Sidescan on the flats

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geofish
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Joined: July 23rd, 2016, 8:18 pm

Sidescan on the flats

Post by geofish »

Went out Sunday and caught a few trout in 4-5 feet, water temp 74 deg, very clear water on the east flats. Fish seemed scattered and it made me wonder - why don't I ever see trout on my sidescan on the flats when I'm slow trolling or looking for a new spot?

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doomtrpr_z71
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Re: Sidescan on the flats

Post by doomtrpr_z71 »

It usually works best moving 3-5mph, hard to pick them out though if they are down in the grass.

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Salty Gator
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Re: Sidescan on the flats

Post by Salty Gator »

geofish wrote: November 6th, 2022, 6:29 pm Went out Sunday and caught a few trout in 4-5 feet, water temp 74 deg, very clear water on the east flats. Fish seemed scattered and it made me wonder - why don't I ever see trout on my sidescan on the flats when I'm slow trolling or looking for a new spot?

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You may not see fish, but you will absolutely see the rock piles on the east flats in that depth.
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rockyg
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Re: Sidescan on the flats

Post by rockyg »

I believe you would be better served using your eyes than side scan.

Noticing a weedline, current break, color change, bait scattering, birds diving, and or all of the above will lead you to the fish.
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geofish
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Re: Sidescan on the flats

Post by geofish »

Ok, that's what I've been doing. Thought maybe I was missing something.

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fishinfool
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Re: Sidescan on the flats

Post by fishinfool »

In 4-5 feet of water you are probably only seeing about 2-3 feet on either side of the boat...maybe as much a 5 feet. I was convinced I needed side scan when I bought my last unit, only to realize that the water I usually fish is too shallow for it to be of any real use. It does however, shine in 10feet or more water depth.
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Re: Sidescan on the flats

Post by Salty Gator »

fishinfool wrote: November 8th, 2022, 8:10 am In 4-5 feet of water you are probably only seeing about 2-3 feet on either side of the boat...maybe as much a 5 feet. I was convinced I needed side scan when I bought my last unit, only to realize that the water I usually fish is too shallow for it to be of any real use. It does however, shine in 10feet or more water depth.
You can change how far out your beam goes to the sides
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