Setting up an echo sounder when catching catfish with a kwok

Yuri 10/12/2020 319

An echo sounder for catfishing is a special device designed to measure depth, study the bottom surface, and also detect fish. Some representatives of the ichthyofauna lead a secretive lifestyle and prefer to sit on the bottom, hiding in dense thickets of underwater vegetation. Catching such a cautious predator is not an easy task. Echo sounders are designed to make the fisherman’s efforts easier, as well as get maximum pleasure from hunting.

With transom mount

Garmin STRIKER PLUS 4CV

pros

• works in any weather
• the display does not glare in the sun
• underwater map drawing function

Minuses

• not detected

An echo sounder with a 4.3″ color screen and a transducer included will become a fisherman’s faithful assistant. Great functionality for a relatively low price for such electronics.

Lowrance HOOK2 4x Bullet Skimmer (000-14012-001)

pros

• slow battery discharge
• draws the bottom well

Minuses

• stops broadcasting at speeds over 15 km/h
• Poor identification of fish

A budget echo sounder with good quality for its price. The stated scanning depth is 152 m, but in reality it ends after 50 m.

Wireless in the form of a float

Deeper Smart Sonar Pro

pros

• compact
• convenient case
• mobile app
• real display of the bottom and fish
• communication range

Minuses

• works in cold weather, but only up to – 20
• Doesn't always detect the device the first time

A wireless fish finder with a float-style transducer that can scan and map the bottom from shore, kayak, boat and on ice. Working with the device is made easier with the built-in GPS module.

Practitioner 7 WI-FI

pros

• easy to use
• keeps in touch well
• compact
• smartphone compatibility
• realistic bottom display
• clearly visible from a distance

Minuses

• difficulty in purchasing components
• there are failures in the “cast” mode
• not very clear instructions

This fishing device perfectly identifies fish, snags, bottom and algae. Reviews confirm that Practitioner 7 WI-FI is decent quality for a relatively low price.

How to distribute responsibilities between two partners when fishing for catfish

The first angler must watch how the boat is positioned at all times.

1. With one hand he must hold the spinning rod for fishing, with the other hand the person makes characteristic sounds with the help of a quok to attract fish to him.
2. At the same time, you need to remember that in no case should you wrap the fishing line around your hand or wrap it around your belt, since the fish can easily swim away and drag a person along with it.

Catfish bites can occur in different ways. The catfish can quickly grab the bait and sink to the bottom of the reservoir. Or, after biting, move smoothly forward. But he can also jerk the line sharply.

After the fish has bitten, you need to give it a little freedom. However, when it gets tired and stops, you need to start reeling in the fishing line. When the fish moves, it must be given the opportunity to swim.

When the predator is pulled up to the boat, you should not try to drag it into the boat right away; it would be more advisable to drag it to shallow water, where it will be much easier to deal with it.

With universal mount

Raymarine Dragonfly 5PRO (E70293)

pros

• clear image of the underwater world
• sensitive
• display for any weather
• built-in WI-FI
• microSD card slot x 1

Minuses

• not identified

A continuous image of Dragonfly echolocation displayed on a smartphone or tablet becomes easy and accessible with this model. Additional convenience is provided by the universal sensor mount.

Practitioner 6M

pros

• easy to use
• good display of relief

Minuses

• not very suitable for summer fishing
• small beam of sight

A new product on the market that has already become popular. Functional portable device for winter fishing. Equipped with a transducer, scanning depth up to 25 m.

For winter fishing

Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G3N

pros

• Navionics+ cartography
• there is a speed indicator and a display of the distance traveled
• remembers up to 50 routes
• 5 beams of radiation

Minuses

• not found

The echo sounder provides high image quality. Five beams of radiation significantly expand the possibilities when searching for fish.

Lowrance FishHunter 3D

pros

• glowing indicators
• connection via mobile application
• 3D rendering of the bottom
• WiFi
• Shallow water mode

Minuses

• not found

The echo sounder clearly depicts the size of fish and their location. When ice fishing, the transducer is lowered onto the water surface.

