Author Topic: How do i read bottom consistency with sonar  (Read 802 times)

Offline gofish33

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How do i read bottom consistency with sonar
« on: Dec 04, 2016, 02:51 PM »
I've been looking for a video on how to read the type of bottom with a sonar and can't find anything.

I know a solid red line means bottom, but I'm pretty sure you can interpret muddy/gravel/rocky bottom based on the thickness of the red line.  Has anyone got a link to a vid about that  ?  Or have suggestions on reading the bottom structure ?

gofish33

Offline mistertwister

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Re: How do i read bottom consistency with sonar
« Reply #1 on: Dec 04, 2016, 02:54 PM »
Colors can vary depending on what unit you are using. I have a 3 color (green, yellow, red) generally speaking a solid red tells me it is a hard bottom, green/yellow will show a softer bottom. I think you can tell weeds as well if it's showing small stacked yellow and green. I was actually wanting to do some research myself to get a little more information on what I'm seeing. Maybe someone else knows?!? :tipup:

Offline Monticatgeek

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Re: How do i read bottom consistency with sonar
« Reply #2 on: Dec 04, 2016, 05:35 PM »
Here is one video for now.



 I know there is one out there that talks about going to double the depth setting and looking for a double echo. if I can find it I will post the link for it too.
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Offline esox_xtm

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Re: How do i read bottom consistency with sonar
« Reply #3 on: Dec 04, 2016, 05:52 PM »
I've been looking for a video on how to read the type of bottom with a sonar and can't find anything.

I know a solid red line means bottom, but I'm pretty sure you can interpret muddy/gravel/rocky bottom based on the thickness of the red line.  Has anyone got a link to a vid about that  ?  Or have suggestions on reading the bottom structure ?

gofish33

First question: what locator you runnin'? Most are similar but some may have some unique quirks.

For the most part red means bottom. I've been in weeds so thick I get red from that too.

Back to the bottom. The thicker the line the harder the bottom is if gain (signal strength) is equal. If the bottom is really hard and you turn up the gain a little you will get a mark at double the actual depth. It helps if you have half an idea where you are so if you see that it will be information instead of a curiosity.

I ran flashers for years on my boat, didn't have fancy colors then either. All you had was bottom and in-between. Everything was relative to the width of the return. I sure do like my graph. Flasher is great for open water but oin thick weeds I can still see fishies coming quite easily.

Or maybe I'm just lazy...
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Offline hardwater diehard

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Offline crappieslayer37

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Re: How do i read bottom consistency with sonar
« Reply #5 on: Dec 07, 2016, 09:21 PM »
Vexilar has a video on this subject. Wish I could provide a link but we won't start that thread again with ice around the corner lol.

 



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