Garmin's Livescope is a forward looking or down looking sonar that really does give a real time shot of what's around you. I normally keep mine set of looking 50ft in front of the boat but can be turned to any direction you want to look. If there's fish there, they look pretty much like fish. I've used mine enough now I can normally tell the difference between Crappie, bream, and bass and I can just about tell you when to set the hook.
I mounted mine on a pole instead of the trolling motor so I can look in any direction while I troll in another. It's the best I've seen compared to all other units, Hummingbird/Lawrance. one thing I've found out is just how many fish interact with a bait that don't bite. It's unreal how many fish are in the lake that just turn their nose up at an artificial bait. Many will swim right up to a bait then turn and leave. It's a great tool for finding fish but it's still up to the fisherman to catch them.

So true on time wise, Amen! Wish they weren’t over 500-800 bucks. I’d pay for it around 500-650 in heartbeat. Tired of looking for fish here and there, 99% of time fish isn’t there bc my outboard motor has been idling alongside the docks, banks, stumps and bridges. Of course, my outboard motor is loud and scares the fish away. It’s 2001 Johnson Ocean Pro 150 HP. Runs good 98% of the time. After it idles/runs for a while, it’ll cutoff on me while slowly idling. I’m frustrated with everything. Being deaf, tough to find job that pays well, afford to get those fishing adult toys, living comfortable and no struggling. Of course people are and will always take advantages of people who have/are disabilities/disabled to hire and pay real low wages by using this excuse “low pay bc of limitations.” Of course, I don’t let it get through me, I’d look for different places to apply… gotta go to bed. Old fart-early bed… catch y’all later