Using Humminbird Down Imaging and Dual-Beam sonar to target treetop bass in reservoirs
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Visiting a large body of water for the very first time, with a new target species in mind, can be quite intimidating for an angler. Where and when to fish, and what presentations to use, are only some of the questions that can swirl through an angler's mind when preparing for such an adventure. While many anglers avoid such situations and remain well within their comfort zones, tackling new waters for new species is the best way, the ONLY way to grow into a well-rounded, multispecies fisherman. I was recently faced with just this situation during my first trip to Table Rock reservoir in southern Missouri. For a walleye angler based in the upper midwest, the prospect of catching bass on a 50,000 acre reservoir with 800 miles of shoreline, unbelievable water clarity, 90 degree surface temperatures and air temps flirting with 100 degrees was daunting to say the least. However, catch bass we did, and the key to our success was my Humminbird 1197c Fishing System with its Down Imaging and Dual Beam sonar capabilities.
Dr. Jason Halfen
Professional Walleye Angler
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Here's another screen capture, with Down Imaging on the top and traditional, dual-beam (200/83 kHz) sonar on the bottom. This area is a "shallow" flat that is about 70 feet deep, with flooded trees extending to approximately 40 feet beneath the surface. Note how Down Imaging (set to "narrow") clearly resolves individual trees, and branches within those trees, to a much greater extent than does dual-beam sonar. However, one strength of the dual-beam sonar is its ability to identify fish that are not directly beneath the boat (and thus visible to Down Imaging), yet well within the cone of one of its sonar frequencies. Note the nice fish "arcs" that appear about 30 feet down in the middle of the dual-beam sonar screen (with Switchfire set to "Max" mode). I suspect that those fish were imaged with the 83 khz beam, which, at 30 feet beneath the boat, covers a 30-foot diameter circle beneath the transducer. These fish confirmed my original suspicion that gamefish would be using the treetops for cover while hunting nearby bait.
My first orientation ride around Table Rock with my Humminbird 1197c Fishing System provided all the input I needed to start developing a producting pattern for deep-water bass. As shown in this Down Imaging screen capture, submerged trees are a primary type of "shallow" structure on Table Rock. The trees in the area shown in this screen capture rise out of 80-90 feet and top out at about 40 feet deep. Note also that there is a bait ball just above the treeops (to the left of center). I surmised that gamefish would be in or near the treetops, taking advantage of this "shallow" cover to ambush the nearby populations of bait, and that presenting a bait just above the trees might result in the bass action I was looking for.
A Table Rock surprise: a nice Rainbow Trout taken out of the "shallow" treetops in 100 feet of water
First, a bit about Table Rock for my northern readers. Table Rock is an impoundment of the White River in southern Missouri. It is best described as a canyon reservoir, with steep, rocky walls that plunge down to depths of nearly 200 feet in some areas. Near-shore water depths, just a couple of boat-lengths from shore, are often 60-80 feet or more! The bottom substrate in many areas is quite hard, and in the areas I fished (mid-lake), there are few if any weeds.
So, a combination of Humminbird Down Imaging and traditional dual-beam sonar helped me to identify appropriate cover, and the fish inhabiting this cover, on a completely new body of water. The next question was, "how do I target these fish in this cover?"
Bass purists, avert your eyes if you don't want to see a trolling rod!
Our approach was relatively simple, and not all that distinct from one of my favorite ways to target walleye and sauger on northern lakes and rivers: we trolled small cranbaits, typically Rapala SR5s and GSR5s in natural patterns, on 5 colors of 18 lb Sufix leadcore at 2-2.5 mph. This presentation method provided a wonderful mixed bag of spotted bass up to 18", white bass averaging 16", large white crappie, and even a few rainbow trout. We even had an instance of landing a pair of 17" spots that attacked a single GSR5 at the same time. Clearly, a large number of predator fish were inhabiting the treetops that I identified using my Humminbird 1197c fishing system, and after only a couple hours of scouting on a massive, completely new body of water, my family and I were catching fish....and lots of them.
Want to shorten your learning curve during your next trip to unfamiliar waters? Use your Humminbird Fishing System to find the cover and the fish, and then reap the rewards of the Humminbird technological advantage.
