Corpusfishing.com

[Neumie]

I started a series of posts on TKF, but that forum may or may not be around for too long. So I decided to restart the series over here. I know Google Earth has been around for a long time and many people use it, but hopefully you will be able to pick something up to help plan fishing trips.

I am not much on videos, so I am going about this with a lot of words and screen shots. All in all, I think this will go about 5 or 6 posts in total spaced out once a week, or so. This post will go over the basic features GE offers.



In this first pic I will touch base on these 7 topics; 1-Add Placemark, 2-Historical Imagery, 3-Show Ruler, 4- Save Image, 5-Compass, 6-Coordinates, 7-Places

1 - Add a Placemark
This is a basic way to input data into GE. I will use this feature for when I walk in to wade fish or I forgot my GPS. In the top right of the balloon you can change the icon to whatever you prefer.



2 - Historical Imagery
Historical Imagery is one of the best features GE offers. I automatically set my imagery to an older one when I start up GE. Imagery from winter offers the best imagery due to the low tides seen on our coast. Depending on where you fish you may have to play around with which date imagery works best. For the Corpus Christi/Rockport/Port O'Conner I found that imagery from 1/2017 and 1/2009 offer the best imagery. The clear water and lack of sunlight reflection let you identify underwater structure. Here's a comparison between the default and 1/2017 imagery.

Default


1/2017


3 - Show Ruler
This tool is useful in planning trips. After clicking on the button and the popup shows up I select the "Path" tab. After my aimless searching for potential new spots I will check the distance from the nearest launch point to see how far a paddle I may be up against. I also use this for river trips to measure distances between access points.



4 -Save Image
This is how I export my GPS tracks when I post fishing reports. After clicking on the button I drop down the "Map Options" and deselect "Title and Description" and "Legend". From there I double check the screen is centered and then save the image. Sometimes I will print out an image and laminate it for me to have while out on the water for fishing as well.



5 - Compass
Sometimes when uploading kmls or scrolling around true north may change or the imagery may "tilt". Double clicking the small "N" will rotate the screen to true north again. The arrows pointing up or down either side of the small eye adjust or correct the tilt or Bird's Eye View of the image. Below that, the circle with the small hand, allows you to pan the image. Or, easier yet, you could hold down the left click on your mouse to drag the image around.



6 - Coordinates
At the bottom you will see coordinates and the date the image was acquired via satellites. I prefer my coordinates system to be in Degrees Decimal Minutes (DD MM.mmm) which matches my Garmin unit. To change to another Lat/Lon go to Tools-Options-3D View. There you will be able to change to either Decimal Degrees (DD.dddddd) or Degrees Minutes Seconds (DD MM SS.ss).



7 - Places
On the left of the screen are three windows; Search, Places, Layers. Search is fairly straightforward. Layers is a window I rarely use. Places is where all my uploaded data is organized. And it is these data I will touch base on upcoming posts.

That is it for this post. Next one will cover Coastal Data.

[Central Scrutinizer]

DRAT!!!! Struck down by the dreaded php 'comma' / cut&paste / mobile phone curse of CF! But I'm waiting to see what Tips and Tricks for the Googles you might have.

[Neumie]

hmmmm, something went wrong here.

Edit. This forum does not like apostrophes.

[bulldog1935]

you're doing great Josh, keep going, and yes, punctuation can take on different codes here

[Central Scrutinizer]

[Neumie]

[bulldog1935]

coming through great Josh.

[bd0202]

Love how you utilize it; we use it for similar issues and measurements at the airport. However, I draw 2 issues, one with #2, and one with #6:

2. Historical imagery is historical imagery, period. The tides will not be the same, and the moon will do what it does since it does not base itself on Earthly calendar years (an invention by man BASED on moon and star movements; but not accurate enough to predict to the week or day except for stages - we need distances too!). That being said, it's probably fairly accurate, but take it with a FEW grains of salt.

6. It doesn't always convert accurately, as I've learned the hard way. When I need accuracy within 1000s if not 100s of feet, sometimes it can be off by 1/4 mile with the conversions. Use at your own discretion. When this happens, Google Maps tends to be more accurate, even if the maps aren't as updated.

One I did not mention, but still might be considerable, is #5: There's about a +4.1 difference between true north and magnetic north in our area right now. This is also an aviation thing. This is also something that is measured regularly in aviation reports and maps. That's why runway numbers change every 5-10 or so years (and the closer to the equator you are, the faster it changes). Be careful drawing to true north, as you might end up beached, or vice versa. Compasses use magnetic north.

But I agree in total, Google Earth is a great tool for many purposes, and has come a long way from when it used to be a downloadable desktop app that needed updating every day vs. what it is now - a web-based app entirely up to date every day, but also with historical and filterable data.
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All things will pass. Have a Blessed day.

[ST1300]

Nice to see the effort but isn't that google earth PRO? Took me a while to figure out why mine was different.

Hard to follow along and learn if I open Google Earth find none out what you post.

[Neumie]

[Neumie]