Topic: Alligator tips?

[freezerfiller]

I have two brothers that got drawn for a gator hunt.  I got that monster in my avatar last season, but it was sheer luck.  I'd like to use my HB SI to find them after they submerge.  Any tips on settings?

[newkid4si]

Here is a place to start. I think the first four pictures were posted on this site.

   http://www.google.com/webhp?source=search_app#bav=on.2,or.r_qf.&fp=99dab8d56bd49e99&q=crocodile+humminbird+sideimage

                 Mike

[newkid4si]

That didn't work out as well as I thought it would. I thought clicking on the picture may take you to the post.

This link may provide some help. Toward the bottom of the first page is guidance on which frequency to use.

          http://bb.sideimageforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=547

             Mike

[Jim Jack]

It is very difficult to get si of American Alligators. I think I'm the only person that has done it. I chased gators for about half an hour before I captured on, and I never saw it on the fish finder. Only saw when I reviewed recordings on humviewer.

Some say that the alligators skin absorbs the sound waves. The best tip I can offer is to turn sensitivity down a couple of notches.

[freezerfiller]

Thanks Jim Jack.  Just to make sure I understand, you mean turn it down as in lower number on the sensitivity scale?  You would think they would be easy to see with those lungs full of air, but if they absorb or scatter the waves at the skin level, then I guess it makes sense.

[Jim Jack]

yes lower #. You want what returns you do get to show up well. I will find the screen shot I have and post.

[freezerfiller]

I saw the pic. Very Nice!  Do you know if you have the settings you used to get it?

http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1572.0;attach=3180;image

[Humminbird_Greg]

They can be imaged with the Si but you have to be both lucky and know what to look for.  My Manager spotted one on his Si sonar but did not have an SD card installed so no screen snapshot...  The background you image them over will have a big impact on whether you will be able to see the primary return from them or not.  The best suggestions I have are to run the 455kHz Si sonar, turn down the sensitivity and play with the Contrast and Sharpness menus so that they will show up better – just like you would do for fish.  Best to spot them when they are on the surface though…

Of course you have to post any images you get for us all to see!

[freezerfiller]

Opening night we took an 8' gator.  Never did see one on the sonar, but since it was on the surface, we were really focused more on what we could see with our eyes.  Will try to get the other brother one next weekend. 

[Humminbird_Greg]

Nice 8-footer.  Did you guys get a weight on him/her?
Male or female?
Can you say where you got it?

[freezerfiller]

Nice 8-footer.  Did you guys get a weight on him/her?
Male or female?
Can you say where you got it?

Did not get a weight.   It was a female.  Right behind the head. 

[Humminbird_Greg]

I meant the location he harvested it from.  Wait… “Right behind the head.”  I got it now. 

Who was the bait? 

[freezerfiller]

I was just messin with ya...   He got it on the N end of Lake Eufaula, south of the paper mill close to the railroad bridge. 

[Humminbird_Greg]

I was wondering if it came out of "the gator hole" on the Georgia side of the lake or not.  I have not been in there for many years but it was reported to always be full of gators.  Around Patula Creek could be a good area too as my Father-in-Law caught his two biggest gators there (next to a pig farm - they were eating his pigs).