Thread: Side Imaging in shallow lakes

How good do side imaging units work in shallow lakes? The lake I normally fish is 9'-10' deep on average. How far out to the sides can I expect a side imaging unit see? Trying to figure out if it would be worth the cost for shallow lakes. Thanks.

This time of year, I use mine in shallow water of <4 feet a lot. I keep the distance around 50-80 feet. I'm looking for structure. 50-80 seems to give me decent resolution for what I'm doing.

So, in 4' of water the unit will "see" 50'-80'?

Originally Posted by sah

So, in 4' of water the unit will "see" 50'-80'?

Might see further. This range is my preference most of the time.

Originally Posted by sah

So, in 4' of water the unit will "see" 50'-80'?

That would be 100'-160' in 4' of water or less, if what he's saying is true. I would think that if you had 160ft of 4ft water, the probability of getting useful information goes down a little. Any rise in the bottom or even structure in water that shallow will stop your scan.

In no way am I saying it doesn't work well, I'm just saying the limitations get compounded in water that shallow.

Originally Posted by mduncan62

That would be 100'-160' in 4' of water or less, if what he's saying is true. I would think that if you had 160ft of 4ft water, the probability of getting useful information goes down a little. Any rise in the bottom or even structure in water that shallow will stop your scan.

In no way am I saying it doesn't work well, I'm just saying the limitations get compounded in water that shallow.

I disagree.

If I see a light area farther out, then I know that the water get shallower, maybe a hump. If I see a dark area, I might have a depression. Those are changes that fish sometimes like to hang out in.

That's useful information.

Originally Posted by Stymie

Those are changes that fish sometimes like to hang out in.

That's useful information.

Agreed

I have caught more fish of all the major species(BY FAR) from a 1 foot depressed area (maybe 10x 20 yards) in one bay than the entire rest of that bay - including the mouth - Maybe a 9-1 difference.

Originally Posted by Stymie

I disagree.

If I see a light area farther out, then I know that the water get shallower, maybe a hump. If I see a dark area, I might have a depression. Those are changes that fish sometimes like to hang out in.

That's useful information.

Agreed to a certain point. The deeper the water, the further and clearer your scan will be.

If your transducer is in 5 feet of water and 20 ft the right of the boat there's a hump that raises up 3 feet, are you going to tell me that you are going to get useful data past that hump? Not going to happen. If that area also had tons of stumps that are just under the water or close to it, your scans aren't going to go very far.

If you are getting true 180ft scans in 5 ft of water, please record them and show us.

And Wasilver, how deep of water are you scanning in the bay?

mine give me a real good look. there is a 2' difference between the transom mounted and the bow mounted on the trolling motor. i have one set at 110' and the other at 150'. your cursor will tell you distance from boat and i'm working on depth at cursor. bigger screens are better.

Do to the shape of the 455khz vs the 800 khz sonar beam...I use the 455 in very shallow water....(5ft or less)...

Read here...
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/fishi...am-shapes.html

Rickie