Gear

Elite Electronics Tips: Hackney on sonar and structure

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Greg Hackney was one of the Elite Series anglers that helped launch Garmin back into the freshwater electronics industry in 2015. He ran four Garmin units in his first season with the company, and here he explains how he sets up his units and the perks he has found this electronics setup.
Greg Hackney was one of the Elite Series anglers that helped launch Garmin back into the freshwater electronics industry in 2015. He ran four Garmin units in his first season with the company, and here he explains how he sets up his units and the perks he has found this electronics setup.
At the console, Hackney used two Garmin units: the 7612 and 7610.
At the console, Hackney used two Garmin units: the 7612 and 7610.
The 7612 and 7610 are both buttonless units and measure 12.1 inches diagonally and 10.1 inches respectively.
The 7612 and 7610 are both buttonless units and measure 12.1 inches diagonally and 10.1 inches respectively.
The 12.1 inch screen on his 7612 unit allows him more screen for scanning and multiple screens because the only button on the unit is the power option, the rest is screen. His menu and other options are along the bottom of each unit.
The 12.1 inch screen on his 7612 unit allows him more screen for scanning and multiple screens because the only button on the unit is the power option, the rest is screen. His menu and other options are along the bottom of each unit.
Hackney also has the same two Garmin units up front at the trolling motor.
Hackney also has the same two Garmin units up front at the trolling motor.
His 7612 and 7610 serve different purposes than his units at the console, though.
His 7612 and 7610 serve different purposes than his units at the console, though.
He uses his 7610 for the Panoptix feature that Garmin innovated. The Panoptix technology allows you to see the bottom, structure and fish swimming around in front of your boat — in real time; even while stationary. With a simple rotation of the trolling motor you can see fish, structure and other underwater features without getting directly on top of what you are looking for.
He uses his 7610 for the Panoptix feature that Garmin innovated. The Panoptix technology allows you to see the bottom, structure and fish swimming around in front of your boat — in real time; even while stationary. With a simple rotation of the trolling motor you can see fish, structure and other underwater features without getting directly on top of what you are looking for.
His 7612, which sits just above his MotorGuide foot pedal serves as his mapping/sonar/DownVü screen options.
His 7612, which sits just above his MotorGuide foot pedal serves as his mapping/sonar/DownVü screen options.
When he is in the cockpit he prefers one unit to have four panels open while scanning (mapping, 2D Sonar, DownVü and SideVü) while his other unit will have strictly SideVü and DownVü.
When he is in the cockpit he prefers one unit to have four panels open while scanning (mapping, 2D Sonar, DownVü and SideVü) while his other unit will have strictly SideVü and DownVü.
Along the right side of his 7612 he has the readouts for speed, GPS positioning, depth, time and other location readouts.
Along the right side of his 7612 he has the readouts for speed, GPS positioning, depth, time and other location readouts.
You can see why Hackney prefers a four-panel view almost exclusively because he can compare structure he sees in every possible view as well as see where he is on his map.
You can see why Hackney prefers a four-panel view almost exclusively because he can compare structure he sees in every possible view as well as see where he is on his map.
Here Hackney goes full screen SideVü and with it shooting 45 feet to each side of the boat. That distance allows for great clarity and detail.
Here Hackney goes full screen SideVü and with it shooting 45 feet to each side of the boat. That distance allows for great clarity and detail.
Clarity and detail are very important for Hackney as most of his offshore wins have come from subtle findings with his electronics.
Clarity and detail are very important for Hackney as most of his offshore wins have come from subtle findings with his electronics.
Hackney puts his boat in neutral, and finds a few fish positioned very close to the bottom.
Hackney puts his boat in neutral, and finds a few fish positioned very close to the bottom.
As he turns along the creek channel he begins to see more fish appear on his graph. After a warm fall and winter season, a sudden cold front sucked the fish on this given lake into the creek channel.
As he turns along the creek channel he begins to see more fish appear on his graph. After a warm fall and winter season, a sudden cold front sucked the fish on this given lake into the creek channel.
He inspects the school of fish by comparing the size of the fish returns with his DownVü. Here he can see what species they are as well as where the bigger fish are positioned within the school.
He inspects the school of fish by comparing the size of the fish returns with his DownVü. Here he can see what species they are as well as where the bigger fish are positioned within the school.
