How to Use Fishfinders to Improve Fishing

Fishfinders use sonar waves and a computer chip to transmit and translate information regarding what is under the water surrounding your boat. The purpose of these devices is to improve and maximize fishing efficiency and help bring in the largest number of fish strikes. Fishfinders may have intricate interiors, but they still remain fairly easy and user-intuitive to use. Use a fishfinder to improve your days on the water and to bring home the big ones.

Instructions

    • 1

      Read the user manual for your particular fishfinder at least three times. Get to know the individual readouts of your fishfinders screen. For example, a heavy set of pixels on the screen typically represents a large school of small fish or one large one. The more you know of your fishfinders screen legend (code and icon translator), the better your chances of landing fish.

    • 2

      Use a nautical chart in conjunction with your fishfinder. This helps you understand the surface bottom, underwater obstacles and currents. When used with the fishfinder, it provides a one-two punch to get fish.

    • 3

      Spend at least one day getting to know the fishfinder and how sensitive it is to underwater movement and objects. Set your display for the proper depth for your region and lake (again, using a chart helps).

    • 4

      Drop waypoints if your fishfinder is GPS-equipped. These help you find successful fishing locations in the future.

    • 5

      Purchase aftermarket nautical charts on SD cards and upload them to the fishfinder if yours is so equipped.