Does depth finders have an effect on fish hitting your bait?

[Brushawg]

Gentlemen, Thanks for your reply. I don't know if there is a positive way to determine if this really affects the fish bite. I remember a trip to Lake Barkley when we caught over 50 bass in a small creek, my sonar was on the whole time, that didn't seem to have an effect on them then and the next morning in a different area fishing buck brush with a Ricco top water bait we had caught about 50 bass then and the sonar was on then.
I guess fish are similar to us, if you dine out in a restaurant you still eat even with all the noise, then there are times you would like to have a quiet meal at home. Maybe mood is a determine factor along with water conditions and time of year. I'm 72 yrs old and have been fishing since I was 4 when my father handed me a cane pole and I caught my first fish ( bluegill ) and I learn something new each time out. I don't think we ever stop learning. Thanks for your reply's. Tight Lines

[Wormin]

Gentlemen, Thanks for your reply. I don't know if there is a positive way to determine if this really affects the fish bite. I remember a trip to Lake Barkley when we caught over 50 bass in a small creek, my sonar was on the whole time, that didn't seem to have an effect on them then and the next morning in a different area fishing buck brush with a Ricco top water bait we had caught about 50 bass then and the sonar was on then.
I guess fish are similar to us, if you dine out in a restaurant you still eat even with all the noise, then there are times you would like to have a quiet meal at home. Maybe mood is a determine factor along with water conditions and time of year. I'm 72 yrs old and have been fishing since I was 4 when my father handed me a cane pole and I caught my first fish ( bluegill ) and I learn something new each time out. I don't think we ever stop learning. Thanks for your reply's. Tight Lines

Sir if your 72 yrs young and still fishing your doing something right! keep it up!!

[Brushawg]

Thanks for the complement. At 72 I do have a lot of health issues and a sever back problem. The best therapy that works for me is to go fishing. It gets me out of the house and I focus more on fishing than my problems. I just can't get out in the real cold weather like I did some years back ( 40 degrees is my cut off ). I spend the winter months taking care of my boat and getting my tackle in order. I also have some molds and pour my bass sinkers and 1/4 & 1/8 oz. jigs. Keep the mind and body as active as you can, don't become sedentary. Tight Lines & Bass Wishes.

[RADRJP]

I think as units have gotten more powerful to provide higher quality images, they may likely have a negative effect on fishing. Anybody got a kid that needs a science fair project? Get a tank with some minnows and set your transducer in the water and turn it on. Drop in some fish food and see how they eat. Next week leave the transducer in but not powered on and feed them again. Likely to see a difference.
RJP

[2@low8]

I used to think it had an effect until I started seeing fish coming up to bait on the live scope. But over my 60+ years fishing I have seen fish come up to my jigging spoon in deep water. So who knows????

[TimE]

Old thread but I have never noticed a difference. I primarily fish shallow and rarely turn them off. Sometimes I won’t turn them on though.

[Bonefish]

You can go to U-tube and watch the guy use a Lorance Elite unit in his fish tank without any reaction when the trans is activated.