Vexilar FL-8SLT - Manual (Page 14)

14
HIGH SPEED OPERATION
The FL-8SLT can accurately read depths at almost any boat speed.
Here high speed is defined as any speed at or above the planning speed
of the boat. Once the boat starts to plane out, turbulence will develop
behind the transom. If you have the wrong type of transducer, or it is
poorly mounted, the unit will lose the bottom at a certain boat speed.
This is due to all of the air bubbles in the turbulent water.
ICE FISHING
Ice fishing brings out the best in the FL-8SLT. The stable platform of
ice lets you concentrate on your bait and the fish around it. The bottom
becomes less important because it never changes. The only movement
on the display is of your bait and fish.
Unlike open water use, the direction in which the transducer is point-
ed is very critical. You want your bait to be located in the dead center of
the cone sound. This way you can see very small baits at low gain set-
tings and also see fish come in from all sides. If you are not using the Ice-
Ducer system, the transducer must be attached to an adjustable arm so
that it can be manually pointed directly at the bait. Sometimes it helps
to attach a bubble level to the transducer so that you know when it's
straight.
After your system is properly set up, adjust the gain until you see
your bait as a green target. You may need to readjust the gain control to
keep the bait green. This is due to the changing condition and position
of your bait. If you are using a swimming bait or a lure that darts to the
side as it's jigged, you will see the color change as the bait moves.
Sometimes it may even disappear if the bait goes out of the cone of sound.
Fish will appear at the edge of the cone as a green target. If the fish
moves closer to the bait it will change from green to orange. If it moves
up, right next to the bait, it will change to red. If the fish leaves and you
can no longer see your bait, chances are, you've been robbed.