I’m still struggling to get a good grasp on livescope…I still find myself just putting it away and going to the bank. What sources have you found that really helped you dial in livescope? Or if there’s any specific thing  that helped you. Be specific (eg youtube channel…)    I really want to learn it better but right now my confidence isn’t high. Part of the problem is having it on my trolling motor and battling spotlock, wind and livescope. thanks 

Good question  I too am interested in this answer!

Anyone have any thoughts?  Thanks

Crappie guys were well out front of the bass guys on its use, so first thing I did was go to YT and see what settings every professional crappie guy liked - which was probably about 80% consistent across the board. This allowed me to set mine up quickly with settings I knew would be close to ideal right from the start, and allowed me to not second guess if my unit or settings were off or could be trusted.

 

Next, in almost every single video I watched, they were almost always in calm water, so I started by going out on calm days, or finding protected areas to learn in the beginning. Beyond that, as you expand out to breezier conditions, you learn to always try and set up immediately downwind of your target, regardless, at least at first. Very frustrating in the beginning to have to deal with windy conditions when learning, so simply avoid them best you can.

 

Next, while being a big crappie fan already, all my initial trips were for crappie. They are simply easier to learn on at first. They are schooled up in greater numbers, often suspended slightly in relation to structure or cover, and willing to bite. They are some of the easiest fish to see and recognize on your FFS. This will also allow you to learn ‘lure watching’ on the screen as well as develop depth and speed control with your presentation. If you have white bass, they are also a good structure fish to learn on. 

With enough trips under your belt (it took me almost a month), you’ll develop enough comfort and get past the frustrations to where you can start branching out and adapting to bass. Here, it seems like cover/structure finding and observation is the greatest initial benefit.
 

Also, late winter/early spring seems to be the most ideal time for learning largemouth targeting (individual fish) with jerkbaits and A-rigs because of their pension to suspend at this time. Different waters and different species will vary this though. Smallies and spots might be more amenable year round in some waters.

4 hours ago, Team9nine said:

Crappie guys were well out front of the bass guys on its use, so first thing I did was go to YT and see what settings every professional crappie guy liked - which was probably about 80% consistent across the board. This allowed me to set mine up quickly with settings I knew would be close to ideal right from the start, and allowed me to not second guess if my unit or settings were off or could be trusted.

 

Next, in almost every single video I watched, they were almost always in calm water, so I started by going out on calm days, or finding protected areas to learn in the beginning. Beyond that, as you expand out to breezier conditions, you learn to always try and set up immediately downwind of your target, regardless, at least at first. Very frustrating in the beginning to have to deal with windy conditions when learning, so simply avoid them best you can.

 

Next, while being a big crappie fan already, all my initial trips were for crappie. They are simply easier to learn on at first. They are schooled up in greater numbers, often suspended slightly in relation to structure or cover, and willing to bite. They are some of the easiest fish to see and recognize on your FFS. This will also allow you to learn ‘lure watching’ on the screen as well as develop depth and speed control with your presentation. If you have white bass, they are also a good structure fish to learn on. 

With enough trips under your belt (it took me almost a month), you’ll develop enough comfort and get past the frustrations to where you can start branching out and adapting to bass. Here, it seems like cover/structure finding and observation is the greatest initial benefit.
 

Also, late winter/early spring seems to be the most ideal time for learning largemouth targeting (individual fish) with jerkbaits and A-rigs because of their pension to suspend at this time. Different waters and different species will vary this though. Smallies and spots might be more amenable year round in some waters.

Wow thank you for the great advice!! Those are great tips!  

Big glide bait. Easy to find. Draws way more followers than you’d ever know without live.

 

 

It's TOW period.  Everyone wants a shortcut or wants to know the best setting.  If there was one best setting, Garmin wouldn't make so many adjustments available.  I tweak my settings almost every time out.  Time On the Water will be your best way to learn.  I have both forward view and perspective view transducers mounted on my Force trolling motor and run them simultaneously.

 

Retired grass grower