Useful Video?

Hey guys,
I’m going to be getting my first SI humminbird shortly and previous to this, my fish finder experience really is limited to an old Eagle FishEasy which was only used for depth. I’ve done a ton of research over the winter and there are many videos which explain features, installation, changing settings for optimization, and of course catching fish.

One thing that I haven’t seen and think would be very useful, is a video showing how experienced fisherman use this equipment in their search for fishing spots. It may not be the most exciting video, but I’m interested in peoples procedures in doing this. Like do they first do a visual check of area, then a couple quick passes with SI, and then mark top possibilities. Then do a few slow passes on those few spots, then if they look good put a line in the water?

Even if there isn’t a video, I’d be interested in how you guys here in the forums assess and break down an area and narrow down the locations you ultimately end up fishing.

Thanks

Have you watched any youtube vids? Search Doug Varhenberg’s Humminbird advanced sonar videos, he has about everything covered you could imagine. And I know he has a video about exactly what your asking! Turn your brain into a sponge at start watching and absorbing!

Here’s the exact video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck087QvGIBs&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I suggest starting with part one and viewing them all through till 9. Being this is your first advanced finder it will all be very helpful info!! Once you view and understand these watch other videos and put in some on the water time!

Doug Vahrenberg and Jason Halfen are the two best that I’ve seen for the most part.

Basically, I just search water in the area I want to fish. If I dont find fish, I move on to the next area, knowing full well that I may just be getting to them.

I wont fish here:

But I will fish here:

Or here..

With that said, about the best thing you can do, is be like a sponge and suck up all the information you can learn about what these units are capable of doing to improve your fish finding abilitites…. and then go out and experiment with every aspect of your unit.. Spend time on the water.. Opening day is not a good time to test out your unit.. Its not going to happen overnight, either.. Some folks really, really struggle with interpreting SI, and even the fact that it scrolls down the screen instead of L/R.

Thanks guys.

I have seen Doug’s videos and I’ve been soaking up this info like crazy over this long winter. Doug’s seminar is good but I would like to see peoples methods in action out on the boat. I like your pictures Reddog, as this is more of what I was looking for.

I guess the end result is I know how it works, roughly how to interpret the screen (I have a job which uses 3D interpretation and projections, so not hard for me to grasp), and an idea at what type of structures walleye stick to.

Right now I need to just get my unit, install, and get out and spend time with it. Just kinda hard when i still have 1.5 ft of ice in front of my dock and it just snowed another 5cm this morning and there calling for another 5cm today…

Quote:

---

Thanks guys.

I have seen Doug’s videos and I’ve been soaking up this info like crazy over this long winter. Doug’s seminar is good but I would like to see peoples methods in action out on the boat. I like your pictures Reddog, as this is more of what I was looking for.

I guess the end result is I know how it works, roughly how to interpret the screen (I have a job which uses 3D interpretation and projections, so not hard for me to grasp), and an idea at what type of structures walleye stick to.

Right now I need to just get my unit, install, and get out and spend time with it. Just kinda hard when i still have 1.5 ft of ice in front of my dock and it just snowed another 5cm this morning and there calling for another 5cm today…

---

You can study all you want, and it sounds like your education and job will make this a pretty easy transition from 2D to SI.. but, like I said, it wont happen over night.

Ive had SI equipment since 08, and I swear, I still learn something everyday when Im not fishing hard, or mad at the fish.. I dont think there is anybody out there that knows every single aspect of these units. Or at least is an “expert” in all functions.. I used to try to use all the functions and try to stay up on all the changes, but now, I primarily just focus my attention on SI,,, and shallow. That is where SI really, really excels. In skinny water fisherman seldom venture into from a boat.. at least to focus on fishing anyway..

SI will also teach you about fish movement away from pressure (boats) ..
I bought SI in 08, thinking that it would help me find structure to fish…. and it does.. but, ultimately, you gotta fish where the fish are, and SI allows you to do that, irregarless of where you “think” they should be..

R

Well, I don’t doubt that it will be an ongoing learning experience. It’s just something that will take time and experience out on the water. I fish a larger lake that is considered quite tough in the area (if you don’t have years of experience knowing their specific movements and hot spots for time of year), so i’m excited to observe what is actually going on in the places that I frequent and find where the fish are moving to.

ad-rock-

Have you mounted you unit on your boat?

I am in the same spot your are, my brother and I bought a couple unist and are in the process of getting them on teh baot and learning about all the units. the youtube videos are really sweet too. the more you hear and see he more you will retain it. Although there is no substitute for actual experience, which I hope to get soon!

another good source is wired2fish…alot of good helpful tips and tricks on SI there.

DanK, I don’t have the unit quite yet. Hoping to have it in the next week or two, then I’ll get it installed. Not a bit rush as we still have 1.5 ft of ice.

Thanks for pointing out wired2fish, I’ll check it out.