What I Don't Like About New Advanced Depthfinders

[NCbassmaster4Life]

In my honest opinion if you have the money to upgrade do so, but where do you draw the line on the digital scale of technology. I understand the GPS and the L.E.D.fixture on a depth finder, but this 3d imaging of structure is ridiculous...you mine as well show how big the bass are and where they are located under the structure, I know someone is gonna say, "well depthfinders don't catch fish,the technique or the right set up does." Yes, but where do you draw the line from taking the sport or fun out of fishing...and I know the answer is, "well just don't get the equipment." I just need your thoughts.

[Fishing Rhino]

I have an image of a caveman telling his neighbor it's not sporting to use a pointed stick to harvest fish. A real man needs only his bare hands.

Draw the line where ever you like. That's what is great about fishing. Fish from shore, or fish from a boat. Use a handline, or use a rod and reel. Use a sounding lead with wax or grease filling the bottom depression so it can pick up mud, sand, gravel etc. It will tell you the type of bottom and the depth.

Some say using a net to land fish is not sporting. Others look down their nose at live bait. Where do you draw the line? We each decide for ourselves, not for others.

[ww2farmer]

For me the fun of fishing is catching fish. Anything I can buy that will help me catch more and bigger fish I buy, if I can afford it. If I can't afford it I go with out, but I don't take some ignorant, self-rightous stance , that because I can't afford, or don't understand the latest technology that it is some way way "not fair" or "un-sporting". What a load of crap.

[Crappiebasser]

I have 2 side imaging units and love having that advantage. I have a limited amount of time on the water and prefer to locate fish as quickly as possible to get the most out of every trip. I enjoy knowing there are fish in an area and then trying to figure out what lure/presentation combo it takes to get them to bite.

Unless you're fishing from the bank using a cane pole and a hook you carved out of bone you're being a little hypocritical.

[Diablos]

I love new technology. I'm just not sold on it yet.

It seems side imaging is awesome but not worth the money for me yet only fishing once a week.

Down imaging still seems a little clunky and varies depending on depth.

[scrutch]

In my honest opinion if you have the money to upgrade do so, but where do you draw the line on the digital scale of technology. I understand the GPS and the L.E.D.fixture on a depth finder, but this 3d imaging of structure is ridiculous...you mine as well show how big the bass are and where they are located under the structure, I know someone is gonna say, "well depthfinders don't catch fish,the technique or the right set up does." Yes, but where do you draw the line from taking the sport or fun out of fishing...and I know the answer is, "well just don't get the equipment." I just need your thoughts.

It would be interesting to hear your comments when you've gone out with the latest technology and fished all day and still got skunked.

Don't think it can happen to you? Hmmm.

[backpain...]

It is an interesting question.

My view comes from one who cannot afford the newest and greatest. I recently was able to get a gps on my sonar which opened up many new opportunities. I would love to have the new sidescan, downscan etc etc. But as far as drawing the line it is the same for anything else. It isn't what technology you have that is the problem, it is what you do with it. If it is used within the laws, and rules have at it.

[NCbassmaster4Life]

I agree with you backpain, GPS is great i'm just sayin that the new technology is eventually gonna take the fun out of the sport in my opinion. If you want you mine as well use a freakin underwater camera stick it down into the depths and use that to try and catch the fish...you know I still am old school I use topo maps and learn seasonal patterns of the bass,that my friends is what works for me and is fun....you can't catch em' all.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Well with 15' visibility in the main lake I fish I sight/target from shore quite often, better than any imaging device tool, still dont catch all the fish I see. So I would look at the SI DI as just extentions of my eyes and a tool to help equal the odds if I were to get one.

[Wayne P.]

Well with 15' visibility in the main lake I fish I sight/target from shore quite often, better than any imaging device tool, still dont catch all the fish I see. So I would look at the SI DI as just extentions of my eyes and a tool to help equal the odds if I were to get one.

Good analogy, I use Side Imaging to "sight" fish all year no matter what the depth or water color is.

[flipin4bass]

I use topo maps when they are available and when they are not, I will use sonar to get a picture of the bottom and to get depths. Once I know a lake I will not use sonar because I know it has an effect on fish behavoir and I catch more fish without it. However, I totally disagree with the assumption that it takes away from the enjoyment of fishing. Having knowledge of fish behavoir and knowing how structure and lake topography affects fish behavoir means the difference between a successful and enjoyable outing and just going out and "playing the slots," for lack of a better term. If you have a problem with spending the money on a good sonar unit, then by all means, learn to get by without it, but don't knock those who do use it.

[Wayne P.]

