Fish Finder Explained For Beginners: Sonar, Side Imaging, Down Imaging, Mapping Tricks

What do fish look like? Tired of guessing and wasting time, not knowing what you're looking at? This is what you need to know! Tim is switching between 2D Sonar, Down Imaging, Side Imaging, and Mapping to help you fully understand what objects look like on your depth finder so you can find and catch more fish. Modern electronics are overwhelming for any level of angler until someone shows you what you’re looking for, we're here to help!

From hard spots to old foundations, Fish to air bubbles, Tim gives a quick crash course on using your electronics to their full potential. Tim is showing images from his Humminbird Apex 13 units but this information can be applied from the smallest screens to the largest. If you’re ready to stop scrambling and start catching more fish, this for you. 

Below you’ll find links to the units Tim is using, his mapping program, along with some great units from all the major brands at different price ranges. We choose Humminbird for all our boating electronics but no matter what brand you use, we’ll help you identify a quality unit to fit your budget. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

TIM’S PRIMARY ELECTRONICS… 

Console– Humminbird Apex 13: https://bit.ly/3pdaK1q

Bow– Humminbird Solix 15: https://bit.ly/2Hazsej

Bow– Humminbird Apex 16: https://bit.ly/3QBaOli

MAPPING… 

•Lakemaster Plus Digital Charts: http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc

Region: Select Your Local Region

MID–PRICED UNITS BY BRAND… 

•Humminbird Helix 9 CHIRP G4: https://bit.ly/35OP5Sm

•Lowrance Elite FS 9: https://bit.ly/3sxIvtm

•Garmin GPS Map UHD 943xsv: https://bit.ly/3qNGfPf

BUDGET UNITS BY BRAND… 

•Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP G3: https://bit.ly/3BxU7mQ

•Lowrance Hook Reveal 5: https://bit.ly/3BQdG7q

•Garmin Striker Vivid 5CV: https://bit.ly/2KmQurV

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Does Technology Help You Catch More Fish? Humminbird Mega 360

Live Imaging, Side Imaging, Down Imaging, Sonar, 360... there are so many options! Do you really need all this technology?! How do you choose between them? Does all this tech really help you catch more fish? Today we're taking an in-depth look at Humminbird's Mega 360 Imaging!

We've had 360 imaging on our boats for several years, and mega 360 for the past year. We've spent countless hours using the technology before we voiced our opinions. To answer the initial question, you can catch fish without ANY technology at all. However, understanding and applying these new tools to your fishing will absolutely lead to more fish catches. Mega 360 imaging is an incredible tool and one we will continue to use for many years to come. 

Are you wondering why we aren't talking about LIVE imaging yet? We will! We need more time to test this technology so we can speak with authority, rather than speculation. However, we can already say with confidence that if your budget allows, live sonar technologies and 360 imaging complement each other incredibly well. One is remarkable at identifying structure and fish positioning around structure, while the other is remarkable at helping you trigger strikes while watching the fish interact with your lure.  

360 SETTING RECOMMENDATIONS...

Sensitivity: 12 

Contrast: 14

Range: 55ft

Speed: 4

TIPS TO DIAL IN YOUR 360 IMAGING... 

-Keep your range rings turned on at all times. 

-Remember your boat icon is not to scale and adjust your cast accordingly. 

-Your clearest picture will be when the boat is stationary.

-Signal readout: brighter readouts are harder bottom than dull readouts.

-Watching the shadow behind a structure will give a clearer picture of what you're seeing. 

-The slower the unit's speed, the clearer the picture. However, you'll have a longer delay between 

 real time and what you're seeing.  

360 IMAGING...

-Humminbird Mega 360 Imaging: https://bit.ly/3oUt7oO

TIM'S DAILY ELECTRONICS... 

Trolling Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex 112: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW

Electronics- Humminbird Solix 15: https://bit.ly/35HuPRY

Anchors- Minn Kota 10' Raptor: https://bit.ly/3iMUrEJ

360- Humminbird Mega 360 Imaging: https://bit.ly/3oUt7oO

LIVE IMAGING... 

