Fish finders

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
12,017
No muskies around here but one of the reasons i chose not to install a fish finder is to me a day of fishing and catching a couple fish over 20 is totally fine. Trolling for salmon or lake trout whe. I was a kid and not catching anything was fine. Bonus if I did. Time spent with dad, gramps and friends as I got older is better than catching fish any day of the week. I've been fishing 50 plus years, I'm good but do t need to be great.


 

BWR1953

Admiral
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
6,328
I'm an old guy and primarily a bass fisherman. Been a lifetime member of B.A.S.S. for 40+ years. But, I only fish for recreation.

I have a simple Garmin to tell me depth, GPS speed and water temperature. The forward facing sonar (FFS) units are way out of my budget. Those things can cost as much, if not more, than my boats! :LOL:

I know that they're really popular with bass tournament fishing, so much so that there are recent rule changes affecting their use.

A couple months ago I met a guy about my age. He'd recently become a convert to the FFS units. He too has a lot of knowledge and skills and enjoyed going crappie fishing. But now he goes fish hunting with his FFS. He gets to a spot, sweeps the area with his FFS and throws his bait at the biggest fish in the bunch. Says he catches them pretty much every time.

It's definitely different nowadays, that's for sure.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,773
For the local and foreign fishermen, the catch/keep regulations are pretty restrictive in me Ontario and most days it’s a given that you will catch your limit.
For example, where I go, walleye northern and bass limits are 2 or 4 fish. Additionally , can’t keep any northern over 29.5”, only one eye over 18”, and smalliesmust be under14” until July. FFS will not put any more fish in the cooler.
It certainly will increase the catch numbers, but not the harvest numbers

I would think FFS would have a much more impact on waters that are barely self sustaining.
 

aspeck

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
May 29, 2003
Messages
19,234
Went laker fishing with a guy who had FFS … he would raise and lower the downriggers accordingly to the fish seen and even set the hook when he saw them attack his bait … we caught a lot, but it sort of took the fun and anticipation out of the journey.
 

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
12,017
Went laker fishing with a guy who had FFS … he would raise and lower the downriggers accordingly to the fish seen and even set the hook when he saw them attack his bait … we caught a lot, but it sort of took the fun and anticipation out of the journey.
100% my point.
 

FLATHEAD

Captain
Joined
Dec 29, 2002
Messages
3,502
I have FFS on my Crestliner. It’s pretty neat and all, but honestly I don’t much care for it, and I think it’s over rated. I don’t even turn it on anymore. You find yourself looking a a screen more than you are fishing, not my thing. I talk to quite a few guys at the ramp that feel the same way. I can honestly say I’ve never caught a fish due to FFS.
 

cyclops222

Commander
Joined
Mar 21, 2024
Messages
2,338
I fish the same water every time. I just move around the same spots to find them. Great Lakes or ocean ? F F is a major help.
 

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,554
In my area, I am glad that we can catch normal limits every day due to the abundance and good healthy population of our fishery and do not need to rely in hi tech, expensive electronics to reach our goals. What has happened to just fishing for fun and enjoyment ??
 
Top