• Use your depth finder to help you fish the right spots and catch the most fish.fishing image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
  
  Depth finders are a handy tool for anglers looking to increase their chances of finding elusive fish in a lake or other body of water. These devices use sonar technology to reveal the features on the bottom of the body of water, the location of game fish and bait fish and some are even sensitive enough to pick up your line and lure if you haven’t cast too far away. These devices can provide fishermen with a lot more help if they follow some helpful tips to make the most out of their equipment.
  
  

Use The Manual

• Far too many people get a depth finder and look at the manual long enough to get it installed correctly and then never reference it again. This is a mistake for those new to the technology.
  
  Depth finders come with a wide variety of functions and many of them operate differently than others and have a completely unique set of capabilities. Use the manual to find out everything about the depth finder. Learn what it can do and how to properly set it up to fit your needs. Most depth finders have automatic settings and manual controls. Learn how to customize and do not rely on the automatic mode to get the best results.
  
  

Know If Brush Is Brush

• No only does a depth finder tell you where fish are and what size they are, these devices can tell you a lot about the topography of the lake floor. Depending on the model, there will be images on the screen that indicate the presence of drop-off areas and debris on the bottom, such as brush piles. It may be difficult to tell the difference.
  
  To learn how your depth finder picks up different objects, take a brush pile into the boat with you and drop it in the lake with your depth finder on. Watch as it settles to the bottom and remember what it looks like. Compare it to the surface and see what characteristics will allow you to tell the difference in a change of depth and brush and debris scattered on the floor.
  
  

Go Cruising

• Many people like to fish the same areas over and over. It might be because of the success they’ve had or the convenience of the location to home. Knowing your lake inside and out will only increase your chances of hooking the fish you want to catch.
  
  Take the boat out for a cruise and get to know the bottom of your favorite lake. Take note of the bottom features and the distribution of brush and sunken logs and stumps so that you can formulate the best approach for your next outing.
  
  This is also a good idea, if you have the time, when fishing a new lake. Spending a short time covering a portion or all of the lake to learn about the layout and underwater features may help you find success at an unfamiliar place.