Is the down imaging considered a fish finding process like the basic sonar? Or is it really for viewing structure and bottom contour? I am learning to use my 570 DI a little better each time out but some things just aren't clear to me yet. I seem to be finding fish pretty regularly now sticking with the sonar setting and views, but they just aren't showing up well on the down imaging views.

I'm most likely going to be fishing a new lake that is relatively shallow, 16-18' at the deepest. With the sonar I'll only be seeing around 5-6' at that depth, less in the shallower areas obviously. I'm hoping the DI wider, narrower beam will cover more ground for me for locating purposes, but since I'm not really seeing the fish on the DI, I won't know when I've passed over them.

This unit doesn't show stuff like I see in the top SI/DI forum pictures. Not even close. But I'm getting happier and happier with the sonar results.

I'd appreciate some thoughts and sugggestions, but go easy on this beginner, please!