Northwest Fishing Reports

Alright guys, mostly Marc. How do you use your finder? Do you use the fish ID on or off..

I am even lost on this one.
Other then never max out the sensitivity levels on the basic setting??#-o

I use mine both ways, 75% off, 25% on.

OFF: you get to see more than what the finder interpets
ON: Quick visual indicator.

They both have advantages

Hey guys, I don't use mine on my pontoon, but when big water fishing with my boat, I never use the ID anymore. The ID interprets the echo from the air bladder, so smaller fish, of fish say at 20' in 80' of water never show. Also, if you have alge that clumps and passes gas, it will also show as a fish on the ID function. On the other hand, if you know how to zoom the area of water you are looking for, you can easily see what is there and figure it out for yourself.

I suppose it all depends on the level of experience you have with fish finders and the quality of your finder.

Do you feel that when the fish ID is on that you are getting a clear interpertation of the bottom and of course fish?

I have a Humminbird 727 grayscale,, very clear but sometimes I feel the interpertation of actual fish could be misleading.

I usually have it turned off in freshwater as I'm more concerned with getting the best possible read on bottom type, dropoffs, weed bed edges. In the salt I use it only for halibut and on the bottom rock fish. If I'm salmon fishing I usually just crank up the gain and leave the fish marker off so I get the best read on bait schools. If salmon are around you get a heavy line or an arch around the bait.

Almost all the tubs we press onboard network centers and 12 inch RayMarine top of the line the standards and rule.

1. of them now sports a 32 inch LCD flatscreen = networked into the tub and electronics:thumleft: =d>
That being said they now have rear fish finders/depth only off the rear transom in the bang zone/fishing area and we fish big Kings deep=p~

We just use the (Garmin 400c fish and depth only) off the rear deck right by all the downriggers for pin pointing fish and the Key to all this is Purchase the P66 Tansducer:thumright the same one in the $10,000 stuff.

At times the bait and fish alarms are on other times we also turn down all the levels.

Do I trust all my Electronics and any buds I supported HECK YES I $$$ on them to be spot on 24-7 in any waters we press and we only use (BOATCANDO.COM) (Troy Mcginnis) My custom Downunder Boat electrician and expert:-$ from $ 250,000 builds and up:viking: :study: to the basic 22 fter this is the guy above all !

He uses the best products, materials, wire size, insulators and is MOBILE I have worked side by side with him NOT ONE BETTER in the industry at his costs!:-$
425-357-1427 [email protected] = boat install stud on almost everything!

One of the best resources and links I can give you guys.


Tell him the Swedester sent you and he will KO another $20 bucks off his hour labor rate.
We help and share much for many and network all over the map.:viking:

You will find that turning off the fish ID gives you the most detailed picture of what lies beneath your boat. The only way you will see fish arches, bait formations, thermoclines and underwater structure is by looking at the raw echo returns displayed on your screen. If your sonar manufacturer makes a demo video on how to use and read the finder, get it and watch it. The next best way is to get an experience user on your boat, or get on theirs, and have them show you the ropes. Once you figure out how to read the unit you'll wonder why they have a fish ID option at all.

Here is a link to the Lowrance tutorial on using their fishfinders. If you don't have a Lowrance, that's fine, most of it applies to all makes and models.

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Support/Tips ... -Tutorial/

Totally agree with G-Man. Yao will wonder why fish ID is even offered. When the fish ID is in opperation, all echos are represented by a lill fishie mark. The bigger the echo, the bigger the mark. With the ID off, the fish will show up as arches (if the air bladder is long enough). Here in Lake Chelan, the water is "Crystal" clear, and we have marked (and caught) Kokanee to depths of 100-130 feet. These guys were 10-14 inches, so not a big fish. Granted the Koks aren't showing up as nicely defined archs, but you can locate them. Also if a Mack is in the vicinity, you WILL see a nice arch. We've "arched" macks in 250 feet or so depths. I think it was Sweede who states the importance of watching the marked fish AND being able to quickly adjust the downrigger ball (bait) to correspond. Sure improves the catch ratio. When Wife and I are fishing for the Kokes here in Lake Chelan, the downrigger gets a heavier work out than our reels, always adjusting the depths. It is cool to watch an echo move up in the water column to investigate the weight, and hook up as the lure comes by. It's also dissapointing on the other side to watch an arch track the ball the slowly dissapear. But such is the art of fishing. The tutorials are a great resource, and spend time with your unit, and if the water is clear enough to watch the bottom and the echos, it is benificial.
Good luck with the interpretations.