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Need Help Reading Sonar Image

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I'm still a sonar reading rookie, and would appreciate thoughts on the attached. I often see these "stacks" of angled lines that seem to go from deeper water up to the surface, and not sure what to make of it. I've circled 2 sets of these stacks side by side. The screen shot was taken this morning while drifting over a point.

I see the larger fish returns, but not confident they are bass. The lake has bass, white perch and stripers.

I'm assuming the returns to the left and center are bass (chasing baitfish maybe?). Do baitfish show up like that?

Thanks for any help.

sonar noob Bill

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  • Super User

To me, it looks like either interferance or clutter. OR something on the very edge of the sonar cone not producing a strong return. Are there any buoys anchored to the bottom by a chain or cable in this area? Kind of looks like the return those give off.

You have an interference problem. The parallel vertical lines all over the display is noise interference from something else on your boat. Possibly your trolling motor. Try turning your TM off and on while watching your screen to see if the interference disappears.

Those completely vertical lines are definitely interference.

I see angled lines like the ones circled when something is producing bubbles from the bottom. Since they are perfectly parallel, and the slope of those lines is constant, I'd doubt they are fish.

  • 5 weeks later...

Interference on the vertical lines. The lines that are circled could be your trim on your outboard. Interference as well.

Do you have two sonar units. The vertical lines look alot like a second sonar reflection.

  • Super User

Same here interference with something electrical, check to make sure all of your cables are routed as far away from any electrical device you may have, my friends device did the same thing his cable was routed too close to his live well pump motor, never would have thought that but thats all it was.

Do you have two sonar units. The vertical lines look alot like a second sonar reflection.

That was my guess too.

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