Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss Depth finder

I have a very basic portable depth finder. The depth finder shows a max depth in my pond of 17 feet. Is the depth finder reading the signal from the hard clay or the soft sediment? If it's reading from the clay would it be safe to assume that the pond is actualy a lot shallower than the depth finder is reading?

It should be pretty close. However does it have an different settings on it as in shallow or deep and how wide is the signal? The thicker the signal the softer the bottom (If it's a flasher that you have).

Maybe other readers can provide additional info on this topic.
As I know it, Cecil has the basic info correct about flasher depth finers. Here are a few of my additional experiences with flashers. Various brands and ages of units will no doubt provide somewhat different results. Some brands are more accurate than others. Some units can be off by as much as two feet. A dirty or damaged transducer can provide inaccurate readings. A weak power source or electrical interference may affect the readings.

Each depth finder should be calibrated by lowering a detectable object (brick or secchi disk) to known depths below the transducer and noting the readings on the screen. Soft bottoms will always provide a wider bottom reading. With my units (Velixar, Lawrence), I have never closely compared and accurately recorded the width of the bottom signal for bottoms of various compositions such as rock, newly compacted clay and several thicknesses of soft muck bottom.

Crank up the sensitivity and you should be able to tell the difference between hard and soft. I should also show the thermocline if one exists. It's not nearly as obvious on the $80 Hummingbird I have on my rowboat compared to the better units on my bassboat but you should still be able to tell.

If it's one of those non-namebrand portables with the 50' long cord and tiny screen, it may be difficult to tell. A coworker has one that I've tried both ice-fishing and from a boat and I have come to the conclusion that you're better off using a stick.

Ryan - what is the obvious difference of the bottom reading between a hard and soft bottom with the increased sensitivity? My bottom readings are usually pretty wide often 3/8" to maybe 1/2".

I have an Eagle Cuda. it's pretty basic. I got it for my john boat so that I can at least get a general idea of temp and depth when i'm fishing unfamiliar water.

Thanks for the advice.

My better fishfinders have several shades of gray and much more resolution. It is much easier to tell on these displays. They show a hard bottom by quickly going from light to black in a narrow band. Soft bottoms with go from light to dark in a wider band.

As far as the cheapo units go, think of adjusting the sensitivity like adjusting the squelch on a CB radio. My cheap unit pretty much just shows bottom and fish without various shades of gray. I've found that by increasing the sensitivity just to the point where you just start getting "noise" that the bottom will look irregular with more "noise" near the bottom in mucky areas but will still deliver a fairly crisp image over hard bottoms. This is handy for finding big bluegills in early spring. Big ones seem to hang out in 9'-12' of water on hard clean bottoms. The problem with this is that if you come across an isolated weed bed is that it will almost fill the entire screen black and it's nearly impossible to differentiate a hump from other structure since there aren't various shades of gray or colors as with higher quality fish finders. It takes some practice to be able to tell what your looking at. Using a sensitive rod and dragging jig on the bottom while you're watching the fishfinder will help you get a feel for it.

http://www.eaglesonar.com/Downloads/Manuals/Files/cuda128_0143-631_111902.pdf see page 41

The Cuda 128 is simple and pretty bullet proof. I have one on the front of the my boat where I am mostly concerned about depth and temperature. If I want to study the bottom or fish more closely I look at my dash mounted Bottom Line. I got my Cuda the
first year they came out and it has not missed a beat. I like the backlight, that you can wheeze down to very dim for night fishing.

I get my best fishing results by setting off the depth charges at 2 foot intervals.That you have a better chance at stunning more.....................oops,I thought you said depth charge not depth finder.Sorry,I'll go to my room now.

Tom sure loves his dynamite. I'd love to visit his house on the 4th of july. I bet the fireworks show is spectacular.

Actually,Im thinking of toning it down since the bomb squad visited 2 years running