electronics made night fishing - night fishing.

https://youtu.be/r6E1WCWedPc?t=629

A-Jay

[flyfisher]

I read maps and looked for any sign on the water that would indicate bottom conditions and contour. Another key bait for me was a carolina rig that i could drag along and feel the differences easier than any other bait.  I hated it which is probably why I don't bother with them any more.  I was definitely more of a bank beater and now not as much.

[Team9nine]

1 hour ago, Darth-Baiter said:

what was it like when there was only old school fish finders..or none?

It was great, much better than today in many respects…and we still caught fish - lots of them.

 

…And before flashers…

 

 

 

[stratos4me]

Fishfinders aren't necessary for many techniques, especially if you have a topo map or know the lake.  If you're fishing near shore just assume that whatever you see on shore continues underwater. Concentrate on good structure, changes, etc.

[TnRiver46]

Just cast around , you’ll find em. Two of my buddies that fished with me yesterday were just enjoying the sunshine and not even casting much (granted there were whitecaps….) 

 

john Cox makes big money on the BASS elite series, mostly with his units turned off. Wacky rig, jig, crankbait. He throws shallow and they eat 

 

I catch some nice fish while standing on a rock still to this very day, oh the humanity 

[Johnbt]

I still find it more enjoyable to watch the water and the birds and beavers and otters and such than to sit with my eyes glued to the screen.