How to Use a Humminbird Fish Finder Wide 128

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A fish finder makes life easy for anglers. Discovering where the fish are is always half the battle once you're on the water. A fish finder simplifies this process by employing a fathometer, an echo-sounding device, to determine the depth, bottom composition and location of fish. The Humminbird Wide 125 is a fish finder that offers an easy-to-use interface requiring virtually no technical skill. Understanding how to use this device before entering the water can make your next trip a little easier.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Control Functions

Step 1

Locate the five keys used to operate the device. Search for the power button on top and the light button just below and to the right, which controls the back-lit display of the device in three levels.

Step 2

Locate the menu button and the two arrow buttons directly below. These work in conjunction to control user functions.

Step 3

Scroll using the arrow buttons to make menu changes to sonar sensitivity, vertical distance range, zooming into specific depth ranges, a shallow water depth alarm, a fish alarm and fish identification such as large fish only.

Power and Automatic Settings

Step 1

Test the device with the boat in the water before leaving shore. Visually inspect the transducer to verify it is completely submerged.

Step 2

Press the power button and listen for a chirping sound confirming the device is on. Watch the start-up screen for a timer that counts down to zero, then changes to a digital depth readout and display of the bottom of the water. Depart when ready as this display means the device is operational.

Step 3

Touch nothing on the device for fully automated use. Use the device in the automatic setting at 2- to 600-foot depths. Keep your boat speed less than 70 mph.

Simulator

Step 1

Practice using the unit out of water by enabling the simulator mode. Press the power button and wait for the start-up screen to appear. Watch for three bulleted options aligned vertically---start-up, simulator and diagnostic.

Step 2

Scroll downward using the down pointing arrow button until the simulator option is highlighted. Wait to observe the start-up screen timer until it reaches zero, then you are in simulator mode.

Step 3

Experiment with the features in simulator mode to gain greater proficiency as the device will act as if it is in actual operation. Practice in this mode especially if customizing the device is a priority. Press the power button again to leave simulator mode.

Graphic Representation

Step 1

Learn to interpret information appearing on the display screen. Look for a horizontal line at the top with a zero to the right indicating the surface. Look at the lower right corner for a number designating the approximate water depth of the surrounding area.

Step 2

Watch the large number displayed at the lower left of the screen to determine the depth of water below the transducer.

Step 3

Observe the center of the screen for graphical displays of bottom composition, noting that new information first appears on the right side of the display and moves to the left.

Step 4

Look for fish-shaped displays appearing between the surface and bottom display, noting that numbers will appear between the fish and a vertical line to the surface. These numbers designate the current depth of fish and in some cases schools of fish will appear on screen in the form of multiple dots.

Step 5

Do not confuse bottom surface images with other similar images. Watch the lower screen for bottom composition detail and the center or top of the screen for similar displays representing thermoclines or surface debris.

Article Written By Mike Biscoe

Mike Biscoe has been writing since 2009. Focusing on travel, sports and entertainment topics, he has credits in various online publications including LIVESTRONG.COM and Trails. He often writes articles covering uncommon travel destinations from firsthand experience. Biscoe holds a Certificate of Completion in acting from the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts.

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