Anyone with experience with Side Imaging in deep water

Waiting for rockfish season.  I was thinking about upgrading my fishfinder to maybe a humminbird with side imaging. I figured it will give me something to look at while I am not catching fish.  Seems like side imaging is hit or miss.  For me, I was wondering if I could see structure in deep water (60-150 feet).  Does kelp show up on the side scan?

I've had my Helix SI for one season, still trying to figure it out on structure (still trying to figure out whether I sux at it or low speed may play into display factor).  I know it works because it can tell me structure when I can clearly see one.  However, I never see the structures as advertised.

In any case, it will tell you where the bait ball/fish are, either on your left or right.  The later is very helpful for you to circle back to the right spot. 

Chirp sonar works for me.   I can see school fish, bait, bottom structure, kelp etc. 

This is kind of a cool video to show imaging and video comparison

This is kind of a cool video to show imaging and video comparison

Thats the unit I own.

I've had my Helix SI for one season, still trying to figure it out on structure (still trying to figure out whether I sux at it or low speed may play into display factor).  I know it works because it can tell me structure when I can clearly see one.  However, I never see the structures as advertised.

In any case, it will tell you where the bait ball/fish are, either on your left or right.  The later is very helpful for you to circle back to the right spot.

Exactly.  I've seen the videos of how it works with boats trolling but how about when you are just slowly drifting.   Also at 100+ feet, the cone of a downscan covers a large area and so it is hard to tell if the structure is 20 feet to the left or right of you.   I currently have a Lowrance Hook 7 with CHIRP and haven't found it that useful.

I've seen bulletin board posts suggesting that field of view with a 20 degree cone is between 1/3 and 1/2 of depth depending on brand and model. Have you mined the mfr's website for FOV tables?

i don't think dragonfly does side imaging though.

Agreed, but the CHIRP tech does allow for a much higher detailed image over standard sonar as shown in the video.

Bill can probably chime in on the differences/nuances between them.

overall i don't think side scan is that useful in the ocean though, unless you're fishing 30 foot or less.  but in those conditions, a downscan will work fine. 

side scan is better used in 20' or less to see what's next to you.

For me, a side scan makes a big difference in finding out where the bait balls are, especially for salmon fishing.   Going left or right is a big deal for me since any correction is costly in terms of time, opportunity, and energy. 

ya i'm liking the side imaging on the lowrance elite 5 ti

you just have to play with the distance...leaving it on Auto goes too far. Generally from what I read is you want 3 times the depth.

Example if i'm in 50 feet of water, I want the side imaging to be 150 feet across. In Auto it goes too far so it leave a lot of black spaces on the screen.

I wish I gone with the 7 inch instead of the 5 since its bigger screen lol

is it RF/Salmon season yet lol