Big Water

Great report and pics! Thanks for posting and keep the pics coming.

Sorry!!! My analytical side is showing (most would say overly analytical)

Sk8man, that certainly wasn't directed at you. You seem like a real straight shooter and I do appreciate your comments. I just didn't want someone trying to explain blow-back to me. I've thought that when I drop the riggers, maybe a fish sees it as an escaping baitfish, follows it down, and then at some point hits the lure. What I'm not seeing, at least to the same degree, is fish hitting when I raise the riggers. Like I mentioned, dropping down under them by a substantial distance has yielded many strikes.

Sk8man, I would bet 95+% of the fish I catch I didn't see on the screen. Steelhead seem to be slightly more predictable. What I've observed time and time again over the years is when I see fish and drop my riggers 30-40' under them, I catch fish. I understand rigger blow-back, cosines of angle and hypotenuse so let's not argue about this and perceived depth.

I agree and FULLY understand. My intent wasn't to debate sonar observations.

No....but you can understand what possible different scenarios resulted in the display. There CAN be more than one possible series of events that result in the observed pattern, Knowing which it was is a matter of probability that can't be determined with absolute confidence without direct observation.

It's really just geometry. A moving cone in the water column encountering stationary and moving objects. Once you recognize that, the observed results are very understandable.

Well understood

Very interesting Mark. Seems like you'd need to be on the ball to avoid tangles if the spoon went.

Smart Troll thanks for the detailed explanation which will likely be beneficial to some newer guys. I'm well aware of the mechanics of fish finders and why the "arch" occurs. The situation I'm referring to is fish moving up/down 20 to 40'.

A MUPS rig with a fixed slider 10-15' above your main rigger line works well. Have a 6' fixed slider and back your main line 15-25' off of the ball.

Good responses Sk8man and Tyee II. That GoPro story is why I've never bothered with putting one down. I figured it would just frustrate me, but you make a good point that if you're at least drawing them in, you're doing something right.

Thanks for the replies guys. Sk8man, I don't know what you're seeing, but I have a lot of fish streaking to look at lures and even following for extended periods. I don't think this is uncommon and if I knew the trick to force them to hit, I'd certainly use it. Changing lures, speed and direction sometimes works. If I had to wager a guess, I'd think that 15-30 fish probably follow for each one that "commits". Underwater GoPro clips probably confirm this. I guess my point is that active fish will travel from quite a distance to investigate. Edit: I am referring to salmon and trout. With walleye and structure relating fish, I believe that proximity is critical.

After season and season of seeing fish streak up AND down 20 to 40' to look at lures, I wonder what is the true benefit of knowing the exact depth your lures are running. I think that with very negative fish there may be some benefit of hitting them in the nose with your lure, but I'm not convinced being 10-15' away with your presentation makes a great deal of difference. Thoughts?

Welcome aboard Phil2. Pick your days very carefully with your boat. Be Safe, have Fun.

Well done. Thanks for posting!