BLOG: On track with GPS, finally ...

RECENTLY, I had an epiphany. I finally got my hands on a new GPS/chartplotter, and literally my fishing will never be the same again. In hindsight I can't believe it took me so long to concede defeat and relinquish control to modern electronics.

While my dependence on a sounder has been in effect for some time, I resisted the urge to install a GPS on my boat for a variety of reasons. First off, I was raised on the archaic, yet surprisingly efficient, system of "landmarking". As I mainly fish enclosed waters, using landmarks to position the boat has worked well for us over the years. Enclosed waters mean there are many identifiers you can draw on to find your spot. We have used many things in the past such as a depression in a mountain, coupled with a moored boat in line with overhead power cables. These three items lined up correctly puts us on our favourite jewie spot, time after time.

The second reason I have resisted a GPS has been due to sheer ignorance. While I enjoy playing with new lures, crafting my own tackle and building my own rods, I have a fairly poor understanding of electronics. I wasn't confident I would make full use of the equipment even if I had it. An old handheld GPS I played with once seemed difficult and unintuitive and I developed distrust with them.

All this changed when the boys at GME offered to let me play with their new G-Combo, an entry-level priced GPS/sounder/chartplotter aimed squarely at the fishing trailer boat market.

I was excited and hesitant about using the new equipment. I didn't quite know how it would affect how I go about my business. I was thrilled however, that the new gear would let me venture a little farther offshore to some accessible snapper grounds off Broken Bay that were off-limits without a GPS. While this has been a major drawcard, the real value has been to the improvement in fishing enclosed waters – the area I felt that having a GPS would have the least impact!

While using landmarks has worked well over the years, let's face it, it's not an exact science. Back in the days of bait fishing, a liberal amount of berley would negate the need to be dead accurate when finding your spot. If you were near enough, it was close enough. The berley would entice the fish to the boat.

Using lures though is a different ball game. Often if lures are not presented in the exact spot, you won't get fish interested. Nowhere is this more evident than fishing open water, and this is where using my GPS has excelled. While a sounder has helped me to locate fish in open water, getting back onto the school once I have drifted off them has been an issue. Marking fish via waypoints makes this infinitely easier. This means I can stay with a feeding school longer and catch more fish in areas most people drive straight over. My eyes have been opened – finally!

The bonus to all of this has been my swift education of "scary" electronics. The G-Combo is an easy unit to work out and coupled with its affordable price tag makes a strong case for the first time GPS/chartplotter user. Check them out at www.gme.net.au.

Standby for a related feature article on fishing open areas in enclosed waters - it will add another feather to your bow.

Are you for or against the use of modern marine electronics?