Ways to use a GPS

[Splitshot]

Over the years we have discussed various GPS units with very little discussion about where we use them. I started thinking about it since I got my first LoranC unit in 1983. Back then I used is just for fishing because the only place you could get a signal was where there were no obstructions.

For two years I saved every way point for every fish I caught. I bought a 2x4 sheet of cardboard and drew a scale map of Lake Michigan from just south of Ludington to Platt Bay and plotted each way point on the map using a compass after I sorted them by latitude and longitude and a picture emerged.

That picture showed that 76% of all the fish I caught out of Manistee were caught in 3 small 40 acre or so areas. Instead of trolling all day, I would run to the corner of one of these three areas, plot a course to the opposite corner make a turn to the odd corner and plot a course to the corner opposite to that point. As long as we were catching fish we would repeat the pattern over and over.

When the bite stopped, we would pull all our gear and head for the next area and repeat the process over and over. It saved a lot of time just trolling unproductive areas and more than doubled our catch. Most of the time we did as well as charter boats who ran twice the rods, and fished every day.

It has been about 15 years since I fished the big lakes, but I’m sure that technique would work just as well today if I could only find my list of old way points.

Your turn to list how you use your GPS.

[Shoeman]

No Doubt, Ray

I did pretty much the same thing. I set a waypoint at every fish and it was quite amazing that the majority were located within certain clusters on paper. Those ended up being in cuts and points on the drop or little humps on a flat. That proved to be true out of many ports. I guess us talking about Loran C and TD's is kinda like sending a telegram...LOL

[Rugerdog]

I use my GPS to scout for bird hunting. Saves a lot of time, and gas money...

Using software (jdmcox.com) that features aerial images from terra server, I plot waypoints for likely spots that will hold birds, based on the terrain. I then upload these waypoints into my GPS.

I then print off the images which have the waypoints labeled. I use these along with a Gazateer to find my way. This part is very similar to how you guys use yours for fishing. I am in fact, fishing also, when you think about it...

A lot of the spots I have found are way off the beaten path. I wouldn't trust myself to get to them without the waypoint, and my GPS. It's really been a help, and a tremendous benefit to this bird hunter...

[Splitshot]

Excellent RugerDog. I keep a list of all my squirrel hunting places the same way as well as mushroom spots on seperate lists and download them when the time comes to use them.

Ralf,

Were getting older Dude!:) Fish and structure and it amazed me that the fish preferred certain spots on the structure. I haven't been keeping up the last few years, but on most of the rivers I fish I hit the man overboard button every time I hit a good fish and then put a fish symbol on the exact location on my computer map.

Someday my maps will provide some good information for my grand kids. Now that I think about it, sounds like a good birthday present for Jake on his next birthday.

[M1Garand]

I use mine mainly for deer hunting. I walk the woods quiet a bit and mark food signs, trails, rubs, and potential stand sites. In addition to my GPS map software, I also have Maptechs Terrain Navagator Pro. It is software that has every USGS topo map on disc and it's also interactive with my GPS. I can look at terrain features and mark specific ones and download to my GPS. This is helpful in looking at draws, saddles, shelves and other terrain features that show potential. I can also take all my points I marked while out and put them on the topo map and see how it looks from that perspective. I can also hit a button on the program and it switches to the aerial view. I have a hard copy of the topo map of the areas I hunt and mark on there with a wet erase marker some of these points previously mentioned in addition to where I've seen other hunters. I use it for a few uses occasionally but thats the main way I do.

[Steve]

I use mine mainly for two things.

1. To make sure I don't blow by a take out when river fishing.
2. To mark potential stand locations while scouting. I just used a spot I had marked maybe 5 years ago this year as other stands had burnt themselves out.

[Rugerdog]

Hey, Splitshot...You made a map for the lake similar to one I made out of terra server images, that I then glued onto a piece of poster board...

Doing this kind of piqued my cartography interest...Know anything about amateur cartography? You into it?

Doing just what I have done, has been a blast...I would love to make a personal map, that would fold up, and stay with me...Would make a great heirloom, too...

[Splitshot]

I got a lot of satisfaction making my map of that section of Lake Michigan, but with the new electronic maps I don't need to make my own any more.

I study maps all the time and that has increased my enjoyment of all my other outdoor activities.

I have a map of just my mushroom spots and the list of way points along with it. With my new GPS I just download those waypoints before I go to my core way points on my GPS unit.

I also mark interesting looking spots on my topo maps and download those waypoints and then find my way to them using my GPS. Cuts down my scouting time.

If you ever wound a deer, take your GPS with you because that deer will take you through some of the best deer hunting places in the area.

[Rugerdog]

If you ever wound a deer, take your GPS with you because that deer will take you through some of the best deer hunting places in the area.

Fantastic tip, thanks...