200kHz vs. 83kHz

Walleye 9 · **Joined:** Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:05 pm **Posts:** 1985

Just curious what beam you guys select on your sonar units for different situations. Shallow water, deep water etc... Any other factors that would make you switch from narrow beam to wide beam??

Thanks

Radioworld · **Joined:** Tue Dec 20, 2011 1:31 pm **Posts:** 436

I have found that 200kHz is the best all around for shallower water (60' or less) as it offers the best detail for bottom structure and marking fish in those depths.

I don't experiment too much with 83kHz because in the type of fishing I do is always less than 60' and 200kHz works so well.

83kHz is a wider beam so in deeper depths and when downrigging is involved a lot of anglers like the 83 better.

Start with 200kHz and then experiment from there. 200 in narrower, but you'll see more detailed bottom structure. 83 is wider, but less detailed for bottom structure, but you may mark more fish with 83 because it is wider. I don't think there is a right or wrong situation to use either it comes down to personal preference.

Hopefully some of the deeper water fishermen will chime in with what works for them

-Lawren

jjz · **Joined:** Mon Nov 01, 2010 11:18 am **Posts:** 231

Interesting points Lawren, and I will defer to your expertise but I always thought of it the other way, especially when icefishing. I use the narrow beam deep and the wide beam shallow. For open water fishing I just keep it on dual mode.

Radioworld · **Joined:** Tue Dec 20, 2011 1:31 pm **Posts:** 436

jjz you are dead on when it comes to ice fishing...however in a boat most anglers do the opposite. I think a lot has to do with the fact that marking your lure in deeper water is very important while ice fishing. By using the narrow cone the power is concentrated directly below the hole and therefore making it easier to mark your lure. When using a wide cone you'll still mark your lure, but what will happen is that your bottom coverage will increase dramatically. And like I said it comes down to personal preference if what you do helps you catch fish keep doing it!

Here is a good article that explains cone angles well http://vexilar.com/info/choosing-a-tran ... m-angle-2/

-Lawren

Radioworld · **Joined:** Tue Dec 20, 2011 1:31 pm **Posts:** 436

Here is another one that is a good read http://vexilar.com/info/how-sonar-works-article/

Walleye 9 · **Joined:** Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:05 pm **Posts:** 1985

Thanks guys. I typically fish in 20 FOW or less, so I'm always on 200. I'm going to be doing some deep water fishing soon so I'm not to concerned about bottom structure, as the fish I'm targeting will be suspended so I think the wide beam may be more useful.

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200kHz vs. 83kHz

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