How Have Improved Electronics Changed Your Fishing?

[Mojo-NC]

Originally Posted by mjayn

I occasionally look at depth and water temp. Spotlock is a great tool. But in general I just look at basic lake depth maps and get a good idea of what I want to do. Its nice to have a good map on the GPS. But about 3/4s of the lakes I fish have no depths on the chip.

I'm in no hurry to get new stuff. I'd rather catch 5 fish in a relaxed way then 10 glued to a screen stressing over 20ft this way or that.

I outline areas in lakes without contour maps by lining up my waypoints marking the 14' depth line from one place to another in areas with good structure that I want to fish. They basically act as a contour line around structure and I stay outside of those lines casting up shallow usually.

I do agree with you that staring at a screen all day takes away from the enjoyment of fishing some, but so does not catching fish.

[TomP.]

SI and suspended fish in open water enough said.

[BornToFish]

Greetings,

I started fishing new lakes in NW Ontario in 2015. Navionics had a lake map available for one of these lakes. Some of the structural elements shown on this lake map do not exist in the lake. On the other hand, many of the places that I presently fish with regularity are not shown on this lake map.

I purchased a higher end Humminbird unit a few years ago to conduct my own mapping of depth contours. It took a lot of time to do the mapping. I can sincerely say that my depth contour maps have taken my fishing to an entirely new level.

My depth contour maps often explain why many of my favorite places to fish are so good. The depth contour maps helped me find new places to fish based on the teaching of previous places that I had been fishing. Now, when I pull up to a spot, I take a look at the direction of the wind relative to the depth contour map and simply go to the "spot on the spot", rather than spending the time to search for the "spot on the spot". Also, it's now much easier to understand the seasonal movement of fish within the lakes. I will continue to map depth contours for other parts of the lake.

Good fishing and tight lines!!

[James F]

I have never been so impressed by the way I view what I once imagined. It's like a whole new world opened up for this ADHD, fishing nut.I have been fishing long enough, that I now have what people will pay for in a Smart Strike card.Auto Chart Pro,puts it all into perspective. Almost like cheating.

[ltrain]

New electronics have improved my fishing in about every way possible.
First is safety- being able to navigate unfamiliar waters without damage to myself or my boat and being able to return along the same path via a gps trail.
Great 2d, side,and down imaging lets me know if fish are present in the water column and if there's good structure that will hold fish.
Gps controlled trolling motor coupled with a trollmaster on my kicker let's me have total and precise boat control while trolling
Engine nmea feedback gives me exact engine info- rpm, fuel burn info ,fuel remaining water pressure, and on and on.

I wholeheartedly love my electronics, makes for a enjoyable productive fishing experience.

[Gary Korsgaden]

Mapping features and what goes with it. Follow the contour, spot lock etc.

2nd: Networking units reading the unit on the bow at the stern.

Both has changed how I fish.....

Awesome post thanks

[Shortline]

I fish Superior a decent amount and the advancement in detailed mapping is the single biggest technological advance that benefits me personally. Being able to safely navigate reefs, shoals, and whatever hazards you may encounter is a game changer. Instead of looking at a paper map and trying to figure out where the reef is, looking at a GPS mapping screen and seeing your position and travel in relation to it makes for a much more effective, stress free , and safe trip.

[Mojo-NC]

Originally Posted by Gary Korsgaden

Mapping features and what goes with it. Follow the contour, spot lock etc.

2nd: Networking units reading the unit on the bow at the stern.

Both has changed how I fish.....

Awesome post thanks

Gary, you bring up a really good point regarding two units being able to be linked together. They both share the same GPS signal and waypoints, but the way mine are set up, each unit uses its own transducer. My bow unit uses the transducer mounted on the trolling motor and my console unit uses the transducer mounted on the stern of the boat.

One thing I need to keep in mind is when I'm idling along using the power of the outboard and decide to drop a waypoint on specific structure, I'm using the console unit and actually "seeing" the bottom structure from the stern transducer. Once I move to the bow and start fishing, when I arrive at the waypoint, even though the boat is positioned the same as it was when I dropped the waypoint, the structure that I marked is actually 18' behind me.

These units are now so accurate, that relatively short distance can actually make a big difference.

[Burr]

I got side scan shortly after it first came out. I rarely admitted that I was quite frustrated by side scan because I never seemed to be able to identify the detail others would talk about. Yeah, I could clearly see changes in bottom composition, and I could identify rock piles and such, but it was like a miracle for me to actually mark fish in side scan, and that was frustrating for me.

Now jump ahead to just a few weeks ago - I went fishing with a friend of mine in his boat. His electronics are 2 or maybe even 3 generations more current than my electronics. When I looked at his side scan images as we were fishing - it was EASY! Well, that trip fishing with a friend is going to cost me a thousands....

Evidently the earlier versions of side scan have been improved immensely.

[James F]

I agree that the new units are far superior to my first gen Helix 9si. My little 7di is making me wanting another new one 😩!