Join professional angler Mark Daniels Jr. as he shares his go-to baits and proven techniques for making the most of forward-facing sonar. Daniels demonstrates how these tools can help you target fish with precision whether you’re fishing offshore or near cover, and land more bites.
Jerkbait
The jerkbait tops Daniels’ list for forward-facing sonar applications. Its versatility lies in how you can impart custom bait action to the mood of the fish—just figure out what makes ’em tick and voilà, you trigger a bite! Using Garmin LiveScope, Daniels watches fish react to his bait and adjusts his jerk cadence and retrieve speed accordingly. This approach transforms fishing into an engaging game of cat and mouse. Check out our list of best jerkbaits for bass!
Featured Products
Bill Lewis Scope-Stik Suspending Jerkbait
Other Jerkbaits
Drop Shot Rig
Daniels reaches for the drop shot rig when bass are holding tight to structure and cover. This finesse rig excels in putting baits right on their noses—whether among rocks, laydowns, or standing timber. Forward-facing sonar makes precision casts possible, ensuring the bait is always in the strike zone.
Drop Shot Gear
Jighead and Minnow
Widely considered the go-to presentation for forward-facing sonar, shaking a minnow and Damiki rigging offer a high degree of plastic and jighead customization to trigger bass at any depth. Multi-species anglers love a jig and minnow, too, thanks to its effectiveness for walleye, pike, trout/salmon, and crappie, to name a few.
Damiki Rig Gear
Rapala CrushCity Mooch Minnow
Neko Rig
The weighted Neko rig offers another layer of finesse for sonar anglers. Daniels praises its slow, straight fall that allows for precise placement near structure. This rig is a reliable option whether fishing offshore or near the bank.
Neko Rig Gear:
Electronics Setup
Forward-Facing Sonar (FFS): Garmin LVS34 LiveScope Plus Live Scanning Sonar Transducer
Fish Finders:
Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 126sv Fish Finder/Chartplotter with Navionics+
Garmin GPSMAP 8616 16″
