The Hunt...Listening

[VIICDriver]

OK guys been doing this for some time now but I'm still a rookie. I have read the manuals including the community manual and the Stickies here but I want some of you veterans technique on this:

What is the best way too listen for merchants? I usually get down to 30-40 meters water depth permitting and go to 256X for an hour or 2. Then jump on the hydrophones myself and listen then back to 256X for a couple more hours. If still nothing then I'll slow ahead for a lil while but usually this practice does NOT work! LOL

I know there is not ships just everywhere but sometime I can patrol back and forth on convoy routes for days using this technique with no sign of a C3 or even a Coastal for that matter.

I know everyone does it differently but would like some tips on listening for these guys. I know sometimes I can hear faint props on the phones but turn it back over to the sonarman and he reports nothing.

BTW in my current career I'm now in a IX. (Jury is still out on this elephant boat). It does not hold periscope depth at times and ends up with the tower sticking out of the water as a perfect target for that Destroyer. But I can say it takes a licking and keeps on ticking. My last few patrols are proof of that!

Just need a lil input from you hunter killers out there.

Thanks,
Chuck