01-15-2016, 09:07 PM
Here is a quick summary of how I made the map.
1. Launched the boat and set my Lowrance Gen2 fish finder to record all the data to an SD card. This web page gives some suggestions on recording good data:
[url "https://insightgenesis.wordpress.com/2014/09/10/best-settings-for-insight-genesis/"]https://insightgenesis.wordpress.com/2014/09/10/best-settings-for-insight-genesis/[/url]
2. Then I wandered around Mantua trolling and catching a few trout for the next few hours. As the map of the raw depth data shows, I could have done a better job covering the lake, but it turned out to adequate. The day I did this was calm with little to no wind. You do not want to do this when your boat is bouncing in waves - doesn't make for good maps...
3. After I cleaned the trout, I loaded the data file from the SD card onto my PC. I used a program called ReefMaster to import the data and make the map. Check it out at: [url "http://reefmaster.com.au/"]http://reefmaster.com.au/[/url]
They have a great video that shows the map making process: [url "https://vimeo.com/87447803"]https://vimeo.com/87447803[/url]
ReefMaster can use data from other fish finders as well.
ReefMaster costs $150 and there is a bit of a learning curve. That being said, if you have body of water that you would really like mapped, it can be done with a little effort.
I have also tried Dr. Depth. It was fairly easy to use, but is no longer available. It was bought by Johnson Electronics (Hummingbird).
I have also tried Lowrance's Insight Genesis. Very easy to use, but requires a $100 a year subscription. The maps were not as good as ReefMaster, and they don't give you much control over the finished map. I also have an aversion to giving them data that they can then turn around and sell...
I have done some mapping at Starvation and Willard as well. The Starvation map I made of Saleratus really improved my ice fishing a couple of years back. With Willard I do things a little different because any kind of structure is so far and few in between. I record data when I fish it and then review it when I get home. When I find something of interest I add notes and marks to my Willard base map and then reload it to the Lowrance for the next trip.
[signature]
1. Launched the boat and set my Lowrance Gen2 fish finder to record all the data to an SD card. This web page gives some suggestions on recording good data:
[url "https://insightgenesis.wordpress.com/2014/09/10/best-settings-for-insight-genesis/"]https://insightgenesis.wordpress.com/2014/09/10/best-settings-for-insight-genesis/[/url]
2. Then I wandered around Mantua trolling and catching a few trout for the next few hours. As the map of the raw depth data shows, I could have done a better job covering the lake, but it turned out to adequate. The day I did this was calm with little to no wind. You do not want to do this when your boat is bouncing in waves - doesn't make for good maps...
3. After I cleaned the trout, I loaded the data file from the SD card onto my PC. I used a program called ReefMaster to import the data and make the map. Check it out at: [url "http://reefmaster.com.au/"]http://reefmaster.com.au/[/url]
They have a great video that shows the map making process: [url "https://vimeo.com/87447803"]https://vimeo.com/87447803[/url]
ReefMaster can use data from other fish finders as well.
ReefMaster costs $150 and there is a bit of a learning curve. That being said, if you have body of water that you would really like mapped, it can be done with a little effort.
I have also tried Dr. Depth. It was fairly easy to use, but is no longer available. It was bought by Johnson Electronics (Hummingbird).
I have also tried Lowrance's Insight Genesis. Very easy to use, but requires a $100 a year subscription. The maps were not as good as ReefMaster, and they don't give you much control over the finished map. I also have an aversion to giving them data that they can then turn around and sell...
I have done some mapping at Starvation and Willard as well. The Starvation map I made of Saleratus really improved my ice fishing a couple of years back. With Willard I do things a little different because any kind of structure is so far and few in between. I record data when I fish it and then review it when I get home. When I find something of interest I add notes and marks to my Willard base map and then reload it to the Lowrance for the next trip.
[signature]