Want to learn how to identify fish using forward-facing sonar? In this video, Dustin Connell breaks down his process for distinguishing bass, crappie, gar, and more using Lowrance ActiveTarget 2. He explains how fish movement, size, and sonar returns can help you determine what species you’re seeing on your screen—saving you time and increasing your chances of catching the right fish. Whether you’re targeting bass or trying to avoid unwanted species, understanding fish behavior on sonar is key.
Dustin takes you on the water to show real-time examples of identifying fish in different conditions, from schooling baitfish to deep-water predators. He shares his insights on how fish react to a lure, how to spot the difference between a bass and other fish, and why active fish are more likely to bite. If you’re looking to get better at reading your sonar and catching more fish, this video is a must-watch.
Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
1:18 Use Surroundings
2:36 Size
3:56 Reaction
6:00 Under Bait
6:13 Groups of fish
7:17 Fish catch
11:51 Outro
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Bass Pro Shops was founded in 1972 by avid young angler Johnny Morris on eight square feet of space in the back of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. Today, the leading national retailer of outdoor gear and apparel has 200 retail and marine center locations across North America.
DC thanks for sharing very helpful
Thank you! Finally, someone who knows his stuff explaining how to distinguish different types of fish. This is a great video.
Stop killing this sport with your video game fishing! Please!
Good video! Very informative!
See why you’re in the ranger now. Bass pro video eh?
DC obviously likes the contrast turned way up, that's why it looks like it does. The fish show up better, or glow as he says with higher contrast. Depends on what you want, little better separation and not so blurry, lower the contrast. Lowrance for me is just as good as Garmin and easier to use. Pick your color palette, set range, adjust contrast, fish. Like someone already said, it ain't about painting a pretty picture. Good video. Thanks
Man I wish this was a longer video!!
sad you can't catch fish without it! learn how to fish
I could draw a better picture on an etch a sketch than that damn active target
I have watched every video I could find on FFS for the last 3 years. In my mind, this is the most important video that I have watched. Thank you
Not sure why it looks like that My AT2 is way cleaner and sharper than those images just saying.
I use the garmin LVS 32 been using it little over 2 years for crappie…. crappie are lazy only way they move fast is if you spook them they sit dead still most times s or kinda glide through water colum i can tell difference between them bass and catfish it just takes screen time a drum is still hard for me to pick out ive caught a ton of drum thinking it was a crappie and dang things hang out with crappie alot to
.. anyway good vid DC!!!
Gonna be an eye opening 2025 BPT season for all the ffs haters out there. Guys that leaned on ffs in previous seasons to pay the bills are still gonna catch them with or without it to pay those said bills. It’s their job to do so. DC will no doubt!
D/C Take the Triton shirt off now ! Put the Ranger Shirt on ! $$$$$$
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Pretty boring
cheater
Active target looks so bad compared to a Garmin
Got almighty!!!!
First one to comment. You the man DC