Waypoint line up

[GoneFishingLTN]

Having trouble targeting a waypoint I’ve marked on trolling motor I have the rings on and am one ring away and my arrow pointed right at it and sometimes I’ll hit the brush pile but mostly won’t and it never seems to be a mark and cast it’s always a mark and then fan cast until I hit it. 
what could cause this? I have a point one and a carbon unit. I’m also marking it on my trolling motor 

[MN Fisher]

Gotta remember that the GPS system is run by the government and they only 'guarantee' accuracy to 2m (6.6ft) for most general users. The more basic the GPS receiver, the wider the 'target'.

 

"For example, GPS-enabled smartphones are typically accurate to within a 4.9 m (16 ft.) radius under open sky (view source at ION.org). However, their accuracy worsens near buildings, bridges, and trees."

 

https://www.gps.gov/systems/gps/performance/accuracy/

 

You might just be off a bit on the map.

[TnRiver46]

Honestly I have better luck triangulating with land marks 

[Jig Man]

It is better than it used to be.  However, I can not be convinced that the government doesn’t change the accuracy when they so choose.

[newbiedmv]

Yep the government does. Originally consumer GPS was only accurate to a unusable distance. I don't know what it was.

My brother is a surveyor for 40 yrs plus.  He showed me there set up. A GPS rx is leveled then it sets for up to two hrs. I believe the accuracy is +/- 1 inch, maybe better.  No more metal tape and plumb bobs. Just a GPS rx and a laser.

[MN Fisher]

Just now, newbiedmv said:

Originally consumer GPS was only accurate to a unusable distance. I don't know what it was.

The first available GPS units for public use had an accuracy error of 1/4 mile.

 

Even the current ones are why GPS guided smart-cars are still having issues. You might be in the right lane, but the car thinks it's in the left lane. Worse is on 2-lane roads...you're in your lane, but the error tells the car that you're in the oncoming lane...so it shifts you right into the ditch.

[newbiedmv]

Yep. I'm looking for a new one. My e trex display broke. They run from $100.00 to $1000.00.

I just spoke to my brother I was wrong, accuracy is within. 1cm.

I won't depend on my phone even with the no cell service apps.

[Tennessee Boy]

Originally consumer GPS units had limited accuracy of about 100 meters due to what was called Selective Availability (SA).  I had an early Lowrance GPS on my boat in the 1990s and even with the limited accuracy it was still very useful.  In 2000, the government turned off SA and my unit suddenly had an accuracy of 10 meters.  Today with a good GPS you can achieve 1 meter accuracy 95% of the time on the water where you typically have an open view of the sky.   If you're fishing in a steep canyon,  expect the accuracy to be worse.

 

Are you marking the waypoint with your trolling motor and later use spot lock to hold you one that spot?  If so keep in mind that spot lock is not going to try to hold you exactly on the spot at all times.  I've found that mine seems to stay within about a 5ft circle.  It would use a lot of battery if it was constantly trying to keep you within inches of what it sees as the exact location of the waypoint which is not accurate to within inches anyway.

 

Bottom line.  If you're casting to a small brush pile,  expect to fan cast. 

[J Francho]

[TnRiver46]

I fish a few spots out in nowhereville middle of the lake and my GPS will get you right to it but the whole wind, current, waves, situation is always a little different so I fish until I really hone in and you will then remember where it was next time by sight, especially if it’s productive. 

[Skunkmaster-k]

I have to use marker buoys. 

[padon]

marker bouys are an old school trick that are still very valuable.

[@reelChris]

>>>>what could cause this? I have a point one and a carbon unit. I’m also marking it on my trolling motor 

 

You have to remember that the inherent inaccuracy gets you twice.  Once when you're marking the waypoint and again when you're trying to find the waypoint.

[WRB]

If your GPS unit doesn’t have WAAS altitude affects accuracy about 3 to 1 error from sea level. With WAAS most good units are accurate within a meter, depending on satellite location to your unit.

The error should be consistent not random. If your way point is off 2 meters to the right for example it should be consistently off to the right on the same body of water.

Keep in mind what you see on the sonar screen is history that you already passed over, moving forward it’s behind you by the time you hit the way point.

Tom 

[GreenPig]

I fish some Spotted bass holding rocks on my home lake that are 18 - 25' that I marked on my Solix using SI and have fished them dozens of times. What's strange is some days/nights the waypoint is dead on the rocks using the 360 Imaging and sometimes 10 - 20' off. Even with nothing overhead and calm conditions I've experienced this situation. I'm able to accurately fish the rocks using 360 but it seems strange.

[J Francho]

Direct any GPS complaints to:

[NoShoes]

I’m horrible at it too. 
 

I’ve considered getting live scope or 360 just to help me cast at what I marked. 

[MickD]

Try increasing the zoom on your display when you are getting within 50 yards or so.  With my Humminbird Helix I get within a few feet every time.  I don't think we can blame the govt this time.  

[Bankc]

Also remember any current will effect where you bait lands after it's hit the water.  Pus, it's hard to pinpoint an area when all you have to go by is the water and your imagination.  Marker buoys and triangulation are helpful for this.  

 

Also, the pointer on your GPS is no good if you're not moving.  It cannot tell which way your boat is pointed.  It just guesses based on which direction you're moving.  At least mine does.  It'll point the direction I'm drifting, or lasted drifted, as the front of my boat when I'm trying to stay stationary.  

[TOXIC]

Here’s what I do to increase accuracy, I make multiple waypoints.  If for example it’s a brush pile, I will mark 3 or 4 waypoints around the outside of it.  A rock pile or ledge 3 or 4 along the edge.  On St Clair, we have multiple wrecks and the are marked bow, midship and stern.  Much more accurate that way. 

[Logan S]

An external heading sensor is invaluable if you're going to fish WP's.  Once installed, you setup your unit make to your position determined by the GPS of your unit, but make the heading determined by the heading sensor.  The chart won't spin and your boat's position and direction will be very accurate (even when stationary), enough to hit stump sized targets with a cast once you get used to it.  

 

I believe all the major brands have their own versions and some may require NMEA network (my Lowrance does)....But it's worth it many times over IMO.  

[Bankc]

3 hours ago, Logan S said:

An external heading sensor is invaluable if you're going to fish WP's.  Once installed, you setup your unit make to your position determined by the GPS of your unit, but make the heading determined by the heading sensor.  The chart won't spin and your boat's position and direction will be very accurate (even when stationary), enough to hit stump sized targets with a cast once you get used to it.  

 

I believe all the major brands have their own versions and some may require NMEA network (my Lowrance does)....But it's worth it many times over IMO.  

I didn't even know these existed!  Shows what I know!  

[A-Jay]

3 hours ago, Logan S said:

An external heading sensor is invaluable if you're going to fish WP's.  Once installed, you setup your unit make to your position determined by the GPS of your unit, but make the heading determined by the heading sensor.  The chart won't spin and your boat's position and direction will be very accurate (even when stationary), enough to hit stump sized targets with a cast once you get used to it.  

 

I believe all the major brands have their own versions and some may require NMEA network (my Lowrance does)....But it's worth it many times over IMO.  

One of, if not the most used Hummingbird accessories on my rig. Invaluable is right, especially during periods of reduced visibility and or at night. 

Leads not only to much safer navigation (at any speed) but directly to more and bigger bass for me. 

Don't talk about it much but it's like a secret weapon.

Highly recommended. 

A-Jay