John Harrison has two live imaging sonar units on his bow. That way he and a partner or client both have their own LIS for scanning different areas. Here he prepares to make a pitch to a fish targeted on his LIS, controlling his line with his “off hand” by pulling the line, releasing it, or letting it out slowly. (Photo: Tim Huffman)
Live Imaging in August
by Tim Huffman
Live Imaging Sonar (LIS) isn’t a magic cure for bad fishing or bad fishermen. Technique, baits, and knowing the right spots are still required. However, learning live imaging leads to better fishing in a hurry, bypassing much of the in-depth knowledge and experience previously required to consistently catch crappie. Two experts share details about equipment, baits and presentations that will put you on the fast-track to catching more crappie.
Equipment
John Harrison, a part-time guide in Louisiana, and tournament angler, says his go-to pole is a 14-foot, B’n’M Diamond series pole.
“My fishing strength is pitching,” he said. “A lot of fish are spooky, so If I can pitch out to them, I can get more of a reaction bite and the fish don’t know I’m there. The pole length is a good combination of length and handling.”
Kevin McCarley, an Alabama fishing guide and tournament angler, prefers a stiff, 12-foot B’n’M Brush Cutter. He likes the quick hookset and power it provides to get a big fish to the boat.
Line is a personal preference, but they do influence presentations. Harrison likes K9 high-vis 10-pound fluorocarbon. McCarley uses 8- or 10-pound monofilament.
Baits are an important factor when live imaging and there are no limits to the type and size baits that might work. These fishermen both prefer 1/8-ounce jigs but when fish are finicky, they downsize as needed.
Harrison often uses EyeHole Jigs with Crappie Magnet plastics. The eye hole in the jig allows paste scent to be packed into the eye so the scent lasts longer compared to a soft pellet placed on the hook. McCarley uses his signature series Bogy Fry, always starting in one of his two favorite colors, Purple Rain or Monkey Milk.
Two Garmin LiveScopes are on the front of Harrison’s boat. That’s not unusual for professionals and tournament fishing teams.
“One transducer is on the trolling motor and another transducer is on a trolling motor shaft without the motor and it can be rotated independently,” said Harrison. “It’s for a partner in the boat to use so we both can be scoping and fishing.”
Catching Fish
Harrison recommends a fisherman learn everything possible about a lake or area before going to a lake. He looks at Google Maps and topographical maps for the best channels or other structures for the season. On the lake, he uses side imaging to look for stake beds next to the channel or out on a flat next to the channel. Only after finding high potential areas and cover with his side imaging does he go to live imaging.
“A big advantage of (Garmin) LiveScope is watching the reaction of fish,” says Harrison. “I’ve seen fish come up and look at the 1/8-ounce jig but not hit it. I go to a smaller bait and immediately start catching. I’ll use a 1/24-ounce hair jig with a 3/8-ounce weight above it to get the jig down quickly. The weight falls, then the jig pendulums down under it with a slow fall.”
McCarley agrees. “I want a 1/8-ounce EyeHole head, 2-inch baby shad jig. I have good luck with that jig. I prefer to pitch to fish when I can, so the heavy weight jig is an advantage. I can pitch when I get to about 40 feet from the fish. I ease the bait over to the fish. Sometimes the fish will come get the slow-moving bait and sometimes the bait must be dead still just over its head.
“One trick I’ll use when the fish are too finicky for pitching, is to use a long 18-foot trolling rod and coast into the fish,” says McCarley. “No using my trolling motor. It’s not easy holding an 18-foot pole out there, but it will sometimes get you to the fish.”
Harrison says, “I pitch to crappie. It’s a year-round technique because you can catch them shallow or deep. The key is to find the fish and learn what they want. So, what happens when pitching doesn’t work because fish are too spooky or too shallow? I’ll back off them, 30 to 40 feet, cast and bring the bait right over the top of them.”
McCarley agrees that presentation is everything.
“There are times the fish might want the bait dead still, but it’s more likely that after holding it still they are going to chase it as you pull it away,” he said. “That’s an important move when you’re fishing. I’ve also learned that sometimes I only get one pitch at a fish before it spooks, so it’s very important to make a good pitch to put the bait exactly where it needs to be to catch it. A fish that runs may allow you to chase it down, but if you spook it and it goes down in the mud, it’s time to look for another fish.”
Final Tips & Contact Info
Harrison says his tip for live image sonar is to get a unit and learn it.
“Don’t worry about catching fish,” he said. ”People buy this and think they can just go out and catch fish, like it’s a cure-all for their fishing problems. You must learn it, but then you’ll be able to go out, find fish and catch more fish. It all starts with electronics. With experience, you’ll learn to identify fish, their size and adjust to their reactions.”
McClarley said, “(Garmin) LiveScope changed everything and I’m still learning every time on the lake. What has changed for me is understanding my settings. For example, I set my color gain at 60 to 90, and cut my color limit all the way off. It was like a light turned on for me. I can see my bait better, see my fish better and so can my customers who watch it. I’ve learned to locate fish on bottom and identify those fish. I must see the fish, present a bait to him even if he is in the mud and the bait must be right over its head. It’s important to learn something every time you go fishing.”
Both guides recommend going with a buddy or hiring a guide if you buy a live imaging unit. It’s good to use your boat and let the experienced fisherman show how to set the unit up and show you how to catch fish using it. One day with an experience live image fisherman can save you weeks or months of learning.
You can contact Kevin McCarley in Alabama at 256-431-8917. John Harrison can be reached in Louisiana at 318-278-3149.
Tim Huffman is co-founder and Senior Writer of CrappieNow Magazine. To see his crappie-fishing books and top 50 Lakes list, visit www.monstercrappie.com.