Fishing places

Promising points for catching catfish using kwok are: holes, steep slopes and snags .
It is also worth paying attention to sections of the river under steep banks (steep banks) and areas with reverse flow. Particular attention should be paid to catfish pits . Knowing where such holes are located on the river is necessary for fishing to be successful. They can be found using an echo sounder : to do this, the fisherman needs to try to fish in each of the holes and at the same time monitor the readings of the device.

If there is an active fish in the pit, you can see catfish on the screen rising from the bottom, attracted by the sound of the quok, even if they do not take the bait. On average, one in five catfish by the clapping of a quok takes a hook. Promising points where many catfish will be found in this way need to be remembered.

Inexpensive models (up to 8,000 rubles)

LUCKY FF1108-1

pros

• price
• easy

Minuses

• no boat mount

This device is more suitable for winter due to the mounting features. Users recommend choosing a modified model with a color screen.

Practitioner 6S

pros

• universal transducer mount
• portable

Minuses

• not identified

Another budget option, included in the top of the best echo sounders for winter fishing. Quickly and accurately shows fish and where they live, as well as all floating underwater objects, down to air bubbles.

Catfish fishing technique, features, bait used

How to catch catfish using a quok? Despite the apparent simplicity of fishing, in reality it happens that catfish do not go to the hook, even the most branded one, foreign or made with love with your own hands. And the reason here is lack of experience. And it’s better to gain experience not from books, videos and photographs, but from a seasoned fisherman, persuading him to take you fishing with him...

Not only the shape and size of the quok's patch are important, but also the moment of contact of the quok with the surface of the water, as well as the moment of its passage in a circle under the surface of the water, which results in the formation of a bubble of air, which, when bursting, produces a characteristic sound heard in calm weather on hundreds of meters. When immersed in water, a snout of a quok usually takes with it a little air, which then becomes a bubble, like a soap bubble.

Well, now, in order, about the fishing technique. The hook is taken in the hand; if you are right-handed, then, of course, in the right, and vice versa, and then the hook with the bait drops to the bottom. The required length of the cord is measured, and this is usually somewhere around 4 meters, and then the quok is slapped on the water. An important condition is that the patch is perpendicular to the surface of the water. And after entering the water a few centimeters, the quok moves in an arc to the exit. Then everything repeats itself. It is advisable not to tighten and hold the kwok freely, without effort, otherwise the blow will be harsh and you will get tired faster. Then thoughts will not be about how to catch a catfish, but how to relax...

The size of the quok's patch also matters. The smaller the surface of the patch, the louder the sound will be. A larger snout gives a somewhat dull, but stronger sound. It seems easier to quack like this, but sometimes small spots work better. Therefore, there should be different quotes in stock. Fishing conditions are especially different in calm weather and in fresh winds. On a wave, a patch of quok seems to fall through, not meeting an even film of water. In this situation, quoks with larger spots work better.

For catching catfish with kwok

Lowrance HOOK2 5x GPS Splitshot (000-14016-001)

pros

• full automatic setup
• CHIRP technology for contrast and image clarity
• built-in GPS unit
• functions as a GPS plotter
• shockproof
• protected from moisture
• double coverage of the echo sounder beam

Minuses

• not identified

One of the most convenient echo sounders for nodding. The improved SplitShot 2 in 1 sensor with wideband scanning technology paints a picture of the bottom with photographic accuracy.

Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G2

pros

• swivel mount
• scanning depth up to 200 m
• GPS receiver
• IPX7
• microSD
• 5" color display

Minuses

• not identified

This model combines a fish finder and a chartplotter, making it convenient for navigation and fishing. Using the functionality of the Autochart Live chartplotter, you can plot parking areas on the map for free. Micro SD slot accepts Navionics cards.

