Getting a fish tracker can be a real game changer and will help you enjoy your fishing trips even more. There are two options of imaging that you can choose from while picking a device that will suit your needs. You can check this side vs down imaging guide from FindYourFish.net experts to learn more about both types of trackers. In this article, we will focus on side imaging and share useful tricks with you that can help you to enjoy your device to the fullest.
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Experiment with Color Palettes
Your device can display what happens under water on a screen. You might need a little bit of time to learn what everything means. Try to experiment with different color palettes, to find which one suits you best. Depending on the color palette you choose, various objects such as gravel, rocks, clay points, etc., will look a bit different.
Choose One Side or Another
Instead of looking at both sides at the same time, use the option to check only either the left or right side of the screening. By doing so, you can see more details from the sonar data. Thanks to this, you can maximize what you see and be sure that you won’t miss the jackpot. This option is especially handy when you are fishing close to the shore.
Limit Your Scan Range
Although some side imaging devices can scan a range of 300 feet, you should scan a much smaller area. Thanks to this, you can see more details and better understand the proportions of the water and surrounding area.
Experts recommend scanning the range three times the water’s depth. In case you scan in very shallow water, your minimum scan range should be about 50 feet.
Remember that the larger the area you are scanning, the smaller everything is from perspective and, because of that, the image might lose some details. That is especially important to remember if you are using a small screen.
If you set your scan range too far, you will most likely lose critical information. Additionally, the area that is farthest away can appear on the screen as a black spot.
Be Sure That the Chart Speed Matches the Boat Speed
To get a good and clear image on your fish finder, you need to match the boat’s speed and the chart speed. You can do it by going to the chart speed setting on your device. You can set the chart speed to three or four. Be sure that you keep the speed of your vessel the same.
If your boat is faster or slower than the chart speed, the image you get will be distorted. Additionally, when you move too slow, the image can be elongated, and you might get confused about the size of the fish you are looking at.
Remember that the more accurate is the image on the screen, the more likely you are to catch a fish. Be sure to follow the advice mentioned above to get the best out of your side imaging fish finder.
