Kevin Van Dam Forums

When I watch KVD fish it seems like he’s fixated on his electronics.  I have a very cheap sonar unit (100 bucks).  It gives me depth, temperature, structure, and fish (sometimes dubious).  It has some settings to it that I haven’t took the time to learn about.  I know some of you guys have got some nice rigs.  I was wondering how much time do you spend learning your electronics?  I would like to get some sort of GPS to help me relocate a spot.  Sometimes I line up the water tower with the green house, but I’m still off my spot! lol

I am still learning, but they can be usefull to find hard bottoms, weedlines drops, ect. And now with the sidescan and other stuff, whitch I dont have, you can really see alot of whats going on under water

I think the average guy is always learning. Time on the water is where you learn (IMO). Try taking your manual with you on the water and if you have some time, try some things like sensitivity and zoom. But for a weekend guy like me that’s hard to do because I can only fish so much, so when I get a chance to go, I’m fishing not playing with my finder….lol.

learning your electronics is one of the most usefull tools on your boat.

RiverRat, I have an LMS 522c iGPS that could probably do more for me if I let it.  The only things that I really use it for is water depth and the GPS locator.  I really need to learn how to use it to its full benefit.  I keep telling myself that the next time out, I’m going to take the time to learn stuff about it.  But man, once I get on that water it’s hard to keep the rod out of my hand.  I really do need to learn how to read the signals and how to diferenciate between soft and hard bottoms, how to recognize rocks and how to identify vegitation.  That would be to my benefit when I get a chance to fish new water.  But when 90% of my fishing is in one body of water, and I pretty know what’s already out there, it’s hard to take the time to learn what the unit is telling me.  I guess if I fished competitively or in some tournements, I would be a little more concerned, but all of my fishing is for pleasure and relaxation.  I’m trying really hard to talk my wife into letting me get a new Humminbird with the Side Scan and all that stuff.  Actually, it’s more like I’m trying my luck!  LOL!

I use to use the sun as my gps, and stick my finger in the water for temp, now I can’t live with out my Lowrance. Don’t leave home without it.  BH

hey this is a little off topic, but its about electronics still, so heres my question: why is the fish symbol setting on the depth finders supposed to be worse than using the V setting? you know what i mean?

pdc_fisherman - 06 September 2010 08:20 PM

hey this is a little off topic, but its about electronics still, so heres my question: why is the fish symbol setting on the depth finders supposed to be worse than using the V setting? you know what i mean?

Are you talking about using the fish symbol versus the arches? If so, the fish symbol will show isolated fish but has a hard time displaying schools of bait or fish tight to cover/bottom. Displaying the arches will show balls of bait, schools of fish, active feeding, and distinguish fish tight to other objects.

yea twitch thats what i meant. thanks

twitch - 07 September 2010 12:13 AM

pdc_fisherman - 06 September 2010 08:20 PM

hey this is a little off topic, but its about electronics still, so heres my question: why is the fish symbol setting on the depth finders supposed to be worse than using the V setting? you know what i mean?

Are you talking about using the fish symbol versus the arches? If so, the fish symbol will show isolated fish but has a hard time displaying schools of bait or fish tight to cover/bottom. Displaying the arches will show balls of bait, schools of fish, active feeding, and distinguish fish tight to other objects.

That was a great job of explaining the differance twitch.