New Side Scan and Electronics

I recently got some great new electronics with MEGA+ side imaging that I can’t wait to use. My plan is to Side scan, mark via gps, circle back to verify with Down imaging and throw a buoy and then fish.(sorry, don’t have a GPS trolling motor with I-pilot or I-pilot link yet.

what is advice that you all have with the new equipment? I was thinking about focusing mostly on my cove(which is big) so see everything that is there in different spots, depths, etc. but of course I am pulled to just get out there and go rogue and see what I can find.

What do you all suggest?

thanks!

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Originally Posted by mooretg1980

I recently got some great new electronics with MEGA+ side imaging that I can’t wait to use. My plan is to Side scan, mark via gps, circle back to verify with Down imaging and throw a buoy and then fish.(sorry, don’t have a GPS trolling motor with I-pilot or I-pilot link yet.

what is advice that you all have with the new equipment? I was thinking about focusing mostly on my cove(which is big) so see everything that is there in different spots, depths, etc. but of course I am pulled to just get out there and go rogue and see what I can find.

What do you all suggest?

thanks!

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go out with nothing but the manual (no fishing poles)and go through every page, learn every menu item on every screen. the better u get with it the more fish you will catch. so many people around with 10,000 of equipment and dont know how to use it effectively. get the manufacturer tech support on your cell and call with questions, watch video on you tube etc. dont be surprised if it takes a 1/2 day or more depending on your set up

and be prepared for several folks to stop and make sure you are ok......... if you are in a area with any other people or boats, I was resting chest down on the front butt seat study things and making settings adjustments, sure it looked strange and appreciated the concern.

I like Huskers advice and tried it not. When I got mine and still worked which meant I did not get to fish a lot when I got on the water I fished when I found fish. But I am terrible about new tech I have a smart phone but other than calling and a little text I still do not know much about it. The one thing I found was each fish finder will read structure differently and knowing when your finder is telling you the truth and lying is a learning curve.

Time on the waters the best teacher.
If you can stand it, leaving the poles home for 1 trip, will keep you focused.
Post us some pics.
Which units did you get?


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If you get a chance to go to the Grizzly Jig Spring Show, Humminbird factory reps put on a great presentation on how to use and interpret side scan/down scan. Even if you run Lowrance or Garmin, it is very informative since most side scans work the same. Plus if you have Humminbird units, you can bring those with you and they will put the latest factory updates in them for free.

will they have lowrance reps there as well?

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Originally Posted by hdhntr

will they have lowrance reps there as well?

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Usually just Humminbird since Grizzly is a Humminbird dealer

try trolling and throwing buoys as you are side scanning then go back with di and see how close your toss was to your target. This is something I was taught and it will really give you an excellent gauge for distances and screen speed. It also allows me to focus on keeping the boat moving the correct speed and direction while im side scanning vs. trying to pan and zoom on the screen. I scan at 3mph and can mark targets with a bouy toss plus or minus 5 ft with great consistency. Best of luck.

Youtube has some great how to videos. Good luck

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I use waypoints instead of buoys. Sometimes I wish I had dropped one, but I don't really like fooling with them, have had them blow away, tangle, whatever too many times.

With SI, you can move the cursor over to whatever you marked and want to fish, then drop a waypoint on it. Circle back and fish it. Works real slick if your bow and console unit are linked.

Not sure what lake you fish but get a lake master map. The detail of the map on the HB has helped me understand where fish will be and how to find them in different parts of the lake quicker.


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As mentioned above learn everything you can about them! Learn how to make adjustments, which color palettes work best. One thing I was told that rings true is you will always have to readjust depending on the day and water conditions to get the best picture. Stay on the sensitivity adjustments and that will help you see things better. Check out Doug Vahrenbergs youtube channel I've learned alot from watching his videos.