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Andrew Martinsen's Walleye Fishing Update


Walleye Fishing and the Art of Sonar

How Fishfinders Can Seek Out Hiding Walleye

Many anglers will remember back in the old days, when searching for walleye was a matter of sheer skill and ingenuity. These days however through the marvels of modern technology, GPS fishfinders utilize sonar to make finding walleye considerably quicker and easier.

By using sound waves beamed into the water the fishfinding device can detect objects in the water, as soundwaves rebound from them and return to hit the detector (transducer) which in turn converts the signal into readable information that will display where the lurking walleye are.

The four elements to this device are the transmitter (sends the beam), transducer (detects the returning wave), receiver (converts the wave into an electronic signal) and the display (shows the collected information on a screen, usually a liquid crystal display). The graphical display will show the depth of any fish within a set range, usually by means of a depth scale at the side of the viewing screen. Depending on what model you are using they can either be mounted to your boat or even attached to your rod or wrist. The GPS element of the device will allow you to pinpoint the exact coordinates that fish were detected, much as your car SatNav would tell you the way to your intended destination. Another added advantage is that your fishfinder will also help you detect underwater structures, reducing the risk from submerged hazards.

There are two options available for using transmitters - sidewards facing and downwards facing. This simply means that the transmitter on your boat either points straight to the floor or across the water. The advantage of one that faces sidewards is that it will more likely just be fish that are detected, whereas downward transmitters fire the beam to the floor and will therefore detect rock and other submerged structures which can hide the presence of walleye. Taking note of the temperature display on your device will also play a key part in tracking down walleye as they will favor cooler water. Always bear in mind that a fishfinder does not mean that you are guaranteed to catch walleye, it simply points you in the right direction.

More often than not, taking a methodical approach to searching for walleye with a fishfinder will prove the most fruitful. Many will to choose point in random directions in the hopes of finding a goldmine, but carefully sweeping in a tidy manner can often provide more accurate and reliable information as well as providing you with a thorough map of hazards in the area. This method will help you learn the best hot spots for walleye, and can often make returning trips more enjoyable as you become familiar with the local layout. Do bear in mind however that fishfinders are not of great use for searching shallower water, so when for example the walleye are spawning you will find that a fishfinder proves to be of little use.

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