Depth Finder Basics - High Tech Catfishing - part 1

Depth Finder Basics (pt. 1)

The technological capabilities of sonar units have advanced significantly since Lowrance introduced "The Little Green Box" in the 1950s. Once nothing more than a flasher that "flashed" when an echo was received to high power multi-beam, multi-transducer units that literally produce an image of the bottom.

Though, the high tech sonars of today can be a bit intimidating to operate, the principle of operation is still the same. The transmitter still emits an electrical signal that is converted into a sound wave by the transducer. The sound wave is then sent toward the bottom (or the side - in the case of side imaging sonars), and reflected back toward the transducer when it strikes an object or the bottom. When the sound wave reaches the transducer, it is converted back into an electrical signal, processed and displayed on the screen.

Catfishermen use sonars for the same purpose that fishermen have always used them for - to find structure, bait or catfish. Simple right? Yea, really!

The number one obstacle that we, as catfishermen, need to overcome is the discomfort in using today's high tech electronics. We have to if we want to fully utilize their fantastic capabilities.

This series will attempt to shed some light on the "magic" that happens when we're out on a catfishing trip and press the power button on the sonar. The features and complexity of the units on the market today is immense, and can't possibly be covered in a short series of articles. We will cover the basic functionality of every unit on the market, from sub $100 dollar sonar unit that the everyday catfisherman is likely to have on the boat to the high dollar dream machines.

Here are some of the things that will be covered:
    Power and how it effects performance
    Resolution and how it effects the display
    Frequencies and how they effect performance
    Cone angles
    The effects of water and bottom conditions
    Sensitivity settings
    Zoom and range settings
    Scroll speed
    Cavitation and the importance of transducer placement
    and more...

In the next installment we'll dive in and get to work, so check back soon so you don't miss it!