Do you have to see fish?

So, just wondering how many catfisher’s will look for fish on the sonar and only drop a line when they find fish. How many people just look for a good spot and then fish it to see what happens? I tend to find a spot and just fish it with good results on some days, and poor on other days. I would like to change up my game plan this year and put a 998 si to work for me with hopes that I will be able to see fish better this year before I drop a line. I have an Elite 5 dsi now and we all know that it marks structure good and not fish. Like everyone else I have limited time on the water and want to be more productive. What do you do?

I use the depth finder mostly for depth/structure. Catfish are good at hiding, and will follow scent trails a long way, so seeing fish isn’t a big thing.

What you want for that Elite 5 when you are done with it Jesse?

Sorry Doug I already sold it. We still have to hook up this year. I have yet to catch a big flathead. I think I have to spend more time on the MN over by Jordan Belle Plaine.

Little known fact, Pug lives in Golden Valley near the Robbinsdale border.

Little known fact, Jesse lives in Robbinsdale near the Golden Valley boarder. Jesse also has an open seat here and there.

I’ve heard the Pug jinx is just a myth. I heard he actually brings good luck to those fishing with him. And he is good on the net.

My friends say that my boat is Jesse’s guide service… everyone but me catches fish on my boat. So if your working the net, that means that im catching the fish.

Ralph lives in Crystal near the Robbinsdale border…for now.

Oh, I thought we were just talking about where we live.

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Little known fact, Pug lives in Golden Valley near the Robbinsdale border.

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Your profile says that you live in Richfield…

If you decide to go with the 998 I just ordered one tonight for 1199 free shipping and no tax. I wasn’t able to find anything near that price around town unless it was used or a demo.

ebay right.

On the Missisippi I’v found channel cats using Structure Scan…of course I don’t know for certain they’re channels until I have one in the boat.

Flatheads are tough. I’ve seen wintering fish on Sidescan and Downscan because I know that’s what I’m looking at. I can’t say I’ve ever picked out a flat using any of the sonar options.

I’ve fished with good and bad luck in some very odd places because I’ve found structure that looks flatheady by using the SideScan option though.

Thanks Brian. And let me guess, you live near a Robbinsdale boarder

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Your profile says that you live in Richfield…

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I have stalkers…and not the good kind.

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Thanks Brian. And let me guess, you live near a Robbinsdale boarder

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Nope, not me. I guide out of Everts Resort all the way to the East of the State.

…and no Pug, I don’t have an open seat.

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I have stalkers…and not the good kind.

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The Robert John Bardo type??? I can see that.

I use mine to find the submergent vegetation I am looking for with current on it. If you looked for fish here you would never be fishing in the right spots.

When seeking out flatheads i use my SI:

To find underwater structure
To find Baitfish
And to find the best combination of both in a stretch of river

Big fish stick out in barren water (i.e. sturgeon on mud) But it’s pretty hard to identify a fish sitting in a log pile.

FYI….Never caught fish with Pug. Just Ralph.

Pug your out…. Ralph your in.

Why, why cruel world!

Grew up in Robbinsdale, lived in Crystal, went to school in Golden Valley, Pug, I got an open seat for ya
I like to keep things even in my boat, nobody catches fish, you’ll fit right in.

I like a combination of the two when unsure of where fish are. I run humminbird for what it is worth. If I know the pattern the fish are on I just watch the water and fish like locations. If I am not sure I will look at a structure to mark fish to see if it is even worth stopping.

I much prefer to have a pattern working and fish fast but sometimes is just takes more time and thought using the technology to locate them and have better success or at least establish the pattern.

Step straight into the HBird 360. The catfish won’t stand a chance!