Today’s products are relied upon for both offshore and inshore fishing. I remember when I equipped my first offshore vessel during the late 1980s with satellite technology that allowed me to make a trip from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. to Georgetown, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands B.W.I. “Fishing Electronics”
In 1993 I become an investor in a dive operation in Central America and had the task of transporting a 32’ dive boat from Morgan City, La. to Belize City. It was only hours before that two-day voyage that my good friend, Mr. Wayne Hasson, of the Aggressor Fleet ‘Live-a-Boards,’ provided me instructions as to how to navigate using the most recent product of its time: a battery-operated hand-held Magellan.
Today’s technology on-the-heels of the early years offers anglers compact chart plotters and sonar products used for navigational, sonar and other purposes, which are available from basic to sophisticated side-scanning models. Most provide more information than many boaters and anglers even realize, understand or utilize. They come in a number of sizes that will satisfy the more experienced and demanding angler. Top-named manufacturers include, but are not limited to: Garmin, Simrad, Lowrance, Humminbird and Raymarine.
Other fishing electronic products that have been developed over the years and used by professional and recreational anglers include:
- Trolling Motors: Today’s models are hand-held, remote control or GPS driven. The main products are Minn-Kota and Motor Guide. The GPS-guided motors offer hands-free driving and electronic anchoring.
- Shallow Water Anchors: These handy devices provide flats fishermen and backcountry anglers the convenience of holding them in place by simply pushing a button to deploy a spike or arm into the seabed. They are available to anchor in depths of 6, 8, 10 and 12 feet. The main products are Minn-Kota and Power Pole brands.
Be sure and get advice from a reputable retail marine facility to ensure that the Fishing Electronic equipment you purchase will be compatible with your vessel and fit your needs.
Capt. Terry Fisher, of Fish Face Charters, serves Cape Coral, Ft. Myers, and surrounding waters. Check out his website: www.fishfacecharters.com for charter information or contact him at 239-357-6829 or via e-mail at fishfacecharters@yahoo.com.