Mapping contour bottoms
 

Read an article in the latest edition of La. Sportsman regarding the above subject. Apparently Navionics has introduced a way for anyone to update their database with data from individual fishermen as they travel around. I will wait to see what "WishingIwasfishing" has to say since that appears to be his forte.

I read that article too and looked into it. If you have a wifi capable unit you can upload information to your iphone/ipad in realtime to produce a contour map.

to get the information back to your unit, you still need to upload to Navionics. once processed (1-6 weeks i am told) you can update your Navionics card with your data.

you get a free membership with the purchase of a card (1 year i think) but after that you have a yearly membership fee.

That is quite a process. My experience is that people just want to fish, even if the map is free. I have not seen many updates to the areas we fish on these sites.

what do you use wishin? I have a few areas I'd like to make a contour map of

I use reefmaster software. You have a garmin, correct?

yep! I was about to start researching on what I have to do.

There is a free software download from Garmin. You will need a mico sd card no bigger than 32 gig.

You have to have the card inserted to log the sonar data, then run it in the software.

I just researched this for a buddy of mine. I can process the data through reefmaster as well but I have never tried it.

Can you use the free version of reefmaster and load your sonar logs to see what it'll do or is the free version pretty limited? I just started doing some mapping this past weekend and uploaded using insight genesis, but want to try reefmaster too before I pay for either one.

The trial version of Reefmaster is the full program, no limitations for 14 days.

Problem is that you have to learn the software, collect data, and that is not alot of time.

But it is alot of fun.

Here is a comparison of Caldwell Reef in the pass.
1. Insight Genisis
2. Navionics
3. Reefmaster

Reef master is the bomb!!! Glad I bought it. Requires A LOT OF WORK TOO!!! AND A LOT OF INFO TO LEARN AS WELL LIKE WISHIWASFISHIN SAID!

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Can U guys please tell me what U all are running (settings) you all are running on your lowrances HDS

GPS setting?? U all running 3 D with Shading or 2D ?? Depth sounder?? Noise reduction, surface clarity?? On low??

We are recording our sonar logs on a SD card. The using that to create a contour map on reef master. As far as setting to get the map. It on shade relief BC. Earth image in use shows up in that setting. I'm off this weekend biggin I'll gve you a call

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That's the reef master program. That program allows you to overlay the map on top of the factor map. Nothing special about the hds settings. It reefmaster program that changes everything

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I am constantly collecting sonar logs on my Nav. Chart cards and uploading them on my computer to the Nav. Chart installer. It's very easy, takes no time at the end of the day and I know I am improving my sonar charts for the better. I would say I update all my chart cards at least once every two weeks to a month. And yes, when you purchase a Nav. chart card you receive 1 years worth of updates. Well worth it in my opinion. Why bother paying for these awesome charts if you are not going to take full advantage of the capabilities they have to offer.

Capt, what areas are you recording?

Yes the cards are definitely worth it, and if you have the cards, definitely record and upload data.

I chose to go a different direction, I am a map freak, Great grandfather was a civil engineer. The cards do not produce the detail that I was looking for and I am a cheap bastard.

I also review my sonar logs with Reefmaster and have learned alot about how to read my HDS. With the sidescan, I can recognize different bottom types, reefs etc.

With all that you would think I would catch more fish??? But its fun to me.

Hey, to each their own. Different strokes for different folks. I record my logs anywhere I go. That might be Houma, Hopedale, Chalmette, Venice, LA as well as Alabama, FL, GA, and SC waters. Having good charts is an awesome tool. Being able to self educate yourself on how to read contour lines and use them in comparison with your sonar and down / side scan is awesome.I have recently been targeting areas in SC for cobia, bull reds, etc... and have been focusing hard on areas I have done sonar logs on with my Nav. Platinum+ Cards. It really tightens everything up for me and gives me a more accurate area that I should be focusing on. 90% of the fish live in 10% of the water, right? Better be getting that 10% dialed in. I have been focusing in on the tight contour lines that represent steep drops and rises that funnel into holes or humps. Paying off for sure!
http://s20.postimg.org/p9hralixp/Fil...8_53_29_PM.png

Wow, with the area you cover a Navionics card is the correct choice.

I use the Legends Geaux card, is there a way I could lay the contours over it (on the same card)?
To me that is the perfect card, just no depths on it (Kayak fisherman here).