I use topo maps when they are available and when they are not, I will use sonar to get a picture of the bottom and to get depths. Once I know a lake I will not use sonar because I know it has an effect on fish behavoir and I catch more fish without it. However, I totally disagree with the assumption that it takes away from the enjoyment of fishing. Having knowledge of fish behavoir and knowing how structure and lake topography affects fish behavoir means the difference between a successful and enjoyable outing and just going out and "playing the slots," for lack of a better term. If you have a problem with spending the money on a good sonar unit, then by all means, learn to get by without it, but don't knock those who do use it.

There you go interjecting myth and superstition into this subject.

This is on the Lowrance web site:

"Although these frequencies are in the sound spectrum, they’re inaudible to both humans and fish. (You don’t have to worry about the sonar unit spooking the fish - they can’t hear it.)"

[Red]

If I could afford it, I would spend the money and put a sidescan on my 8' bass raider!!!! That woould cost more than the boat itself!!

Cliff

[flipin4bass]

There you go interjecting myth and superstition into this subject.

This is on the Lowrance web site:

"Although these frequencies are in the sound spectrum, they’re inaudible to both humans and fish. (You don’t have to worry about the sonar unit spooking the fish - they can’t hear it.)"

You're right Wayne, I take back what I said and restate that it is my humble opinion. I think I also stated that I use fish finders, but once I know the water where I'm fishing I turn them off. You're right, I should listen to a company who sells sonar, who better would know if sonar affects fish than a company that sells sonar. The marine biologists in my family will be shocked to learn of this new revelation from Lowrance. Why, I'm going to burn all those books I paid a lot of money for in college, how dare all those biologists and scientists who've lied to me all those years. Seriously though, when I get up in shallower water, it seems like I catch more fish when I have my sonar turned off. Thanks for keeping me straight on the facts Wayne.

[NCbassmaster4Life]

Thanks for you guy's responses.

[Wayne P.]

You're right Wayne, I take back what I said and restate that it is my humble opinion. I think I also stated that I use fish finders, but once I know the water where I'm fishing I turn them off. You're right, I should listen to a company who sells sonar, who better would know if sonar affects fish than a company that sells sonar. The marine biologists in my family will be shocked to learn of this new revelation from Lowrance. Why, I'm going to burn all those books I paid a lot of money for in college, how dare all those biologists and scientists who've lied to me all those years. Seriously though, when I get up in shallower water, it seems like I catch more fish when I have my sonar turned off. Thanks for keeping me straight on the facts Wayne.

Are you getting recreational sonar and military sonar confused in a fishing conversation? The frequency range and power is very different between the two.

[NCbassmaster4Life]

Are you getting recreational sonar and military sonar confused in a fishing conversation? The frequency range and power is very different between the two.

That's true...

[Packard]

Are you getting recreational sonar and military sonar confused in a fishing conversation? The frequency range and power is very different between the two.

I have heard that the fish can hear some sort of clicking noise from a few people on TV before. I don't know if it is true but flipin4bass has a point, you got your quote from LOWRANCE, the manufacturer isn't going to tell the full truth if any truth at all.

[ww2farmer]

Turn a normal 2D sonar unit on, then put your ear up to the transducer, you can hear it tick.

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

You guys had me interested so I looked around and basically this seems useful---

Most fish have a hearing range of 1 Hz to 1 kHz, humans from 10 Hz to 20 kHz. Most freshwater sonar operates from 50 kHz to 400 kHz. Humans might hear the transmit pulse that sounds like a click from the transducer.-----

What that clicking freq is IDK.

[backpain...]

If any of you fellers that have sidescan/downscan stuff and after reading this thread feel that your sport has been cheapened by such things by all means PM me and I will take your technology off of your hands!

Really, I think if it makes the sport "less fun" for someone they would sell it and move on. IMHO what others have or use has no bearing on what fun I have in the sport. When I started fishing it was a zebco 202 on a fiberglass pole and a can of crawlers. My son's experience is far more advanced than what I had but is it any less fun for him? I don't think so.

[J Francho]

Seriously though, when I get up in shallower water, it seems like I catch more fish when I have my sonar turned off.

I agree, and I can hear the clicking myself.

[Fishing Rhino]

What is it with the clicking? If it startles the fish, why do so many baits have rattles and clickers built in, not to mention the Carolina or is it the Texas rig with the bead (glass, brass and whatever else) clackers. What about the electronic "fish callers"?

Don't crawfish "click"? I've read that they do.

My guess is that while it may initially startle them, if it does at all, they quickly get used to it. However, I will shut down the electronics from time to time to see if it makes a noticable difference.

[J Francho]

What is it with the clicking?

It's mechanical? I'm just refuting that they are silent. Besides, never seen a transducer with hooks, let alone caught a fish on one, LOL.

[NCbassmaster4Life]

I agree on the scientific point of scaring the fish at a certain frequency but I have used deepthfinders to find structure and fish and I have caught them underneath the boat no problem. And the rattles used in baits is more for a reaction strike if anything also in murky water, bass do feed off of vibration.