Side Scan for River Fishing

[pickardjw]

Been kicking myself for not getting side scan when I bought my Helix 5 DI G2 a few years back. I'm looking at upgrading to a Helix 7 MSI G4, they have a $100 rebate going on right now and it's 11% off on Amazon, so I could get into one for about $570. 

Is side scan useful when anchor fishing for salmon on the Columbia? I'd like to think one could use it to identify what depth the fish are mostly swimming through at (i.e. I'm anchored in 15' of water and mark fish in deeper or shallower water, so I can re-anchor to get my gear in front of more fish).

I'd also use it for walleye, but right now I'm mostly thinking about the shallow water salmon application.

[Blacklab]

Side scan is very useful finding structure when trolling. Sitting on anchor will work but it’s not ideal. You might see a spec here and there going through your beam. My suggestion is to troll first find the areas that you want to fish. Then see if you marking any fish, then head to those areas and Park it :twocents

[deerlick]

just spend the money on live scope

[pickardjw]

just spend the money on live scope

Would love that, but it's just not in the budget.