subject: An Overview Of How Fishfinders Work [print this page] Fishfinders aren't just for big commercial fishing boats anymore. Anglers everywhere can use these sonar devices to take the guesswork out of finding great fishing spots. They're ideal for small boats and are quite affordable. Regardless of your environment, a locating device is a helpful piece of equipment to include with your fishing gear. Let's take a look at how fishfinders work.
Sonar signals are what allow these devices to work. The transducer that is mounted to your boat sends a signal below the craft. The signal is cone shaped. When the signal makes contact with objects like fish, weeds and other underwater structures, the signal or echo is sent back to the boat and is displayed as a chart on your screen. The power of the transducer will determine how long this process takes. As you can see, fishfinders are a great help to anglers because they'll never again waste time in an area where fish aren't feeding.
One of the most important features to look for in a fishfinder is a simple operating mechanism. Once you find a fishing spot that you think might be a winner, you need to be able to simply turn on the device and evaluate the depth and water temperature. The information should be accurate to approximately 600 feet and appear in the corner of the screen. Typically, the sonar chart will scroll and display what's directly beneath the boat as you drift or troll. The menu should let you fine tune the unit's sensitivity. When you're sitting still, the fish will appear as a straight line. However, although fishfinders can be amazingly accurate, sometimes branches and other debris can result in a false reading.
To get the most out of your device, you must determine which frequency to use. As a rule, you'll want to use a 83 kHz frequency in deep salt water, and 200 kHz in water that is less than 300 feet in depth. The 200 kHz frequency gives better detail and definition, but its depth penetration isn't as good.
Fishfinders are great tools but no piece of technology is a substitute for instinct. If you feel that your trophy catch is hiding in a certain spot, go ahead and hit it with everything you've got! As every avid angler knows, there's nothing like the thrill of a great catch.
