Forward-facing sonar has transformed how we approach structure, bait positioning, and even how we select our next cast. What started as a revolutionary tech for finding fish has quickly become a battleground of fine-tuned adjustments, bait tweaks, and data interpretation. At the heart of this evolution lies a subtle yet critical shift in mount positioning, zero-degree mounts.
While factory mounts, such as Garmin’s standard offering, get the job done, a growing wave of high-level anglers are switching to zero-degree LiveScope mounts to eliminate ambiguity and refine sonar interpretation. These mounts strip away built-in angles and align your sonar cone straight forward, creating a narrower but more accurate beam, giving you the confidence to cast with purpose.
We’re not talking about general upgrades or feel-good gear swaps here. This is a detail that separates good from great. And in the latest development, BeatDown Outdoors has jumped into the mix with a precision-built zero degree mount that’s catching attention among pros and serious weekend warriors alike.
In this article, we will dig into what makes zero degree mounts so effective and why this shift is gaining momentum among anglers who rely on forward-facing sonar not just as a tool, but as a crucial component of their fishing success.
The Basics: What Is a Zero Degree Mount?
At its core, a zero degree mount eliminates the tilt commonly built into factory mounts, such as the Garmin LiveScope LVS34. That tilt, often between 5 to 8 degrees, is designed to give a slightly downward perspective, helping you maintain a wider field of view. This is great for tracking your bait in a broad cone, especially when learning the ropes of forward-facing sonar.
But there's a drawback. That angle means your sonar cone isn’t truly straight ahead; it’s skewed. The wider view can distort your perception of where the fish actually are relative to your bait. You might see a fish on screen, drop a bait in front of it, and get no response. That fish could be six or eight feet off the true path of your lure.
A zero degree LiveScope mount straightens the beam entirely. You lose a bit of that broader view, but you gain the ability to line your bait up perfectly. That kind of alignment means everything when you’re targeting individual fish, especially in clear water or during a tough bite.
“If you see your bait and the fish in the same picture, you know that you have hit that fish on the same plane… and that fish is much more likely to see your bait,” said Matt Pangrac, Bassmaster Open angler and host of Bass Talk Live.
Zero Degrees Means Zero Guesswork
Many sonar users have been there, watching their screen, seeing a target, and wondering whether their bait is truly in front of the fish or drifting through dead water. That uncertainty often comes from beam angle distortion.
With zero degree mounts, you're not just looking at fish, you’re aiming at them. That changes how you fish.
“Zero degree just cleans everything up,” said veteran pro Mike McClelland, who’s been using forward-facing sonar since the Panoptix days. “It makes the bottom cleaner. It makes the cast a lot more precise.”
That precision has real-world implications. When you lock your transducer in at zero degrees, what you see is what you get. There’s no estimating whether a fish is up and to the left, or off the cone entirely. The fish and your bait appear on the screen in true alignment, and if they’re not together, your cast isn’t dialed in yet.
It’s the kind of control that starts mattering more as your skills with sonar progress. Beginners benefit from a wide view; advanced anglers want precision.
Factory Mounts vs. Zero Degree: A Practical Comparison
To visualize the difference, think of sonar like casting a spotlight. A factory mount emits a wide, slightly downward-tilted light, which is helpful but imprecise. You can see more, but you’re not exactly sure where anything is within that cone.
Zero degree mounts narrow that spotlight into a beam. Suddenly, everything you see is truly where you’re pointing. That gives you more than better visuals. You know that when your bait appears on the screen, it’s in the right place. And if a fish is on screen, you’re targeting it with pinpoint accuracy.
“The zero degree… think precision, think same plane,” Pangrac said. “Presenting that bait to the fish directly on the fish every single time.”
Why Advanced Anglers Are Making the Switch
It’s no accident that more tournament anglers are running zero degree LiveScope mounts. In high-level competition, wasted casts aren’t just missed opportunities; they’re potential checks left on the table.
“To me, zero degree is the only way to go the more comfortable you get with forward-facing sonar,” McClelland said.
Elite-level anglers have become so dialed into reading sonar that even slight beam distortions feel like static. When they switch to zero degrees, it’s like changing from standard-def to HD. Everything tightens up: fish location, bait tracking, bottom clarity.
