Published on 11/30/2005

Using Available Technology to Your Advantage.

Using Available Technology to Your Advantage

Time is one of our most precious assets. As fishermen (and women), we are always looking for ways to maximize our angling adventures. One proven method that resourceful anglers have used for years is GPS; GPS stands for Global Positioning Systems.

With a GPS unit, you will know where you are and where you're headed. In addition, there are more benefits to be gained. Let's review some of the finer points...

Trip Pre-Planning

For argument's sake, we'll assume that you can remember all of the lakes you have ever fished. Chances are, there are several "Favorite Spots" at each of those locations. Can you immediately recall the exact distance between each locale and travel time to move between those points? Some people just know this stuff instinctively, while others like myself, have a poor sense of time and direction. Recording this information will not only assist you on future trips, but others in your fishing party will be appreciative of your organizational skills. Besides, there is a lot of comfort to be found knowing that each time you plan an outing, you've guaranteed yourself to find those places of "fish heaven" on demand.

Sharing the Wealth

Knowing the exact longitude and lattitude is the most precise way to relate the position of your favorite, fishing holes. The quality of today's GPS units have a tolerance error of about 1 meter (or about 39 inches for the metrically challenged people). That's pretty amazing when you understand the actual size of mother Earth. Like real estate, the three most important keys are: LOCATION, LOCATION and LOCATION. Everyone has their own "Inner Circle" of friends and hopes that they can be trusted not to divulge these hidden, fishing nirvanas. However, emergency situations may arise, which results in an unexpected man overboard condition. Radioing for assistance may help insure that your lasting friendships continue. Then again, you may only feel generous at your death bed and pass along the information as an inheritance to future generations. After all, who am I to question the sacredness of such closely, guarded secrets?

Real-Time Navigation

When traversing shallow waters, current strength, shoal anomalies, sand bars and underwater obstacles can present difficulties in the best of weather conditions. Most people agree that the only constant in life is "Change". Not using a GPS unit may be viewed as taking an undue risk. With the advances in technology, one can link their GPS unit to the vessel's "Auto Pilot Navigation" system. Thus one can spend more time focusing on the more important concerns of the day, such as "How are the fish biting?", "Do we have enough bait?" and the ever popular "Is the fishing party happy with the accommodations?".

Waypoint Annotations

With these wonderful GPS devices, you can store digital images of: the scenery, other fishing vessels, your buddies and their latest trophies, and so forth. Why rely on your own memory when inexpensive "flash" memory is abundant? Creating visual references as waypoint annotations will insure a lifetime of future discussions (to relive past glories in vivid detail).

Post-Trip Analysis

Towards the end of the day, before the details of your latest expedition become a sweet, forgotten memory, it's a good idea to record specific observations. Capturing these nuances of this excursion may provide beneficial clues to the next successful outing. Don't be afraid to compare notes with your fishing party - it's amazing how people can see the same event differently. (And please - NO heated debates; crack open a can (or two) of your favorite beverage as necessary.) In addition to capturing photos, you should consider saving text notes regarding things such as:

Fish Patterning
Casting Points
Water coloration and Temperature
Time of Day
New Scouted Areas

Baits Used
Members of the Fishing Party
Types and Numbers of Fish Caught by Person
Moon Phase
And other tidbits deemed important

Measuring Success

Success has many different forms; even the criteria for success will vary. Enhance its likelihood by using available GPS technology to your advantage today.