Top 10 Forward-Facing Sonar Mistakes

Forward-facing sonar has changed competitive and recreational fishing. The advantage is not simply seeing fish. The advantage is interpreting what you are seeing correctly and reacting efficiently.

As a sonar instructor and full-time guide, these are the five most common mistakes I see.

1. Changing Ranges Constantly

Forward range controls perspective. If you move from 60 feet to 90 feet and back again, fish size changes on the screen. A 3-pound bass can look large at short range and small at long range.

Without consistency, you lose your reference point and start guessing casting distance.

Keep range stable so you always know what a quality fish looks like at a glance.

2. Not Adjusting Installation Depth

Installation depth determines where the surface appears on your screen.

If you exaggerate it slightly, you can see your lure splash and enter the water. That saves time and improves casting efficiency. When you cannot locate your bait quickly, you waste valuable seconds repositioning.

3. Watching the Lure Instead of the Fish

Most anglers lock onto their bait.

I focus on the fish.

Fish direction tells you everything. If the fish is moving left and you cast behind it, your bait will never intersect its path. If I see the lure but not the fish, the cast was wrong. Reset immediately.

Track behavior first. Present second.

4. Not Understanding the Cone

Forward-facing sonar operates in a narrow 20º cone.

If you lose a fish on the screen, do not swing the transducer wildly. Large movements remove the fish from the cone entirely. Small, controlled adjustments maintain contact and help determine travel direction.

Cone awareness reduces panic movements and keeps fish in view.

5. Ignoring Hardness, Size, and Swimming Speed

Every return is not equal.

Hard bottom shows brighter returns. Different species move differently. Swimming speed, posture, and positioning matter.

Beginners should cast at everything to build experience. Over time, patterns emerge. That is when selectivity improves efficiency.

6. Casting Immediately

Unless the fish is swimming straight at you, you can take your time. They won't immediately spook off if they hear the boat or sonar but they will if you make a poor cast. 

Take the time to understand how the fish is swimming in the water and more importantly where its eyes are at. Just like throwing a football to someone run-in a route, you may need to lead a fish. '

7. Stopping Transducer Movement During Cast

Just because the fish is on the screen does not mean it isn going to stay there. The boat will move with the current and wind. Fish continue swimming and even will completely change directions!

Keep your foot on the turret or foot pedal to continue tracking the fish throughout your cast to the fish. 

8. Not Covering Enough Water

You can set your range to whatever you like but recognize how much water that will let you effectively cover. 

If I set my forward range to 100 feet, I can cover so much water. If I pan in every direction and don't see a fish, MOVE! Get to the next area you want to cover with the trolling motor and pan around there. 

9. Casting at Bait Fish

This is more of a beginner's issue. Cast your lure and see it on the screen, look how big it is. A fish is quite a bit bigger than your lure! 

A lot of first time FFS users on my boat end up casting at baitfish until I point out the size comparison of their lure and what they're casting at. 

10. Casting Too Short

Pretty self explanatory. You can always bring your cast in but you can never make it go further. 

Electronics Efficiency Equals Fishing Efficiency

Whether you fish tournaments or weekends, your time on the water is limited. Efficient sonar interpretation converts directly into more productive casts.

If you want the exact settings I run plus structured instruction on reading fish behavior, check out the Forward-Facing Sonar bundle at fishfindercoach.com.