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You thought you needed forward-facing sonar to catch more fish, so you bought a unit and had it installed. Then you went to the lake, only to find that operating forward-facing sonar looked a lot easier on YouTube. Sound familiar?
This is the typical answer I get from most of my clients if they hire me to set up their units and show them how forward-facing sonar works. They want to know how to interpret the information on the screen and navigate the many settings on the unit. It can be intimidating at first, but with these seven tips, you can use FFS with confidence.
Start with automatic settings
Chad Morgenthaler
I believe that manufacturers have done their best to simplify FFS operations. The units have automatic settings for anglers who want to turn the unit on and fish. The automatic setting does a good job of generating a readable image. Of course, it is not an all-in-one solution, but I highly recommend this for beginners and newbies.
They also come standard with a factory default setting in case the wrong button or menu option is selected. The default setting is a lifeline for the “button pusher” — an angler looking for a setting or option that simply doesn’t exist and has no idea how to clean up his mess.
Forward-looking sonar settings
Chad Morgenthaler
Below are some basic settings that I start with on my Garmin devices, along with an explanation of what each setting does.
Earn
Gain is the sensitivity or volume. Too little and you can’t see, too much and it creates static and blurry photos. I have mine set to 55 to 65 percent.
Forward reach
A forward range of 80 to 100 feet is perfect for medium casts. Pan fishermen usually use 40 to 50 feet.
Depth range
Set the depth range to auto or 5 to 10 feet deeper than the intended depth. Basically you want as much screen as possible (top to bottom) and as little of the lake bottom as possible (bottom to top). This minimizes condensation from objects and fish.
Color Enhancement
Set the color boost to 85 to 100 percent. This setting makes images stand out. Use a lower setting (85 percent) for shallow conditions (15 feet or less) and 100 percent for 15 feet or deeper.
Noise reduction
This is a filter setting. It produces a clearer image, but can also mask objects and fish. How you set it depends on the location of the transducer and the type of trolling motor. Keep in mind that a lower setting will produce the most detail.
Time-Varying Gain (TVG)
This is also a filter setting. This setting lets the device make corrections as it sees fit. I prefer to make my own adjustments and turn TVG off.
Color schemes
The color scheme (also called color palette) changes the display color. I prefer black emerald or blue. I like that the blue setting uses multiple colors and helps with separation.
Please note that this setting is strictly dependent on the angler’s preferences, so try them all and see which one works best for you.
Stabilization or AHRS
If you experience rough water, this setting will smooth out the screen image. In most cases, keep this setting off to eliminate the screen ripple issue that requires the unit to be turned off to reset. Note that when turning off AHRS/Stabilization, the default setting should be selected as your new tilt angle in most situations.
Color scheme and distance settings for perspective and forward modes
I prefer a soft palette like aqua when using perspective mode and blue or black emerald for forward mode. Distance settings are key. I use 30 to 50 feet in perspective and 80 to 100 feet in forward.
Selecting the wrong color palette and distance setting can condense objects and create a blurry image.
Read more: Best fish finders
Transducer mounting
Chad Morgenthaler
Perspective mode allows anglers to find objects in shallow water. This mode helps find fish habitats and structure more efficiently in depths of 15 feet or less.
Forward mode allows anglers to also find habitat and structure, but covers deeper depths of 15 feet or more. Forward mode also allows for greater distances. I usually keep my unit set to 80 feet because an average cast is 80 to 100 feet in distance.
A universal axle mount is the best option if an angler wants to use both perspective and forward modes with the same transducer.
For forward mode only, it is best to mount the transducer on the trolling motor shaft. The foot pedal that controls the trolling motor then also controls the forward-facing sonar.
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Chad Morgenthaler
I move my transducer back and forth while constantly sweeping the ground. As I do this, I change my angle. This gives me a new look at the objects in the sonar beam. This approach also covers a larger area and quickly reveals clues about where fish are located.
Most anglers either go too slow or stay in one spot, giving off a constant signal. The constant “ping” of the sonar can put fish on high alert, resulting in a change in their behavior. This can cause them to not bite or not respond to the bait. Sometimes they will move away from the area altogether to avoid the ping.
Forward-facing sonar is a tool. Use it to locate fish when possible, then go into stealth mode by sweeping the beam away from the target. As mentioned, fish are very sensitive to the sonar ping, so make sure to put all other units to sleep when not in use, or just turn them off completely.
Catching fish
The latest forward-facing sonar rods, reels and lures are designed to make fast, accurate casts. That’s because accurate casts make a big difference. Forward mode produces a very narrow beam—about 2 to 3 feet wide. If your lure isn’t landing where the beam is aimed, forward-facing sonar won’t be effective.
With practice you will eventually know what a 20 meter throw feels like and 95 percent of the time you will place the throw inside the bar.
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Understanding the Power of Forward-Facing Sonar
The beauty of forward-facing sonar is that anglers can see what is happening in real time. Anglers can see how a fish reacts to a lure, retrieve and presentation.
My first experience was with an A-rig in 38 degree water. Instead of the usual slow retrieve that I thought was necessary to trigger a bite, I literally had to retrieve as fast as possible to trigger a reaction. Seeing this happen on the screen taught me that water temperature didn’t play as big a role as I had previously thought. This was definitely an “aha” moment.
Final thoughts
It will take you several trips and some experimenting to get the hang of your new electronics, but with some dedication and the tips above, it will be a tool that will teach you about fish behavior and help you catch more fish.
The post 7 Tips for Forward-Facing Sonar: Settings, Mounting, and Techniques Explained appeared first on Outdoor Life.
Chad Morgenthaler
