I’ve spent over 20 years fishing West Grand Traverse Bay for some of Michigan’s most prized species King Salmon and lake trout. But honestly, before I installed the Humminbird Xplore™ units and linked them with my Ulterra™ trolling motor via the One-Boat Network, my success was mostly a combination of experience, luck, and sometimes just plain guesswork.
Once I embraced this advanced electronics system, my approach to vertical jigging became remarkably easier and far more productive. The ease of locating fish, staying on them, and adjusting in real-time has transformed my days on the water from stressful to confident.
Here’s exactly how the features of the Humminbird Xplore™ units and the Ulterra™ system made a difference and some practical tips I’ve gathered along the way.
The Heart of the System: Power, Clarity, and Features of the Humminbird Xplore™ Units
First, let me talk about what makes these Xplore™ units stand apart. The 9-inch in the bow and the 12-inch on the console deliver crystal-clear images, advanced mapping, and flexible multi-view options that help me cut through the clutter and actually see fish, bait, and structure like I never could before.
Dual Spectrum CHIRP Sonar: Clear, Sharp Images
The Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar is the backbone of the system. It transmits a wide range of frequencies imagine a symphony of sonar pulses that produce sharp, high-contrast images of what’s happening below. Whether I’m looking for suspended King Salmon at 20-40 feet or lake trout near the rocky bottom at 50 feet, I get detailed, distinct images.
The clarity allows me to distinguish bait balls from fish, see the size and shape of the fish, and understand their behavior in real time. When fishing in windy or choppy conditions, that clarity becomes even more important it’s like having x-ray vision.
Split-Screen and Multi-View Capabilities
One of the biggest game-changers is running split-screen views. I can devote half the screen to side imaging showing the spread of baitfish and fish on either side of the boat, and the other half to down imaging over precise structure or targeted schools.
This endows me with a full 360-degree underwater view, making it easier and faster to identify where the fish are congregating and how they’re reacting to my jigging.
Preloaded LakeMaster Maps & GPS
Taking it a step further, the built-in LakeMaster maps are preloaded and give me detailed contours of the bay’s underwater features drop-offs, humps, wrecks, and ridges so I can plan my jigging spots more effectively.
The GPS works in tandem with mapping, allowing me to mark productive areas for future trips and navigate back to those spots precisely, even in tricky currents or low visibility.
How These Features Simplify My Jigging and Boost My Success
Before I started using these units, I’d scan the water with my old sonar, see a few fish, and then spend precious time trying to figure out exactly where they’re hanging often missing strikes because I couldn’t see them clearly or stay in the right position.
Now, the extra clarity and detailed images give me instant insights I see fish suspending, feeding, or hugging the bottom. When I’m targeting King Salmon at 30 feet or lake trout resting on the rocky bottom, I don’t have to guess. I mark their position on my unit, then transfer the GPS waypoint to my Ulterra’s™ Spot-Lock™ system, so I stay directly over them.
Staying on the Fish
Once I’m over a school, Spot-Lock™ keeps me steady even in wind and current so I can focus solely on jigging. The Ulterra’s™ auto deploy/stow feature is an added bonus, allowing me to deploy or stow my motor silently with a tap, saving time and avoiding spooking fish.
Watching real-time sonar images on the screens tells me when the fish are following, ignoring, or striking my jig. If they follow but don’t bite, I’ll change my jigging speed, depth, or color fast, because I can see **exact
How These Features Turned My Jigging into a Confidence Game
Since I started relying on the Humminbird Xplore™ units in tandem with my Ulterra™ system, everything about my fishing in West Grand Traverse Bay has become more efficient and more fun. Knowing I can see fish clearly, mark hotspots with precision, and hold exact positions automatically has taken the guesswork out of jigging for King Salmon and lake trout.
Navigation, target location, and reaction are now instantaneous. I can scan the water column before I even make my first drop, instantly determine where the active fish are hanging, and then stay locked directly over them even in current or wind without worrying about drifting away or missing bites. Watching the sonar images, I observe fish’s reactions in real-time, allowing me to adjust my jigging speed, depth, or lure instantly, which has significantly increased my hookup ratio.
The split-screen views give me the big picture of the water beneath and around the boat. I can see where baitfish are concentrated, identify structure that holds fish, and then hone in precisely with my jig. This multi-view capability saves a lot of time and energy, especially when fishing deep or in challenging weather conditions.
Practical Tips for Success
Timing is everything. Early spring and late fall are the prime windows, especially dawn and dusk. Cooler water temperatures (around 45–55°F) make fish more active and willing to strike. Overcast days tend to boost suspending and feeding activity, giving me more opportunities.
Tackle makes a difference too. I favor Jonah Jigs or similar jigging spoons about 1 to 3 ounces that flutter and shimmer enticingly mimicking baitfish.
Jigging technique is about quick, sharp lifts combined with gentle drops mimicking injured prey that triggers strikes. The sonar images show me if the fish are following or striking, so I can tweak my tempo accordingly. If fish follow but don’t bite, I change depth, speed, or lure color.
Stay patient and observant. With the clarity of the units, I sometimes see multiple schools or bait clouds at once. I target the most active clusters, and the system’s detailed images make it easier to decide when or where to make a perfect drop.
Final Thoughts: Why I’ll Never Fish Without Them
After supporting dozens of successful jigging trips with the combined Humminbird Xplore™ and Ulterra™ system, I honestly can’t imagine returning to traditional electronics. The confidence and precision this technology offers have made me a better fisherman, especially targeting the biggest fish in the bay. Every time I head out, I know I’ll locate fish efficiently, stay on them with Spot-Lock™, and respond quickly to their movements whether hunting a suspended King or jigging for a lake trout at the bottom. The detailed sonar images, advanced mapping, and multi-view displays have changed how I fish in this legendary fishery. For anyone serious about maximizing their success in West Grand Traverse Bay and beyond I highly recommend investing in a Humminbird Xplore™ + Ulterra™ system. It’s not just technology; it’s an advantage that turns difficult, unpredictable fishing into a confident and enjoyable experience.
Trending Products
