The fishing action in South Louisiana this time of year is driven entirely by the weather.
Dear Capt. Paul:
Can you point me to the spillways south of Venice? I have heard of the First and Second spillways. How far south of Venice are they? Which pass are they in?
Thanks,
John
Capt. Paul’s response:
The First and Second spillways are located on the west side of Southwest Pass, south of Head of Passes.
The First Spillway is about 14 miles south of “The Jump” by Venice.
It is located at or about N29 06.658 x W89 16.378.
The Second Spillway is about another 7.4 miles farther south in Southwest Pass from the First Spillway. It is at or about N29 01.839 x W89 20.139.
Use caution when navigating the river as there are numerous sea-going vessels that are moving in the area.
Unless otherwise specified, all positions are stated as H,DDD,MM.mmm, and were determined using WGS 84 datum. All headings, bearings and courses are stated in magnetic degrees.
Dear Capt. Paul:
I’m looking for a handheld GPS for mainly hunting and fishing in Louisiana’s coastal areas. I’m thinking about the Magellan Explorist 500 or the Lowrance H2O Plus.
I’ve been told that the Lowrance H2O Plus has some good maps available for the Louisiana coast. I’d like to know if Magellan has some good maps also, or what other handhelds I should be looking at.
I am leaning toward the Explorist 500 right now, so if their maps are good, I’ll probably end up getting that one.
Thanks for the help.
Brent
Capt. Paul’s response:
Neither of the two units you mentioned have decent maps when purchased. They both have what the manufacturer calls a base map.
The base map allows you to begin operating the unit right out of the box with some sort of a map, but the base map is just that. It is a basic map, usually of the whole world. It shows major roads, lakes, rivers and cities, but it does not show the small bayous, creeks, lagoons and streets in the cities. For that you will have to purchase the manufacturer’s mapping program.
Both units utilize a secure digital (SD) memory card in which you can download different types of mapping software for your intended use.
The eXplorist line of GPS receivers all have state-of-the-art GPS functions. Some, however do not have the ability to connect to other devices such as a computer. The eXplorist 500 has this feature, and is one of the top units in the series. It should perform admirably.
To enhance the mapping in these units, Magellan offers several different types. They may be used together or separately loaded on different SD memory cards and inserted into the GPS unit as the need arises.
Magellan’s MapSend software is offered in different versions for different types of uses. The MapSend Topo 3D USA is designed for land use (I recommend the TOPO 3D for use in the Louisiana marshes), MapSend BlueNav XL3 Charts for eXplorist of North America for use in major shipping lanes and Offshore, MapSend DirectRoute 2.0-North America for turn-by-turn routing on shown roads, streets, highways and interstates for use when traveling in your auto or truck for turn-by-turn directions.
There is other mapping software that concentrates on national parks and major US lakes. Either or all of these mapping software programs will greatly enhance the operation of the unit by allowing you to install maps that are relevant to your type of operation.
Check out the Magellan web site at magellangps.com/products/software.asp for a detailed compatibility listing of all of the mapping software that is available for the eXplorists line of GPS units.
I would suggest you get the eXplorist 500 with the color screen. The color screen really adds to the viewing and enhancement of the mapping software when installed.
The Lowrance iFinder series includes all state-of-the-art units that are made by Lowrance.
There are two H2O types in the series. Again, first consider the color screen model, the H2O C.
You should also consider supplemental mapping software with the unit. Lowrance offers a PLUS package that offers a card reader/writer, an SD card and Lowrance’s fine MapCreate Series 6 topographical software. This software combines some offshore features and has outstanding inland (including the Louisiana marshes) details. The package offers a discount on the three items when purchased together.
Check out the unit and the accessory mapping on the Lowrance web site at www.lowrance.com.
I have both units, and am hard pressed to choose one over the other when venturing out of doors. Either unit should serve you very well.
Isn’t it nice to have a choice between such fine units?
Dear Capt. Paul:
Where is Lake Hermitage?
Sissy Moore
Capt. Paul’s response:
This is a question that I am often asked — not just for Lake Hermitage but for several other Louisiana locations that were renamed.
The name of Lake Hermitage has changed three times within the last 40 years. Old maps show it as Lake Hermitage, then as Lake Judge Perez, and now most recent maps show it again as Lake Hermitage.
The lake is located in Plaquemines Parish on the west side of the Mississippi River between Deer Range and West Pointe a la Hache. It is accessible via Highway 23 (Belle Chase Highway). The turn off road (Lake Hermitage Road) to the lake is about 2.5 miles south of Myrtle Grove. The lake is about 5 miles from Highway 23.
