how usefull for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

[Swordsman]

im getting ready to order my first sonar system
SIMRAD NSS7+AIRMAR B260+LSS2
read plenty about the product and the features theyre offering, all of it sounds really cool and high tech
my question is how much will it help me for fishing ?
the reason i even thought of buying a sonar is because i was too tired of going home empty handed from fishing
whether its swordfishing which i drift on 500m ground depth and have no idea if theres any fish around my area, or if its anchoring to catch groupers and kingfish without knowing if im anchoring straight on an underwater desert and could sit there for hours without a hit.

i understand those devices will let me know a whole lot better of whats going on below my boat, but still im worried about spending 4000$ and still going back empty handed :/
could u guys calm me down ?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: how usefull for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

I'd say $4k is a lot of money and there are much cheaper units out there that'll work just as well.

As for using sonar to locate and catch fish, there's no comparison, it's like night and day, like fishing blindfolded or with your eyes wide open.

Fishing "blind" (without sonar) sucks and is all dependent on luck which will be highly elusive if you're like me.

Once you lean how to use and read your sonar unit you'll be kicking yourself and beating your head against a brick wall for not buying one sooner.

You'll still come home empty handed some days, but at least you'll know it was because the fish weren't biting and not because you weren't fish where the fish were. Just because you can see the fish down there below the boat, doesn't mean they're always going to bite... and that can be aggravating too.

The bottom line is: Your catch rate should increase dramatically after you learn how to use your new sonar unit.

 

[Bondo]

Re: how usefull for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

You'll still come home empty handed some days, but at least you'll know it was because the fish weren't biting and not because you weren't fish where the fish were. Just because you can see the fish down there below the boat, doesn't mean they're always going to bite... and that can be aggravating too.

Ayuh,.... Just to add my .02,... Get a unit with GPS,....

Then when ya find structure holdin' fish, you can come back to the exact spot....

To be Honest,... I can't Imagine boat fishin' Without sonar anymore...

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: how usefull for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

.... Just to add my .02,... Get a unit with GPS,...

For everyones reference;
What he is proposing is ...

Simrad NSS7 = GPS Chartplotter/Sonar Sounder/Radar Display Head.
Airmar B260 = Thruhull 50/200khz Downscan Transducer.
Simrad LSS2 = 455/800khz Sidescan Transducer/Driver/Interface Package.

All Top End Equipment!

 

[dingbat]

Re: how usefull for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but here is a reason why 10% of the fisherman catch 90% of the fish and it has nothing to do with their fish finder.

A sounder helps once you know what your doing, but your catch ratios are not going up simply by bolting a sounder on your helm. It takes time on the water, and lots of time on the water, to get good at the trade.

I’ve fished competitively both by boat and in the surf for the past 25 years. Even with my experience and knowledge, my catch ratios drop noticeably if I am off the water for a period of time. First hand, day-to-day observation is the key to putting fish in the box on a regular basis. Fishing a couple hours a weekend isn’t going to get you where you want to be.

FWIW: I’d bag the LSS-2 in favor of the BSM-2 or a GSD-26 with a B265-C but that’s just me

 

[JB]

Re: how usefull for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

How useful is a power nail gun in building a house? You can do without it but you will do it a lot better with it.

What you propose is massive overkill. Many sophisticated SONAR systems cost a fraction of what you propose and would do 99% of it.

Add a good GPS and everything you find can be returned to without endless searching.

That said, neither would do you any good until you have learned how to use them, and gained experience doing it.

Good fishing.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: how usefull for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

and it has nothing to do with their fish finder.

This is a sonar unit:

... and this is a fish finder:

 

[dingbat]

Re: how usefull for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

Ahh, now I can see why you call it a sonar unit. Here is what fish finders looks like..

Oh...and that other thing, we call them lures or baits around here.

 

[Swordsman]

Re: how usefull for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

some of you suggest my system is a waste of money
got any other suggestions ?

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: how useful for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

Re: how useful for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

some of you suggest my system is a waste of money
got any other suggestions ?

What is a waste of money is only a matter of opinion.
Many people would not spent $4000 on the entire boat.
Others will burn that much fuel in a weekend.

If you're going Sword fishing in 1500 ft deep waters it may be justified.
For another couple of grand you can add a radar head to the display.
And networking the whole system to multiple displays is possible.

That said; your proposed system can be implemented for under $1000.
Look at the Hummindird 798ci HD si Combo, 5 inch display, GPS, Chartplotter, 83/200khz down-scan to 1500 ft, 455khz side-scan to 100 ft deep. Network capable.




Also available with 7,8 and 11 inch displays.

 

[Swordsman]

Re: how useful for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

Re: how useful for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

What is a waste of money is only a matter of opinion.
Many people would not spent $4000 on the entire boat.
Others will burn that much fuel in a weekend.

If you're going Sword fishing in 1500 ft deep waters it may be justified.
For another couple of grand you can add a radar head to the display.
And networking the whole system to multiple displays is possible.

That said; your proposed system can be implemented for under $1000.
Look at the Hummindird 798ci HD si Combo, 5 inch display, GPS, Chartplotter, 83/200khz down-scan to 1500 ft, 455khz side-scan to 100 ft deep. Network capable.

View attachment 175836


Also available with 7,8 and 11 inch displays.

the supplier im gonna buy from only works with lowrance so other brands are not an option
i was thinking about HDS 5 at first but it seems way too small to split screen or even on full screen sonar
and im not fishing at 500M , i dont have an electric reel or something, im fishing about 200-300M when swordfishing, and even than is usually too much cause at night they go way up to 50M-150M
the thing is i was told that the B260's beam is stronger than others that even on shallower depths it would give a more accurate and higher refresh rate than others.

 

[MRS]

Re: how useful for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

Re: how useful for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

I would say you get what you pay for if I where you I would go for it. You will learn to read it as you go plus in the salt the stronger the better and folks here will help you when and if needed.

 

[kahuna123]

Re: how useful for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

Re: how useful for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

Swordsman
Good choice. Obviously you have a higher end craft. Most on here don't know who Simrad is or their background. Airmar is a great choice for ducer. You really need to take someone with you to teach you how to get the most out of whatever you buy. You will be amazed when dialed in what info it will give you.

Hummingchickens and Lowrance work great on a bass boat. Not what you want.

 

[Don S]

Re: how useful for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

Re: how useful for fishing a sonar actually is.... ?

It also depends on what kind of water you are in and what you are fishing for.
Things will be different if looking for crappy in a smal fresh waterl lake, or big fish in the huge and deep ocean.