Do you love big bluegill?

LOWRANCE ELITE-7 HDI

This is such a great unit that ive had already for two seasons and yet each time i take it out on a trip i feel like ive learned something new. i will be posting hints tips and tricks and screenshot interpretations as i grow with this unit. hopefully we can all learn from each other on the same or similar units.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Slip Sinker on October 10, 2014 at 6:35am

Leo ... i actually believe fish especially bluegills are attracted to the sound pulse emitted by the transducer during the sonar process. i have countless screen dumps showing this. the first time i saw i tossed a slip bobber adjusted at about 2ft behind the transom of my boat ... voila...bg s. id stop to fish a school and soon the school would seem to get larger. look at carls photo below with his unit showing fish id... fish on the bottom...fish shooting towards the surface towards his boat. its a dinner bell.

Permalink Reply by John Sheehan on October 10, 2014 at 8:22am

Ken ,I wonder if it's the sound of the transducer , or the floating structure cover of the boat that attracts the Gills. I have caught many a Gill under anchored docks floating off shore and think of the boat as a similar attraction for them .

Permalink Reply by Leo Nguyen on October 10, 2014 at 9:03am

John, I have to give you the credit, as well as Ken. Why? Same deal with me. Float tube out, a small migratory school will seek shade and floating structure during clear water along the open area without weedlines. My fishfinder would display massive school. Carl's sonar is the same. His boat is a structure that offers the feeding fishes some protection from above, while taking on the baitfishes that may be seeking shelter near the structure (his boat).

However, sounds make boat by sonar, and sound modulators do attract fishes as well. There is a sound modulators that mimic various sounds that attract fish. I use combinations of willow and Colorado blades to attract the fishes on my float tube when trolling. Very effect, but of course, that's cheating.

Permalink Reply by John Sheehan on October 10, 2014 at 9:30am

One two punch like you say Leo, perhaps .We've all heard of Clunking or knocking for Catfish and popping for Gills and Bass .You got me thinking sound attracts them and boat cover keeps them around for awhile ,if they hear/ feel sound before they SEE the cover .Spooked fish? ,now I wonder about the unnatural sound of a transducer ,however as you say "sound modulators do attract fishes as well.There is a sound modulators that mimic various sounds that attract fish" I didn't know that !

Permalink Reply by dick tabbert on October 10, 2014 at 9:40am

There is much to what is being said. I think more that anything it's the shade. I have fished for gills many a time drifting and watch the gills following the boat on the shaded side. I think more than anything there just staying out of the sun. A little tid bit now and then I'm sure don't hurt.

Permalink Reply by Leo Nguyen on October 10, 2014 at 9:46am

Based on the past researches, and reading up on the frequencies used by the modern fishfinder sonars, the best description I got from the modern sonar frequencies are:

50kHz to 100kHz: whales/dolphins long distant soundwaves.

101 to 300kHz: schools of fishes in various sizes

301 to 600kHz: small baitfishes/injured fishes, crustaceans.

601-700hHz: shrimps

900-1200: crabs (Alaskan King)

Willow and Colorado blade generates at 322kHz during high oscillation.

Permalink Reply by John Sheehan on October 10, 2014 at 9:54am

This is fantastic info ! What frequencies would be generated by playing guitar in the boat ? Should I not stomp my foot?

Do some depth finders have a menu of freqs to use?

Permalink Reply by Leo Nguyen on October 10, 2014 at 10:03am

Good question John. I have no clue how high your guitar (based on notes) sound output is, unless I can record it 3 to 6ft below you. Stomping, based on the materials of the hull, and thickness, can generate similar sound to water slapping the driftwood, or, if you have coins or shell, hang a glass bottle with coins/BBs or a bag of loose shells next to the hull of the boat, the sounds will mimic a structure full of shelled creatures.

Permalink Reply by John Sheehan on October 10, 2014 at 10:07am

Leo , you are way too informed for me ;) How about the depth finders menu? If what you say can be used I'm sure its cutting edge for sonar units to offer the attraction /frequency menu.

I have found my guitar playing has made birds curious and come over for a look , none have pooped on my head so I guess I 'm doing it right .

Permalink Reply by Leo Nguyen on October 10, 2014 at 10:13am

More likely not enough info at all John. We need more!!

As for the fishfinders, based on the models and makes, the transducer types, the frequencies can be anywhere between 44kHz to 800kHz. Specific Sonar frequencies can be selected based on how keep the water is, and how wide of a scan you want. So, look at the Sonar options my friend. Chose wisely.

Permalink Reply by John Sheehan on October 10, 2014 at 10:23am

Acoustic Guitar range I believe is 20-80 hz-20k

Permalink Reply by Leo Nguyen on October 10, 2014 at 10:38am

20-80kHz, with air to water media transition, you'll lose about 5 to 7kHz. Anything in the 13 to 70kHz, you're definitely simulating larger predatorial species communication, OR, wind over structures/reeds. So, sooth the savage beasts with your music, while fishing from the boat. That will provide them a comfort in seeking for structures, and simulating a structure's assurance that the fishes can sense through their lateral lines sensory.