GPS HElp

sicfigure

I've been trying my luck with bottom fishing out of Ft. Pierce but can't find any artificial reefs. I hunted the net for GPS numbers to the usual spots out there ex. Wendy's Reef, Fish Haven etc. The problem is I get to the spot where its supposed to be and my sonar doesn't show anything out of the ordinary. Exactly how would the artificial reefs look on sonar and how accurate are GPS coordinates? Would I be right on top of the spots or do you have to search around the area? Also would it be easier to find natural reefs that are further out in say 50ft. plus? Any help would be very appreciated as I can't seem to figure this out. Thanks in advance for any tips you guys can offer!

Capt M Brennan

I always drop a bouy then search around, generally you'll kind what you're looking for within a 100' or so.

sicfigure

What will it look like on sonar? Just a change in depth or does actual structure appear?

Plane Fish n

sicfigure,

Your numbers may not be correct. I know a buddy of mine who pulled numbers off the internet and they were way off.

If you have a good chart... say from West Marine.... it will have accurate numbers.

If not, PM me and I can give you a bunch of GPS numbers for wrecks off of Fort Pierce.

When you are over the wrecks or rubble, you will see a definitive rise off the bottom depending on the structure below.. but you should see something.

Cheers

CaptTater

If your GPS has WAAS it's right and the numbers would be wrong OR are in a different format. Also is your transducer pointed straight down to slightly forward?

sicfigure

I believe its pointed straight down. Would the structure be right under me or would I have to search around for it?

CaptTater

Well, if the numbers are accurate and on the same coordinate system they should be straight down. I have side imagine sonar so I can find them off to the side.

when you enter the numbers be sure they are the same format:

DDD° MM' SS.S" Degrees, Minutes and Seconds
DDD° MM.MMM' Degrees and Decimal Minutes
DDD.DDDDD° Decimal Degrees

http://www.maptools.com/UsingLatLon/Formats.html

sicfigure

Thanks CaptTater I will keep trying!

fishslayer12

You should get a chart, or go to White's in Fort PIerce...they have a huge chart in there and all the "public" wrecks/numbers...