What are fish finders for? In theory, the answer is clear: in order to search for fish for fishing. However, this is not the only useful purpose of this device. What, in general, are echo sounders for fishing from a boat and how to use them correctly? Or, for example, how is the detection of fish using this device?
Most modern echo sounders for fishing have the following main functions:
- Depth measurement;
- Definition of bottom structures;
- Investigation of the state of water and the bottom;
- Display objects in the water column.
Now you can see all this in more detail.
An important echo sounder function is depth measurement.
Previously, anglers, that only they used to measure the depths in the places of fishing! Information that can be obtained with the help of modern devices is the definition of the most promising places (clusters) for fishing in terms of depth. All modern echo sounders have such a function, and it is as accurate as possible.
Bottom structure determination
After obtaining data on the depths at the place of the planned fishing, it would not hurt to get acquainted with the bottom structure. Usually, echo sounders for fishing from a boat display fairly clear images of the contours of dredges, hillocks, stones, pits, etc. However, in order to correctly interpret the visible on the screens, one should not forget that the rays, for example, Wi Fi (Wi Fi ) echo sounders reflect events based on time scales. In other words, what is visible on the screens is a time projection, not a real-time picture.
On the left side of the echo sounder screens are events that occurred later. You should know that "events" are fragments of pictures. Thus, the images on the screens form a complex of events occurring in the fields of the echo sounder rays. As a result, both bottom reliefs, and thermoclines are outlined, and objects are displayed in the water column.
Something about echo sounder screens
A variety of models of echo sounders have different screen sizes and screen resolutions. So, screens with low resolution are not able to display fine details, and the whole picture will be "blurred" and distorted.
Display sizes also play a significant role. On large screens, for example, it is more convenient to open additional windows with explanatory information.
Monochrome and color echo sounder screens
The echo sounder screens are color and monochrome, that is, black and white. All of them have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Monochrome screens of summer echo sounders differ in the number of grayscale gray. This is the density of the objects transmitted by the screens. Thus, cheap echo sounder screens displaying only 4 grayscale, separate objects will not be visible, or their images will be too exaggerated. Nevertheless, the pictures on such screens will be very contrasting and clear. Newer echo sounders for fishing from a boat display 16 shades of gray. Their pictures are more detailed and extremely coincident with reality.
Color echo sounder screens display objects in 256 color shades. Today it is considered the most advanced image transfer technology. The only drawback is that it is difficult to see the details of the image in bright sunlight.
In addition to high-quality displays, you will need two more conditions:
- Selection of optimal frequencies and angles of radiation of converters;
- High rates of receiving and transmitting paths.
To the question of the frequency of radiation. Most fish echo sounders operate at frequencies of 200-80 kHz. These frequencies correspond to the angles of radiation of 20-60 degrees. Narrow rays cover small areas, but in these rays the images will be the most detailed. Broad rays cover large areas, and they display objects in the upper and middle layers of water.
Most echo sounders are produced in such a way that they will be used not only in fresh waters, but also in marine ones. Thus, the stated and actual power levels of the echo sounders sold are quite suitable for most anglers for fishing on rivers and lakes and other bodies of water in our country.
The study of the state of the water and the bottom
Behind this is the collection of data on the state of water and the density of the bottom, as well as on the temperature regime of water. For this definition, use special sensors. They can be separate or combined with transducers, i.e., the main sensors of echo sounders.
Most echo sounders have speed sensors. As a rule, they are used to measure the speed of the boat relative to the water, the speed of the current, as well as to select the optimum mode of fishing.
Some devices have built-in temperature sensors to find a thermocline — a layer of water with low oxygen content in standing water at high temperature.
How to determine the density and structure of the bottom? The signals of echo sounders are not equally reflected from different bottom surfaces. Thus, the signals reflected from silty bottom surfaces will be more diffuse than the same signals reflected from hard surfaces. Because of this, the muddy bottom surface will appear blurred and fuzzy on the screen. A hard bottom will be reflected rich dark colors, the edges will not be blurred.
