tuning standard horizons fish finder

[Fixit]

bought a cpfi390 plotter and fishfinder combo last year, and the thing drives me nuts...

often finds bottom at 2.3ft when were in 400 ft of water
rarely if ever seems to spot fish or bait (although it does pick up the flashers)
iirc i got the 500w trasnducer too (50/200khz)


any thoughts? or tips? so frustrated with it!

 

[Karma-Kazi]

I run a Standard Horizon with a 500w 50/200khz. I would go into the settings and check your surface clutter settings which I usually put on 1 or 2 maybe 3 if really bad. This setting takes out any clutter in the top of your screeen. I also turn down the gain. Here in Sooke there is so much bait it often reads the bait balls as bottom.

Right in the owners manual if you read close it will tell you how to get rid of false bottom readings.

I run my gain around 55-60% while alot of people will be higher in places with clearer water and less bait. When you turn it down you mark less detail but can always tell the difference between arches and bait.

If you need more details or have specific questions let me know.

KK

 

[Fixit]

ok sounds like the surface clutter is too high.

what about transducer angle? mine is about parallel with the hull, should it point forwards or backwards?

 

[Charlie415]

ok sounds like the surface clutter is too high.

what about transducer angle? mine is about parallel with the hull, should it point forwards or backwards?

Parallel or slightly forward facing not facing backward. Parallel will give you the most accurate depth while slightly forward facing will give you a better depth at speed reading.

 

[Karma-Kazi]

And slight angle back if you want to see your lines and the fish looking at them.

-KK

 

[Fixit]

And slight angle back if you want to see your lines and the fish looking at them.

-KK

so if my flashers are showing up its probably slanted backwards too much?

 

[Karma-Kazi]

Or you are going really slow and have no angle on your riggers.

I would guess it means its slightly back. That is how I have mine set. Most dont like it this way. I play with the settings every 20 minutes out there. So it doesent bother me to see the lines tracking on the screen. I can even tell when I need to remove weeds that have slid down my line to the release or flasher.