Forward facing sonar - fishing tech

[Kdog]

Lots of places it is legal. And places where it is illegal is a recent thing. Them being made illegal started with these same conversations.

Also, lots of times laws have zero to do with what the biologists says. Check the most recent trapper regulation in Colorado that went against the head of the board and the state biologists.

I know it is an option outside of the US, not so sure within the US. Definately not where I hunt in GA.

 

[Bill]

Do some of the big tournaments nOw have a division for with and without omni?

Not that I know of.

 

[swat1018]

Lots of places it is legal. And places where it is illegal is a recent thing. Them being made illegal started with these same conversations.

Also, lots of times laws have zero to do with what the biologists says. Check the most recent trapper regulation in Colorado that went against the head of the board and the state biologists.

Yea, as time goes on I am becoming more weary of things the government deems to be bad, biologists included.

 

[bigboreblr]

Good pair of binoculars, fat tired bike, and some spro 1 and 1.5oz jigs. Have a good day and a good night with a fish fry.......

I like basic side imaging. Shows the basic structure. Sure helps fishing places you haven't fiished before.

 

[SwampCat]

I remember when there were no compound bows. Literally, within ten years of their development, at least 90% of bowhunters were using a compound and it seemed the number of bowhunters had doubled. I have not seen an increase in the number of fishermen since the advent of ffs like the increase I saw in bow hunters in general, and there are still a lot of boats out there without ffs.

In my 70 years spending time in the outdoors, I would say the compound bow had the biggest impact. I lived in GA at the time the first came out and the same things were said about compounds as ffs. Cheaters, took all the sport out of bow hunting, didnt have to know how to hunt to kill a deer - almost exactly the same. GA was one of the last states to legalize them - if not the last.

Now look at bow hunting - almost everyone uses a compound bow - a “cheater” as my dad called my new bow when I showed up from college with a compound. Now, the folks who are using a “cheater” from 1978 are calling a crossbow a “cheater”.

There will likely always be advancements in hunting and fishing sports that folks question as being sporting.

 

[omicron1792]

I remember when there were no compound bows. Literally, within ten years of their development, at least 90% of bowhunters were using a compound and it seemed the number of bowhunters had doubled. I have not seen an increase in the number of fishermen since the advent of ffs like the increase I saw in bow hunters in general, and there are still a lot of boats out there without ffs.

In my 70 years spending time in the outdoors, I would say the compound bow had the biggest impact. I lived in GA at the time the first came out and the same things were said about compounds as ffs. Cheaters, took all the sport out of bow hunting, didnt have to know how to hunt to kill a deer - almost exactly the same. GA was one of the last states to legalize them - if not the last.

Now look at bow hunting - almost everyone uses a compound bow - a “cheater” as my dad called my new bow when I showed up from college with a compound. Now, the folks who are using a “cheater” from 1978 are calling a crossbow a “cheater”.

There will likely always be advancements in hunting and fishing sports that folks question as being sporting.

Great post swamp. People think the stuff they grew up with or their dad taught them is ok. But their dads were called cheats by their peers when they started using it.

We have to break this cycle and unite as hunters.

 

[Mtyhunter]

Wait until the Omni sonar that the big sport fishing boats are using gets smaller.

On a good day they can see a Marlin or school of tuna 2-3 miles away 360 degrees around the boat.

Last year we bowed out of a fun family type Tournement when I found out Omni was ok to use. The guy putting it on tried to convince me it didn’t give the user any more chance of catching.

MmmmK, I didn’t buy that and kept my $500 in my pocket.

How much noise does that Omni sonar make? If it can see 2-3 miles away, that's pretty damn powerful!

 

[SwampCat]

How much noise does that Omni sonar make? If it can see 2-3 miles away, that's pretty damn powerful!

They are generally below deck. They stand about 6 ft tall and are a foot or so in diameter. You dont hear anything when above deck and the engines running. Some of the guys with the big sport fishing boats will pay someone to sit there and watch the omni screen all day long. When you are fishing for a million dollar check - it could be worth it.

 

[Kdog]

So you made me google it and confirm it via AI. One mile is 5280'. Are there different ones that can exceed this range?

• Optimal Performance: While maximum range can exceed 5,000 feet, finding and tracking marlin is most effective within 1,000–1,500 feet.
• Specific Detections: Marlin are often identified and tracked by captains at ranges of 300 to 400 feet, allowing for precise steering to the fish.
• Limitations: Performance is highly dependent on water conditions, salinity, and temperature, with the most effective, clear tracking occurring in the top 200 feet of the water column, even though the sonar can scan much deeper.
• Targeting: The technology allows for 360-degree detection, allowing anglers to see not just what is directly below, but up to 2,000 feet in any direction.

 

[SwampCat]

So you made me google it and confirm it via AI. One mile is 5280'. Are there different ones that can exceed this range?

• Optimal Performance: While maximum range can exceed 5,000 feet, finding and tracking marlin is most effective within 1,000–1,500 feet.
• Specific Detections: Marlin are often identified and tracked by captains at ranges of 300 to 400 feet, allowing for precise steering to the fish.
• Limitations: Performance is highly dependent on water conditions, salinity, and temperature, with the most effective, clear tracking occurring in the top 200 feet of the water column, even though the sonar can scan much deeper.
• Targeting: The technology allows for 360-degree detection, allowing anglers to see not just what is directly below, but up to 2,000 feet in any direction.

The capt I was with said farthest practical range was 1000 ft. But I am sure it makes a difference if it is a 50 lb white marlin or a 1000 lb black marlin. A typical trolling spread might cover 100 ft or a little more that might attract a fish. With omni, you are theoretically searching a distance 2000 ft wide.