Follow these steps, and you’ll make the most of your turkey hunts on tiny tracts of land.
Dear Capt. Paul:
What’s the location of Curlew Island, north of Breton Island?
Fritz Hurst
Capt. Paul’s response:
Use caution when navigating to this position as there are parts of several islands that are now just reefs, and are just below the surface of the water.
Be sure to get the latest NOAA marine chart for that area (NOAA CHART 11363 ~ CHANDELEUR AND BRETON SOUNDS), so as to give you the best assistance when voyaging in that area. My chart of that area is dated June 24, 2006, but there may be a newer version.
Curlew Island, or what is left of Curlew Island, is at the southern part of the Chandeleur Island chain.
It is about 15.3 miles at a bearing of 51 degrees from the radio tower that is located near North Point of the Breton Islands. It is north of the southern part of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), and is about 12.8 miles at a bearing of 31 degrees magnetic from the MRGO Aid to Navigation buoy Red No. 8.
The position of the part of the island that is reported to be still above water is at or about N 29 37.921 x W88 58.583. Use caution when navigating to this position as there are parts of the island that are now reefs, and are just below the surface of the water.
It may interest you to know that the remnants of Grand Gosier island are located at or about N29 33.582 x W89 03.395 and another is at or about N29 32.012 x W89 05.083.
These parts of Grand Gosier are nearly on a straight line course from the aforementioned radio tower at North Point on Breton Island.
Again I must say, if you are planning a trip to the area, get the latest charts and do your homework before venturing out.
Dear Capt. Paul:
I am looking for a new GPS unit for my boat. I have pretty much decided on the Lowrance 522c.
What are your thoughts on this model.
Thanks, Jeff
Capt. Paul’s response:
Let me reverse the question: Why did you decide on the Lowrance 522C?
Was it the fact that it can store 1,000 waypoints, 100 routes and 100 trackbacks, or was it the fact that it can accept Lowrance’s MapCreate USA TOPO Series 7 mapping software on a supplemental SD memory card?
Or was it the fact that it has an internal GPS module with WAAS feature that allows for 3-meter accuracy? Or was it the 5-inch color screen and the fact that the 200 kHz-2,400-watt sonar can reach depths to 900 feet?
Or maybe it was the recording features of the unit? Or the Lowrance radar capability?
If not one of these, I guess it was all of these features packed in a waterproof housing and the superb technical support that Lowrance offers with free downloads that include software updates and the owner’s manual.
Seriously, I think you have made an excellent choice.
I suggest that you also get the MapCreate USA TOPO Series 7 mapping software and a couple of aftermarket Secure Digital (SD) memory cards. Having the program will allow you to load your own maps in the unit and transfer waypoints, routes and tracks between the unit and your computer. These accessories will allow you to archive all of your GPS waypoints and other data.