How to Use Hummingbird Fish Finder: Ultimate Gide
Hummingbird has a wide range of fish finders, each newer series offering more unique features than their predecessors. But the general work principle and basic features are the same for all models. Each model helps you to quickly and precisely find optimal fishing spots.
Hummingbird fish finders mount directly on the boat or kayak and plot the layout of the land under the water surface. To effectively use them as fish finders, one needs to learn how to use it.
All hummingbird fish finders contain a transducer and a control head. The transducer converts the electrical energy into sound waves which are then displayed on the control head. The transducer can be placed directly inside a fiberglass hull boat or on the transom. In case of a boat with a wooden or metal hull, a different type of transducer may be needed. The how to use Hummingbird fish finder article will help you.
How to use Hummingdird FishFinderSteps to FollowReading the ManualMounting the Hummingbird Fish FinderTurning on the Fish FinderDisplaySpeedTemperatureDepthDepth RangeBottomFish IDFinal Words
Steps to Follow
There are some specific things to follow when it comes to using a hummingbird fish finder, especially if this is your first time using a fish finder of any sort. Follow these simple steps from the How to Use Hummingbird Fish Finder article to make the process easier and more grasp worthy.
Reading the Manual
This one is the first and foremost thing to do, even if you are way too excited to go out in the water and test out your new gadget. No matter your experience level in terms of using a fish finder, you should always make sure to go through the manual before using the fish finder for the first as it will save you from unnecessary troubles when you finally sail. Things at the water can often turn hectic and unexpected events might take place so it is better to have the head start on how to use it before hand.
Mounting the Hummingbird Fish Finder
The first step to know how to use fish finder is to mount it on kayak. It can be done in the following steps:
- Place the mounting template on the area you want to mount the transducer.
- Drill both holes using a 5/32 inch drill bit.
- Assemble the transducer and connect it to the mounting bracket.
- Put silicone sealant on the mounting holes for additional safety.
- Screw the transducer in place.
- Run the cable from the transducer to the control head. This can be done by using a channel that holds other wires. If the cable is too short, use an authentic extension cable from Hummingbird.
- Set the control head on a convenient area and secure it to the place.
Turning on the Fish Finder
When you turn your new fish finder for the first time, it will be set on the default mode. Take some time to get familiar with the default mode and get comfortable with uses of Hummingbird fish finder so that you get the feel of what changes you want and then change them to your needs.
Once you get familiar with the general setting mode, you will be able to customize the settings according to your choice. The best way for you to get familiarize with the fish finder is to go into the water and navigate around for five minutes to get the basic feel of the fish finder. If your fish finder is working, now is the time to use the simulator to learn how to use that unit. The simulator lets you run commands as if you are operating the fish finder. There are two ways to do so. You can either hold down the power button until it starts to make a chirp sound which is usually done in three seconds. If the unit is turned on, you can select the simulator option from the main menu. You can turn the simulator off when you are ready to exit the simulator mode.
Display
Despite having different models, the main function of the Hummingbird fish finders are more or less same. Generally all units will have the following items on the display. Once you know how to use fish finder, you are good.
Speed
This shows the speed of the boat. A Hummingbird temp or speed accessory is needed to have this information.
Temperature
The water surface’s temperature.
Depth
The depth of the water the boat is currently standing. Some units come with an alarm that goes off when the boat goes to too shallow parts.
Depth Range
There are different depth ranges in many units and zero is the surface of the water. The zero line is shown with a horizontal line on the screen.
Bottom
Some units can differentiate between hard and rocky bottom. Usually, a hard and smooth bottom is shown with a narrow and dense line on the display. The rocky bottom usually has small bumps that show different densities. Bottom with sand or mud shows a very think line on the display.
Fish ID
The fish finder will show the symbol of a fish on the display if sonar matches a fish. Small schools of fish are generally shown with small dots.
These are the major things on a fish finder but based on the unit, there may be other points such as surface clutter, structure, second returns and thermoclines. There are options to allow customization in the unit, such as adjusting the sensitivity of the sonar or controlling the backlight display.
The most important menu function is perhaps, the fish alarm. It is possible to customize this option as well. For example, if you only want the alarm to go off when there are large fishes in the area, it is possible to do so.
Final Words
The basic idea of using the Hummingbird fish finder is the same as any other fish finders available in the market. Fish finders are comparatively easy to use and navigate and most units come with multiple customization option. If you want to use your fish finder properly, read through the manual properly and then take it for a test drive, and the rest should come easily. When it comes to using the Hummingbird fish finders, know that it is nothing complicated and it is there to make your life easier by making the fishing experience more enjoyable.