Thanks to some amazing new technology, I'm now able to scout new diving/fishing spots right from my desktop computer. In fact, I can then download these charts, contour images, pictures and satellite photos into a small personal PC, then equip it with GPS capability and take it on the water.

The folks at Maptech have set a new standard in navigational software for land and sea. They have a product called Contour Professional that offers you a 3-D look at the bottom. Their Chart Kits and Navigator software works in conjunction with the contour charts offering you underwater views that reveals humps, bumps, shipwrecks and intricate details -- simply amazing. Later this month they will be shipping their newest product "Offshore Navigator" which offers a number of exciting new features. I'll keep you posted.

I have created this animated gif to show you how you can scout an area from satellite view, to chart view, right down to the fish-eye view I love so much.

You might want to visit there site for more details at www.maptech.com

Here's a look at the future of fish finding:

http://fisheye.striped-bass.com/images/march/maptech.gif

Well if they can zoom in on the canal, I'm all ears :D

Slip,

I just zoomed in on the Sagamore Bridge, and I'm all EYES...Fish_Eyes. Although I can't find a satellite view, they have an awesome topo map, detailed chart and the underwater view, which is pretty much a ditch.

Mike

What, did they give you a new toy to play with Mr Fish Eye? They say it will be out soon, are you using a preliminary package or something?

That is so cool. I need to get a print of that ditch. I suppose the software is expensive right?

May can't be here soon enough.

Slipknot,

It depends on how many chart kits you need. If you want the GPS unit AND all the software it starts to add up, but not as much as a lot of ship mounted systems...plus you can get their terrain naviagtor if you do any hunting or treking in the woods.

Stuff costs. Where have I heard that before?

For those folks that want or need the capability it's an investment...sort of like a lathe ;).

Here's a look at the around the Sagamore as a chart

http://fisheye.striped-bass.com/images/march/cccchart.jpg

Here's the bathymetric look:
http://fisheye.striped-bass.com/images/march/ccc.jpg

It seems like a lot of spots like the Canal will not have satelite imagery available for a while. Last year you could get the ditch with a slight chunk missing around Otis AFB but now they've extended that out. Other places are the same way... I've been trying to check out some spots and the imagery is less available than before... Not fun but necessary...

Slip,

You can download or copy free stuff at their site. I just pulled up the Bourne Bridge area of the ccc at http://mapserver.maptech.com/homepage/index.cfm?lat=41.74528&lon=-70.58181&scale=25000&zoom=100&type=1&icon=0

Ah Yes.....


"IT"S GOOD TO BE THE KING" - You know who

I have been using thatplace for awhile for my hunting trips. It's good stuff, especially the aerial shots.

FISH-EYE I picked up region # 55 BUZZARDS BAY CAPE COD'S SOUTH SHORE AND THE ISLANDS this winter and have been loading all the long/lat. for all the rocks I can find into my gps. This sure beats the old compass and chart.

i have been using them for about 3 years now . mostly for areas Im new at fishing . Just to get a lay of the land and some depth info . good site good info .
I would like to the depths and such of the canl now thats some info thats hard to find .

Here's a tip, courtesy of Maptech technology that might help you answer the "Where is it?" question of the day:

http://fisheye.striped-bass.com/images/march/point.jpg