GPS and finding shallow water structure

**atfish** · 03-03-2009, 07:53 AM

I have a Etrex legend and have a problem using it to find structure in shallow water. In the springtime I fish a lot of shallow water and have a lot of mats/stakebeds marked but they are VERY hard to find using the Etrex along with my depth finder. The GPS gets me to the location but I have to use my depth finder to pinpoint the location. By the time I troll around trying to pinpoint the location I have run off all the fish. I don't have much of a problem in deeper water (10 ft. plus) since the depth finder cone angle covers a much larger area. Anybody have any suggestions/hints??? I have tried using the transducer attached to an extension in front of the boat with moderate results.

**akmoose40** · 03-03-2009, 08:07 AM

hello.....i would ask mr canepole on that question....if anyone can help it be him....

**chaunc** · 03-03-2009, 03:56 PM

Have you tried to align yourself up with a marker on shore to help put you in the basic area where the mats are. That has cut down a lot of moving over shallow spots for me.

**beenfishin?** · 03-04-2009, 01:23 AM

Try tilting the transducer up about 15 degrees. should pic up the structure a little quicker.

**atfish** · 03-05-2009, 06:31 PM

Thanks akmoose40, chaunc, and beenfishin? for the suggestions. Hopefully GPSs will get more accurate and faster in the future.

**slabbandit** · 03-05-2009, 08:16 PM

I have the very same problems. Our shallow flats are usually less than 8 feet deep way out from the banks. I think that I'm going to start dropping a marker when I'm within 10 to 15 feet on the GPS. Then I think I am going to anchor and cast Sliders or Roadrunners to pinpoint the exact location. Then, finally move up and vertical jig it before leaving.
I know that now we spook a lot of fish off of our brush and stakebeds as we move right up to them to jig fish.

**Cane Pole** · 03-05-2009, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by beenfishin?

Try tilting the transducer up about 15 degrees. should pic up the structure a little quicker.

yep.......

**Cane Pole** · 03-05-2009, 10:12 PM

Thiis is real time sonar (RTS) where side imaging is not.

I made this rig to find fish in the shallow brush. It works..

You can do the same thing with choke or throttle cables.

**jaxsprat** · 03-05-2009, 10:13 PM

Be sure Etrex has WAAS turned on, postion or hold etrex at 45 degree angle to sky to get clear shot of satellites. If U are goin in towards shore with tall trees always approach from center of lake going in towards shore as etrex will have better view of satellites. 20 degree transducer cone is 36 inch view in 10 feet of water, not much in eight feet maybe only 24 inch view? I would look for some shoreline objects to help with location, cause you are only getting a large "pizza size view". Etrex's are good units.

**Cane Pole** · 03-05-2009, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by jaxsprat

Be sure Etrex has WAAS turned on, postion or hold etrex at 45 degree angle to sky to get clear shot of satellites. If U are goin in towards shore with tall trees always approach from center of lake going in towards shore as etrex will have better view of satellites. 20 degree transducer cone is 36 inch view in 10 feet of water, not much in eight feet maybe only 24 inch view? I would look for some shoreline objects to help with location, cause you are only getting a large "pizza size view". Etrex's are good units.

Yep. I use line of sight, but if in open water, it is hard to guess, but not impossible. Triangulate and gps works fine.

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