Ps-30 panoptix angle

[seeyawader]

What back angle are you guys running with panoptix ps-30? My blowback made it hard to see down rigger balls. Then I ran around the lake and all of a sudden I could see my downrigger balls. When I pulled the boat out I found that my bolts were loose on my transducer bracket and was angled back. I guess that is what made my balls visible....also is anyone using the real"vu down or historical effectively?

[Earl28]

From level to 45° aft or forward. It depends or what you are trying to see. For down riggers start at level to 20° aft. 

[AnglingAddict]

I physically set the transducer at an angle of around 15 degrees or so back/tilted up from level when installing (measured with an iPhone) then electronically adjust the beam angle from there when fishing.  No issues seeing riggers ever.

[seeyawader]

Thanks, I think I will need to angle the transducer towards back to see downrigger. May mess up the actual depth reading I would imagine

[AnglingAddict]

On 6/11/2025 at 9:36 AM, seeyawader said:

Thanks, I think I will need to angle the transducer towards back to see downrigger. May mess up the actual depth reading I would imagine

Transducers measure distance not depth - for instance you can have 100' of downrigger cable out and it will mark your rigger balls approx 100' down - as you speed up and blowback becomes a factor those rigger balls could be sitting at 85' down with 100' of cable out but its still displayed as 100' on your display because the rigger balls are 100' away from your transducer.  I wouldn't worry too much about bottom depth...

[WillsboroTrout]

May have been better to start a new thread but as the guys in this one have experience with it i will ask here. How are you guys able to use FF sonar to improve you're catches ? Considering making the investment. I can see how it would help for bass fishing or casting for any fish but not sure how it helps when trolling. Obviously you can see if the fish come in to the spread and don't like what they see. Would love some input to help me justify the $$$.

 

Thanks

[seeyawader]

So as a first year panoptix user I've thoroughly enjoyed it. For my setup, because of the angle of my panoptix transducer, and the blowback on my rigger cables ,,the fish marks and depth come onto my traditional sonar  a few seconds before the panoptix picks them up. Which is cool to watch,,,also the traditional sonar doesn't show which side of the boat the fish are on,,,port or starboard. But panoptix does,,,,Not sure how many more fish I've caught because of it,,lol,,,by adjusting the downrigger,,, as I've always adjusted before to the fish mark depth anyway. It's given me more confidence in traditional sonar when they show up on both sonars and shows more exactly what they are doing in and across the screen...not sure if this helps any,,but makes me watch screens more😁😁