How To Read Side Imaging Like A Pro

[@tboneking5]

Best explanation of side imaging I’ve ever heard. It was always confusing when they say the black area is the water underneath, but I’d see marks on only one side instead of both sometimes(which would happen most of the time). Makes perfect sense, and your visual really helped! Thanks brother!

[@Saltstrong]

We're glad to see that you enjoyed this side imaging lesson. Tight Lines!

[@brucepreston3927]

Thank you! It makes a lot more sense now...I don't know why but I just couldn't wrap my head around it...

[@Saltstrong]

Glad we could help!

[@bobcoleman3400]

That is absolutely the best explanation I have seen. Thank you.

[@mikeg4317]

Thank you so much for pointing out the black line isn't just directly under your boat, but angled out a bit. Too many times I see people posting videos showing the black as ONLY directly under your boat. Then they go on to say you have to subtract the black line distance from the distance shown on your finder which makes no sense at all. Even the Lowrance video I watched tried to say this. If it were true that you would have to mentally subtract the distance, the manufacture would have already offset such in the code. Spend 2 grand on a device and it can't measure the distance correctly? I think not. Really appreciate the informative video. Tight lines to you!

[@k-mparker]

Absolute BEST explanation on how side scan works!!! Seen quite a few decent ones, but you hit a home run with this one👍😃

[@jeffslagle3298]

Finally! The best illustration I’ve seen on side scan. Thanks.

[@Saltstrong]

Glad it was helpful!

[@craigyoung3444]

Thank you Tony for the visual explanation, I totally get it now on side imaging. Your method of explaining answered all the questions I had. Thanks Again.

[@ChrisKesler]

Great job. I’ve watched several side imaging videos and this one helped me the most.

[@mikehaney5668]

Best video on side imaging I’ve seen.

[@TheHelpfuldad]

great use of the model - very helpful

[@Saltstrong]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davidwright1143]

I agree with Chris Kesler. Very informative. Thank You for sharing!

[@kcwlsn8]

Great video, the paper representation really gave a great visual of how the sonar works! Completely forgot about the finder mastery course though haha heading there now.

[@chrissnineyearwildlifejour9525]

I agree with Kasey. The paper comparison made me picture it perfectly. Nice video!

[@flahornet132]

This is absolutely awesome video telling it like it is thank you tony well done bud

[@Saltstrong]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@bocapilot]

Thanks Tony. I just installed a Simrad 12 evo. Your explanation really helps

[@kolohejoe]

Best explanation and visual I've seen yet. And while I have a greater understanding, in part, still confused. Please forgive me if this is a stupid question, but if a boat looks just like a boat, why doesn't a fish look just like a fish?

[@Saltstrong]

Boat is always much much larger, while a fish can resemble other things in the water because of a smaller size!

[@8squarefeet190]

I know I'm late to the party here.... but this is an OUTSTANDING explanation of side scan. Good job man!

[@Saltstrong]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful!

[@madcappap8711]

Thanks. Your illustration really helped me understand side imaging. Great video.

[@jelly_fishing]

Great video and nice information. Would like to see a more in depth video on being on the water and doing it live. Thx

[@jodymcewen1547]

Great job Tony. Can you expound more on the water on at least two different models? I use Garmin and I know Lowrance is also used a lot. While it’s not extremely complicated, without a lot of time in the water it takes awhile to find all the functions you’ve paid for. This explanation was great. 👍🏽

[@williamfloyd7687]

Great clips dude explains a lot still having trouble defining Rock edges on deeper points

[@henryoneil2870]

Great video. Excellent explanation. I'm trying to mark spots (structure) for fall tautog fishing and find some areas to pull out some sea bass. This will be very useful in my search. Thank you!

[@ryanrogers6669]

thanks so much for the clarification, I had no idea what the black area was!

[@socalsaltwateranglers]

The visual representation is greatly appreciated. I understand the side scanning to show structure and fish but does it also show fish in the black areas as well? As if it were acting like a down view as well?

