Bass Boat Electronics Explained! How To Use Electronics and What Fish Look Like!

Do you know how your electronics work?! We all buy them but very few boaters or anglers actually know how to use them to their full potential! Today Tim is answering the biggest questions while driving around in real time and explaining various underwater features.
How far away are objects you're seeing on side imaging? Why does down imaging and 2D sonar look so different? What do fish and baitfish look like on 2D, down, and side imaging? Today we're answering all your burning questions!
Below you’ll find links to the units Tim is using, his mapping program, along with some great units from all the major brands at different price ranges. We choose Humminbird for all our boating electronics but no matter what brand you use, we’ll help you identify a quality unit to fit your budget. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
PREVIOUS VIDEO...
•Fish Finder Explained For Beginners: • Fish Finder Explained ...
TIM’S PRIMARY ELECTRONICS…
Console- Humminbird Apex 13: bit.ly/3pdaK1q
Bow- Humminbird Solix 15: bit.ly/2Hazsej
Bow- Humminbird Apex 16: bit.ly/3QBaOli
MAPPING…
•Lakemaster VX Digital Charts: bit.ly/3VOJ68y
Region: Select Your Local Region
•Lakemaster VX Premium Digital Charts: bit.ly/3z2RFmK
Region: Select Your Local Region
MID-PRICED UNITS BY BRAND…
•Humminbird Helix 9 CHIRP G4: bit.ly/35OP5Sm
•Lowrance Elite FS 9: bit.ly/3sxIvtm
•Garmin GPS Map UHD 943xsv: bit.ly/3qNGfPf
BUDGET UNITS BY BRAND…
•Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP G3: bit.ly/3BxU7mQ
•Lowrance Hook Reveal 5: bit.ly/3BQdG7q
•Garmin Striker Vivid 5CV: bit.ly/2KmQurV
WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??
We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here...
TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: bit.ly/38YpPIz
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MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY...
Trolling Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex 112: bit.ly/2vFQypW
Electronics- Humminbird Solix 15: bit.ly/35HuPRY
Anchors- Minn Kota Talons: bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Net- Frabill Conservation PLD 2612: bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
Camera- GoPro Hero 9: bit.ly/2KQ0VEI
FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…
Favorite sunglasses: bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: bit.ly/3xJFwTu
Favorite life jacket: bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: bit.ly/35KSp3O
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Storage Box: bit.ly/3kngvEG
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If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!
#fishfinder #sonar #depthfinder

[@alexquick6504]

Hands down best break down I’ve seen yet on electronics finally feel confident in spending money on a Hummingbird unit now!

[@stevecriss9681]

Thanks Tim...that was the clearest explanation of how side imaging and down imaging work that I have ever seen...well done!

[@bobbyinman9881]

Love how you explained and detailed what we're seeing! Thanks, Tim!

[@albertmcfry6322]

Great info Tim,love to always be learning.

[@Woody3025]

Great videos guys always look forward to them. This one on electronics was so informative I don’t even have a boat but this will definitely help when I do.

[@olivierlessard2670]

You guys are awesome!! You have no idea how much your videos helped me become a better bass angler !! :D

[@nawinchester]

Great video Tim. I'm going to dedicate most of my winter to studying how to use the electronics I have at the console and the front of the boat. A good video topic for you would be how do you take waypoints and information you're seeing at the console and then use that when you move to the front of the boat to then position the boat or go find those waypoints so you can start making cash at fish you saw on the graph at the console? I think for me, that's the next evolution of see it while you are motoring, then use that information at the front to be able to cast at those fish. I have sollex units in the front and the console so I have matching technology and equipment that are networked on my boat, and I would love to see a tutorial on how to move from the console to the front and start making casts.

[@chrischestney9125]

Thanks for sharing your videos!!! Very informative 🤙

[@williammoore6952]

Thanks a bunch for another awesome video! William

[@thorntonrodgers365]

Thanks for the well explained tutorial. I am one of those that doesn’t understand electronics and their capabilities. Problem is, I don’t know what I don’t know in order to ask questions. Keep them coming, I learn from each one.

[@daveh9907]

this sure clears up some of the fog, Thanks, I'm Scribed and look forward to learning more Explained Electornix.

[@bwcrouterfield]

Tim, Another good and helpful video! Many thanks. I'd like to see you do a video on how you line up on your waypoint to fish it with how you use your mega live and 360 in that lineup process. Also, how deep do you want your waypoint structure to be before you are comfortable idling over to check it with your 2d/DI?