TOP best echo sounders

There are quite a lot of models on sale, among which choosing the right one will be difficult not only for a beginner, but also for an experienced fisherman. We have compiled our rating based on the experience of users and professional fishermen, so we can offer you several fishing options:

• Deeper Smart Fishfinder 0 . Two-beam portable model equipped with a sound notification function. The kit includes a battery, the device operates at a frequency of 90 kHz and 280 kHz, viewing angles are 15 and 54 degrees. This device is suitable for both summer and winter fishing, has a high scanning quality, provides a high-quality image, and also allows you to study the bottom topography in detail and catch a secretive predator. The sonar can connect to a tablet or smartphone.
• Lowrance Elite-4x CHIRP Ice Machine . Another two-beam model with a color display, equipped with a convenient backlight. The device can scan reservoirs at a depth of up to 300 meters, clearly display the structure of the bottom and the size of the fish, and allows you to find catfish under snags and near stones.
• Garmin Fishfinder 350C . _ A two-beam stationary model equipped with a sensitivity control function and a 5-inch diagonal color screen. Viewing angles – 120 and 60 degrees. The device is equipped with a temperature and speed sensor, quickly determines the depth at which the fish is located and its size. Allows you to study the terrain in detail and get a comprehensive idea of ​​what is happening at the bottom of the reservoir.
• Elite -5 HDI . A very impressive model with a large color display. The chartplotter allows you to build maps of routes and remembers them. The device scans bodies of water at a depth of up to 90 meters, is capable of displaying two images simultaneously, and automatically selects the most appropriate settings depending on environmental conditions.
• Humminbird PiranhaMAX 180 X . A mid-priced model with high performance. The echo sounder is equipped with a 4-inch diagonal monochrome display and a 3-beam sensor. Allows you to accurately study the bottom topography, determine depths and detect prey. The device has a fairly wide viewing angle, and also allows you to see fish even in the densest thickets.

Setting up an echo sounder for catching catfish involves installing and orienting the sensor so that the nozzle is in the field of view. It's good if the scrolling speed is as high as possible. At Sazanya Bay you can rent an echo sounder for catching catfish or compare several models in order to evaluate in practice the effectiveness of a particular model.

TAGS:

For trolling

Lowrance HDS-7 Gen3

pros

• ability to display 4 windows with different readings
• Page Selector system – access to a simplified menu
• Compatible with many devices and technologies
• Touchpad
• CHIRP sonar: the ability to track the behavior of baits underwater

Minuses

• There is no replacement charger and battery included

A highly functional and high-tech echo sounder-navigator creates a clear picture of the underwater world.

Humminbird Fishin' Buddy MAX DI

pros

• economical in nutrition
• fish-finding technology FishID+
• Ease of use

Minuses

• not identified

A device from a series of tube echo sounders with a color display, it has a number of settings: sensitivity, frequency range switching, scanning frequency selection. Suitable for winter fishing.

Electronic quotes

Recently, new products have gone on sale - electronic quoks. This instrument looks like a speaker made of waterproof material.

1. This device is lowered into the water, it begins to make a sound that a predatory fish makes when attacking its prey.
2. In this case, the fisherman does not have to hit the water, which allows him to have free hands.

At the same time, many fishermen consider the invention irreplaceable. With its help you can fish and still have your hands free. But the majority of fishermen who have not yet abandoned homemade quoks believe that electronic quoks will not replace homemade ones.

Today, electronic quoks are still a rather rare acquisition that can not be found on sale very often.

Double beam

Rivotek Fisher 20 Dual

pros

• price
• dual-beam sensor-transducer
• good image quality
• anti-glare screen coating
• temperature sensor

Minuses

• not very convenient and fragile plug mount

A budget device from Russia, one of the top echo sounders for summer and winter fishing, especially for shallow water. Portable dimensions and powered by 4 AAA batteries allow you to use it for fishing from a rubber boat, shore or other vessel.

Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4

pros

• sound signal
• convenient menu
• temperature sensor
• maximum depth about 200 m
• suitable for pvc boat

Minuses

• not identified

The portable echo sounder has earned positive reviews from fishermen. Classic Dual Beam technology scans underwater terrain and fish in one go. The model is included in the ranking of echo sounders for fishing from a boat 2021.

Side scan

Garmin Echomap PLUS 72SV

pros

• bright touch screen
• good scanning function
• convenient fastening
• low power consumption
• good cartography

Minuses

• inconvenient input keyboard
• requires settings
• support service responds with a delay
• unreasonably inflated price in Russia
• cartography and BlueCharts are expensive

Experienced users advise buying a model with a screen of 9 inches or more. You will have to tinker with applications and settings, but overall this echo sounder copes with the stated functions with a bang.