I still have a long way to go in learning the advantages and limitations of side-imaging but last weekend I moved next to and past some flooded trees (with lots of branches, etc) in about 6 feet of water and was surprised to see little real indication of said trees on the screen (on the side imaging setting).  They were were well within the range setting of the unit but still nothing very obvious was revealed. Is it BECAUSE they were in 6 feet of water that they were not readily apparent?  Does deeper structure show better?

I have not seen any growth I would call a tree completely submerged in 6' of water unless it was cut down and horizontal on the bottom.

Are the tree limbs submerged?

What diameter are the tree trunks?

What sonar unit do you have????

 

Humminbird Helix 7

Tree trunk was prob 3 inches in diameter.  branches-1 inch.

I am by no means an expert but smaller diameter trees are going to cast a shadow that may not be as noticeable as you would think.  I am starting to train my eye to see things and it is getting easier.

The only way to get that small stuff to be recorded so it is noticeable is use about a 20' SI Range setting, and a Chart Speed at least double the GPS speed.

Also with that small screen, display one side of the SI view so the subject will be displayed double the size.

A 3" subject of any type takes up the same amount of screen space including a minnow.

what does doubling the chart speed accomplish in this situation?  

Paints the returns wider, I think.

30 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Paints the returns wider, I think.

It will increase the size from top to bottom on the view--more pixels recording the subject. The Range setting sizes the returns left to right. That is also a good technique to spread cover apart some to see fish returns within that cover.

3 hours ago, J Francho said:

Paints the returns wider, I think.

It will increase the size from top to bottom on the view--more pixels recording the subject. The Range setting sizes the returns left to right. That is also a good technique to spread cover apart some to see fish returns within that cover.

 

This a line of 8:-10" dock posts with the unit set to display them larger:

 

This is bridge support columns that are about 8' in diameter:

 

Now what do you think a 3" tree is going to look like in comparison?

Ah, so I guess my bubble has been partially burst.  But at least I'll know what NOT to expect.  But I will take your advice and decrease the range to 20 feet, change to one side view, and double the chart speed over the GPS speed.  

Exactly what I said. Good screen caps, showing the difference. I do the one sided SI display all the time. Many times, I'm only interested in one side.