How to Read a Fish Finder
Learn how to read your fish finder to locate bass, structure, and depth in any lake.
What You'll See
Fish (Arches)
Fish appear as arches when moving, dots when stationary. Thicker arch = bigger fish.
Bottom (Solid Line)
Hard bottom (rock, gravel) = thick, consistent line. Soft bottom (mud) = thin, fuzzy line.
Structure (Depth Changes)
Drop-offs, humps, and points show as changes in bottom depth.
Baitfish (Clouds)
Baitfish appear as clouds or thin lines. Bass will be nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Look for arches (fish), hard bottom (rock, gravel), soft bottom (mud), and structure (drop-offs, humps). Fish appear as thick arches near the bottom or suspended. Baitfish appear as clouds or lines. Use the depth scale on the left to determine how deep fish are. Adjust sensitivity to see more detail.
Fish appear as arches (when moving) or dots (when stationary). The thicker the arch, the bigger the fish. Bass typically appear as thick arches near structure or the bottom. Baitfish appear as clouds or thin lines. Don't confuse bottom structure with fish — structure is solid, fish are individual arches.
Down imaging shows what's directly below the boat — fish, structure, bottom composition. Side imaging shows what's to the left and right — useful for scanning large areas quickly. Use side imaging to find structure, then switch to down imaging to fish over it.
Look for structure: drop-offs, points, humps, and weed edges. Mark fish arches near the bottom or suspended. Look for baitfish schools — bass will be nearby. Use side imaging to scan large areas quickly. Focus on depth changes and hard bottom (rock, gravel).
Start at 50-70% and adjust based on water depth. In shallow water (under 20 ft), use lower sensitivity. In deep water (over 20 ft), use higher sensitivity. If you see too much clutter, reduce sensitivity. If you can't see fish, increase it.