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There are no hard and fast rules to reading sonar
#12823836
07/11/18 04:16 AM
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 943
RespectTheFish
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 943 |
Hey guys! I was out fishing at FPH and came across a large school of tightly schooled bottom hugging fish that I would have bet money were white bass. After them not responding to my white bass tactics I decided to drop down some cut shad which quickly proved that this white bass mimicking school was a bunch of "box" blue catfish in the 1-3 pound range. I made a short video of screenshots of the school along with a short talk about reading sonar. I hope it's of some use for others as it certainly was a great learning experience for myself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JylSLZIulKE
Clay
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Re: There are no hard and fast rules to reading sonar
[Re: RespectTheFish]
#12824065
07/11/18 01:52 PM
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 231
Madatu
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 231 |
Mike Warren
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Re: There are no hard and fast rules to reading sonar
[Re: RespectTheFish]
#12824624
07/11/18 09:12 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,681
Capt Craig
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,681 |
Fish produce certain arches and shapes. Catfish produce a very noticeable cobra shape where the majority of color and shape are elevated in the head and not a balanced arch. The width and density of the head of the catfish returns the sonar echo faster and with a stronger signal than does the rest of the fish's body being softer and more narrow. In the illustration you see a basic shape that highlights how a catfish may present. White bass present as a more balanced arch with the color near the center of the arch.
Capt. Craig Copeland Licensed by the US Coast Guard
2019 Nautic Star 215 XTS Shallow Bay Boat Humminbird HELIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G3N Nautic Star Boats Pro Staff (nauticstarboats.com) Redneck Fish'n Jigs Pro Staff (redneckfishn.com)
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Re: There are no hard and fast rules to reading sonar
[Re: Capt Craig]
#12826962
07/13/18 03:03 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,438
River Mongrel
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,438 |
Fish produce certain arches and shapes. Catfish produce a very noticeable cobra shape where the majority of color and shape are elevated in the head and not a balanced arch. The width and density of the head of the catfish returns the sonar echo faster and with a stronger signal than does the rest of the fish's body being softer and more narrow. In the illustration you see a basic shape that highlights how a catfish may present. White bass present as a more balanced arch with the color near the center of the arch. Wow you know your stuff amigo
Keep em tight!
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Re: There are no hard and fast rules to reading sonar
[Re: RespectTheFish]
#12827208
07/13/18 06:20 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 322
on the fly
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 322 |
With the way yours is set up, would that be scattered shad over the fish? Or since they are not balled up are they just smaller cats or perch?
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Re: There are no hard and fast rules to reading sonar
[Re: RespectTheFish]
#12827221
07/13/18 06:43 PM
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 943
RespectTheFish
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 943 |
Yep there were lots of scattered shad over the schools and in top half of the water column. The shad in these examples are the small spread out red specks.
Clay
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Re: There are no hard and fast rules to reading sonar
[Re: RespectTheFish]
#12827222
07/13/18 06:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,942
Notaguide
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 4,942 |
Yall ever been in a school of gars? Most easily recognizable fish on sonar
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Re: There are no hard and fast rules to reading sonar
[Re: Notaguide]
#12827407
07/13/18 10:00 PM
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 943
RespectTheFish
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 943 |
I have a few times! That is cool! I saw one on side imaging yesterday that must have been a big 5 footer longnose. Long skinny solid arc hovering lol. Have you ever hooked one?? I caught about a 4 footer a few months ago and it didnt fight as hard as a hybrid but put on a big show jumping out of the water!? Pretty cool deal!
Clay
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Re: There are no hard and fast rules to reading sonar
[Re: RespectTheFish]
#12829753
07/16/18 05:47 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 110
Texas Bug
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 110 |
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