Hackney is a simplistic angler who likes a clean working area on his boat so in 2016 the Louisiana angler is using one unit at the console so that he doesn't need to mount and rig another unit to the side.To do so, he is switching to the Garmin 7616 unit, which features a 16.8 inch x 10.8 inch screen that will allow him to have four panels open at one time.
Hackney is a simplistic angler who likes a clean working area on his boat so in 2016 the Louisiana angler is using one unit at the console so that he doesn’t need to mount and rig another unit to the side.To do so, he is switching to the Garmin 7616 unit, which features a 16.8 inch x 10.8 inch screen that will allow him to have four panels open at one time.
He can have four panels open now, but each panel is respectively smaller because of the size of his unit. With a 15.6 inch diagonal screen, Hackney can have four panels open and see each view clearly because of the extra large screen.
He can have four panels open now, but each panel is respectively smaller because of the size of his unit. With a 15.6 inch diagonal screen, Hackney can have four panels open and see each view clearly because of the extra large screen.
He understands that for the normal weekend angler, a 7616 may be a pretty penny for someone to spend. In the long run though, buying one unit like the 7616 will cost less than buying two units to do virtually the same thing.
He understands that for the normal weekend angler, a 7616 may be a pretty penny for someone to spend. In the long run though, buying one unit like the 7616 will cost less than buying two units to do virtually the same thing.
Soon after switching to Garmin, Hackney learned to trust his 2D Sonar more after seeing how clear and consistent it was.
Soon after switching to Garmin, Hackney learned to trust his 2D Sonar more after seeing how clear and consistent it was.
Hackney compared his electronics to cell phones as they are very simplistic to use and they look clear out of the box. He does tweak certain settings to attain a picture he wants to see. Like here he set his gain to 75 percent.
Hackney compared his electronics to cell phones as they are very simplistic to use and they look clear out of the box. He does tweak certain settings to attain a picture he wants to see. Like here he set his gain to 75 percent.
The problem with sonar for most units is that other debris and clutter tend to appear at times, but Hackney says his sonar and DownVü are consistently similar. Soon after using both side by side he realized he didn't have to worry about his sonar missing out on some details that are normally found only with DownVü. In this photo you can see all kinds of fish as there are white bass, largemouth bass and most likely other species, as well.
The problem with sonar for most units is that other debris and clutter tend to appear at times, but Hackney says his sonar and DownVü are consistently similar. Soon after using both side by side he realized he didn’t have to worry about his sonar missing out on some details that are normally found only with DownVü. In this photo you can see all kinds of fish as there are white bass, largemouth bass and most likely other species, as well.
Along the bottom of the screen are menu options, including the ability to mark a waypoint.
Along the bottom of the screen are menu options, including the ability to mark a waypoint.
Here Hackney touches the screen to the left in order to mark the grouping of fish. After touching the screen, crosshairs appear on the screen and he can tap the
Here Hackney touches the screen to the left in order to mark the grouping of fish. After touching the screen, crosshairs appear on the screen and he can tap the “mark” option at the bottom of the screen, and thus he creates a waypoint.
Hackney explains how subtle turns in the creek channel can produce especially when bass are in their offshore routines. He also explained how when he fishes a heavily pressured lake like many of the Tennessee River lakes that he searches for some of the more subtle and off the beaten path spots that won't receive as much pressure.
Hackney explains how subtle turns in the creek channel can produce especially when bass are in their offshore routines. He also explained how when he fishes a heavily pressured lake like many of the Tennessee River lakes that he searches for some of the more subtle and off the beaten path spots that won’t receive as much pressure.
Hackney rigs his electronics at the bow of the boat with both units in a row, which allows him to utilize the rest of his front deck without any extra mounts in his carpet.
Hackney rigs his electronics at the bow of the boat with both units in a row, which allows him to utilize the rest of his front deck without any extra mounts in his carpet.
On his 7612 he positions his split screen so mapping covers more than half of the screen while 2D sonar fills the rest. This helps him see contour lines and waypoints while also seeing fish and structure below his trolling motor.
On his 7612 he positions his split screen so mapping covers more than half of the screen while 2D sonar fills the rest. This helps him see contour lines and waypoints while also seeing fish and structure below his trolling motor.
Here Hackney shows his Panoptix live sonar picking up a brushpile.