Image of objects in the water and search for fish
Oddly enough, but the display of fish symbols on the screens can probably be attributed to the secondary functions of echo sounders. When the graphic symbols of fish appear on the screens, it will mean that the beam a couple of seconds ago walked over the place of detection of objects recognized by them as fish.
The clearest images of fish appear on the screens when the fish fall into the middle of the rays. But it should be remembered that both the watercraft and the fish are not in the same place, but are in motion regarding each other. If the boats go at high speeds in shallow water, and the echo sounder rays are narrow, then the chances of fixing fish in the rays are very small.
When driving at high speeds, continuous features may appear on the screen. This suggests that the devices do not have time for data processing at such speeds. In order for the data on the presence of fish, displayed on the screens, to be extremely convergent with the real ones, it is necessary to adjust the sensitivity of the echo sounders with the speed of the screens scrolling.
But it happens that fish snags or other objects similar to fish can be displayed as symbols of fish.
How to choose an inexpensive echo sounder for a boat?
All echo sounders are single-path and multi-path. With the help of a single narrow beam, one can detect clear bottom structures and underwater objects, but with a not very wide viewing angle. With additional rays, you cannot get such a clear and detailed picture, however, you can see objects in the upper and middle layers of the water.
There is also a separate category of six-beam models that allow you to create three-dimensional projections of images. But while in such echo sounders a lot of distortions of the received information. The most popular model of them is Humminbird (Hamminberd) Matrix 47 3D.
Review of good models, rated 2018 by consumer reviews
The best stationary echo sounders:
- Echo Sounder Lowrance (Lawrence) HOOK-4x Mid / High;
- Garmin echo sounder (Garmin) Fishfinder 350C.
Best portable echo sounders:
- Deeper Smart Sonar (Sonar) PRO +;
- Echo-sounder Praktik ER-6 Pro2;
- Ekholot Practician ER-6PRO.
The best GPS sounder:
- Sounder Lowrance HDS-7 Gen2.
The best echo sounder for winter fishing:
- Humminbird PiranhaMAX 197c PT.
Processing processes and echo pictures
The principles of operation of such devices are based on the fact that the devices process and automatically control many quantities, such as update rate, sensitivity, coordination of the actions of transmissions and receivers. But the echolocation environment is stably changeable. So, in some echo sounders you can manually do the basic settings. This is very convenient for those who prefer to engage in the process of fishing, along with direct echolocation.
Using echo sounders for winter fishing
Some echo sounders have the ability to connect additional sensors that can "inspect" the bottom through the ice. But not everything is so simple. It is not always possible to use sensors that "beat" through the ice. Most often, they can be used only when this is the first ice and there are no air bubbles in it. The presence of any amount of air in the ice leads to a distortion of the picture. We should not forget that the echo sounders display all the necessary data only when their sensors are in motion. Down in the hole sensors are limited in movement, which means they do not see the bottom structure in detail.
What do winter echo sounders display when fishing?
Sounders for winter fishing display:
- information about the composition of the bottom;
- information about the temperature of the water;
- information on the likely location of the fish.
Although the sensors of winter echo sounders are still, but the fish are moving. As a result, on the winter fishing will also be visible displays of fish symbols on the echo sounder screens.
To improve the quality of the picture on the screens of winter echo sounders when fishing, you need to set low refresh rates of screens. Then the objects that are in the water, while moving, will be visible more clearly. But it is worth considering one moment. When the screen shows a solid dark band - this is a sign of the appearance of a dense flock of fish under the water.
What usually pay attention when choosing winter echo sounders:
- Autonomy period;
- Dimensions;
- Mass;
- Easy settings;
- A variety of screens.
With the help of modern echo sounders, you can explore the bottom and underwater objects both from the shore and from a boat using wireless sensors. This can be convenient for those who, except for fishing from boats, fishing from the shore. Such echo sounders have a very compact size, they can be installed even on rods.
Instead of conclusion
For people purchasing echo sounders for the first time, there is one piece of advice: you should not immediately select the most expensive echo sounders. The main thing is to understand what the device will be used for. The line of modern echo sounders has a considerable variety, so that any angler can easily choose the model he needs.
