Eagle Seafinder 480DF

[delta1]

I recently picked up this fishfinder and was wondering what use/benefit there is to using the speed/distance traveled sensor. Not quite sure why I would need to worry about this as it relates to finding fish and fishing. Opinions?

Paul

 

[John_S]

Re: Eagle Seafinder 480DF

If it has gps, not much. If not, the paddlewheel speed indicater is better at recording slow trolling speeds than a pivot tube speedometer.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Eagle Seafinder 480DF

I have a speed sensor on my depth finder. (paddle Wheel). I use mine quite alot. Two places I use it is when trolling to set speed. I have two GPS units and a Loran C that will give me speed over the ground but the speed sensor give me speed thru the water. Trolling for Salmon I like a speed near 3.3 MPH. If we are trolling near the Golden Gate on a strong EBB tide this means your back trolling because the current is 5 knots. There are other ways to estimate your speed but the Paddle wheel works very well.

Also when fishing at anchor In tidel waters makes it very easy to tell when the current starts to slow down or pick up. I usually catch a lot of fish on the tide changes but rig different.

When you anchor up you can tell the current flow and it you also know the depth can usually put on the right size weight for the first cast. Does not take three cast to get the right size weight. Fishing for Sturgeon holding the bottom very important but still if hook up you want the smallest weight possible. With a 90 pound fish the size of the weight makes a big difference.