Garmin Livescope - First Day on the Water

Wheeler Lake - Tennessee River @ Mooresville/Arrowhead Landing

Time: 7:30 AM - 12:30 PMAir Temperature: 37 - 58 degrees during trip
Water Temperature: 42 degrees
Lake Level: 551.63' ~ 85,000 cfps
Weather Conditions: Light winds, 5 mph NNE.


Today was the inaugural Livescope day. It was perfect.


I set out to repeat my tactics from the last couple trips to Arrowhead, but to focus on learning the Livescoope this trip. Immediately when the transducer pole was deployed, I was getting good images. I worked to dial in the setting for the first hour to hour and a half. I was mainly playing with the gain controls and found for muddy water, mid 50's on gain was a good setting. I normally use minnows and corks, but for the purpose of today's tests, I went with a single pole, single jig setup for vertical jigging so I could target specific fish and cover.


I was absolutely amazed to see the fish on the livescope system. You can clearly see schools of fish swimming together coming on and off screen. You can see the panfish coming in and out of structure. I was astonished to see the fish behavior and to watch the fish swim up to the jig, follow its motion, and decide to strike or pass.


My setup was perfect and all the work I had done on the installation and rewiring worked perfectly. If I had any criticism, I'd like to see the pole mount to be a little more rigid, but that is a minor picky point. Overall, it was perfect.


I fished two blow downs almost exclusively with the single pole, single jig method and as floored to see how quick I was putting fish in the boat. I didn't have my counters ready and lost count on the first few fish, but ended up catching at least 27 crappie with at least 19 being big enough to keep. I only caught one fish other than a crappie and that was a nice white bass.


Action slowed as the day went on, and I could see the crappie had moved below the structure and was hanging tight to the bottom. At this point in the day, I was ready to leave, but being able to see where the fish moved allowed me to know how to change my technique.


I was concerned how my new battery setup would work, but I only lost 0.1 volt over 5 hours, so that was perfect. I can't wait to get out there again. My initial impression is simple amazement.