Over the past few years, forward-facing sonar has taken over the fishing world. It's something that's being used by recreational and tournament bass anglers everywhere and it's here to stay. One of the leaders in marine electronics sales, Russell Marine Products (RMP), carries all three major brands forward-facing transducers and graphs and has something for every angler and at every budget.
RMP owner Justin Russell says the trend is still here in a big way and there are many ways that anglers can get started using the technology.
Forward-facing sonar myths
On social media, there always seems to be a pushback when forward-facing sonar is mentioned or used for a high finish in a professional tournament. It's undoubtedly helped anglers catch more fish, but Russell and others believe some misconceptions about the technology exist.
"It's not as simple as installing it on the boat and then going out and loading the boat with fish," he said. "The anglers skilled with it have spent countless hours learning it and it takes some work. It's an art to locate fish and get them to bite."
According to Russell, one of the best ways to learn about the technology is by fishing for crappie.
"That's what we always recommend to anglers after we install a system on their boat," he said. "That's what we have been doing for the past four years and it's a big help to speed up the learning curve. Crappies are great because they don't scatter as much and fishing for them helps you learn the biggest lesson when using forward-facing sonar: boat control. The biggest issue with learning how to be effective with bass fishing is controlling your boat in the wind and waves and getting a bait to a fish you see on your screen and you'll learn that fishing for crappie."
Like everything else in fishing, using forward-facing sonar takes time to master and Russell says crappie are the best way to speed up the learning curve. He also says you don't necessarily have to have the biggest screen or the latest technology to get started.
Starting on a budget
Manufacturers have continued to raise the bar with faster unit processors and cleaner pictures from new transducers, but Russell says you don't always need the latest and greatest.
All three major electronics brands have a lower-priced unit and transducer that is more than enough to get you started. The rough price for begins at around $2,500 for a complete setup.
"Lowrance has the 9 Elite FS compatible with Active Target and Garmin has the 93 Echo Map for their LiveScope," he said. "The Humminbird Helix units will run MEGA Live. An 8 or 9-inch unit from any of the brands will be more than big enough to get your foot in the door."
If a new unit and transducer isn't in the cards, RMP sells used units and transducers. It's part of their trade-in program, where they accept units and give buyers credit for their next purchase. All products they take in are thoroughly inspected and tested, so they are ready for their next owner at roughly half the original retail price.
"Finding a used unit is a great way to start when you are just learning about the technology," he said. "A lot of the units and transducers we have for sale are just the last generation and the technology is not outdated. Getting started with one of these will be much cheaper and will get you used to what you see on your screen. Forward-facing sonar is more than finding and catching fish; you can learn about finding structure, baitfish, and being more efficient on the water and you don't need the most expensive product to do it."
RMP accessories
In addition to graphs and transducers, RMP sells many different accessories that will make your life easier on the water. They also sell and install trolling motors, including the new Power-Pole Move. According to Russell, that has been a big hit for their customers, but a few other items have been popular.
"We just came out with our Anchor Light for the Minn-Kota Raptors and we already had them for the Talons and Power-Poles," he said. "It's a quick, 20-minute install and adds a Coast Guard-approved light to the top of your shallow-water anchor."
Some other popular items they carry are brackets designed to mount your electronics. One of the best sellers is their Versa mount system, similar to a RAM mount.
"They are the most versatile mount we make and are very solid," he said. "One cool thing is that the tool you need to lock it down is built into the mount. You don't need extra tools or sockets to tighten it; it's right there."
The team at RMP is extremely knowledgeable and helpful, as they understand that everyone's needs are different. They have a wide range of products designed to accessorize your boat and help you catch more fish.
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