Finder - what am I seeing?

[dopderbeck]

Here are some images of my fish finder up in the Adirondacks a couple weeks ago. The first is in normal mode, the second two are is "sonar simulator" mode. The finder is a Lawrence x-4 pro that came stock with my boat. Question: what am I seeing here? Why is there so much noise near the surface? What is "sonar simulation" mode and why does it read so different from normal? BTW we caught lots of smallmouth but not in any of the spots shown here. We got no hits trolling or live lining these deeper spots (there are trout in the lake).

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p648/Dopderbeck/f5799c7559f8cb8fd13feea579a124a1_zps1aa75223.jpg

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p648/Dopderbeck/01db2ca9f6d66a0497b95456c8aea9fe_zps99bc8532.jpg

http://i1344.photobucket.com/albums/p648/Dopderbeck/8e396b5dc068e18fd1ed22f17de2e811_zpsed5a1541.jpg

[dopderbeck]

Well I answered one of my own questions: "simulator" mode shows a "practice" screen, not the actual environment. Doh!

Still wondering how to interpret the first screen.

[Bicey]

In the first pic......are you moving or drifting?

This guy knows his stuff....check his site out. If you send him that picture he'll tell you what it is.

http://doctorsonar.com/

[jimmythegreek]

In the first pic u are seeing 1 of 2 things, either the start of a thermocline and I say that because the top 8 or less feet show clear, OR u are seeing an algae bloom if the water was stained. Underneath those longer more solid marks are fish. B&W sonar is hard to interpret because u dont see the strength of the return as u do in a color sonar. Go thru the menus and see if you have a sensitivity setting and turn it down a little, til u get some of that fuzz cleared up. I have 2 of the best combo sonars and there is NO simple setting that works great, it can work good if you set it w a compromise and leave it be. If you want the best out of any unit u always have to adjust it based on water depth, bottom type, and body of water u r fishing. Even a cheap POS can do wonders if you learn to adjust it and it beats having nothing, play with it some and u will be amazed what u figure out. And its always easier on softer/mud bottoms, u get bounce back and interference more when over rock/gravel bottoms. Having 2 sonars both running can give u fuzz like that esp when they are the same brand and on the same frequency

[flatcreek]

I like to fish for hybrid. What would be a good ff and what features do I need? I'm on a very tight budget, so no bells and whistles just the bear bones of what I need.
Thanks in advance; Phil

[Skunk City]

As was mentioned above, turn your gain/sensitivity down. It should get rid of the interference you are showing but still show the bigger returns.

[jimmythegreek]

depends on what u need phil as far as GPS goes. I find having GPS and mapping on my sonar is priceless, I can mark fish caught and mark structure and ALWAYS come right back to it, my trolling motor will even take me there on autopilot if I choose to. If you need just sonar any color sonar is pretty good nowadays, I would go for sumthing w an HD screen, the newer one I have is so much brighter I can see the bow from the back in daylight, its worth it. Color is also the way to go, u get to see the strength of the return. I have a humminbird 596HD that I use for ice fishing, it has flasher mode for that which is nice, and its a great open water unit size and screen wise for like 300ish, doesnt have GPS tho. Figure out what u can afford $ wise then choose either lowrance or Hbird and Ill give u some recommends. U can find deals on used sometimes