Fish Finder Readings?

Jaypea · 02-09-2010, 03:20 PM

Whenever I get into really shallow water, 2-3ft, my fishfinder wants to read erratically. It will display anywhere from 2ft to 189 ft up and down. Anyone have any suggestions or have you experienced the same problems?

TWINKIE6816 · 02-09-2010, 03:45 PM

It might help if we knew what fish finder you have. Also, where do you have it mounted? I am thinking it may be in a bad place (at least for shallow water) i.e. too close to the motor and the only time you have a problem is when you get into shallow area from the prop wash.

Jig n Hawgs · 02-09-2010, 03:49 PM

Every fish finder I have ever had always done this, some vary from 2' to a 1' before they show the wrong reading.

jlw1972 · 02-09-2010, 08:00 PM

try swapping the frequency, 50 to 200 or vise versa. can't remember.

Play'N Hooky · 02-09-2010, 08:13 PM

Use the higher frequency in shallow water. Mine does the same thing when i get into water that is less than about4 feet.

specslayer · 02-09-2010, 08:55 PM

thats how every fishfinder ive had is too....you want 200hz in up to like 200-250ft and 50hz out deeper

MGuns · 02-10-2010, 09:26 AM

<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Use the higher frequency (200khz) in shallow water and the lower frequency (50khz) for deep water. Single frequency transducers work best in shallow water.

DreamWeaver21 · 02-11-2010, 12:15 PM

Pretty sure they all do that because of a double echo of the sound bouncing off the bottom of the water, then the bottom off the boat, then the bottom of the water again.

Jack Hexter · 02-11-2010, 10:40 PM

Turn the gain down. Mine (Simrad) will even go to negative numbers

Jaypea · 02-14-2010, 08:14 AM

I have a Humminbird 717, and thanks guys for all the input. Frequency and gain may be my problems. I'll give them both a try..

02-09-2010, 03:20 PM	#1
Jaypea Empty Fishbox Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pea Ridge, Fl. Posts: 44	Fish Finder Readings? Whenever I get into really shallow water, 2-3ft, my fishfinder wants to read erratically. It will display anywhere from 2ft to 189 ft up and down. Anyone have any suggestions or have you experienced the same problems?

02-09-2010, 03:45 PM	#2
TWINKIE6816 Senior Member Snapper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MILTON Posts: 524	RE: Fish Finder Readings? It might help if we knew what fish finder you have. Also, where do you have it mounted? I am thinking it may be in a bad place (at least for shallow water) i.e. too close to the motor and the only time you have a problem is when you get into shallow area from the prop wash.

02-09-2010, 03:49 PM	#3
Jig n Hawgs Senior Member Snapper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Milton/Pace Posts: 498	RE: Fish Finder Readings? Every fish finder I have ever had always done this, some vary from 2' to a 1' before they show the wrong reading.

02-09-2010, 08:00 PM	#4
jlw1972 Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bay Minette, Al. Posts: 1,328	RE: Fish Finder Readings? try swapping the frequency, 50 to 200 or vise versa. can't remember. __________________ Can't Get Right Roll Tide Joey

02-09-2010, 08:13 PM	#5
Play'N Hooky Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Andalusia, Alabama Posts: 1,009	RE: Fish Finder Readings? Use the higher frequency in shallow water. Mine does the same thing when i get into water that is less than about4 feet.

02-09-2010, 08:55 PM	#6
specslayer Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: GULF BREEZE Posts: 931	RE: Fish Finder Readings? thats how every fishfinder ive had is too....you want 200hz in up to like 200-250ft and 50hz out deeper

02-10-2010, 09:26 AM	#7
MGuns Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sherman's Cove Posts: 1,444	RE: Fish Finder Readings? <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Use the higher frequency (200khz) in shallow water and the lower frequency (50khz) for deep water. Single frequency transducers work best in shallow water. __________________ Mike MGySgt USMC (Retired) 2006 Everglades 243CC w/ Verado 250 (for sale) 1994 Nitro 800XLS w/ Merc 150

02-11-2010, 12:15 PM	#8
DreamWeaver21 Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 615	RE: Fish Finder Readings? Pretty sure they all do that because of a double echo of the sound bouncing off the bottom of the water, then the bottom off the boat, then the bottom of the water again.

02-11-2010, 10:40 PM	#9
Jack Hexter Senior Member Trigger Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 295	RE: Fish Finder Readings? Turn the gain down. Mine (Simrad) will even go to negative numbers

02-14-2010, 08:14 AM	#10
Jaypea Empty Fishbox Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Pea Ridge, Fl. Posts: 44	RE: Fish Finder Readings? I have a Humminbird 717, and thanks guys for all the input. Frequency and gain may be my problems. I'll give them both a try..

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