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> Reading a fish finder
connor1219
Posted: Jun 30, 2025 - 07:49 am


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When folks say find the bait find the fish is this what they’re referring to? I was just surprised since it seemed pretty shallow, I was seeing this pretty regularly all the way until like 50 fow. I was trolling some flashy 4inch spoons through here but no luck, I went all the way out to about 120fow but I didn’t really see much but maybe 3/4 suspended fish around the 50-60foot mark when I was in 100fow, but no bait.

I guess my question is should I have just stayed trolling where the bait was showing despite it being so shallow?

For reference I launched from the notty and headed out to the bay from there.

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connor1219
Posted: Jun 30, 2025 - 07:57 am


Alevin
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Image for reference!

Attached Image

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mykola
Posted: Jun 30, 2025 - 08:14 am


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I like fishing with the bait hanging around. But that’s just me for smaller inland lakes. But there is a such thing as too much bait lol.

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sabmgb
Posted: Jun 30, 2025 - 10:49 am


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Could that be perch. I'm certainly not and expert and have no idea.

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connor1219
Posted: Jun 30, 2025 - 11:00 am


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Totally could have been! Never fished for perch though so I'm not sure how "spooky" they usually are, I threw some small baits down at the school and off to the sides of the school and they seemingly scattered every time.

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MarkDv
Posted: Jun 30, 2025 - 08:14 pm


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In my view it could be anything. It could be a dense school of small fish, a clump of suspended weed, reflection of nearby structure (if there is one) etc. You have to know your sonar very well to get an idea what that is.
I’ve seen something similar to that twice when I put a camera on downrigger weight. Once there was a real school of bait and another one was nothing. Also I often see something similar when I go near a structure.
My few cents but I do not consider myself any knowledgeable or good angler.

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Disco
Posted: Jul 02, 2025 - 09:02 am


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IMO it’s bait of some kind.

I hate finding bait in bottom. My theory is the bait isn’t being chased/predated on. I find bait balls up high in the water column usually have fish in or around them feeding. I ignore bait on bottom normally.

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connor1219
Posted: Jul 17, 2025 - 03:22 pm


Alevin
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QUOTE (Disco @ Jul 02, 2025 - 10:02 am)
IMO it’s bait of some kind.

I hate finding bait in bottom. My theory is the bait isn’t being chased/predated on. I find bait balls up high in the water column usually have fish in or around them feeding. I ignore bait on bottom normally.

Never thought about it like that! Makes good sense to me.

I'll keep trying, next trip in a week or so

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Longshank
Posted: Jul 17, 2025 - 03:44 pm


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QUOTE (Disco @ Jul 02, 2025 - 09:02 am)
IMO it’s bait of some kind.

I hate finding bait in bottom. My theory is the bait isn’t being chased/predated on. I find bait balls up high in the water column usually have fish in or around them feeding. I ignore bait on bottom normally.

Could not agree more


an isolated marking like you show doesn't mean much as you don't know what it is


scattered bait pods will for sure have fish around in proximity

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