Neither for us. Either one cost more than my boat

I feel your pain! I love catching crappie and being on the water. Even in the slip - the livescope if very valuable. Today, several of us were fishing at "The Office" - not catching much, and her comes one of those "Livescope Gurus". He deployed his livescope and told us what we were doing wrong, and the damnedest thing happened. We started catching fish - in the marina!

Well, now I'm rethinking the livescope thing.

Out of curiosity, what were y'all doing wrong?

Wrong depth mostly. The slip is about 22' with structure everywhere. Crappie were hanging 18-20'. None of us when that deep for fear of snags. Livescope showed there were lots of big fish and where to avoid the snags.

Okay

It’s a tool, albeit an expensive one, just like our other tools. Boats, motors, rods and reels are all tools. At first I thought I can’t afford this, but then considering my age and the fact that they weren’t gonna bury my carcass with a bunch of money, I decided to rig my boat up in stages. First, I bought a used boat, saved several thousand there, then added stuff as I could. If it helps me catch fish, then I consider it money well spent. As I stated before, I’m still learning how to use it to the best advantage.

Same here, 59 years though.

"Really old people", Must be talking about me. I'm 83 and hope to get a lot older.

I started crappie fishing as soon as I could hold a cane pole, around 4 years old. We fished from the bank on creeks and ditches, occasionally a lake. When as a teenager we finally could sometimes rent a row boat ($2.00 a day) .
.
And yes we caught some Crappie, and cat fish and carp, all got eaten. When we could access a boat we tied up to visible trees and often we would fish all day and night (with a coleman lantern). On a good weekend we would get 15-20 to eat. Back then there was no size or bag limit. 6" crappie taste great. Had great times.

As we got older we learned more and could finally own a boat. Our catches increased. More knowledge and better equipment helps.
Then something remarkable happened. We bought a little Green box. It told us how deep the water was and let us get an idea of structure for the first time.

Some of the public was up in arms. "This will ruin fishing, all the fish will get caught out" was heard . But it didn't.

As the years passed the electronics got better, the boats and trolling motors got better and we caught more fish, Sometimes.

Some of the public was up in arms. "This will ruin fishing, all the fish will get caught out" was heard . But it didn't.

Then came spot lock and Livescope, it's great, and Yes we could catch fish without all this new stuff but after having it I wouldn't want to, just like I wouldn't want to go back to the bank and the cane pole.

It's simply more productive and a lot more fun. I understand it's expensive just like all the other stuff was but most will use it as they are able to afford it.

AND

Some of the public will say, "This will ruin fishing, all the fish will get caught out" . But it won't.

One thing having livescope has taught us is that there's a lot more fish down there than we ever imagined and most of them won't bite most of the time.

Fish with what you are most comfortable with or can afford and continue to learn. As I said, I'm 83 and still learning.

Now I think I'll go to the "Office" and get out my livescope and catch a few.

Well said Mr. Paty!

Great post Ernest!

Great Post Ernest!

Well said, sir!

I fish with both now...

YEP been doing ok for 59YRS LOL.