What are you looking at???

[Birdnest]

I could use some help with FF discernment. I have a Garmin 160 Blue. It has a dual frequency mode that shoots 10 and 40 degree cones, the power output is 500 watts(rms). 4000 watts(peak to peak). I also have a feature that helps determine hard vs soft bottom. My choice for fish displays are "arches" vs fish symbols (the fish symbols have varying degrees of filters)

I fish the San Juan's where the bottom is anything but uniformed. So, to make a short post long...I want to get better at discerning what I am marking based on depth of water/target, bottom structure, ect.

Right now I am not sure if I am seeing a bait school or a large group of Black Sea Bass hanging around a suspended kelp bed. Also, is there a depth limit that you would rule out salmon. I've been fishing for Black mouth that work the bottom for Sand lance, but couldn't tell you the difference between salmon vs bottom fish in that situation.

Any tricks of the trade would be most welcomed.

Joe

[Birdnest]

Is this a dumb question?

[Nofish]

Birdnest, I think I know what you are asking about...I have the same unit on my Bayrunner. When I am trying to discern salmon from the rest of the bunch, I switch away from the arches and go to the "fish" symbol. The largest "fish" has usually meant salmon. Bait shows up as a big dark mass or blob while black rockfish are individual marks (or fish). Blacks tend to be in a tighter formation while salmon are in a loose school (at least where I fish). Also, salmon will often show as marks above or below a bait mass. The only other way to do this is through experience. Watch the arch size when you know you are into salmon. As far as depth goes, we have caught chinook down to almost 400 feet. I know there are guys on this board that are more experienced at salmon than I am. Maybe they will weigh in. Good luck...Bob

[Birdnest]

Bob,

Thanks for your insights.

Joe