There are a zillion fishing related apps for smartphones and tablets, but one that I use every time on the water is GPS navigation.
I know you might be thinking, “What do I need GPS for? I can SEE where I’m at!” or “I know this place BETTER than GPS,” or “I already have Google Maps.”
All true, but I use a GPS navigation app for a couple of reasons that I’d like to explain.
But first, let’s talk Google Maps. There is a feature in the Google Maps App called Timeline that you can enable and then simply forget. It will automatically keep track of you all day long. You can look back and see where you’ve been any time you like. It will do a minimal job of logging your trips.
One problem I’ve experienced with Timeline is that it seems like it’s not really able to believe that I’m on the water and tends to put me on the closest shore position. The other problem is that you can’t make corrections or notes on the fly and it’s estimates of the distances I’ve covered on the water are a joke,
The app that I use and recommend is called Navionics Boating. Navionics is an industry leading company in
electronic navigation charts with offices across the world. I know the word “navigation” might seem ocean oriented or a little bit pretentious for some old guy like me kicking around on a float tube, but don’t be fooled. These guys know boating in all forms and if you move around, on land or water, they’ve got you covered… er charted, I should say.
Their website is free to use and if you’re wondering what they show for the places you fish, you should check it out. You might be surprised.
Ok, your water is charted, now what?
The first thing I use it for is to record every trip. As soon as I’m on the water and in my seat, I open up Navionics and hit the “Start” button and it begins to log my trip. It does this by recording the screen minute by minute (whether the screen is visible or not) until you hit the “Stop” button. The Navionics screen obviously shows your position, but also your speed and direction of travel, as well as the depth
GPS For Float Tubes