My Experience Implementing Forward Facing Sonar (MEGA Live)

I finally installed a forward-facing sonar unit (a used MEGA Live). I filmed everything from initial install, testing, settings, hiccups, and my first fish catches (walleye and others on Lake Sakakawea). If you want to know what to expect when you get your first system, this should help.
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Gear:
Epoch 105 Ah 12V Trolling Motor Batteries: www.epochbatte...
Piscifun Reels: www.piscifun.com/ (coupon code BF15 for 15% off orders)
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PC 13 MEGA Live Power Cable: amzn.to/3WO0Svo
Net Buddy Transducer Cover for MEGA Live: amzn.to/3WN5SjQ
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[@TheSaneRider]

Ffs is amazing. You learn a ton about how fish react and it makes your outings way more efficient. Find myself doing a lot less dragging and more sharp shooting specific schools of fish with it. One tip that helped me a lot was the shorter the distance forward you set on the screen the easier it is to see fish on the screen because the marks are bigger. Same with depth. Set depth just a few feet below bottom.

[@BloemendaalFishing]

Yeah, I’ve been setting my range a little longer just to see more stuff inside of that stupid sonar wave interference that I get, but if I can figure out how to fix that, I definitely want to set a shorter range!

[@rdenney18]

This is the best video ive seen on FFS. The reality is there is a huge learning curve. Please keep making videos like this.

[@BloemendaalFishing]

Dang, thank you! Will do!

[@ryanbiscobarnes]

I was surprised as a youtuber and guide that you didn't have this before.

[@BloemendaalFishing]

$$$...I don't got much!

[@adhall777]

Awesome video. Thanks for putting it all together and showing us the entire start to finish process.

[@BloemendaalFishing]

Well thank you for watching!

[@brandonbloemendaal3814]

Wow, that was crazy informative for setup and troubleshooting. That contrast/sensitivity stuff is super important. Nice video!

[@BloemendaalFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cowboyjack328]

You’ve been through much of what I’ve found. If you have 2 open ports on your network, networking your ML will clean up your sonar interference. I extended my power cord and have a TKI mount on a lund track mount. Can move it anywhere in my boat and use any graph. At times the mask helps a ton. Don’t stick it on. Stick it to a piece of 3M no residue duct tape. Tape it over the ML window with a small piece of the duct tape. It’s stays on for weeks and is removable. You can also make a foam mask from a can coozy cut to size. If found the short mask and transducer at 50 degrees “5 clicks up” gives me best jig tracking. Good luck. Have fun

[@BloemendaalFishing]

Thanks, Jack. I don’t currently have a network box and hoping I don’t have to buy one, but good to know it may help if I do.

[@wyatthans7536]

Glad you got it together! FFS is a lot of fun, definitely can lose yourself in it!

[@BloemendaalFishing]

I’m sure, trying not to lose it entirely!

[@caseyjohnson8427]

One thing I’ve learned is keep your distance at a constant and depth somewhat constant you will learn what size and species fish your looking at A lot faster great videos!!

[@BloemendaalFishing]

Yeah, that definitely makes sense, especially for the down mode

[@rippinglipsadventures]

Glad you got the issue resolved. 90 percent of the time it works every time. It would have sucked to watch the remainder of this video with it sideways/skewed. :)

[@BloemendaalFishing]

No kidding! I was starting to wonder if I was ever gonna finish this video when that problem came up!

[@stnn1pie]

I’ve been contemplating one myself. Necessary for targeting big fish in a tournament but not so much for just finding and catching fish. I’m going to hold out for now.

[@BloemendaalFishing]

I definitely don’t think it’s necessary for just catching fish, it just might make it more entertaining if you like that style. Although if you are on a spot locked, casting bite, it helps to keep tabs on fish around the boat.

[@iceholepower8012]

Hit me up if you want to get more run time out of that unit. 20ah is a not the preferred battery for those systems.

