FISH FINDERS - How To Read Them - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

taggermike · 11-30-2015, 06:09 AM

If you have a buddy with a decent FF he can read well, doesn't have to by identical to yours but it helps, paddle along with him and compare what you see on yours vs his. You can get interfearance between units if your too close some times. If he's confident on what he is seeing you can match his settings or see what your unit reports while he's telling you what is actually under you. Don't know how many do this but it can provide direct real time knowledge. Mike.

Goose1993 · 11-30-2015, 07:07 AM

1. Catching my own bait and fishing for bottomfish. I normally fish along the kelp for bait which works well most of the time, but it's also nice to be able to move around looking for schools. Also helps to see the depth of them.

It's really important for when I fish the central coast for lings. I use the downscan imaging which gives a clearer picture of the bottom. The picture has some depth.

I normally leave it turned off when pulling a bait around for yellowtail on my kayak (to save battery for my bait tank) but always have it turned on when fishing off the boat. A lot of times you'll come over over a school without seeing the surface signs you're looking for.

2. Most important tools has to be the ability to see what's under you (obviously) and being able to have your coordinates.

Goose1993 · 11-30-2015, 07:08 AM

And use the really focused cone when you're bottom fishing looking at structure and use the broader cone when you're looking for fish swimming.

2-Stix · 11-30-2015, 07:51 AM

Learn how to change your settings and what they do. They play with them. One at a time. Get over bait kelp or the one time a dog is good...see how the FF reacts. You gotta spend time messing with it. It helps find bait and depths perfectly. Fish takes a little more work. Bigger fish bladder bigger marks. More yellow.

11-30-2015, 06:09 AM	#1
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	If you have a buddy with a decent FF he can read well, doesn't have to by identical to yours but it helps, paddle along with him and compare what you see on yours vs his. You can get interfearance between units if your too close some times. If he's confident on what he is seeing you can match his settings or see what your unit reports while he's telling you what is actually under you. Don't know how many do this but it can provide direct real time knowledge. Mike.

11-30-2015, 07:07 AM	#2
Goose1993 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 115	1. Catching my own bait and fishing for bottomfish. I normally fish along the kelp for bait which works well most of the time, but it's also nice to be able to move around looking for schools. Also helps to see the depth of them. It's really important for when I fish the central coast for lings. I use the downscan imaging which gives a clearer picture of the bottom. The picture has some depth. I normally leave it turned off when pulling a bait around for yellowtail on my kayak (to save battery for my bait tank) but always have it turned on when fishing off the boat. A lot of times you'll come over over a school without seeing the surface signs you're looking for. 2. Most important tools has to be the ability to see what's under you (obviously) and being able to have your coordinates.

11-30-2015, 07:08 AM	#3
Goose1993 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: San Diego Posts: 115	And use the really focused cone when you're bottom fishing looking at structure and use the broader cone when you're looking for fish swimming.

11-30-2015, 07:51 AM	#4
2-Stix Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 376	Learn how to change your settings and what they do. They play with them. One at a time. Get over bait kelp or the one time a dog is good...see how the FF reacts. You gotta spend time messing with it. It helps find bait and depths perfectly. Fish takes a little more work. Bigger fish bladder bigger marks. More yellow.