[@patrickbrown6195]

Epic video Tim. Super helpful

[@stevemcewan8129]

Awesome explanation thanks for simplifying this really helps

[@dougmead7669]

I love the grid explanation of going over an area, and coming back to it, but going back out farther over it. Thats totally what Im looking for with the following contour feature!

[@johnbutler307]

More great video thanks for all your time

[@stevefisher2121]

I like using the range rings after I mark a waypoint. Good way to keep from spooking fish. Excellent video.

[@rodrigoelgu]

Man that side imaging looks clean

[@jodynoll5366]

thanks for the good info

[@rickyrodriguez9831]

I’ve needed a video like this because I can understand what I’m looking at once I get the perception I’m supposed to have. It’s hard to correlate the transducer direction to the down imaging and the way it scrolls

[@greghiday]

Great video Tim. It really helped explain what you are seeing on the screen. What bait would you try on the foundation?

[@alanaho4915]

Thank you for the videos! Lookin forward to reviews on the new LakeMaster Premium VX Maps.

[@bassinbilliards6279]

I definitely run 2D & Down Imaging a lot off my kayak. In less than a year of dialing it in I can see a fish or 3 dropshot down and almost everytime get that fish to bite. I love it 😀. Helix 7 Mega DI 2D.

[@markharmon8018]

Another excellent video

[@toddbloxham6041]

Thanks!

[@JustMe3104]

Great video! 👍.. Perhaps some day you guys can do an electronics video on helping us understand the size to depth relationship as to what we're looking at. A lot of times I know that I'm looking at fish but it's hard to determine whether I'm looking at bass size fish or bluegill size fish. When you factor in depth and distance it can be confusing for us amateur weekend warriors. You guys do a great job but if you were to ask me what my biggest issue is with using and understanding my electronics that would be it. Thanks for all you guys do!

[@SparksFlyin]

I’ve noticed on my own unit side scan showing the bank 60’ away but I knew I was closer. I didn’t know I had to subtract the water depth from the max length. Good tip!

[@danham3344]

Great refresher Tim. I’m finally able financially to upgrade but here is my problem. My boat has Lowrance Hook2 9” with side/down & graph/mapping and I love it. But I live in the west not far from your old stomping grounds and the water level fluctuates so much and my unit doesn’t have a water level adjustment. Do you know if Lowrance has units with actual water level adjustment? Hummingbird does but that would mean spending the $$$$$ to completely switch over. I looked online but couldn’t even understand what I was reading! 🤣. The Tech/electronics field aren’t very friendly to the tech newcomers & oldtimers. Anyway, really appreciate you guys and all your quality content.

[@caseynuchols3576]

Right on!

[@aaronitchkawich3565]

Great video. Have you done ones on the newer live forward sonars? Also, is there a way to tell the difference between bait and schooling fish like gills, perch and crappie?

[@kedman1217]

Great video. After you have placed a waypoint, how do you transition to the front deck, position you boat and make the perfect cast?

[@SparksFlyin]

I think many modern units when you place a way point will tell you on screen how far away from the mark you are in feet so you can turn around and cast to it.

[@alexwilliams8131]

Great video! Any idea when units will be back in stock on tackle warehouse?

[@Hatedepot]

This immensely helps me make sense of my 3 solix 15’s 😮. How are you tagging everything differently!?

[@katiedolfman6496]

Great video, thank you. Does the model of the transducer produce different pictures? If so, which gives the clearest picture? I'm speaking in regards to Humminbird and Ultrex.

[@ronknight6400]

Would you do an indepth video on using all of the options on the new LakeMaster VXpremium card on Solix please? I know that there are features that I am overlookinng. Love thhe electronic tips and videos.

[@pro-corelawn6490]

If you look in the bottom left corner of your down scan or side scan screen it will tell you how far your cursor that you would drop a waypoint on is away from you. This also works on Larance units

[@beaudeclue4719]

Just bought a Tracker Pro Team and Your electronics are probably worth a 3rd of my boat. Trying to make do with 2, 5" Lowrance units. Any special settings that might help on the smaller screen?

[@brianrobinson9979]

What "Speed" would you recommend I set my graphs at on my electronics? I'm on my kayak and I rarely go over 2 mph paddling or drifting with the current/wind

[@HuntStewTV]

How do you reference waypoints marked by a transom transducer to the front of the boat where you’d be fishing? Sorry if that’s a stupid question. I’m just learning!

[@ronforeman5317]

As I understand it down imaging is shooting thin wedge shaped slices behind the boat and stitching them together for the image. When an image of say a brush pile appears it could be directly beneath, far to the left, or far to the right of the boat is this correct. If you drop a waypoint on it does the graph know which side of the boat it is on, and is that the only way to know?

