Posts: 1536
Location: God's Country......USA..... Western Wisconsin | I have had times when the fish were very shallow, talking Smallmouth here, that I could not get much of a bite going. This was mostly sight fishing. I turned all my finders off and it was turning on a light switch. The fish just did not spook as easily and I caught the heck out of them. Could be a coincidence but stuck in my head non the less. Keep in mind that this is kind of a unique situation but it has happened to me enough that when I don't need my depth finders on, I shut them off. I believe that the fish can definatley feel the ultrasonic pulses and it makes them (using a human term) uneasy. They certainly do not know that a fisherman is coming when they feel this but I still think that they spook more easily after they feel the pulses. I think you will find that the fish spook more and are affected more by the trolling motor however. Try to run your troller at a slow and steady pace rather than at a high speed for short bursts. I know that Steve thinks I'm nuts, but fish will react to things through instinct and depth finders are not found naturally. I believe that they are just more aware of their surrondings when put on alert by the depth finder.
If I don't need it I don't use it. My 2 cents worth. |
