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[cjlandry]

Does anyone have any experience with marine GPS units and software?

I'm looking for something to help me navigate the region's bays without bottoming out. Maybe software that has the channels and shallows detailed.

Any ideas? Right now I'm looking at a Magellan Meridian Marine GPS with BlueNav software, but I don't know if the software covers the bays around here.

I like having the capability to download tracks to my PC. It may also be a good tool for sharing tracks between users.

Any input will be greatly appreciated.
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Chad Landry

"Whiskey for my men, and beer for my horses"

[SurfMeister]

I have a Lowrance LCX-18C and $200 Navionics Gold Chip that covers coastal waters from Port Isabel to the Florida Keys. This map has great detail but one thing you need to remember is that almost all GPS's will off by as much as 30 ft. WHAT YOU SAY, yes 30 feet so if you are worried about bottoming out your best bet is to get a good map and just learn the areas you want to fish SLOWLY. I use my GPS mainly for going offshore and inputing coordinates from friends and websites. A good example is the Intracoastal Causeway heading towards Baffin Bay. If you are off a couple of feet the water goes from 8 feet to 1 feet real quick. BTW my boat needs 3ft of draft with the motor down so I am very careful and observant when traveling in unfamiliar waters. Good Luck, SM
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That's why they call it fishin', not catchin'

[Kyle aka Kcon]

I agree with SM, just get to know your bay because the water will be at dif levels everytime you hit it. I learned most of the bay from SAbay to the Landcut There are a few areas I haven't explored between those marks, but now I sold my boat and now ride in my bud's Hell's Bay that runs in 3.5" so if I see water, we can run it,LOL! Gotta Love It!...........Kyle

Ps, I've always had a gps aboard but never bothered in the bays, only offshore. In the bays, landmarks are so much better because you can see how deep they are. Which let's you know if you can go in or not. Also, unless you know the bay by heart, you'll never find the fish.

[Magic]

Get a copy of what used to be called "Top Spot" maps for the area your boating. The maps have been renamed to "Hook & something" but are still made by the same folks. I worked the Holder Show in Houston last Feb with the owner. He really works hard at keeping the maps up to date.

The new maps have all the channels etc marked with GPS coordinates plus a lot of those secret good spots are marked, too.

I've found that it isn't what make and model of GPS you have at all. It's how well you know how to use it. All most all of them have more features than you'll ever learn to use. Best deal is to get a good book on GPS and wear out a bunch of batteries learning everything you can.
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Magic

[cjlandry]

Thanks guys.

I have several of the "Hook-n-Line" maps, and I was using them with my Magellan Explorist GPS, but I lost the GPS when I flipped my kayak a couple of weeks ago.

I think I'll follow the good advice I've received so far and just take it easy and slow until I learn my way around.

I'm finding my Kayak to be more useful than my boat at this time, but I'd like to be able to put the kayak on the boat to reach some more remote locations.

It's gonna be Christmas before I can get a new GPS anyway. I do want one that can interface with my PC and laptop.

[Kyle aka Kcon]

We bought a couple of enlarged color photos of the bays and found them to be far more accurate than the topspots( we do use both) . There are things in the photo that aren't on the map. The map has things the photo doesn't. We put the yaks in the boat and use the photo to find backlakes that are filled with reds and not a single person around. The map isn't as detailed as the photo. Good luck..........Kyle
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I fish, therefore, I am................Happy!

[Crhfish]

I have the Magellan marine Color with Bue Nav. I like it but the comments above are correct. I still use my top spot to plan my trips and the GPS to watch while going. Its great to mark a hole or a spot you want to return to. Also, each trip teaches more about the bay. Thats where you get the most confidence. The GPS is nice in that with a chip change I can use it in the car on vacations and I use it all the time at work.
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Catch, Release, Catch, Release

[Bluffer]

I have the MMM. never use it in the yak though. can never cover enough territory in one one day to make it useful unless your in thick fog.
Great in a boat though.
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Fish hard, fish the Bluff. Surrounded by water!
-A quaint little drinking village with a fishing problem-