Best LiveScope Settings to See Your Lure Land
One of the biggest advantages of Garmin LiveScope is tracking your lure in real time. If you’re struggling to see your lure land, adjusting key settings like Gain, TVG, Color Gain, Install Depth, Color Palette, and AHRS/Pitch Angle can make all the difference.
Once your lure is in the water the trails setting may also help in finding your lure.
Key Settings for Tracking Your Lure on LiveScope
| Setting | Best Adjustment for Seeing Your Lure Land |
|---|---|
| Gain | Increase until the lure is clearly visible |
| TVG (Time Variable Gain) | Off or Low (prevents lure from fading) |
| Color Gain | Moderate to High (makes lure stand out) |
| Install Depth | Increase slightly (1-3 ft) to bring surface into view |
| Color Palette | Amber, Lava, or Blue for best contrast |
| AHRS or Pitch Angle | Adjust if screen is rocking or slanted |
1. Gain – Increase for Maximum Lure Visibility
Why It Matters:
- Gain controls how much sonar return is displayed.
- Higher Gain makes small objects (like a lure) more visible, but too much Gain creates screen clutter.
Best Setting:
- Increase Gain until your lure is clearly visible throughout the water column.
- If the screen becomes too noisy, adjust TVG or Noise Reject instead of lowering Gain too much.
2. TVG (Time Variable Gain) – Keep It Off or Low
Why It Matters:
- TVG reduces sonar noise by weakening weaker returns over time.
- Turning TVG too high can cause your lure to fade out as it sinks.
Best Setting:
- Turn TVG Off or set to Low to keep the lure visible at all depths.
3. Color Gain – Increase to Make Lure Stand Out
Why It Matters:
- Color Gain enhances the intensity of weaker sonar returns, making your lure pop against the background.
- If Color Gain is too low, your lure may blend in and become difficult to track.
Best Setting:
- Increase Color Gain to at least 75-90% to brighten the lure.
- If the image becomes too bright, reduce slightly.
4. Install Depth – Raise Slightly to Bring Surface Into View
Why It Matters:
- If you can’t see your lure immediately after it enters the water, LiveScope may not be showing the water’s surface.
- Raising Install Depth helps track the lure from splashdown to the fish.
Best Setting:
- Increase Install Depth by 1-3 ft to bring the surface into view.
- If you see unwanted surface reflections, lower it slightly.
5. Color Palette – Pick One That Highlights Your Lure
Why It Matters:
- Some color palettes make small objects like lures easier to see.
- A color palette that contrasts with your lure will improve visibility.
Best Setting:
- Amber, Lava, or Blue work best for tracking a lure.
- Avoid palettes that match your lure color (if using a white lure, avoid a white-heavy palette).
6. AHRS or Pitch Angle – Adjust If Your Screen Is Rocking
Why It Matters:
- If your screen is rocking or tilting, your lure’s path may look unnatural or even disappear from view.
- AHRS stabilizes the sonar image, while Pitch Angle can be manually adjusted if needed.
Best Setting:
- If the screen is tilting or rocking, turn AHRS on for automatic stabilization.
- If AHRS is off, manually adjust Pitch Angle until the bottom appears level.
Bonus Tips for Better Lure Tracking
- Use a Heavier Lure – Small jigs are harder to track than heavier baits.
- Work Your Lure at a Consistent Speed – Erratic movements can make it harder to see.
- Adjust While Fishing – If the lure disappears, tweak Gain or Color Gain slightly.
Final Thoughts
To clearly see your lure land and track it to the fish, fine-tuning your Gain, TVG, Color Gain, Install Depth, Color Palette, and AHRS/Pitch Angle is key. Increase Gain and Color Gain, turn TVG off or low, raise Install Depth slightly, use a high-contrast color palette, and stabilize your screen with AHRS or Pitch Angle.
