How do I set up and use a fish finder or depth finder to locate fish underwater?

Sure thing! It's fairly straightforward once you get the hang of it. You'll want to mount your device at an appropriate spot in your boat or kayak, usually the transom or the trolling motor. The important thing is to make sure the transducer (that's the part that sends and receives the sonar signals) is submerged properly in the water.

As for reading the signals, you're looking for arches or blobs that signify fish. Remember, the wider the arch, the larger the fish. You'll also want to pay attention to the numbers that indicate depth. Oh, and don't forget to play around with the sensitivity settings. Higher sensitivity gives you more detail, but there's a sweet spot where it's not too chaotic to read.

Don't worry if it seems a bit much at first. You'll soon get a feel for it. Have fun fishing!

Sounds like you've got the basics down. How about features like CHIRP and Down Imaging? Have you tried using them yet? They can make a huge difference in detecting underwater structures and separating fish from other objects.

Honestly, it's all about experimenting and seeing what works best for you. Just relax, be patient and you'll get the hang of it before you know it!

Also, it might be a good idea to really familiarize yourself with the different types of sonar that your fish finder uses. Traditional 2D Sonar is great for showing depth and fish size, Side Imaging can give you a wider view of what’s around your boat, and Down Imaging can give depth and great detail straight down. Not every fish finder has all three, but if yours does, it's a good idea to be comfortable with when and how to use each type. It'll be a game changer!

With all this new tech at our fingertips, do you guys ever find that you're spotting fish with your finder but still not catching? Just curious, maybe there are ways to improve technique or bait once we've located them. Any thoughts on this?

I've always wondered, does all this technology take away from the traditional skills of fishing? Not to sound old school, but doesn't it feel a bit like cheating?

Well, between you and me, I sometimes think fish have meetings on how to avoid fish finders. Those sneaky critters are getting tech-savvy too!

I get where you're coming from, but remember, tech is just a tool, just like any traditional fishing gear. It's all about how we use it to enhance the experience, not replace the skill.