Ok I think Phin did something a while ago but couldn’t find the post. I just got a new Garmin 541 with 50/200khz sounder. What are some key settings that I need to do and what should I look for as far as bottom. Going to try to slay some BSB and spades this weekend.
Thanks
Bring the manual with you and when you have moments, relate what you see on the screen to the often accurate illustrations in the book. I know it sounds like paddling your feet when you want to ride a motorcycle, but it does help. When you get close to your numbers, make sure you’re 541 is at the nearest “fixed” depth reading. This makes it easier to see the “hill” as you come up on the structure you’re targeting. If you have some trouble finding your target, try using the 50 k setting for the transducer, this will give you a larger cone angle shooting the bottom, then when you start seeing what you want, switch back to 250 k and with the narrower beam, you can throw your buoy to mark your spot to drop back to. Don’t worry so much about fish signs on your sounder, most of em are gonna be hiding anyway. Keep in mind that the larger BSB’s are cruisers, often times obove the piece you’re fishing or on the edges. You’ll also get a better bite on the down tide side of the structure as well. Sure wish I was goin with you, haven’t been in several years, miss it. Good luck and be safe.
“If a dirty bottom slows you down… imagine what it does to your boat”
What Proline said.
Additionally, turn the A Scope on and put the scroll speed to “fast” from “ultra”. Also “hide” surface clutter.
When you get out there, play with the bottom lock/zoom features.
I have a 541s.Use the split zoom to btm fish.Go manual on gain when you get out to your depth and increase til little fuzz or dots appear in water column and back off til they are barely gone.I have my split zoom on 4x I believe.It is a good machine and reads similar to the Furuno on the big boat.Do yourself a favor and go to harbor,lake,or somewhere and play with finding spots you mark on btm,settings,etc… Good Luck!
“Modern day Robin Hoodism-Steal from the sucessful and give to the poorly motivated.”
http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=74455
Luke 8:22-25
Thanks all exactly what I was looking for!!
quote:
Originally posted by 97proline2810Bring the manual with you and when you have moments, relate what you see on the screen to the often accurate illustrations in the book. I know it sounds like paddling your feet when you want to ride a motorcycle, but it does help. When you get close to your numbers, make sure you’re 541 is at the nearest “fixed” depth reading. This makes it easier to see the “hill” as you come up on the structure you’re targeting. If you have some trouble finding your target, try using the 50 k setting for the transducer, this will give you a larger cone angle shooting the bottom, then when you start seeing what you want, switch back to 250 k and with the narrower beam, you can throw your buoy to mark your spot to drop back to. Don’t worry so much about fish signs on your sounder, most of em are gonna be hiding anyway. Keep in mind that the larger BSB’s are cruisers, often times obove the piece you’re fishing or on the edges. You’ll also get a better bite on the down tide side of the structure as well. Sure wish I was goin with you, haven’t been in several years, miss it. Good luck and be safe.
“If a dirty bottom slows you down… imagine what it does to your boat”
50k is narrow cone, 200k is wide cone. Use 50k when bottom fishing in deeper water
50 k 40 degree cone, 200k 10 degree cone
http://static.garmincdn.com/pumac/GPSMAP182_182C_OwnersManual.pdf
“If a dirty bottom slows you down… imagine what it does to your boat”
quote:
Originally posted by Phinhttp://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=74455
www.scmarine.org
www.joinrfa.com
Luke 8:22-25
Ranks in the top 3 of Phin’s best post ever.
Set the trap boys, we going to pass through them again!!