>Why this matters
The Fish Pro Trophy's Garmin Striker (or whatever you've mounted) is your eyes underwater. Lake Erie's Western Basin is shallow (max ~24 ft) and stained. You can't see bottom from the surface, so the screen is the only honest answer about what's down there. Master this and your catch rate doubles overnight.
01What to look for
BOTTOM FEATURES
01
Reef edges: hard line where bottom rises 4-8 ft over a short distance. That edge is the spot. Drift parallel to it, don't drift over it perpendicularly — you'll cover it too fast.
02
Hard vs soft bottom: hard rocky bottom returns a thick, bright echo. Soft mud returns a thinner, dimmer line. Walleye prefer hard bottom transitions.
FISH + BAIT
01
Bait clouds: chartreuse/yellow blobs suspended off bottom (1-5 ft up). Bait = fish nearby. Empty bottom = move.
02
Walleye marks: short horizontal returns near bottom, like sideways commas. Often individual fish or small groups, not big arches.
03
Big arches: usually sheepshead or carp suspended off bottom. Not your target.
02Side imaging (if equipped)
Western Basin water is stained and shallow. Side imaging spots fish 30-50 ft off the boat that down-imaging misses entirely. Run the side beams at 60-80 ft range. Sweep both sides. If you see a fish cluster off to one side, repositon over them rather than re-running the same line.
03The move rule
MistakeFishing where there's no bait. If the screen is empty for 5 minutes, move 100-200 yards. Don't anchor on a hope.
The fish finder is honest. If it's not showing you bait or marks, the fish aren't there right now. Reef fishing is a "find them then catch them" game. 80% of the work is finding them.