I am getting a replacement of my old Lowrance and have the option of a 7 inch screen without side scan or a 5 inch screen w side scan, Hummingbird Helix 5. Does anyone have any experience using side scan to find catfish along a bank in shallow water? We are usually fishing near the bank not out in the open. I also like to jig for whitebass and I've seen images for those. I'm not sure whether sidescan will be able to resolve anything in the band of water from the shore to 10 feet deep. I have this dream of being able to find blue cats out in the open with side scan. I have heard that side scan can be frustrating to use. Perhaps it's situation dependent like everything else.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Yes you can see them and for ss the bigger the screen the better!!

I have the helix 5si I like it but am actually selling it and going to drop the cash for a $1500 unit.

This^^^^^
I know others use it deep but I mostly use the sidescan in 10-15 fow or less-
It's not really "complicated" but you do have to learn to interputet it-
And for me the downscan used along with the sonar helps me decide what Im actually looking at-

I use it from 1.5'-60'

It's a game changer ...

Bigger is better on the screen size. IMO a 7" screen would be at the absolute lower end. All the data in the world doesn't do you a bit of good if you can't see it.I have a 999 and an 1199 and I can see those just fine. I have a buddy with a 899 and I struggle to read it.

This.

Agreed and I have said that same thing many times. The hardest part is getting it mounted right and synced in correctly, after that as you start making fishing trips you will be surprised how fast and well that you are able to understand what you are looking at. I have found some very good fish in very shallow water where before I would not have ever thought or imagined that they would be that shallow during certain seasons.

No more wasting time on areas with no fish with side scan you can see them. Only thing is I cant always tell what kind of fish it is. Been fooled by carp and buffalo several times. Bigger definatly better over the years I went from a 5" to a 7" now a 1199

Watch this video

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=sid...&FORM=VIRE1

Yes, yes , yes.... Once you go side scan you will never go back!

All of the fish in the link were found / caught using Humminbird side imaging

http://www.tawakoniguideservice.com/trophy-blue-catfish-photos.html

I use HB 999 SS and was not getting a great picture....fished with Tom Gravley who uses Lowrance HDS...all the difference the world! He taught me how to compare sonar to side and down imaging to confirm the fish you are seeing. Either way I would recommend an instructional fishing trip with Tom if you are not familiar with side and or down imaging....... Folks who really know how to read the sonar make all the difference!

This screen shot should answer your question. 8.5 FOW and this would have looked the same in 2 FOW.
We caught a bunch of fish right here.