[@DavidWilliams-sw8xj]

You need to do a similar video with Mega Live then again with Target Lock if you have it

[@hillbillytarzan]

This is how I perceive the left side of the screen or the history for downscan and traditional 2D. The image to the left of the very right edge of your screen is what your transducer has already crossed over. Whether you’re drifting sideways to the left (it’s what’s on the right side of boat) sideways to the right (it’s on the left side) backwards (it’s in front of the boat) or straight ahead (it’s behind the boat). The left side of screen is the opposite of the of the direction the transducer is moving. The closer an object is to the right edge of the screen, the closer it is to your transducer. If I’m wrong, I’ve been doing it wrong for a long time. Maybe someone can help me out if I’m wrong. I know I didn’t make a lot of sense and probably repeated a lot, but I was just trying to quickly explain what I interpret on the screen.

[@michael_mc_gowan]

I am happily going to watching over and over again, but I have a question on distance. I have a mega down imaging transducer on my trolling motor and a mega imaging side-imaging transducer on the back of the boat. Is there a way to calculate how much of a blind spot I have under the boat since the cone of the down imaging wil capture some of the area? Its an 18.5' boat.

[@johnsofko7382]

Hi Tim, what brand of dual bridge mount are you using for your bow units? Thanks for the video!

[@tacticalbassin]

We're using Hennessey Outdoor Electronics mounts and they're amazing 👍🏼

[@Born2Fish1219]

does the same rule of deducting depth from scanning range work with 360 also? ex: scanning 80' out in 20' fow means my cast to the far edge is only actually 60'?

[@erk678]

The whole Electronics Industry is designed to drain your Bank Account.🎃

[@rags7299]

Tim. I have duel helix nine at the Consol and run one left and one right with side imaging to expand the size of my viewing area. Thoughts?

[@dougmead7669]

Im looking to do the same, a helix 9 on the bow, and a 7 at the console. If you dont mind me asking, how do you run your transducer? I am really hung up on putting SI on my TM, or getting Spotlock? Just dont want the extra arm on the TM, or on the side. Thanks for any info!!

[@haydenbarnett4491]

For some reason my Mega Down Imaging on my Solix gen3 will only show an image of any kind if the frequency is set to 455KHz. Can anyone help me to figure out why I can’t get my down imaging to work with any other frequency?

[@fishingmusician]

What is the width of down imaging compared to 2d

[@lesyoung9294]

I thought 200 was 1/3 depth & 83 was equal to depth? Thanks

[@Chaos10691]

So does the side scan come out at a slight angle creating the black space? Or is the first images lit up on either left or right directly beneath the center of your boat?

[@Mbtharp1]

First images are directly beneath the center. Think of the black space like your downscan or down imaging. If you watch sidescan on your graph and quickly switch to downscan, you’ll see that they’re almost identical

[@richardbossman9875]

Finally first!

[@Ashleyswanson45]

So if everything is showing behind you, how do you stay on fish? Turn the boat around after you passed the school? Then they won’t show up on screen because they’ll be in front of you unless you fish from the back of the boat

[@juhavuorinen6305]

Yes, unless you have some forward looking sonar, like (360, panoptics,live scope, livesight, active target, mega live, .....)

[@anothersomebody8195]

@@juhavuorinen6305 wow, there's a lot of players in that market now huh? I assumed it was just the one.

[@juhavuorinen6305]

@@anothersomebody8195 I belive, garmin, hummingbird, lowrance are the main ones currently in forward looking fishfinders, i think new hummingbird has a cool thing where you mark a target on the screen and the fish finder will function as a target traking autopilot for minnkota bow mounted trolling motor, effectively regardless of your boat movements screen view will remain the same so it's easier to cast where you see the fish. The system spins the forward looking transducer independent of the trolling motor that will keep your boat in the desired location relating to chosen target.

[@northbaybassanglers1068]

Lol every time I’m out. I feel like my depth finder is on the wrong settings

[@teetimeaz]

It’s really not that hard to calculate how far back the fish is. At 1 mi/hr you are traveling almost 1.5 ft/sec. So 5 mi/hr is 7.5 ft/sec. So you spot a fish on your fish finder, think how many sec, multiply boat speed by 1.5 and multiply by seconds. Easy easy. So 5 mph, 3 sec is 22.5 ft behind the boat.

[@billgoetz5223]

If you were buying electronics today what would you want

[@tylerfish6206]

Your my green pumpkin

[@riclindsey329]

Come on Tim start watching your videos before you post them you're getting worse and worse can't hear no volume