Side Imagining

smokeeaterjohn · **Joined:** Thu Jan 28, 2010 11:58 am **Posts:** 12

Hi guys, I just wanted to see how many of you use Side Imaging for walleye.

I’ve been watching a lot of YouTube videos from Tom Boley...he is very big on finding the fish on side imaging and then tossing his lure over the side of the boat...as opposed to trolling/fishing water that possibly had no fish in it to begin with. I think we’ve all heard the saying “90 percent of the fish are in 10 percent of the water”.

It’s a big investment, so I would like any insight you guys may have. Thanks in advance.

Also...don’t tell my wife. Lol

David Chong · **Posted:** Thu May 28, 2020 5:00 pm

I've been using Side Imaging, Structure Scan or Side Vu, whatever you want to call it for about 15 years and it is a great tool to locate fishing holding structure. It does show structure very well but fish typically don't show up very well on it, you can see them but but they don't necessary jump out at you. I spend a lot of hours scanning with my Side Vu when pre-fishing.

BigMac · **Joined:** Fri Nov 28, 2008 5:18 pm **Posts:** 1383

In my opinion it’s a decent tool but not essential. I use it when trolling deeper water to mark fish/bait off to the sides just to adjust my trolling path. Walleye also scatter away from the boat as you approach them so it can be deceiving in that regard.

It does help for marking Lakers in the spring that are glued to bottom though

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

DanElliot · **Joined:** Mon Apr 08, 2002 8:59 am **Posts:** 4329

I use it mainly to find the weedbed edges. Which is really handy so you are not driving your boat right on top of it and spooking the fish

BATMAN · **Posted:** Fri May 29, 2020 6:42 pm

Smokeeater,

I am also a fan of Tom Boley. I have the same Humminbird Helix units on my boat. I do see fish on my units but not to the frequency as Tom. Tom fishes lakes that typically have sand flats. When a sand flat transitions to a weed edge the walleye on the sand flat in front of the weed edge stand out very well. I see less fish because I fish bottoms that transition from sparse weeds to thick weed edges. The fish do not stand out so well in this situation. Still, I use my side imaging to find the edges that I am confident hold walleye. It increases my success rate for sure.

BATMAN

D-wayne · **Posted:** Sat May 30, 2020 6:12 am

As far as investment, there are a number of used SI units available for sale from those upgrading to the interconnection units.
Although my 998 SI is not as sharp and clear as my HELIX it still allows me to find structure and fish.
One trick is to ensure good clean water flow on the transducer and you can troll over 5 mph while using the SI

smokeeaterjohn · **Joined:** Thu Jan 28, 2010 11:58 am **Posts:** 12

Excellent replies guys, thanks very much for your input. I appreciate it.

Fry Flier · **Posted:** Sun May 31, 2020 7:47 pm

Side imaging I use to find structure changes more than fish, down image I use on 1/2 screen with navionics and my waypoints on the other 98 per cent of the time..

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Side Imagining

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