High-tech Trolling
Musky Hunter|December 2018/January 2019

Trolling is all about efficiency, and new sonar offerings can take your efforts to a whole new musky-catching level.

Mike Olson
High-tech Trolling

What is the hardest part about trolling for muskies? Not getting follows! Without getting any type of feedback until you actually get bit, it can be hard to stick to your guns and trust the method, especially when trying something new.

However, there are new technologies available that can answer your on-the-water trolling questions in real time, maximizing your efficiency while on the water. New electronics will take the guesswork out of the equation and you can leave your gut feelings at home. Garmin’s new Panoptix can deliver information to you in ways that simply weren’t possible before.

One of the limits of traditional sonar, as well as down imaging and side imaging, is they are only capable of displaying historical data — the only way to scan an area would be to either drive over it or drive past it. The images being displayed on your screen are things you have already passed by. The critical feature that sets Panoptix apart from other technologies is the ability to point the transducer toward what ever you want to look at, and to be able to see images of the desired area in real time.

Think of it as the difference between a series of still pictures and a video. Traditional sonar and side imaging essentially take a series of pictures as you pass by an area and display them one after another very quickly. This gives you a series of accurate readings of what was below or to the side of you at the time your transducer passed over or past it. Therefore, as you drive over a drop-off, the line indicating the bottom appears to be sloping downward. However these images are all historical — they are only showing what was inside the sonar beam at the time they were taken. Panoptix gives you the ability to point your transducer in whatever direction you desire and show you a real time video-like image of the area.

This story is from the December 2018/January 2019 edition of Musky Hunter.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2018/January 2019 edition of Musky Hunter.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MUSKY HUNTERView All
What can Current Do For You?
Musky Hunter

What can Current Do For You?

WATER FLOW IN LAKES IS SUBTLE AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED. BUT MUSKIES USE IT, SO WHY SHOULDN’T YOU?

time-read
3 mins  |
February/March 2021
Mountain State Muskies In Spring
Musky Hunter

Mountain State Muskies In Spring

CATCH MUSKIES DURING TIMES WHEN NOTHING IS PREDICTABLE

time-read
4 mins  |
February/March 2021
Winter Presentations For Southern Rivers
Musky Hunter

Winter Presentations For Southern Rivers

Winter has arrived, yet in the South it’s still mild enough to keep fishing with the exception of maybe a week or two of an Arctic front.

time-read
3 mins  |
February/March 2021
Tune Up For The Season Ahead
Musky Hunter

Tune Up For The Season Ahead

Have you started making your plans for the upcoming fishing year?

time-read
3 mins  |
February/March 2021
Rob Manthei
Musky Hunter

Rob Manthei

Guide Rob Manthei’s love for the Vilas/Oneida County region of northern Wisconsin is deeply rooted. His father and grandfather started taking him there on fishing trips when he was just two years old, and he began guiding full-time at the age of 25.

time-read
6 mins  |
February/March 2021
Find The Right Structure In Deep, Clear Water
Musky Hunter

Find The Right Structure In Deep, Clear Water

With breathtaking scenery, vast amounts of water, and complex and diverse structure, clear water Canadian Shield lakes offer some of the most sought-after musky fishing in the world. A bucket-list destination for the passionate and determined angler, there’s something truly special about being in the sanctuary of the great Canadian Shield lakes.

time-read
4 mins  |
February/March 2021
Multi-Species Or Bay Boat ... You Make The Choice
Musky Hunter

Multi-Species Or Bay Boat ... You Make The Choice

Is there really such a thing as a perfect musky boat? There are so many variables to choose from in the market today. Do I want a casting or trolling boat? Aluminum or fiberglass? Welded or riveted? Do I want a tiller, side console, dual console, or full windshield?

time-read
4 mins  |
February/March 2021
Region To Region
Musky Hunter

Region To Region

Region To Region

time-read
10+ mins  |
February/March 2021
Genetic Study Yields Answers
Musky Hunter

Genetic Study Yields Answers

STUDY SUGGESTS LEECH STRAIN IS NOT THE ‘SILVER BULLET’ FOR WISCONSIN MUSKY WATERS

time-read
6 mins  |
February/March 2021
Crawling Crankbaits To Catch Cold Water Muskies
Musky Hunter

Crawling Crankbaits To Catch Cold Water Muskies

Crankbaits catch plenty of muskies during spring, summer and fall, but the key to catching ’skies in the very early cold water season on these lures involves some special tricks.

time-read
3 mins  |
February/March 2021