Side scan offshore update

[buckshot]

I think the side scan is going to be very useful offshore trolling. It will take some practice to to recognize what is on the screen and what settings to use but I could see under and around the weedlines. I also forgot to put the usb stick in so I could not take screenshots. This is a quick pic I took with my phone, you can clearly see the weed pad and then the school of mahi near it.
I will try to get better screenshots next trip.

 

[buckshot]

Pic with notes
View attachment image190.jpg

 

[Johnny Electron]

Nice seeing fish 80 ft out the starboard side in what under 6 ft of water? That is a nice install you have worked up. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Deep Blue]

buckshot,

Thanks again for sharing.

Having the TZT3 CHIRP Side-Scan capability can definitely come in handy when you are wanting to look into those potential fishing areas that may be a bit too shallow to maneuver in for the boat, or for docks or piers that might have bait under them...

- Deep Blue

 

[buckshot]

We were fishing in about 80 fathoms, the side scan was not seeing the seafloor. My main reason for trying the side scan was for deep water hoping to see fish off to the side, not bottom structure. Now that I know it works I just need to get it dialed in and hone my skills to recognize what the screen is showing.

 

[gtstang462002]

That is awesome and shows what we would want to see in deep water when fishing for pelagic species.

 

[sdonx]

This is exactly what I will be using the side scan for... Offshore. Thanks for that.
Should we be able to see 750' out to each side?

 

[buckshot]

I think you will be able to see 1000' but the fish targets will be so small that you will may not see them on the screen. Looking out around 200-300 feet will still allow the fish return to be large enough to pick out. This is definitely going to take some practice and experimenting. Next trip I want to play with more settings and see if I can remove some clutter and emphasize the fish targets. 1000' may give a large enough fish image if it was a school of Yellowfin though.
Now I think I need a 3rd screen just for the side scan!

 

[Capt. Jack Sparrow]

Bumping this thread as we're very keen to see if anyone has dialled in their FURUNO CHIRP side scan to pick up bait schools, tuna etc in the water column without bottom tracking. Photos would be awesome if you have.

 

[Deep Blue]

Here are a few pictures of the CHIRP 220-240kHz Side scan showing fish targets and bait balls:

 

[buckshot]

side scan update and thoughts,
I keep the side scan on just about all the time while trolling offshore. I am on the fence about it's usability there. I have seen a few targets up close but not out past 75 feet or so. Is it possible to add in some type of target enhancement to side scan? I am equating it to old radar before target enhancements and that when you zoomed way out the marks were so small you could not pick them out. I think the same is true with the side scan offshore. If there was a mark 200 feet away I think it would be lost in the clutter or be so small you would not see it. I can see the bubble trail of a passing boat at 200 feet so I feel the side scan has the strength to mark fish also.
Just a thought.