Lowrance HDS Side/Structure Scan - What was the best thing you learned in 2011 ?

[garlien]

So earlier in the year I put an HDS 8 with side/structure scan on the boat...Here are a few things I have learned:

1> I have a LOT to learn.

2> I needed to turn down the sonar a lot (-5%).

3> I have to vary the power on the structure/side depending on the depth. 15+feet provides a lot better image than anything under 15.

4> Side scan works better for structure under 20 or so feet...Once you get to a decent depth, say 25+ it really starts to work better to find what side of the boat the fish are holding on.

5> You have to use the machine, over and over, again...Each time I am out I try to learn something new. Of course, if the fishing is good, I don't learn as much....

What have you learned ?

[Spot77]

I learned that when you enter a waypoint, TRUST that you are dead on when the unit tells you you're at that waypoint.

The rocks don't lie.

[Skip]

Lucky enough to have been on 5 boats with them.

Learned - I really want one.

Amazing what the unit can show. As a diver - great having a rough idea what I'm heading into when viz. is around 6 inches.

[5th Tuition]

1) I can run 20+mph with the sidescan unit and see bait balls. The regular FF mode goes white and I see nothing (except the bottom line) at speed.

2) Sensitivity and contrast are two distinct different things.
I was running the side scan way too low with contrast. It needs to be somewhere around 85% in shallow water and turned up as you get in deeper (70 ft+) water.

3) I used to run the FF in manual mode with lots of setting, but automatic setting and minus 3-4 sensitivity works just as well.

4) I still don't use sidescan much and I still get baffled by how I view the screen.

5) Sidescan clears up lots of "clutter" and shows more clearly fish and bait.

6) I can tell the difference between bunker and rainminnows in bait balls.

7) I love the nav. chip in the gps.

8) Lastly; I should have bought the unit sooner!!! I love it. It replaced an old Lowrance X-65 black and white with no gps.

I know there's more, but that's a start.