Serious Question - SideScan
 

All,

Need to opinions....I have a pretty good chart plotter/sonar comnbination unit...More than anything the charts are the best feature...Not going see fish on the sonar if I cant find where they should be on the map....

With that said I was thinking about upgrading...Maybe a larger screen and side scan/structure scan...My concern is that I have a good unit now and I am not sure that upgrading is worth it....I know structure scan looks cool but I am not sure its going to help me "find" fish or good places where fish live...

So for those of you that have side/structure scan or been on a boat that has one...Is it worth the upgrade or not ? Can you also tell me why you think its worth it or not ?

Thanks,

Mike

FWIW : I saving up to buy a sidescan.

I've been out on a few boats with them and they are amazing.

Most charts are old info - even though updated to the newer machines. The shallow waters under 35 feet often have not even been surveyed in last 30 years. The deep channels / edges are - ship pilots need to know where to go / not go.

I keep a close eye on my finder while fishing / running and have found some great unmarked spots. Little humps / bumps / wrecks that are seldom fished can really save the day. The well marked stuff gets hit hard.

Sidescan - IMHO - should find even more of these out of the way spots.

One of my favorites is nothing more then two old concrete pipes - 18 inches dia by about 12 feet long. Nothing on any chart - found them by accident scuba diving. Sidescan showed them clearly.

Fish hold structure period. Once you are off the structure you are off the fish. With the side scan you are looking more for structure than fish. Find the structure and the fish will be there. I have seen it first hand many times scuba diving.........Gary

I remember a time when fish finders were illegal in the state of Maryland.

Did someone say the Striped Bass stock is down???

Technology, the internet and more boats have not helped the population:eek: every coin has two sides.........Gary

Merry Xmas
 

Hey Mike,

Merry Xmas to you and family.:D

Ron,

Thanks to you for the wishes ! You too...

All, thanks for the information...I am almost sold on hds/side/structure....

Reds,

I remember growing up on the Eastern Bay near Crab Ally and being able to throw and unbaited hook in the water, or catch crabs with a net walking through the grass...Its been a long time....

That has not happened to me in 20 years...At least....

And all of mine go back...I just enjoy the sport....

Hopefully one day, the population will swing back into the favor of all of us...Hoping thats next summer..For all of us....

Good luck to you and enjoy the holidays !

Mike

Ron. Since there are two Mikes here, I'll answer also.

Merry Christmas to you and the family. Is the boat here or down at the promised land?

garlien.

Merry Christmas to you, also.

He$$,,, merry xmas to all the Mikes and everyone else.

Cats at flg hbr, waiting for some warmer wx to do the pp.
:)

Thanks to all !

Happy holidays to all of you and your familes...

Maybe I can get a chance to catch up with some of you on the water next spring....Put a face to one of the Mike's here on the board....

Then again, not sure anyone wants to see this face....:)