how important is a chart plotter - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

mrmacey · 02-20-2003, 04:26 PM

raychart 420 chartplotter or better fishfinder what do you think is more important for inshore fishing

Clammer · 02-20-2003, 04:28 PM

MM Is it foggy???????????????????????????/

mrmacey · 02-20-2003, 04:31 PM

but i all ready have a cheap fish finder pirahna 2 id like to upgrade that i think

Clammer · 02-20-2003, 05:41 PM

check your PM

GBOUTDOORS · 02-20-2003, 07:10 PM

mrmacey both are very helpfull and important but you do have the depth finder already and the way you like to go from port to port I would go for a good gps at this point and then save up for the new depth finder later. But be sure to get both SSSOON before you start saving for that new borns college fund. With a good gps you can find good fishing water and know the depth where you are and as Clammer knows they can get you back in if the fog closes in on you and you need to find the channel markers before they find you

Clammer · 02-20-2003, 07:22 PM

Ya got me Greg/////////////

Got Stripers · 02-20-2003, 08:18 PM

You might do what I did, get the better fish finder and a good portable gps. Although the screen is small and I sometimes have to come off plane to check my position and progress, the Lowrance globalmap 100 is dead nuts on every time. I used to get to my ledges in the fog by compass and nautical miles, then shut down in shorter and shorter intervals until I heard the surf on the rocks. Both work, but the gps is quicker and it's nice to just reach down and log in a quick waypoint for later. The only problem with later is, if you wait too long until you name it, you end up with a bunch of numbers waypoints, which you no longer remember which is which

.

I'll tell you another place I've found it to be great is up in Maine on rocky lakes during my 4-5 day camping/fishing trips. Save the plot trails and once you have a clear rock free course laid in, you can put the throttle down and go after a while, just follow the plot trail. I wouldn't do it to navigate through a real bony spot, but it works great for avoiding that rocky point or bar.

JohnR · 02-21-2003, 09:28 AM

MM - If you play your cards right, you can get one that does both, chartplotter AND fish finder

About the same price as the Raychart - Lowrance LMS240 Combo FishFinder AND GPS Chartplotter $500: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...140&storeNum=3
plus figure $65 for Xducer kit

Remember to shop for rebates

Van · 02-21-2003, 09:13 PM

MM :

I bought the Raymarine 425 last season.

Give an hour and I'll tell you how AWESOME it is.....