Here Hackney shows his Panoptix live sonar picking up a brushpile.
Then he trolls around the area and finds some suspended fish with his traditional 2D sonar.
Then he trolls around the area and finds some suspended fish with his traditional 2D sonar.
As he rotates the Panoptix transducer he picks up those fish roughly 15 feet in front of the boat and approximately 16 to 18 feet deep. The picture shows two individual fish with dense red cores. The top left of the unit shows where the transducer and boat is positioned.
As he rotates the Panoptix transducer he picks up those fish roughly 15 feet in front of the boat and approximately 16 to 18 feet deep. The picture shows two individual fish with dense red cores. The top left of the unit shows where the transducer and boat is positioned.
With traditional 2D sonar you can see the activity that he once saw on Panoptix now directly below the boat.
With traditional 2D sonar you can see the activity that he once saw on Panoptix now directly below the boat.
Hackney finds a large log that is connected to the bottom and is roughly 15 to 20 feet long.
Hackney finds a large log that is connected to the bottom and is roughly 15 to 20 feet long.
With Panoptix he shows the log extending from the surface down to the bottom. The 2014 Angler of the Year points out a fish to the right of the log suspended.
With Panoptix he shows the log extending from the surface down to the bottom. The 2014 Angler of the Year points out a fish to the right of the log suspended.
Hackney backs off of the log and shows how far Panoptix can shoot forward. The log is now 30 to 35 feet out in front of the boat. The new technology is dynamite when it comes to approaching structure without getting directly on top of it. Not to mention how an angler can use this to count a lure, like a swimbait, down to the desired depth for suspended fish and reel it right through the strike zone.
Hackney backs off of the log and shows how far Panoptix can shoot forward. The log is now 30 to 35 feet out in front of the boat. The new technology is dynamite when it comes to approaching structure without getting directly on top of it. Not to mention how an angler can use this to count a lure, like a swimbait, down to the desired depth for suspended fish and reel it right through the strike zone.
Hackney has his unit on the right mounted with the new KVD TH Marine Kong mount. Once tightened into place, the mount doesn't budge even in big waves like on the Great Lakes.
Hackney has his unit on the right mounted with the new KVD TH Marine Kong mount. Once tightened into place, the mount doesn’t budge even in big waves like on the Great Lakes.
There was a tremendous amount of debris floating in the water column, but Hackney's units never picked up the debris and instead shot straight through and picked up fish positioned along the bottom.
There was a tremendous amount of debris floating in the water column, but Hackney’s units never picked up the debris and instead shot straight through and picked up fish positioned along the bottom.
Hackney compares his sonar with his DownVü on these two stumps he found in 15 feet of water. Both screens clearly show the size and density of both stumps.
Hackney compares his sonar with his DownVü on these two stumps he found in 15 feet of water. Both screens clearly show the size and density of both stumps.
Same goes for this photo of two pieces of structure that he found while idling at almost 5 mph.
Same goes for this photo of two pieces of structure that he found while idling at almost 5 mph.
For spot-on GPS positioning, Hackney places his Garmin puck just behind his driver seat. Mounting it behind his seat allows for it to stay out of his way while maintaining the close proximity to where his units are positioned.
For spot-on GPS positioning, Hackney places his Garmin puck just behind his driver seat. Mounting it behind his seat allows for it to stay out of his way while maintaining the close proximity to where his units are positioned.
The Panoptix transducer is a forward-shooting sonar that mounts on the shaft of any given trolling motor.
The Panoptix transducer is a forward-shooting sonar that mounts on the shaft of any given trolling motor.
The angle that it is mounted at determines the angle it shoots.
The angle that it is mounted at determines the angle it shoots.
The angle shown here shoots far enough out that the trolling motor base doesn't interfere with his picture.
The angle shown here shoots far enough out that the trolling motor base doesn’t interfere with his picture.
It is certainly a technology that Hackney utilized during the 2015 Elite Series season and intends on using during the 2016 season. With the Garmin technology being relatively new for the freshwater industry, Hackney can only imagine the advances they will make during their second full season working with pros.
It is certainly a technology that Hackney utilized during the 2015 Elite Series season and intends on using during the 2016 season. With the Garmin technology being relatively new for the freshwater industry, Hackney can only imagine the advances they will make during their second full season working with pros.

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