Explain to me the meaning of boat control, when it comes to livescope.
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Explain to me the meaning of boat control, when it comes to livescope.
For me, having my LS transducer on my TM shaft, "boat control" is 90% of the equation. My boat drifts easily, in almost no wind, so I try and approach an area from downwind as often as possible. Scanning out to 40-60ft I look to find cover, structure, baitfish schools, and schools of fish. Any "new" cover found is punched in on my Hook 7, which is set on map of the lake. As my target gets within range (40ft out) I'll take my foot off the TM and slow my approach ... flipping my jigs to the target area once it is in the 20-25ft range. I'll bump the TM only if needed to stay at that distance, otherwise turning the TM (as needed) to keep the target in the middle of the LS ping while NOT stepping on the "go" button, unless needed to correct my position or distance.
(I have a 5spd 12v 43# thrust MotorGuide)
Which reminds me ... I need to tighten the adjustment screw on my foot pedal, as it swings too easily to one side. :check
All in all, "boat control" is simply getting & keeping the boat in a position that's within casting range of your target.
I use a separate pole for my unit. I set it to scan 50ft and start pitching jigs once I within 25ft of fish or cover. I always approach upwind because it gives me the most boat control.
Separate pole for live sonar (Active Target) with a spot lock TM.
Separate pole here. I scan at 60 feet & go down in distance as i get closer & usually fish from 30 to 15 feet if the fish are not to spooky.
Separate pole here. I scan at 60 feet & go down in distance as i get closer & usually fish down wind most times from 30 to 15 feet if the fish are not to spooky. I may have to bump it over sometimes but i try hard to stay off of them without causing a bunch of commotion or disturbance from the trolling motor. If spotlocking don't bother the fish that's what i do.
Have not tried a separate pole yet. Would like to see a Livescanner in action some day. I guess if I had to say the most important aspect of boat control when Livescoping would be being able to move fast and stop on a dime. That's why my son and I both use tandem trolling motors mounted on the back of our boats. The props are turned so the trolling motors are pointed out the back of the boat. they are controlled with a Bigfoot button up front to activate them. With this set up, we can search for fish with our Ultrex's on 7 to 10 speed at over 2 MPH! when we see big crappie we can touch the button for the back up motors and stop almost on a dime.
I use the Rite Hite Turret but before that a PoDunk that is a separate pole.
Never had on trolling motor shaft.
Regardless you need to be in position before you pitch or drop on a fish.
I run screen on 20 to 30 feet depending on wind an how the fish are reacting that day. Some days they are more spooky than other days. I hardly ever drop straight down on them unless I am fishing deep. Let target get in the 12 to 15 range and pitch about 25 ft beyond them. Leave bail open and let jig fall to depth just above target fish then begin a slow retrieval just above target. When dropping straight on them stop about 3 foot above the fish and watch for a reaction and then finesse the jig on down slowly to target fish.
Fishing roaming fish is a whole different story.
My 2cents.
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I use a separate pole for ML and Terrova with I-Pilot Link and spot lock.
Boat control- It's easier to work into the wind. Although I prefer to work downstream, down current. Fish face into the current to watch for food. Best if the current is running opposite the wind. But that isn't always the case.
If your out of the current, run into the wind.
Although, you could cast over the fish and pull the bait back towards you, and in there face.
I tried the extra pole thing an hated it. I know people that love them but I've never seen a crappie guide or bass professional that use the extra pole, all have the transducer on the shaft of their trolling motor. A lot of bass pros use Active Target now also.
To Me - Boat control is being able the keep the boat positioned as you wish while being able to control the trolling motor and keep the transducer on the target. When you do need to change position/direction of the trolling motor, to have the skill to get the transducer pointed back at the target quickly, My $.02. :twocents
All that being said it's rare to see a crappie guide or bass pro use spot-lock to actually fish. They use it when they catch one, re-tie and other things so they don't drift off the spot/area.
I use a separate pole for the scope.. no spot lock here, just use a rope or anchor and pull against it with my motor or trolling motor to hold my position.
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Got my Garmin livescope over the summer. It is mounted on trolling motor shaft. The Garmin product is exceptional, but when setup on the trolling motor shaft, you can forget using both spot lock and livescope. When the trolling motor rotates to maintain position back and forth, livescope cannot stay on what you are fishing, so it's ineffective. All that money in electronics and still using marker buoys. I'd be interested in hearing feedback from someone with livescope on separate pole.
I have Active Target on a separate pole. First time out using spotlock with transducer mounted on TM I decided that wasn't gonna work. Got home and ordered a Rite-Hite Turret. Wouldn't do without it now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Warchief23
Thank you for the info speckfinder! I'll give it a look!Quote:
Originally Posted by speckfinder
So was that unexpected? :donoQuote:
Originally Posted by Warchief23
Right now I only have LS on trolling motor. If it is only a steady, 5 mph wind or so, I can spotlock on a close brushpile and the Livescope will gently fan back and forth across the top. Not ideal, but doable. More often than not I find myself just holding in place with the trolling motor aimed at the structure and only spotlock to remove a fish, change baits, ect.
Mine's mounted on a separate pvc pole & personally i wouldn't have it any other way except maybe a fishing specialties pole.
Moping is mounted on my terrova. I tried the fishing specialties pole and it was too much to deal with. I wouldn’t have mine mounted any other way than the trolling motor.
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The number one used livescope related item for sale is the hand held poles. You either love 'em or hate 'em. There's definitely a time or place for one. I would like to try one for throwing cork rigs over brushpiles.
When I first got the boat that I have that has Live scope it was on the trolling motor shaft !
i fish a big lake with lots current and wind ! I absolutely hated it .
i bought the fishing specialities pole and absolutely love it ! Very easy to put on and take off within seconds !
i now do a lot of scanning with the live scope set out to about 70’ and it’s so much easier having the pole to move with my hand than trying to zig zag all over the lake can cover so much more water at much faster pace! And here is the reason I now scan with the live scope !
Attachment 451765I found this spot while using live scope the top picture is what it looks like on down image and I didn’t see the school
of fish on the down image picture until I was was studying the picture later I wouldn’t have fished this had I just found it on the down image that day !
Glad I found it on the scope I put 15 in the boat in a hurry then it was off to work !
Attachment 451766
Sent you a PMQuote:
Originally Posted by speckfinder
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I have my ls transducer on a aluminum pole and mounts I made and use a mk foot controlled trolling motor. I also have mk 15 ft talons on the boat. When fishing a brush pile that has fish, I just anchor 20-25ft upwind of it and set there and search it out. Works pretty good even in pretty good wind. When I am out in open deep water chasing a suspended school I just try to keep the tm pulling into the wind to maintain my distance and position. It gets a little more tricky the stronger the wind, but I am still able to keep the ls searching and be casting to them. I ordered MK ulterra back during 2020 and it kept being back ordered. Thought I really wanted the spot lock and other features, but then decided to go with talons. Not so sure I want spot lock now, but may still put one on the boat in the future. Chasing the schools can be a little more searching activity sometimes, as they move a lot faster in cold water than I had always believed. I have never thought I wanted ls mounted on the tm.
One thing I have learned with ls is how easily a school of crappie can spook from the tm. Got to keep some distance.