Last week I took the plunge and finally bought a Deeper and went for the Chirp model (in for a penny in for a pound and all that). I've since taken it down the canal and a local lake for a couple of trial runs. Both times I set it to recognise all fish sizes (large, medium an small). So far I have located only fish classed as medium and small. My question is this: What defines the size? Is it length, weight or is it relative? In my mind a roach is small, a decent sized skimmer is medium and anything over that is large. I understand the Deeper is designed by Americans and they have different reference points. So, from those with experience is a double classed as large? There's a lot of those in the lake but the Deeper didn't pick any large(?) fish up. Maybe I was just unlucky and there wasn't any in front of me (or maybe more likely the disturbance scared them off!).
I would take the fish finder aspect of the deeper with a pinch of salt
In reply to Post #1
From using a deeper pro, if you turn the fish finder icon off and then look for want of a better term, streaks and arcs, these are a better indication of fish size rather than the icons. Longer obviously indicates a larger fish...I've heard they detect the swim bladders rather than fish itself if that makes sense! There are some decent articles on the deeper site and a few YouTube videos explaining it in more detail.
From using a deeper pro, if you turn the fish finder icon off and then look for want of a better term, streaks and arcs, these are a better indication of fish size rather than the icons. Longer obviously indicates a larger fish...I've heard they detect the swim bladders rather than fish itself if that makes sense! There are some decent articles on the deeper site and a few YouTube videos explaining it in more detail.
In reply to Post #2
I agree, okay for showing features and depths of fish for zigging etc but other than that.... I used one for a few months and then offloaded it, not for me unfortunately.
I agree, okay for showing features and depths of fish for zigging etc but other than that.... I used one for a few months and then offloaded it, not for me unfortunately.
In reply to Post #3
You're right about the swim bladders. I emailed Deeper and (in brief) this is what they say:
"Regarding fish size, different icons represent weaker or stronger reflections. It's impossible to put this in size categories. We see fish by their air bladders (the rest of the body is invisible as it's the same density as water more or less) and it's the air that gives the sonar returns. As you know different species have different air bladder sizes and they also vary depending on fish depth. So if you see a large icon it likely means it's a big fish but you can never be sure".
Well that clears that up (sort of). I had actually bought the Deeper to speed up the marking process and that's what I'll solely be using it for. The more I think about it the less likely the Deeper will actually change my fishing. After all I've still got to put a lead down there to have a better idea what I'm fishing on. Also it's a bit tough to cast them further than 60m.
You're right about the swim bladders. I emailed Deeper and (in brief) this is what they say:
"Regarding fish size, different icons represent weaker or stronger reflections. It's impossible to put this in size categories. We see fish by their air bladders (the rest of the body is invisible as it's the same density as water more or less) and it's the air that gives the sonar returns. As you know different species have different air bladder sizes and they also vary depending on fish depth. So if you see a large icon it likely means it's a big fish but you can never be sure".
Well that clears that up (sort of). I had actually bought the Deeper to speed up the marking process and that's what I'll solely be using it for. The more I think about it the less likely the Deeper will actually change my fishing. After all I've still got to put a lead down there to have a better idea what I'm fishing on. Also it's a bit tough to cast them further than 60m.
In reply to Post #1
There's a good section on interpreting the raw data rather than fish icons. A long arc simply means the fish was in the sonar cone longer. Bigger fish will show a much thicker arc. It's usually an arc as fish swim in and out of the sonar cone.
There's a good section on interpreting the raw data rather than fish icons. A long arc simply means the fish was in the sonar cone longer. Bigger fish will show a much thicker arc. It's usually an arc as fish swim in and out of the sonar cone.
In reply to Post #2
A VERY large pinch of salt!
I've had many different sonar devices in my boats over the years and can assure you, the best way to identify, rationalise fish and their size; is turn any kind of fish ID, OFF. A fish will appear as a crescent shape. The resolution from these deeper things is crap anyway - just compare it to the Garmin unit in my boat - like comparing a F1 car to Ford Capri
Also good to see them getting banned on some waters - as many people are casting them in and out all day long in the hope it might help them catch a carp. Drives you potty when there's one of those on the water in a swim near you... Great for mapping a water, but that's where their use ends IMHO.
A VERY large pinch of salt!
I've had many different sonar devices in my boats over the years and can assure you, the best way to identify, rationalise fish and their size; is turn any kind of fish ID, OFF. A fish will appear as a crescent shape. The resolution from these deeper things is crap anyway - just compare it to the Garmin unit in my boat - like comparing a F1 car to Ford Capri
Also good to see them getting banned on some waters - as many people are casting them in and out all day long in the hope it might help them catch a carp. Drives you potty when there's one of those on the water in a swim near you... Great for mapping a water, but that's where their use ends IMHO.
I have the chirp but turn off the fish finder and just use it for everything else like feature/ depth and temperature it's very good for that but tbh I don't use any fish finders on any device I have got
I have a chirp+ and agree, the fish finder can be incredibly misleading especially if the sensitivity is not tuned correctly, turn the fish icons off and look for arches and and swirls. I just use mine to map swims and try to rely on visual cues for fish whereabouts.