Why is my hummingbird fish finder not showing fish?

There are a few common reasons why your hummingbird fish finder may not be showing fish even when they are present in the water:

Improper Transducer Installation

The transducer is the part of the fish finder that sends out sonar waves and receives the echoes to show what’s in the water. If the transducer is not properly installed and angled correctly, it will not give accurate readings. Some things to check:

• Make sure the transducer is mounted securely and is not loose.
• The transducer should be parallel with the water surface when the boat is level. Adjust the transducer angle if needed.
• There should not be obstructions, bubbles, or turbulence around the transducer. This can interfere with the sonar signals.
• The transducer cable should not be crimped or damaged.

Incorrect Transducer Frequency Setting

Humminbird fish finders allow you to adjust the transducer frequency. Using the wrong frequency setting for your conditions can lead to poor fish detection. Here are some frequency guidelines:

• Higher frequencies like 455kHz provide the best resolution but shallow range.
• Moderate frequencies like 200kHz provide good balanced performance.
• Lower frequencies like 83kHz have deeper range but less detail.

If using 455kHz in deep water, you may not be getting readings from the bottom or mid-water. Try changing to 200kHz or 83kHz if needed to pick up more readings.

Incorrect Fish Finder Settings

Make sure you have adjusted the sensitivity, filter, noise rejection, and other settings optimized for your conditions:

• Increase the sensitivity to pick up more detail – but not so much that you get too much noise.
• Adjust the filter to reduce clutter from debris, thermoclines, etc.
• Use the appropriate noise rejection setting for the environment.
• Adjust range, zoom, gain and other options to get the right level of detail.

It may take some trial and error with the settings to optimize the fish finder display.

Low Battery Power

If the fish finder battery is running low, the unit may not transmit at full power. This can reduce the sonar range and fish detection. Make sure your battery is fully charged. For best results, use a 12V power source instead of batteries.

Dirty Transducer

A transducer covered in algae, grease, or other buildup will not transmit sonar properly. Use a soft cloth and mild detergent to clean the transducer face. Be gentle, do not use abrasives. Even a small amount of buildup can impair performance.

Poor Water Conditions

Sonar has difficulty penetrating through things like heavy algae bloom or extremely muddy water. The readings can become murky. You may need to move to a different fishing spot if water clarity is very poor.

Boat Speed Too Fast

Most fish finders cannot refresh readings quickly enough at very high speeds. If you are traveling over about 40 mph, the display may not update fast enough to show fish or structure. Slow down to 25 mph or less for best results.

Not Enough Power Output

Some cheaper entry level fish finders lack the power to get strong returns, especially in deep water. Upgrading to a more powerful fish finder with at least 500 watts RMS power can improve sonar performance.

Interference from Other Electronics

Electrical interference from other equipment on the boat like pumps, generators, radio antennas etc. can cause noise in fish finder readings. Try turning off other electronics to see if it makes a difference. Adding noise filter accessories can also help.

Conclusion

With some adjustments and troubleshooting of potential issues covered here, you should be able to get your Humminbird fish finder showing fish successfully. Make sure the transducer is mounted properly, try adjusting settings and frequencies, check for things like low power and interference, and find the optimum speed and conditions. Taking the time to properly setup and tune your equipment is key to getting the most out of your fish finder for finding fish.

Here are some additional details to help explain the common issues and solutions when troubleshooting a Humminbird fish finder that is not showing fish:

Transducer Installation Tips

Properly mounting the transducer is one of the most important factors for good fish finder performance. Here are some best practices:

• Use marine sealant to create a solid waterproof bond when mounting the transducer.
• Mount the transducer as close to the middle of the boat hull as possible.
• Make sure the transducer faces straight down unobstructed.
• Follow the installation manual for the ideal mounting angle and position.
• Consider getting a transom mount transducer for easier adjustments.
• Route the cable neatly without crimps back to the fish finder.

Choosing the Right Transducer Frequency

Humminbird transducers are available in various frequency ranges. Pick the right one for your needs:

• 455kHz – up to 240 ft depth range, best for shallow water panfish.
• 200kHz – up to 350 ft depth range, ideal all-purpose freshwater fishing.
• 83kHz – up to 750 ft depth range, best for deep water lakes and offshore.
• 50kHz – up to 1000 ft depth range, deepest freshwater penetration.
• 28kHz – up to 2500 ft depth range, designed for deep saltwater.

Dialing in Fish Finder Settings

It takes fine tuning of the settings to get a clear picture underwater:

• Start with auto sensitivity, then adjust manually as needed.
• Run tests to find the optimal filter setting for your conditions.
• Increase view angles and use wideside down imaging for expanded coverage.
• Adjust colorline to highlight structure and bottom details.
• Use advanced settings like A-Scope for vertical fish detection.

Maintaining Transducer Condition

A clean, corrosion-free transducer is vital:

• Check transducer before each trip for debris or growth.
• Remove buildup carefully to avoid damaging the transducer.
• Consider anti-fouling treatments for persistent growth issues.
• Inspect wiring and mounting regularly for corrosion damage.
• Avoid banging or scraping the transducer on objects.

Electrical Noise Reduction Techniques

Electrical interference shows up as clutter or random dots on the display. Reduce it by:

• Adding additional shielding to transducer cables.
• Routing cables away from noise sources.
• Installing noise filter modules in the power system.
• Using coaxial-shielded transducer cable.
• Plugging electronics into separate battery banks if possible.

With good installation, settings, transducer condition, noise control, and general fish finder operation and maintenance, you can troubleshoot issues with your Humminbird not showing fish successfully. Be systematic and patient during testing to pinpoint the reasons for any performance problems. Consult your Humminbird manual and resources for additional troubleshooting advice.

In rare cases, there may be an internal fault in the fish finder itself requiring repair. But in most situations, the problems can be resolved with proper user adjustments, settings, care, and a basic understanding of how the sonar functions. Learning to master your Humminbird fish finder takes time, but the reward will be catching more fish!