Sonars

I was just wondering what peoples thoughs were on people rippin sonars in the fall and spring….i know some people that do that arround here and there always the people who seem to get the 10 lbers and bigger.. am i the only one that thinks that or is there something a little fishy going on….smirk:

The only thing Fishy about using Sonars are they Catch fish.
I use sonars alot in the Spring and fall and they produce alot of big fish for us.
so whats so Fishy??????

Im with you Nate… Sonars are fishy all right… as in catch lots of fish (and some real big ones!)… sometimes they are unstoppable…. they get a bad rep as a snagging lure… but in reality you cant truly snag many fish with them.. if that was true people would be bringing up every species… but they get mostly walleye and sauger… If you jig the sonar (or should I say yank?) to fast and far the fish dont get a chance to nail it… but they take their best shot… and are sitting right over the top of it when you yank it the next time and hook them from underneath… lots of times right in the chin… if you find your snagging fish you need to slow down your lift and drop a bit… and maybe make it shorter too…. lots of times you only need to lift them 3-5 inches to trigger strikes… but I see too many people just yank them a foot or more…. and let them drop full speed… the fish hit on the drop.. you need to slow your drop a bit to give the fish a chance to grab it……. on any given day you should experiement a bit and see what kind of action they want.. the fish will tell you real quick when you hit the right speed…
well so much for sonar fishing 101…..

Hey their RiverEyes, I’ve never fished these sonars. I think we should get together and do a lil sonar 101 sometime. What do ya say ?

Sonars can be very productive if fished at the right time an place. But on the other hand I know guys that dont just use a sonar cause they catch fish they use them because they snag fish a hell of lot better then a Jig can…iTheres good an bad things about sonars!

Personally I think there is a big difference between fishing a Sonar and ripping a Sonar. I think they are a very effective lure if fished properly. You can snag a fish with any lure from time to time. Just my point of view. SNAKEYES

You are exactly right RIVEREYES and SNAKEYES, ripping and fishing a Sonar is two different things. Great advise!

I see there are quite a few guys out there that know how to fish a sonar!…..
I have a technique where I rip a jig with a shad bodie… and if I get too wild with that I start to snag walleyes and saugers too…. same story.. and I actually think the jig does a better job snagging then the sonar… that one hook turned upward hitting the fish from dead square underneath will put steel into them almost every time….. its the technique not the lure that does the snagging… sonars have a real bad rap…..
BUT….. I HAVE seen some people out there yanking them hard and tossing every foul hooked fish into their livewell….. these are the guys giving this tactic a bad rep!!
if you are dead set against sonars, but you see guys yanking sonars while your dragging a jig…. trying putting more action on your jig… the fish are telling you they want to see some life in that jig!!!

Try fishing a one eyed shiner using the technique Rivereyes described.Works much better for me than sonars…B

Why do Sonars catch big fish? I think sonars are a great weapon. When the big fish are not biting or just not aggresive it is a great tool to get a reaction strike. Kind of like trolling down river. How would react if you where a fish and something comes ripping buy you wouldn’t your reflexes react to protect yourself. One of the only ways a fish can protect itself is to use its mouth or swat with a tail. I believe that is why sonars are so good. It is a reaction strike. Just my three cents.

shhhhhhhhhhhhhh Big B… my hush money is in the mail…. One Eyes? One Eyes? what are they? Nevuh hoid of em…..
But… in OTHER news….. the PUP heard about the sonar post and some snagging controversy and he zipped up here and dropped off a pile of sonars that he said would solve my snagging problems with them….. hmmmmmmm well… I guess he is probably right… a bit misguided perhaps… but right none the less…. (see attached)

I will stick my neck out on the line here……

but no way in heck will you be able to snag or even hook a fish with those baits

Maybe I should give some Sonars like those to my wife….. so she would stop out-fishing me!!!

Boy, Those look like halloween candy! I think I’ll print that attachment off and lay it in the middle of the kithen table to add some color! LOL

I hate to be “the party pooper” but they won’t catch fish no matter how hard you try without hooks on them! lol. They give off one hec of a vibration that will bring in the fish.

Misguided? I didn’t say anything about catching fish, just not snagging them! I reduced the “ripping risk” to “0”! Actually, a good friend here at the board sent those up to us knowing how much we scrap with each other when we’re fishing and thought this way we could behave as we always do but not get hurt! I like the idea…………….cuz I can still rely on my teeth ->
LOL!

Great seeing you on the board Bud. Welcome back. Bill

yeah them dang lil puppy teeth hurt!!.. and now I got no hooks!… but at least I still have my looks!! so maybe a dirty look will keep the pup at bay?? well.. heres hoping!

Last time I walked into a door that WIDE OPEN for comment I ended up feasting for weeks on barbecued “crow”! Nope, ain’t gonna do it.

I think if you’re heading out on a solo adventure you should color coordinate the hooks with those lures…………you know, that thing your honey does with your clothes every morning……………..a little extra “flash” never hurt the effort. (Don’t go there!) If it goes well, we’ll have to carve a niche in the market for “fashion sonars………all the BIG girls love ’em!”

Heh? Ehhh??? C’mon………….I know ya see it on account a ya having your specs on! Crank up the thinkin’ cap to 8 or 9 ( 10 will give ya a swirly! ) it should come to ya…………ehhh? Ya with me? Pard?

Pard???? PARD!?!?!?!?!

Why is it every time a “Pup” takes the lead he finds out no one’s followin’? (can you hear the violins?)

EEEEK!… the PUP is after me…. where did I put that shock collar at?? darn… did I get him his rabies shots?? bet hes been rolling in dead skunk again too!!!!… (I mean PU!!)……

anyhoo… was actually out fishing today (I KNOW, I KNOW… out fishing who??)… and I have proof that fish are REAL SUCKERS for SONARS……
(see attached!)

Sonars have been around since at least the early 60’s and in the Pool I fished essentially replaced Sonics as the lure of choice for Walleye. In June, they are as effective on the wingdams (but hardly snag proof) as they are below the Main Dams in the fall.

What I am wondering is do any of you fellows still use them for casting/trolling on the wingdams.

Best Regards

sonars seem to be a good weapon also here too. never really used them until last year and they seam to be working good for me. they are easy to give to somebody that is a beginner seems like they have a better chance with them.

I fish sonars in very little current. They really shine when the shad are dying. I alway’s put a snap lock in the center hole. A short upward rip with the vibration of the lure feeling like a quick du du du . I see people tied up to the wall with their lines at an 45 degree angle in the current doing alot of snagging. It takes the heart out of real sonar fishing. {John}