electronics for inshore fishing - side scan sonar? Or Garmin Livescope?

[Jim in CT]

My wife is back at work after being home for 14 years (14 long years), and even she is saying we need a boat. Probably picking up a new Maritime skiff 21 defiant.

I don't know much about electronics, but the charter captains I go with almost all use side scan sonar, I assume there's a reason why it's so popular.

I do some freshwater trips with a guide who uses Garmin livesope, it's actually a live video feed of what's happening all around the boat, if you throw a shiner into a school of perch, you can see a few perch break off the school and come attack the shiner. It's very cool. But I assume there's a reason why I've never seen a captain use it in saltwater?

Pro and cons?

I assume we want a trolling motor with spot lock?

Will do a mix of light tackle fishing for bass and blues, and some bottom fishing for scup, sea bass and tog, mostly Eastern CT between the CT river and Fishers Island.

Any advice appreciated.

Looking is so much fun.