The topic of forward-facing sonar — or “scopin’” — has been a hot-button issue for a while now. I’m not going to get on here and debate the benefits or the ills of the technology because that’s being done all over. However, I will say it is a part of the sport of fishing, and learning to be competitive requires me to improve my skills. I’ve spent quite a bit of time working on it.
I will say right off the bat: It is not as easy as turning it on, casting at fish in the cone and getting them to bite. It takes some effort, and there is quite a learning curve. This column is about sharing a few tips that can help shorten that learning curve.
Here are three tips for beginners looking to improve with forward-facing sonar.
1. Don’t start by throwing at the dots
One of the things we hear about with this technique is “throwing at the dots.” What that refers to is the fish appearing as little dots or blobs on the screen. When you watch them, you’ll see them swimming around, and it can be hard to predict where they are going. My first tip would be to not throw at those dots early in your learning curve.
I know it sounds counterintuitive, but if you immediately start throwing at moving targets, you’ll quickly grow frustrated trying to figure out how far to cast while constantly chasing them around. Instead, start by using forward-facing sonar to cast at stationary targets.
Those targets might be rocks, stumps, brushpiles, grass edges, etc. By casting at non-moving targets first, you’ll learn depth and distance, which will help you make quicker adjustments when you eventually start casting at fish.
2. Graduate to moving fish
Once you feel like you can hit those stationary targets efficiently, it’s time to graduate toward casting at fish that are moving around. Initially, try casting at fish that are close to the targets you’ve already been practicing on. That gives you the ability to relate the fish to the cover while learning how to cast at a moving target.
Incidentally, forward-facing sonar is also a very effective tool for reading cover and finding structure. Even if you don’t use it to cast directly at fish, it can help you locate productive structure very quickly.
3. Pay attention to how the fish reacts
The third tip is really a two-parter. One thing I will tell you about “throwing at dots” is a bass will almost always respond in some way to something thrown at it. It may not always strike, but you should see some kind of movement or reaction. If the dot you throw at does absolutely nothing, consider that dot to probably not be a bass. That can save you from wasting a lot of time.
Not all bass will be biters, but many of them can be made to bite. If a fish shows some interest in a lure but won’t commit, try changing your presentation. It could mean going from a smaller minnow to a larger one, switching to an urchin-style bait or picking up a drop-shot rig.
Sometimes, fish might chase something suspended in the water column but won’t commit to it. If you put a lure on the bottom, though, they may follow it down and eat it. In that situation, a jig or shaky head can be the better choice.
As far as baits go, I like a Missile Baits Magic Worm on a drop-shot rig or shaky head for scopin’. If I’m fishing a minnow-style bait, a Missile Baits Freedom Flyer on our Eye Roll jighead is perfect. We have the jigheads in several sizes, and the Freedom Flyer is available in 4.25- and 6.0-inch sizes to appeal to fish in a variety of situations.
Forward-facing sonar is something that can be learned with a little effort and time. There is definitely a learning curve, but starting with stationary targets, progressing to moving fish and then learning how to read their reactions can make that process a lot easier. I hope these tips give you a good starting point.
