Thread: Side Scan - finding fish beds

Has anyone used the side scan to actually find fish beds or is this just a marketing gimmick used by the Sonar manufacturers?

Mine new gen 3 is ordered but not delivered yet but I don't expect to spot beds in shallow water - too much clutter to see much of anything I would guess. It would be nice to hear from those who have tried tho.

Originally Posted by OnDaHill

Has anyone used the side scan to actually find fish beds or is this just a marketing gimmick used by the Sonar manufacturers?

it is my understanding that side scan is not good at locating fish, it is for locating structure. after the structure is located, you then can either use down imaging or 2d sonar, based on the quality and capability of your equipment, to actually locate fish on or around the structure. I have never actually seen where the manufacturer's have stated the side scan is for finding fish.

i have a lowrance hds7 touch with side scan and it is excellent for what it is supposed to do.

Originally Posted by ibmack

it is my understanding that side scan is not good at locating fish, it is for locating structure. after the structure is located, you then can either use down imaging or 2d sonar, based on the quality and capability of your equipment, to actually locate fish on or around the structure. I have never actually seen where the manufacturer's have stated the side scan is for finding fish.

i have a lowrance hds7 touch with side scan and it is excellent for what it is supposed to do.

Not to find fish, but fish beds. Some of the photos I've seen show indentions indicating the beds.

oops, my bad. read it as finding fish, not the structure of the beds.

My 997 shows gill beds very well. Was cruising in 4ft water looking for them and found them very clearly. Me and my brother had a good time catching them.

Originally Posted by chaunc

My 997 shows gill beds very well. Was cruising in 4ft water looking for them and found them very clearly. Me and my brother had a good time catching them.

that is good to know, never have really thought about trying to locate actual beds, but I am usually hunting for crappie structure, not brim beds.

Originally Posted by chaunc

My 997 shows gill beds very well. Was cruising in 4ft water looking for them and found them very clearly. Me and my brother had a good time catching them.

I have an 899. I find gill beds all the time! Sometimes in 10+ feet if water. It will also find fish too! Have to play with settings on each trip to different water. Sounds like a pain but after 2 minutes its dialed in for the water you are currently looking at.

Originally Posted by chaunc

My 997 shows gill beds very well. Was cruising in 4ft water looking for them and found them very clearly. Me and my brother had a good time catching them.

I experienced the same thing with my 899. The water was muddy so I wouldn't have seen them without the side scan. There was no mistaking what it was on the screen.

What was the clarity of that water chaunc? I am wondering if I can spot cypress knees in 4' of really low vis water.