The Side Scan Showdown: Choosing the Right Frequency for Your Fishing

One of the most common questions we hear from anglers is, "What's the best frequency for my side scan?" It’s a great question, and the answer is more nuanced than you might think. As our latest video explains, there isn’t one single "best" frequency, but rather a choice between two powerful options, each with a specific purpose.

In our video, we take a look at the Lowrance HDS12 LIVE with an Active Imaging HD 3-in-1 transducer, which offers two primary side scan frequencies: 455 MHz and 1075 MHz. Understanding the difference between these two is key to maximizing your time on the water.

The Case for 455 MHz: Range Over Resolution

Think of 455 MHz as your scouting frequency. It’s the option you want to use when you're covering large areas of water, searching for key features like rock piles, ledges, or submerged roadbeds. The lower frequency travels farther, giving you a much wider side-to-side range on your screen. While the image might not be as "crisp" or detailed as the higher frequency, its ability to show you a bigger picture is invaluable for locating potential fish-holding spots from a distance.

The Case for 1075 MHz: Detail Over Distance

Once you've located a promising area with 455 MHz, that's when you switch to 1075 MHz. This higher frequency provides a shorter range but offers a significantly sharper, more detailed image. On the screen, you’ll notice the image gets darker, but the fine details of the structure—like individual rocks, branches on a submerged tree, or a change in bottom composition—become much clearer. This allows you to "fine-tune" your understanding of the structure and pinpoint exactly where you should be making your casts.

Putting It All Together

The best way to think about it is as a two-step process:

1. Search with 455 MHz to efficiently cover large areas and find general spots of interest.

2. Scrutinize with 1075 MHz to get a high-definition, close-up look at the structure and make a more precise presentation.

So, the next time you’re on the water, don't just set your frequency and forget it. Use the right tool for the job. A higher frequency will always give you better detail, but a lower frequency will give you a better range. Knowing when to use each is what separates good anglers from great ones.