I fondly recall my early days venturing offshore in my very small 16 foot skiff looking for saltwater fly fishing opportunities searching for Makos sharks, Yellowtail and Tuna. I learned some very valuable lessons, both about fishing and survival, while plying the deep pacific water.
I was born a Waterman, so being confidant and secure miles offshore in a small skiff was second nature. At times I felt invincible; thinking I could navigate out of any situation the Mother Nature presented to me. Now, some 25 years later, I realize how stupid I was! Those early days in the small skiff were most of the time without GPS unit and my only navigation tools were a hand help VHF radio, a compass ,nautical chart, life jackets and flares. Wow! I now wonder how I made it back to the dock on some of those days!
Well times have changed and I’ve thankfully changed with them ( it’s interesting how age, a wife and kid(s) and day to day responsibilities change ones frame of mind)
GPS untis have come a long way in 25 years. Now, instead of a gigantic console mounted or hand help units, you can get state of the art technology in smaller unites that take up less space on a center console or in your hand.
Here are some features you should look for in a GPS unit
If you’re a boat owner, kayaker, stand up paddle boarder or walk and wader and you fly fish in saltwater, at some point you’ll have to read a fish-finder/global positioning system or GPS unit. The fish-finder/GPS unit is a key component to success when fishing the saltwater. Whether pinpointing schools of baitfish, locating structure points, reading water temperatures, or getting you safely back to your launching site, this unit’s importance to the angler cannot be overstated. There are more portable models that even allow for mounting on a kayak. Today’s fishing tackle stores and mail-order or online catalogs stock numerous units from which you can choose, all units sharing similar features, the most important the following:
What to look for in a Fish Finder
a) GPS for navigation
A GPS is not only a tool to get you to and from fishing areas but also your lifeline if something happens out on the water. A GPS will get you back to the dock if you experience low visibility (fog or heavy rain)
b) Plotter
The plotter is a great tool to use when navigation to an area as well as getting back to a good fishing area.
c) Bathymetry mapping (locating underwater structure)
The best way to locate drop offs and underwater structure suck as wrecks and artificial reefs
d) Sonar
Is critical for locating baitfish and game fish
e) Water temperature
For finding temperature breaks and optimum water temperatures
Today’s technology is responsible for the development of customer-friendly easy to use units. Some are units that have more than proved their worth to the serious saltwater angler.