X-85 Questions

[Stinky Fingers]

I currently have a Lowrance X-85 with a 192htz transducer. When I am fishing Erie (Water depth between 30-75ft) I usually have my grayscale set between 30-40 and my sensitivity set somewhere between 70-90 depending on depth and water clarity. Everything seems to work just fine and I have no problem marking fish or reading the bottom composition. Now for the questions…

1.)When fishing shallow reservoirs 3-25ft deep. I have a real hard time removing clutter from the screen and have never marked a fish. I have tried adjusting the grayscale and the sensitivity, but I just can’t seem to get it right. Where should I have my grayscale and sensitivity set?

2.)What is the difference between a 192htz and a 50htz transducer? Is one better than the other in shallow water.

Thanks
Stinky Fingers

[FISH4U]

I use my x-85 on about the same settings you listed. I have no trouble going from lake Erie depths to inland depths.

You mght want to get it checked out.

good luck




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[bobco]

The 50khz ducer is from my understanding mainly of deep saltwater applications, it is a wide cone angle compared to the normal 19 degree 192khz ducer. I have an x-85 and have no trouble in the shallower water. Adjust your sensitivity up until you start to get garbage on the screen then back down until it clears. I run at 32 % greyline but question this. A top lake trout guy here in colorado recommends up to 90% greyline? I am not clear on what effect this has on spotting fish. I have heard people claim that the 3000 watts of the X-85 to cause problems in shallower water but i think the sensitivity is really controlling the power output so that you don't over drive the reciever resulting it noise "clutter". If this is the case the sensitivity adjustment is key in shallow water. Anybody please feel free to inject if you know better.........

[Stormsearch]

On the boat we fished this past year had the following settings: For Erie, grayline ~50% and sensitivity ~ 60 - 90% depending on water clarity. We mainly fished 20 - 30 ft. of water.

On inland lakes, we bumped the grayline up to around 65% and adjusted the sensitivity to the same values 60 - 90%.

We strictly used the 19 deg cone for the above and only used the 50 Hz transducer when Salmon fishing on Lake Michigan/Huron.

One thing someone should realize, you mark fish easier on Lake Erie mainly because there are few weeds and the general fish population is larger and more of them. Inland lakes, usally are talking about smaller fish and less of them. Will not get the same fish markings from our experience.

If you are fishing a very clear reservoir, I wouldn't expect you to mark anything. The fish are usally pretty spooky, especially during the day. I don't fish deeper than 10' at night so I can't say for sure on marking clear reservoir fish at night. Good luck.

[Stinky Fingers]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll give it a try as soon as it quits snowing..

[stingerND]

stinky, I use the same settings as you for a starting point then adjust for clarity. With the 192 cone it is only 1' wide for 3' of depth or 4' for 12' this might explain why you don't see too many boat spooked walleye. There are times I can troll for eyes in shallow water catch a limit and not see one on my finder. I had the same ?'s as you when I bought mine I even called Lowrance. Just play around it will work for you.