I'd like an intermediate level course.....

[buttermilkbiscuit]

Dug,

I'm pretty good at image interpretation. But this is my problem. I fish the same old areas I've been doing for years. Win some, so it seems to work, but this time of year and especially this year, the fish are transitioning into fall. I need to get out and look for some fish. During pre spawn, I usually look for bait, more than fish, but right now the fish are less predictable in location. Guess what I'm getting at, is how to interpret images and recognize catchable bass. Does they school different, or how do you know that's not a big pod of catfish, or crappie, or drum? How do the "pros" go out, graph stuff and then turn around and catch them? I think I need to pretend I've never been on my lake before, and go back to basics.....so could you give me an idea about what YOU do and what you look for???

Thanks!
BMB

[StrikeBack]

Hi BMB,

I am also doing exactly the same thing. This technology gives us the ability for the first time to observe fish in their natural environment and by lots of observation we will work out which fish are likely to bite and which fish won't.

[T Mike]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by buttermilkbiscuit &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Dug,

I'm pretty good at image interpretation. But this is my problem. I fish the same old areas I've been doing for years. Win some, so it seems to work, but this time of year and especially this year, the fish are transitioning into fall. I need to get out and look for some fish. During pre spawn, I usually look for bait, more than fish, but right now the fish are less predictable in location. Guess what I'm getting at, is how to interpret images and recognize catchable bass. Does they school different, or how do you know that's not a big pod of catfish, or crappie, or drum? How do the "pros" go out, graph stuff and then turn around and catch them? I think I need to pretend I've never been on my lake before, and go back to basics.....so could you give me an idea about what YOU do and what you look for???


Thanks!
BMB </td></tr></table>

Your question is a loaded question that a book could be written on. There are millions of different situations that you can't possibly cover. But you are right just because you see them on the graph catching them is another story. "Catchable" bass is limited to how knowledgeable the angler is in knowing a tons of different things that can trigger fish. Some of the key things that help is how to interpret different species on the graph (Like you stated), the size of the fish, the posture of the fish, size of bait you use, type of bait you use, profile of the bait you use, cadence, retrieve, even at times color.

In MOST cases (not all) for me it revolves around 5 things. How long they stay in the area (cone of view) which can range from big schools that just do a fly by under your sonar, Making sure I have deciphered the species correctly. Making sure i have the right bait/size and finally the right cadence/retrieve to trigger the strike. Some groups of fish require more coaxing to bite than others. It is my belief that ALL fish are catchable you just have to figure them out. Does that mean I catch them all the time? Absolutely not.

However, If you have a specific scenario/image in mind I'd be glad to help you some.

[Doug Vahrenberg]

I fish it was that easy... I test fish alot of time and success rate is probably worse than the catch rate. But understanding fish and where they live and how they feed tells me alot about fish that I will stop and fish for. One thing I like to look for is busted up schools of bait. You see a huge school of bait that is loosely organized - they aren't nervous and being watched and preyed upon. If they are busted up in small schools and tightly grouped someone has been scattering the bait and busting them up.

One thing I do is keep my range set 99% of the time at the same level...this allows me to help in sizing and distinguishing fish species easier because of the size they commonly are in the water.

Nothing beats time on the water and experience and testing what you find. I can tell you this when I don't see fish I rarely stop or spend alot of time in the low probability areas. Side Imaging is a huge time management tool - which helps keep me in the most productive areas the most amount of time and the odds are in my favor to increase my catch ratio.