-Humminbird Mega Live (BackOrder Available): https://bit.ly/2VXoaC7

-Garmin Panoptix LiveScope System: https://bit.ly/3smfocM

-Lowrance Active Target Sonar: https://bit.ly/37Lcox8

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR?  

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Sonar Basics: How To Identify Fish (Bass, Panfish, and Baitfish)

Ever wondered if you're really seeing fish? Which lines and marks are bass? Can you tell the difference between crappie, bluegill, white bass, etc? Which marks are fish and which ones are just stumps or rocks? Come along on the water in real time as we idle through creek channels and flats and identify the different fish we come across with our electronics. 

Modern electronics give anglers an incredible advantage over the fish. Even with the most basic units you can now quickly identify active fish, even on a lake you're unfamiliar with. Of course nicer electronics offer increased sensitivity and functionality but none of that matters until you understand what you're seeing on the screen. Tim has spent countless hours behind the wheel analyzing fish positioning on structure and today he's giving you the quick basics you'll need to go out on the water and confidently locate fish on your own. 

Below you'll find links to the Humminbird Solix 15 Tim was using in the video, along with a variety of other great units. We've included some of the best units from different brands but also some amazing "budget" options that will get you on the water, identifying fish with modern technology, without breaking the bank.

Tim's Electronics... 

Main Unit- Humminbird Solix 15: https://bit.ly/35HuPRY

Secondary Unit- Humminbird Solix 12: https://bit.ly/364OviT

Top End Models From Other Brands... 

Lowrance- HDS 16 LIVE: https://bit.ly/352Pp0d

Garmin- GPS Map 8616: https://bit.ly/2I61Zmv

Best Budget Models... 

Humminbird- Helix 7 GPS G3: http://bit.ly/2SoFl8a

**We both use this Helix unit on our fishing kayaks**

Lowrance- Hook Reveal 7: https://bit.ly/3k0b7pN

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Hat: https://bit.ly/31EYB8W

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Sonar Basics: How To Interpret Down Imaging Sonar

What is down imaging? Is it really going to help you see more fish? Do you need it? Tim walks us through the differences between sonar and down imaging, what the different frequencies are for, and when to use down imaging to your advantage. He shows on the water, real life examples of how it can be used to gain a clearer understanding of what your unit is reading.

Modern electronics are incredibly powerful. Gone are the days of flashers and fish symbols, here to stay is a picture so clear that you can count the fish amongst the branches of a tree. If you understand how to tune your down imaging unit between frequencies it is an incredible tool!

The purpose of today's video is to give you a clearer understanding of what down imaging is and a brief overview of when/how to use it. There is a lot more information on the subject that we'll cover down the road in a more in-depth video. The cost of down imaging units has come way down in recent years, if you're a typical angler getting out on the boat a few times a month, down imaging can improve your angling experience.

Below is a breakdown of Tim's equipment, links to our other electronics videos, and a list of budget-friendly down-imaging units.

Tim's equipment...

Unit #1- Humminbird Solix 15 G2: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej

Unit #2- Humminbird Solix 12 G2: http://bit.ly/2AE2YDB

Trolling Motor- Ultrex Mega DI I-Pilot Link: http://bit.ly/2RqrT4v

Budget-friendly Down Imaging Units...

Humminbird- Helix 5 G2 DI: http://bit.ly/2TNndFW

Lowrance- Hook 2 Series 5 Sonar: http://bit.ly/2Y2sjk2

Garmin- Striker Plus: http://bit.ly/2skseug

Related Electronics Videos...

-Interpretting Modern Electronics: https://youtu.be/KdISDEkf4eQ

-Sonar Basics: How To Find Fish: https://youtu.be/HJkfHsRy31o

-Fish Finder Tips: https://youtu.be/Dz78WTxBL3A

-How To Interpret Side Imaging Sonar: https://youtu.be/_TO8_j8wYFo