[@BloemendaalFishing]

Does more ah get you something beyond more run time? It works for me so far dabbling as I do. I get at least six hours if not more.

[@brendavanorden9550]

I hope you have better luck with the yak mounts than I did. They were cheap plastic and wobble bad. Then break.

[@BloemendaalFishing]

Already tried...I agree. Can't run with them, but easier to take out and the extension arm is nice getting it up for viewing. I'm just setting it on the floor for now. Want to get a Stow-away mount, but I can't take out when I don't need it (guiding days), and it's expensive! Though I may have an idea to mount it on a track with some sort of quick release bracket. Still working it out.

[@crappietoutdoors2159]

Atta boy bloomy

[@BloemendaalFishing]

I'm getting used to it. Next video is a step forward. Eventually graduate to identifying hogs :)

[@brett_Thorpe]

Hey Brett. Good video. Have you tried different colour pallets ? You will find some are better on the eyes than others and show detail better. Mega live is awesome. I have it also. I find contrast at 12 and sensitivity at 12 as well to work best for me. I use the blue back ground pallet, I think it’s 12 or 13? Not sure. I also had mine on a pole. But I bought the quest ultrex and I have it mounted on the trolling motor now. Much easier now ( for me anyways ) and less crap to set up using the pole etc. Well enjoy you mega live. Only other thing I could recommend, is getting a 12” unit for reading mega live. Yup the spending never stops now. lol. Enjoy bro.

[@BloemendaalFishing]

Thanks, Brett! Lots of good ideas, but yeah, money! I'll see how the year goes and maybe retool some things next year. I've tried the other pallets some, mostly the green one, and so far I like orange, but I'll keep tinkering as always.

[@brett_Thorpe]

@@BloemendaalFishing That’s a good idea. Go slow , enjoy the mega live. It’s an awesome tool. 👍

[@BloemendaalFishing]

Need time to digest :)

[@dionbrandt6176]

The bird mega live is so far behind Garmin, I do run 4 birds on my boat , FFS is Garmin

[@BloemendaalFishing]

I do agree. If I had the money and didn’t get a good deal on this used one, I’d get Garmin.

[@lancehoff4101]

Is FFS going to be the normal for your videos now?

[@BloemendaalFishing]

No, but I'll possibly use it heavily the next few as I get used to it. Eventually I want it just to be another tool for me, not necessarily the be-all, end-all thing.

[@valringwelski9429]

The video I been watching on different shows seems like casting to the fish is the best way to use FFS or do you think pulling spinners would work just as well

[@BloemendaalFishing]

I think it’s biggest advantage is with casting, but I plan to try pointing it at my bottom bouncer to see when fish follow. Or you could point it ahead of your boat to steer towards fish before you get to them.

[@gregdutton8219]

@@BloemendaalFishing When pulling spinners I was surprised how many fish would follow and not bite. Another thing was how many suspended fish would move down the water column to follow.

[@BloemendaalFishing]

I’m sure I would see a ton of interesting things once I do it!

[@dankrupp321]

If you put the other units on standby while you're using the mega live, the sonar wave you're getting will go away

[@BloemendaalFishing]

I figured it would, but I don't really want to do that...I like using both!

[@dankrupp321]

I get it, but just to let you know if you hit any button on the standby unit, it comes right back on. So it's easy enough to put on standby and take off. Just FYI

[@BloemendaalFishing]

I’m aware. I suppose that’s probably just fine when I’m spotlighted using the live scope, but I could quickly turn it back on to do some scanning if I start trolling again.

[@larryanderseniii6232]

⁠@@BloemendaalFishingHave you tried not using mega frequency on the other transducers while using live? Tom Boley recommends setting the angle at 70 (7 clicks up) to improve showing where the bait hits the water, seems to help.

[@BloemendaalFishing]

I haven’t. I’ll try that.

[@mattcampbell3876]

And there goes your soul, sold to livescope, congrats on disappointing your grandpa

[@BloemendaalFishing]

I guess so!