Plug-and-play mapping technology more than navigational aid
If you own a fishing rig of any kind, chances are the boat is equipped with some sort of electronics. If not, you are missing out on some cool technology that will enable you to catch more fish and be much more efficient on the water.
Most modern liquid crystal recorder units come standard with depth finding capabilities for illustrating water depths, contours, submerged vegetation, forage and, in many instances, game fish. Another common feature is a temperature gauge that works in unison with a transducer, so you can keep tabs on changing water temperatures.
While those are all helpful tools, top-line GPS chartplotting units offered by industry leaders like Lowrance and Humminbird offer a whole lot more.
GPS (global position satellite technology) navigational tools operate using an antenna to locate a series of satellites in outer space. Once accomplished, this allows the GPS receiver to pinpoint its exact location anywhere in the world.
With GPS on their side, mariners are able to feel their way around a lake or bay with precision accuracy during day or night, under any weather condition imaginable. Among other things, the technology also allows you to log waypoints on productive fishing spots and other points of interest, so you can return to them over and over again without second guessing or trying to line up on a series of visible landmarks.
While most modern GPS chartplotting units come preloaded with factory mapping software packages to aid in navigation and fishing, there are a number of aftermarket "chips" available to enhance the experience even more.
A chip is an SD memory card filled with information. Once inserted into the hard drive slot of a compatible GPS chart plotter, the data automatically transfers to the screen so you can use it. It is no different than adding a new program to a home computer.
All of this might sound a little confusing -- even intimidating -- to someone with limited computer skills. But it is not.
The best way to learn your way around a GPS chartplotter is to read the owner's manual and dive right in. Go to the lake and play with it. Before long, you will be asking yourself why you waited so long to make the change.
Here are a few chips worth adding to your arsenal.
Navionics
A leader in marine cartography, Navionics has a large number of mapping software packages. It is hard to beat the company's HotMaps software for freshwater fishing applications on public reservoirs and rivers.
The software is available for five regions across the United States in three levels -- HotMaps, HotMaps Premium and HotMaps Platinum.
The Platinum chip contains lake maps for more than 17,000 lakes, including nearly 150 Texas impoundments. More than 100 of the Texas lakes are listed in high-definition format. Panoramic Lake Photos, 3D and top/down satellite imagery are extra features exclusive to the Platinum chip.
The beauty of the HD format is it depicts the contour lines of a lake's bottom in 1-2 foot intervals; the tighter the lines, the more abrupt the contour change. This lets you detect little ditches, points and other underwater structure not found on other mapping software or traditional paper maps.
"Take this software to a lake you think you know pretty well, spend some time learning how to use it and you will discover some things about the bottom that you never knew existed," says Jim Tutt, a Lowrance pro staffer from Longview. "The HD maps are far better than anything else out there."
To learn more, visit navionics.com online.
GPS lake maps
Founded by legendary Texas bass pro Tommy Martin and Bobby Feazel, this chip is designed to work hand-in-hand with Navionics by adding a wealth of useful fishing data to compliment what Navionics has already accomplished.
Using available USGS lake data, the chip depicts channels, roadbeds, bridges, pond dams, cemeteries, ditches and other good stuff that Navionics does not show. The data downloads and stores to the GPS hard drive, then overlays on the Navionics contour map of the target lake.
Martin says GPS Lake Map chips are currently available for 60 lakes, 31 of them in Texas. Sold individually, the chips are $44.95; a Sam Rayburn/Toledo Bend combo chip sells for $74.95. To learn more, visit www.shockwaverods.com online.
BoatLanes.com
Lake Fork fishing guide Lance Vick created this chip as a way to help anglers take the guesswork out of navigating questionable boat lanes on his home lake. He has since added Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend to the mix.
The multimedia flash cards contain live waypoints marking designated boat lanes, boat ramp routes and even a few secret guide trails not found on other mapping software packages.
Vick accumulated the data buy running the lanes in his Skeeter and popping waypoints along the way. The result is a very useful tool to help anglers navigate the aforementioned lakes safely and reduce the risk of damaging props or taking out lower units on stumps and other hidden obstructions.
Chips are available for Lowrance and Humminbird GPS systems. Once uploaded, the waypoint data is stored in the unit, so it can be utilized in combination with Lowrance Fishing Hot Spots or Navionics software. The guide recommends utilizing the data with the "Trackline Extension" mode in the GPS unit activated. This pointer line makes it easier to maintain a steady course when motoring from waypoint to waypoint.
The chips sell for $29.95 individually, combination Sam Rayburn/Toledo Bend $49.95 or all three lakes, $64.95.
For more information, visit boatlanes.com online.
Matt Williams' email address is mattwilliams@netdot.com.
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