Vermilion Parish is ground zero for the best goose hunting in the entire United States. Use these veteran techniques to make sure your bag is nice and heavy.
Dear Capt. Paul:
I am interested in purchasing a GPS unit for my new boat. My question is this: Is it possible to have a plotter that shows your position on an actual map of an area? For example, if I were in the Biloxi Marsh, would the plotter plot my path and/or show my location in let’s say Stump Lagoon, Muscle Bay, Pete’s Lagoon, etc.?
Thanks, Glen
Capt. Paul’s response:
Yes, yes, yes and yes!
Almost any chartplotter GPS unit will show your position as well as area waypoints you have entered around the area as layers on a map that are displayed on the GPS screen.
The important choice is, of course, the GPS unit and the type of internal mapping that it has pre- or user-installed. Most chart plotters come with a base map that is a basic map of the entire U.S. This map will get you started, but it usually only shows the major roads and bodies of water in the viewing area. It does not indicate the many small bodies of water that make up the coastal Louisiana marsh.
For that view, you will need one of the supplemental mapping programs that are available for the unit you choose.
These accessory mapping programs can run from about $50 to $400 for those programs that have aerial (satellite) photo maps . So do your homework ahead of time to consider which GPS and mapping program you will need or want for the area you fish.
Generally, maps for one brand of GPS unit will not work in another brand. So consider the GPS and mapping program from the same manufacturer.
Whatever brand of GPS unit you decide on, remember that it should never be the sole means of navigation that you have on board. Always bring a reliable compass and hard copy maps for the areas where you will be traveling.
Narrow down your choices and get back with me, and I will be happy to discuss your options.
Got a GPS-related question for Capt. Paul? Ask it at the reports section of LouisianaSportsman.com.
