Quinte Fishing

Has anyone tried using side-imaging through the ice? Most of the online stuff I found on this is dated and the manufacturer's website says the transducer has to be moving to make it work. People online have suggested rotating the sensor to simulate movement and sweep out a path (like a radar does). My expectation is that the result will initially be very difficult to interpret. I have been using Humminbird graph depth finders for the past few years for ice fishing and even though they have a flasher mode, I like the history capability of the graphs for ice-fishing. I bit the bullet on a side-imaging unit and am planning to try it at BOQ next week. I mounted the sensor on a "t" that I can rotate if desired. Worst case scenario is to bag the side-imaging and just use the HD downview. I have heard stories of guys turning their transducers sideways to look for schools of bait or walleye off to the sides of their holes, but have never tried it or seen it done.

If you have tried this or have any ideas they would be appreciated.

I have always used the rocking trick. just swing the transducer back and forth and you'll be able to catch a glimpse of schools if they are there.. on cold days, that beats getting your hands wet while trying to hold the transducer in one direction. it does work though. let us know how the side imaging thing works

I can't comment on the side imaging , but I have stuck my hand down the hole with my transducer and looked around with it on a small stocked pond to see where the trout were hiding. It didn't get me any fish but it worked.

Turning the transducer around to utilize the Side Imagine for and aft has been done by many including myself on the trolling motor. If I had a SI unit for icefishing I would definately be using it to locate the fish. Then you can poke another hole and improve your success rates.

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Guys, appreciate the feedback. I think what you describe is what others have tried. Challenge is interpreting the data. I will report on success or failure.

Not sure what Humminbird unit you have but the 360 transducer would be awsome!

Maybe it's better not to see the fish that aren't at your hole and you won't catch.

Update - I took this out for a maiden voyage on a local lake. Short story is that I had way too much action to spend anytime trying to crack the side imaging feature. I did verify you can slowly spin the transducer and paint a picture. I did not have time to try and identify schools or fish to go chase as there was a crap load of bait in the water along with fish right under me. The Humminbird 698ci hd si does have amazing color compared to the old 581 grayscale graph I have been using. I will be at BOQ this week and expect to have more dead water so that I can force myself how to use it to find fish.