[fishin"G"man]

The number one reason I refuse to buy into the hype. As a somewhat bitter divorcee, I'm not quite sure I could stomach that kind rejection all over again.

Rejection is one thing...not to mention, the aspect of what do you do about it when a fish refuses your gear? Will the "TV" tell ya why, what to use? I'm in the camp of making yourself into a better fisherman by gaining and using fishing knowledge not by watching a "TV" all day.
Not getting bit? Reasoning usually works...Is it location, color, depth, wrong bait/lure? You will learn more by experimentation/thinking/asking yourself why, than watching a screen that tells you if/when/what a fish bites on (or doesn't). The mark of a good fisherman is what he knows about fishing. Knowing how to/what to do to remedy a no bite situation is gratifying.

 

[fishin"G"man]

Well like I said in a previous post: I've never once got one to strike by dropping it or reeling up when it was following. When you try to send it down, what you see happen is the gear actually falls back and into the fish's face, which they don't like. I've tried to drop it as fast as possible, but still doesn't work. But I just think seeing something above or below them is non-threatening, while a mass of gear coming right at their face doesn't trigger any chase response, and more triggers a "flight" response.

So stripping line after a "bite" isn't something that has worked for you? I've fished with guys that didn't believe in doing that. I'd say it woks at least 50% of the time. I think it'd be fun to have a query on how many strip line after a bite...
That's pretty common for us in the pond but it even worked the other day in the river. I recon it's like a flip with a tail or an aggression strike to stun the bait, then they come back for it when it "moves/falters/flutters like it's wounded". I could be way off on the theory but stripping line after a hit will always be in my toolbox. As for dropping "into" or even reeling up slowly, that maneuver has produced many a fish bite. It's those surprise catches that makes fishing even more fun.

 

[fishin"G"man]

So, without the livescope how do you know that fish are just refusing your bait due to "color, depth, wrong bait/lure"?? Maybe you aren't in an area that doesn't have fish? With the livescope, I can see them either totally ignore my bait, show some interest and follow it, or eat it. BUT, I know I am in fish. With out it I don't know if I am fishing in an area devoid of fish or not. Once knowing I am in an area with fish I can work on how to get them to bite. I'm not wasting my time changing baits and presentation trying to catch fish that aren't there.

2slow, You're 100% right, I don't know when I miss fish nor for what reason, but I DO know when I see fish on the sounder (and they're not biting) I should do something different. In other words, I don't need livescope to tell me where fish are or that I'm not getting bites. It's fairly obvious.
I will agree that livescope can be another great tool to determine that "yup...fish are seeing/looking at my bait, just not biting" but that's the challenge of fishing. Sure, it has merit but I'm (like you) I enjoy finding ways or figuring out ways, or figuring out why I'm not catching. Livescope doesn't tell me that. I'm not "bashing" the use of livescope per se' just not willing to put out 3-4 grand for the knowledge that fish are refusing/neglecting my offering. My sounder already tells me there's fish, If I'm not getting bit, I need to "fix" that.
Admittedly, I look at the sounder more than I should, mostly because I want to know if there's fish there and what depth they're at. The tools to help fisherman catch fish are many... If money were no issue spot lock, livescope etc etc would all be great additions but no amount of money or tools makes a fish bite or tells me why they're not. That's why fishing is a fun challenge!!!