Ran into an avid Crappie fisherman today, super nice guy.

We talked about all things fishing and he indicated that his biggest game changer was live scope.

I told the guy that I just bought a boat and can live with my Affordable Garmins.

 

Made the huge mistake of hoping on his boat and off to his favorite brush pile full of Crappie......I was blown away.

We watched his bait drop on the screen as he stopped it just above the school and then watched fish take the bait.

 

I had no idea that live scope was literally like a video fishing game.

Call me slow but until you see it live in action, you won't understand.

2 hours ago, Bird said:

I had no idea that live scope was literally like a video fishing game

All those midsummer smallmouth events on northern waters are nothing but video game fishing with a drop shot. It’s an incredibly boring way to fish, and it’s even worse to watch. The only thing worse than just staring at a screen is watching someone else stare at a screen.

I have seen it in both open water and ice fishing.  Many of my buddies have it.   It is incredible.   Ice fishing with it is just ridiculous.  It makes catching fish easier for sure.  You can learn a lot using it as well.
I just can’t bring myself to get it.

Nothing to do with cost, I just enjoy the excitement, anticipation, strategy, and surprise of fishing without staring at a screen.  I am even willing to sacrifice the advantage while fishing in tournaments.    Just not my style.    It is fun to see it though like Bird said.  

13 hours ago, Bird said:

Ran into an avid Crappie fisherman today, super nice guy.

We talked about all things fishing and he indicated that his biggest game changer was live scope.

I told the guy that I just bought a boat and can live with my Affordable Garmins.

 

Made the huge mistake of hoping on his boat and off to his favorite brush pile full of Crappie......I was blown away.

We watched his bait drop on the screen as he stopped it just above the school and then watched fish take the bait.

 

I had no idea that live scope was literally like a video fishing game.

Call me slow but until you see it live in action, you won't understand.

 

I’ve seen it live and of course had no clue what the heck was going on, not something I can do 

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve seen it live and of course had no clue what the heck was going on, not something I can do 

He said it was very user friendly but I've heard that before.

5 minutes ago, Bird said:

He said it was very user friendly but I've heard that before.

I can barely use my normal fish finder. I can read how deep it is, after that’s it’s hocus pocus

When I got mine, I fished for crappies to learn how to use it better. It's pretty cool watching them inhale your bait or know there's one or more are tracking it down. Pretty cool tool for sure. Better watch our post count though because one or two more comments and we'll have to hear about how terrible it is and how a tournament circuit banned it because we always do like clockwork any time this subject is brought up. 

Skip the whole "it shows fish" thing. In perspective mode (15ft or less) and in forward or down mode, you would be amazed how well you can start understanding structure, rock piles, road beds, beds, etc.

 

It really helps you understand what you are fishing, how far your bait is really in the water, etc.

 

I have found bluegill beds in places where I never thought of, rock piles that look like no other on the entire lake, two sunken canoes, aluminum row boat and an atv.

 

Downside: it really, really shows you fish laugh at your presentation.

 

 

It is crazy of what you can see.  This image made Lowrances Facebook page.  This is from when I took my son crappie fishing.  He had a blast.

 

 

9 hours ago, HenryPF said:

Skip the whole "it shows fish" thing. In perspective mode (15ft or less) and in forward or down mode, you would be amazed how well you can start understanding structure, rock piles, road beds, beds, etc.

 

It really helps you understand what you are fishing, how far your bait is really in the water, etc.

 

I have found bluegill beds in places where I never thought of, rock piles that look like no other on the entire lake, two sunken canoes, aluminum row boat and an atv.

 

Downside: it really, really shows you fish laugh at your presentation.

 

 

 

This is what I got mine for in the first place.  Side and down imaging are good, but seeing everything 'live' and being able to lock at a spot, see what it looks like, and then lock on the opposite side and do the same is really awesome.

 

1 hour ago, Siebert Outdoors said:

It is crazy of what you can see.  This image made Lowrances Facebook page.  This is from when I took my son crappie fishing.  He had a blast.

 

 

 

That looks like a couple hours of fun there.  Great image.

1 hour ago, Siebert Outdoors said:

It is crazy of what you can see.  This image made Lowrances Facebook page.  This is from when I took my son crappie fishing.  He had a blast.

 

 

I don’t need live scope to see that, I just get my crappie jigs all stuck in it 

44 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I don’t need live scope to see that, I just get my crappie jigs all stuck in it 

 

Oh, now I can watch myself get hung up.  Its also amazing to see how many fish don't care about your bait or follow it and swim off.

Just now, Siebert Outdoors said:

 

Oh, now I can watch myself get hung up.  Its also amazing to see how many fish don't care about your bait or follow it and swim off.

You can probably see which branch is bending when you try to break off hahaha 

On 4/17/2023 at 5:02 PM, WIGuide said:

and how a tournament circuit banned it

I am going to assume this was a passive-aggressive way of being directed at me.  Not appreciated, but since I've already stated my case on the subject more than once, there is no reason to beat a dead horse back to life.

 

3 hours ago, gimruis said:

I am going to assume this was a passive-aggressive way of being directed at me.  Not appreciated, but since I've already stated my case on the subject more than once, there is no reason to beat a dead horse back to life.

 

Haha it's all in good fun man. It's hard to deny that just about every thread here with any mention of FF sonar has a nearly word for word post about mid summer smallmouth fishing and the PMTT ban though. 

There will be a dude fishing at the Lake Murrey elite series stop with 5 scopes.

 

He's apparently got two on either side of the Jackplate, and then three on his TM.  He's the guy who did well on the fuzzy dice I think.

 

I'm not sure which will be funnier, if he bombs with all those units, or if he wins and Randy B goes postal ?

6 hours ago, Siebert Outdoors said:

 

Oh, now I can watch myself get hung up.  Its also amazing to see how many fish don't care about your bait or follow it and swim off.

 

One of the first things I realized with bass is most of the fish I actually see hit my lure come out of nowhere in a flash.  The followers aren't usually the ones I catch.  I try to look away from the screen when I see a fish in pursuit.  It's really easy, at least for me to jerk the bait out of their mouth.   I make myself look away or close my eyes sometimes.  

FFS is the Devil!!! It shows you fish, what they are doing...it's horrible to understand what's going on under the water. Now I can't bs everyone with tactics and then they go use them and the fish don't respond!! It's ruining the sport, the nostalgia,  the wondering. And it's also pretty dam amazing.  I've had mine since 2021, now everyone thinks I catch them with it only and it's just a tool. Putting a second one on a turret mount in the next few months so I have one for spotlock.  And all those that don't like it. Well winner's never hate winner's, understand how it feels to loose, but loosers always hate winner's.  FFS for life.....lol

16 hours ago, gulfcaptain said:

FFS is the Devil!!! It shows you fish, what they are doing...it's horrible to understand what's going on under the water. Now I can't bs everyone with tactics and then they go use them and the fish don't respond!! It's ruining the sport, the nostalgia,  the wondering. And it's also pretty dam amazing.  I've had mine since 2021, now everyone thinks I catch them with it only and it's just a tool. Putting a second one on a turret mount in the next few months so I have one for spotlock.  And all those that don't like it. Well winner's never hate winner's, understand how it feels to loose, but loosers always hate winner's.  FFS for life.....lol