Need help with adjusting Humminbird fishfinder

[john from md]

I have a new Humminbird 728 fishfinder. I also swapped the dualbeam for the quadrabeam transducer. This gives me 83khz, 200khz and 455khz beams.

Since this is new to me, I always used the old type of depthfinders, I need some suggestions on how to set it up.

For instance, should I use black bottom, inverse or structure for the bottom adjustment. I fish in the Chesapeake Bay which has a flat bottom for the most part and varies (where I fish) from 10 to 50 feet.

Also, there are sensativity settings for several settings including the 83khz beam, fish id etc. Where should I start with these?

Also, should I speed up the chart speed? Since it shows what has already passed, shouldn't I speed it up to get a shot at casting over to that fish?

Thanks in advance,

John

 

[John_S]

Re: Need help with adjusting Humminbird fishfinder

As a general rule, I would go with the default settings until you get some "on the water" experience. Once you are "wet" then start experiementing with individual settings and observe how they change things. Some of these you can play with under the simulator mode, just to get a feel. Also, read everything in the manual about these functions and settings.


Q:should I use black bottom, inverse or structure for the bottom adjustment.

A: I use structure, which I believe is default. This allows for some indication of bottom density, hard vs soft. Black bottom everything looks the same. Not sure what inverse does, but believe it is inverse of black bottom. I haven't used it, and would have to refer to the manual.

Q: there are sensativity settings for several settings including the 83khz beam, fish id etc. Where should I start with these?

A: See general rule, but increasing sensitivity is common, and you might want to try Fish Id to get familiar with what fish arches look like. HB will put a fish symbol over the arch. The small, medium, large, depends on what fish you are going after. Try this one on the simulator. Once you learn fish arches, you might want to turn the Fish ID off. I generally don't use it.


Q: should I speed up the chart speed?

A: I like mine a little faster than the default.


Q: Since it shows what has already passed,
shouldn't I speed it up to get a shot at casting over to that fish?

A: I don't cast at fish symbols, but if verticle jigging will watch my jig and anything else that comes on screen. I use the large "RTS" display and split zoom for this.

Not sure if your unit supports, or if you have added the optional gps, but with mine I can place the cursor over anything on the screen and set a waypoint. I can then turn around and approach from a more ideal angle and then cast to it.


BTW, I do not have your specific model. but mine has allot of same adjustment capability, or more.

 

[john from md]

Re: Need help with adjusting Humminbird fishfinder

Thanks for your input John. I have played with the sim and printed 8x11 pages of the manual which I take with me in the boat.

I too have watched my jig as well as the five lines a guy was trolling down my port side! It's amazing what these displays can show you.

I am familiar with using GPS, mostly in airplanes and cars but I have yet to use the waypoint function in my boat. I have to read up on that part of the manual.

John

 

[John_S]

Re: Need help with adjusting Humminbird fishfinder

It appears your unit has the capability, but for gps you would have to have purchased the optional ext receiver.

===========================

Freeze Frame with the ability to Mark Structure on Sonar
Pressing any arrow on the four-way cursor control instantly stops the sonar graphic display to allow a closer inspection of submerged structure, bait fish, and underwater contours. Movable cursor feature allows you to instantly discern depth of any sonar return and mark waypoints from the sonar screen for navigation. Pressing the EXIT key will exit the freeze frame and the display will start to resume scrolling. Mark the location of fish-attracting structure, bottom transitions, or any feature anywhere on traditional sonar with the Sonar Cursor.

 

[john from md]

Re: Need help with adjusting Humminbird fishfinder

John,

I already have a GPS and it is hooked up to the fishfinder. I am totally GPS and WAAS capable and knowledgeable, it is the fishfinder stuff I don't know about.

I am still trying to figure out which bottom indication to use in the Chesapeake. Black, white line, inverse or structure?

Additionally, why is there a sensitivity setting for the 83khz but not for the other freqs? What does this do for me other than looking at a 12 ft section of bottom under the boat?

John

 

[John_S]

Re: Need help with adjusting Humminbird fishfinder

It wasn't clear if you did have gps or not. Some functions do not show up unless option is attached.

You should find the sensitivity for the other "beams" in the menus when you are viewing screens in which they are used. "Advanced" may need to be selected as well.

I only use the "structure" setting regardless of what water body I am on.

I turn 83kHz off most of the time. I generally look for structure, not fish. It helps with speed during while sonar recording.

 

[john from md]

Re: Need help with adjusting Humminbird fishfinder

John,

"It helps with speed during while sonar recording."

Are you saying that shutting off the 83khz makes the sonar returns faster?

John

 

[John_S]

Re: Need help with adjusting Humminbird fishfinder

The same transducer is used for 200kHz and 83kHz. It does not have two, as dual beam may have you believe. I believe it has to wait for the echo before transmitting the next. It is a HB recommended setting while recording to SD. Not sure if your unit has that capability, but if it does, I would recommend using the Sandisk Extreme III cards. They help with recording and screen save time.

 

[john from md]

Re: Need help with adjusting Humminbird fishfinder

John,

Thanks for your input. Now I have to go play with my unit.

John