zip pow Posted October 7, 2011 Posted October 7, 2011 I was wondering how the fishermen on this site broke down lake maps? I use a number and highlighter system to try and eliminate water. I have four lake maps all the someone for each season. I mark water depths I think will be productive an then rate the cover in that area with a number so if I get on a color an number an catch fish I can duplicate it on the rest of the lake. How do you do it ?is there a better system? How many just go fishing? Quote
Super User Gatorbassman Posted October 7, 2011 Super User Posted October 7, 2011 That's about the best system that I've heard of. It sounds complicated but I may have to give it a try. Quote
zip pow Posted October 7, 2011 Author Posted October 7, 2011 Once your got your maps marked it not that complicated but its a real headache till you do it takes hours to make a map for one season.looking for a better ways to do it didn't mind doing that for my home lake I doubt ill do it for another it works well but all the hours Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 7, 2011 Super User Posted October 7, 2011 I color in each depth contour that's important to me. The shades get darker as I go deeper. The rest of it is all way point clusters on my GPS. Quote
Super User WRB Posted October 7, 2011 Super User Posted October 7, 2011 I highlight the structure elements important to me at the depth I intend to fish and leave the rest blank. Depending on the season and the depth the bass are located it only takes a few minutes to study what I have marked, makes it easier than trying to follow contour lines I don't intend to fish. I usually on use 2 colors; hot chartruese for larger elements and hot pink for isolated elements. Tom Quote
Super User Catt Posted October 8, 2011 Super User Posted October 8, 2011 Along with map study I Aerial Photographs & Satellite Imagery: Depending on water clarity you can see underwater grass beds, river/creek channels, underwater humps and ridges. Then I do a Yahoo/Google search looking for things like Tackle shops: I call & ask for a list of top 10 selling lures Marinas: I call them asking for fishing reports Guides: Guides have learned the necessity of having a web site, many offer tips & techniques and detailed reports. Local bass clubs: Many clubs have web sites as well and sometimes they list detailed tournament results. Quote
Super User WRB Posted October 9, 2011 Super User Posted October 9, 2011 Over head sat maps like google maps are a good tools to help you evaluate your lakes topo maps. The sat maps may have been shot with the lake at low water levels or show underwater structure, docks and weed beds not available on the paper maps. Tom Quote
sconyas Posted October 9, 2011 Posted October 9, 2011 I never thought of using Google sat maps. Thanks. Quote
Super User Sam Posted October 9, 2011 Super User Posted October 9, 2011 By colors and I also write on my maps. I try to have two maps for each body of water I fish. One is the master which stays home and never leaves the house. This one has lots of secrets and other information. The second is a waterproof map, if I can find one, that has the places to fish marked but not all of the details. Consider getting a waterproof map. I had my map fly out of the boat on the Chickahominy River and I had to Scotch tape it back together after it dried. It was not a waterproof map and it fell apart. I had to collect and save all the pieces. It was a disaster. I transfered all of the data to a new waterproof Chick River map. Ike has a DVD where he discusses how he addresses your question. It is called Ikes' Rules for Better Bass Fishing, Volume 1: Taking Luck Out of the Equation. May I suggest locating this DVD and watching it? You will find it very interesting and it will help you fish unknown bodies of water. Go to www.ikesrules.com and you may find it, if the site is still active. Otherwise, try Amazon or just Google the name to locate the production. Let us know how you do. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 10, 2011 Super User Posted October 10, 2011 Over head sat maps like google maps are a good tools to help you evaluate your lakes topo maps. The sat maps may have been shot with the lake at low water levels or show underwater structure, docks and weed beds not available on the paper maps. Tom Absolutely! Here is a Google Maps image of a point that clearly shows the rock walls and foundations present in this reservoir. I know without this detail, I would have a hard time putting the picture together with just a graph. Quote
Super User WRB Posted October 10, 2011 Super User Posted October 10, 2011 Absolutely! Here is a Google Maps image of a point that clearly shows the rock walls and foundations present in this reservoir. I know without this detail, I would have a hard time putting the picture together with just a graph. Wow...that point area has all the structure elements you could want, thanks for sharing it. With the low water conditions around the country, everyone should be looking at their lakes and taking advantage. Tom Quote
JKarbo214 Posted October 10, 2011 Posted October 10, 2011 Where does everyone find the best places to buy lake maps are? I've been looking for some local lake maps but haven't had much luck. Any help would be appreciated. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted October 10, 2011 Super User Posted October 10, 2011 Sportsman's Connection for printed, and Angling-Technologies for online. Quote
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