Using GPS to mark where I cought fish....HOW?????

In article ,
"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote:

":-:NeWcS:-:" wrote in message
link.net...
Im getting a Magellan GPS 310. It will hook up to my PC so what software
should I get? Will it have the lakes I fish one the software???

I'm not a big fan of Magellan gps units. It seems to me that Magellan makes
their units harder to work with than Garmin or Lowrance. As far as what
lakes are on the software, I have no idea.

Look at the Garmin units, from everything that I've heard and experienced,
they are a much better unit and I know Fishing HotSpots maps are available
to interface with the Garmins.

I would offer a counterpoint on this.

If you have not used one in the past couple of years you may not be
familiar with the current functions.

I have had a Magellan Meridian Marine model since they first came out. I
have had some issues but no complaints about the detail It is in fact
more detailed than the GPSMap 76 from Garmin. As well, the track is more
detailed also (not just my observation check out the comparisons at
http://gpsinformation.net/.

The unit is easy to use and a big plus is the SD card which allows me to
use the Magellan BlueNav to load detailed information for my specific
fishing areas. Also capable of popping that into a card reader and
downloading or even editing directly (careful about changing the text
format and string length limits though).

Hot Spot maps are okay but the thing to remember is that is everybody
has that information the chances that they are not over fished is slim.
As always to have the best spots takes some personal exploration. The
environment changes as well so what was hot one year may not be the
next. That is where your GPS comes in. I have spots marked where I have
caught fish and returning to those waypoints has been productive. I also
mark holes and cuts at low tide in the flats for later opportunities.

Along with the suggetion that you can plot your waypoints on a map
(still takes some work) you can use several of the mapping services with
your GPS coordinates to add them to the map and then save/print this
image. That may also help ease plotting on your charts.

I have a review of the Meridian on my site that I note pros and cons.
The biggest issue is that losing all battery power can cause the
waypoints to be lost. Having them on a card resolves that issue. Also
makes it easy to share points with another magellan user.

I not only would buy another Meridian if given the chance but I DID
after my first one was donated to the Gulf of Mexico when it slipped off
my kayak on a night fishing trip in a ripping tide at Ft. Desoto. By the
time I noticed it was gone it had floated off and was never seen again.
Hope someone found it.

Good Fishin'

atljoe
--
"Atlanta Joe" aka Joe Webb
Flats fishing is Flat Fun!
Visit my site at http://flatsfisher.com