[@AM-el4iv]

Thanks Tony. Finally understood this thing. One question though. These transducers are usually installed on the transom. I have a fishing kayak with the transducer on the first 1/3 of the kayak. Will that mean that I will be able to see somewhat ahead of me?

[@hasanyilmaz4742]

Very helpfull video thanks, i have a question ,what is the maximum depth of side imaging in salt water and which sonar best on side imaging? have nice day

[@BenedictAndy17]

Thanks Tony! Very helpful. Do you have preference for color or any other settings?

[@my31and37]

Great info...thanks for the video..

[@roynoblin]

thanks tony that helps understand what i see

[@joshbrown5673]

Great stuff! Thank you!

[@dimitrioskotsovolis6372]

Dear Tony great video and thank you! I still have a question for which i cannot find an answer! On your video example you define the boat wreck at 30 feet distance at the side of your boat. But the 11 feet is the depth , so the boat is 20 feet at the left (plus about 10 feet at the bottom , about 30 feet total distance ) or 30 feet at the left? If the correct respond is the second one as you suggest, that assumes that there is a a blind spot at the bottom of the boat (of about 10 feet in that case , getting bigger in higher depth). I noticed that at the first part of your video you mention that but if this is the case again how is possible to see a structure splitter over left-right water line on the screen when it supposes to be direct under the boat? Something looks strange here an as far i tried to figure out what really happens i cannot find the information! It will be really helpful if you can clarify it! Many thanks!

[@rodrigoelgu]

were you able to figure it out? i keep hearing the black space is the bottom of the lake and you are to substract that from whatever distance the object is but others say that is your down imaging so in that case side scan does not ping straight down the deeper you are the farther out is scanning ? have you find out an answer>?

[@shawnpaulson4834]

Thanks brother, that was awesome!

[@Saltstrong]

thanks for leaving a nice comment Shawn!

[@atlanticcoastfishing9235]

Love the videos, keep up the good work!

[@peggyparrow2059]

Grreat explanation

[@Bobb1julie]

Well presented and very informative TONY ..TU

[@dmnguye69]

So the dark area is beneath your boat (distant from boat to the bottom) and to the side some. So this is a blind spot then that you won't see or pick up any fish under? One of your screen shot shows your boat is in 11.8 feet of water, same place where blue line starts. Does this mean that you're blind to anything that's falls within a total of 23.6 feet left or right beneath of you?

[@johncal9403]

Perfect. Thanks

[@Saltstrong]

You're welcome!

[@I_am_archie]

Strong Work!

[@Alpha550]

Well done!

[@ollie_3220]

What model simrad is in the video? Thanks

[@michaelcaroppolo6414]

What are the settings you are using

[@Saltstrong]

Thank you for your question! We have a massive library of fishing tips on our website along with a search feature to let you quickly filter down to find help you're looking for, so just go to www.saltstrong.com/ and use the Search feature in the top menu. Note: If you don't see the exact answer you're looking for, just leave a comment in the post that most closely matches up with your search and one of our coaches will respond to your question... our coaches only make time to answer questions that get submitted to our website.

[@nachowny]

which fish finder will you recommend $1,000 budget

[@Saltstrong]

Check out the full blog on our website and post your question there. That way, our coaches can respond back directly with their input and recommendation. You can find that here: www.saltstrong.com/articles/how-to-read-side-imaging/

[@nachowny]

good video

[@Saltstrong]

Thanks

[@feltn78]

Being an IRL fisherman this makes me so sad cause fishing from Sebastian to Stuart it’s been really frustrating because this has eliminated one of our main structures not to mention being unhealthy! Education is crucial but we need more action,as the Bible says words without deeds are dead. Please post or show how someone can get more involved. Thanks Mike

[@dtdionne]

You need to subtract the depth from the side reading, the bow of that boat was more like 20’ to your right.

[@rodrigoelgu]

so you substract the depth and that's how close the object is to your boat? I'm confuses some say that is just downs can some say substract the depth or the black bars.

[@dtdionne]

@@rodrigoelgu yeah. You can also waypoint the object, switch to chart mode and look.