The Stephenson’s just purchased a new Carolina Skiff “Sea Skiff”, which is a very nice, V-hulled center-console.  R.C. had this equipped with a 24 volt, 80 pound thrust trolling motor and a Lowrance HDS-9, Gen 2 Touch sonar unit with StructureScan and Insight mapping.

Today’s goal was to do a bit of a “shakedown” on all the equipment and introduce the Stephenson’s to the capabilities of the sonar they purchased.

We began out of the water with a “class” in the parking lot using some “training aids” I’ve developed to help them understand how the unit sends out sound.  I also inspected and adjusted both transducers.

Next, we launched and went screen by screen through the charts, through StructureScan, and through traditional colored sonar, demonstrating the features of each, and making necessary adjustments to the settings on each.

We then began to combine multiple capabilities on the screen as the same time using 2 and 3 panel displays.

Once the basics of the sonar were understood, we used the Spot Lock feature of the Minn Kota trolling motor equipped with i-Pilot to hold in the strong wind and go our lures to show up beneath the boat, as well as fish and bait.

Along the way we picked up a few cooperative white bass by flatline trolling along a windblown shoreline after seeing abundant bait and gamefish showing on sonar.

As we closed out our time on the water, I set the default screen we had customized for R.C. with some overlay data that he desired, including speed over ground, depth, temperature, time, and date.

Along the way, I gave “pop quizzes” regularly to make sure R.C. had comprehended the instruction and could independently make commonly needed adjustments to his various screens.