That clarity makes a big difference when you're scoping fish that aren’t actively feeding. In tough conditions, you need to present your bait flawlessly. A misread caused by a tilted cone can kill your shot. With zero degrees, there’s no guessing; it’s either lined up or it’s not.
Zeroed In: The Most Precise Zero Degree Mount on the Water
At BeatDown Outdoors, we know that when you're relying on forward-facing sonar to make every cast count, precision isn’t optional. That’s why we built the Zeroed In FFS Transducer Mount to be the toughest, most accurate, and most user-focused zero degree mount available today.
Engineered specifically for the Garmin LiveScope™ LVS34, this mount delivers rock-solid performance and fine-tuned control in one rugged package. With laser-etched 5-degree increment adjustments, you can dial in a perfect zero-degree alignment for the sharpest, most accurate sonar returns possible and make quick changes without tools when visibility or conditions shift.
Switching between Forward, Down, and Perspective modes takes just seconds. No wrenches, no guesswork. Just quick, repeatable changes you can trust every time. Built from heavy-duty aluminum and stainless steel, the Zeroed In mount is designed to take a beating and keep performing, season after season.
This is the kind of equipment that gives anglers an edge. When you're chasing single fish on massive bodies of water or fishing pressure-heavy lakes where every decision matters, having your transducer perfectly aligned makes all the difference. With the Zeroed In mount, you’re not just scanning water, you’re locking in on targets with confidence.
Built tough. Built right. Built to keep you Zeroed In.
Cleaner Screens, Cleaner Casts
Another major benefit of a zero degree LiveScope mount is the improved picture quality. When your beam is perfectly aligned, the sonar image becomes sharper. Bottom contours are cleaner. Baitfish schools are tighter. Even your lure appears more distinctly on screen, which is a huge plus for small-profile baits or finesse presentations.
In other words, a clearer view leads to more accurate feedback. Better feedback leads to better casts. Better casts catch more fish. It’s a feedback loop of precision, and it all starts with the angle of your mount.
Why the Pros Trust Zero Degree
More and more, we’re seeing top-tier pros speak up about the value of zero degree setups.
“Make sure that you have a zero degree mount,” said Pat Schlapper, Bassmaster Elite Series pro. “It’s a lot more accurate.”
At the Bassmaster Open level, where rules limit anglers to just one transducer, pros are optimizing every detail to maximize their sonar efficiency. Pangrac put it into perfect perspective:
“You can see your bait and you can see the fish [with a factory mount], but they might not be on the same plane… The zero degree mount changes that.”
What they’re all saying, whether it's McClelland, Pangrac, or Schlapper, isn’t just hype. It’s a clear signal that sonar precision has reached a new level. And mounts like the one from BeatDown Outdoors are giving anglers the tools to meet that challenge.
Is a Zero Degree Mount Right for You?
If you’re just getting started with forward-facing sonar, a factory-angled mount may be fine while you learn how to interpret the screen. The wider field of view gives you some margin for error as you track bait and targets.
But if you're consistently using sonar to target individual fish, especially in open water or pressured lakes, you’ll feel the benefits of a zero degree LiveScope mount immediately. You’ll clean up your image, sharpen your reads, and gain confidence in every cast.
“A cavity back iron is going to be more forgiving… a blade is a lot tougher, but you can do a lot more with it,” Pangrac said. “The zero degree mount is the blade.”
It’s not for everyone. But if you're reading this, there’s a good chance you're already deep into forward-facing sonar. You’ve already seen the fish react, or not react, to your bait. You’ve had moments where you swear the fish was there, but nothing happened. That’s the moment when a zero degree mount starts to make sense.
Own the Beam, Own the Cast
Fishing has always been about reading the water. Now, with forward-facing sonar, we’re reading the beam. And just like a rifle needs to be sighted in, your sonar needs to be aligned for precision.
Zero degree mounts take the guesswork out of sonar and put you in full control of your beam. Whether you're a competitive angler looking for every edge or a weekend warrior obsessed with clean sonar returns, this is the upgrade that pays dividends every single trip.
The new offering from BeatDown Outdoors sets a new standard with its innovative design, rock-solid adjustability, and the kind of durability you need when fishing hard. Ready to start putting your bait in front of more fish, with fewer wasted casts? Then it’s time to make the switch—and lock into zero.
