The integration of digital data including maps, GPS and sonar are the most useful tools in the arsenal of the modern angler.  Discovering and integrating data from sources such as Google Earth, Google Maps, My Maps, Fish Finder/Sonar, Scuba, Paper Charts, YouTube can be frustrating, but once you figure it out you will find highly productive fishing locations.  These can be passed down through generations – or at least to a few close fishing buddies.

 You can find this data in various places online and in the physical world.  See our article Scuba to Find Great Fishing Spots for more information.  Authors note – you will not have to get wet to find great spots!

Learn how to master the digital realm.  Engage your inner angler warrior and be more productive on the water.

How to Manage Data Sources

There are many different formats of GPS and location data so using this information can be daunting.  Data types such as GPX, GPL, KML, KMZ, CSV, XML are standards and there are a lot more.    Here is the cheat sheet to help simplify things.

 GPX (GPS Exchange Format)

• The most common data format for GPS devices. It is an XML (Extensible Markup Language) schema designed as a GPS data format to describe waypoints, tracks, and routes.
• Used by most Marine Chart plotters/Fish Finders as an import/export format

KML/KMZ (zipped)- (Keyhole Markup Language)

• KML is a file format used to display geographic data in both 2D and 3D applications such as Google Maps, Google Earth and Mapbox. KML files can denote locations and have image overlays.

It is best to produce a naming standard for your marks/locations otherwise it will get confusing when your spot list grows.  I suggest a simple 3 x 3 nomenclature such as:  Location (3 characters) – MTK (Montauk), STM (Stamford), NRC (New Rochelle) and Spot type (3 characters – WRK (wreck), REF (Reef), RCK (Rocks).  This would align to names such as MTK-WRK-1.

The GPS/Sonar applications allow unique marker types (fishing spot, buoy, reef, etc.) which can also be helpful. 

Mapping Applications and Features

Google Maps – Google Earth – Google My Maps all show similar data, but it is presented and managed differently.    Google Maps is integrated with Google search functionality.  You can save/mark locations either on the water or off, but there is not straightforward way to export data from Google Maps.    My Maps and Google Earth both allow the creation of marks and locations AND can be exported and then used in marine GPS devices.

Converting Data Formats

There is a great online tool – www.gpsvisualizer.com – that can convert the main types of location data files.  It is simple to use and highly effective.

Google Earth Desktop

Google Earth has both a mobile and a desktop application interface.  It is great for looking at satellite views of specific locations and can even show a spot over years so you can see changes, tide variations, etc.  For example, you can see fishable structure at low tide that isn’t visible at high tide.  See our article Finding Secret Fishing Spots which describes how to use these features more completely.

Import

• Create data in CSV (comma separated value) file. This can be done via MS Excel or any spreadsheet application.  Create columns for Location Name, Latitude, Longitude.
• In Google Earth, File/Import and follow the installation process
• You can also import GPX files via the Tools/GPS import function
• The data points will show up on the map

Export

• File/Save which will output a KMZ file (compressed KML)
• This can be converted via the GPS Visualizer tool mentioned above to GPX format
• The GPX file can then be imported into your Sonar device

Google Maps/Google My Maps

Most people are familiar with Google Maps (www.google.com/maps).  You can search for locations, mark spots, create lists, etc.  The challenge is that Google Maps does not easily let you customize the map or import/export data.  To do this you need to use Google My Maps (www.google.com/maps/about/mymaps/). 

Transferring data from Google Maps to My Maps

• From Desktop/Laptop
• Right click point/marker and copy GPS coordinates
• In My Maps – Paste into search bar then rename as necessary

Google My Maps

Import

• The file format can be any of the following: CSV, TSV, KML, KMZ, GPX, XLSX, Google Sheet
• Instructions from Google – Import map features from a file

Export

• Open your My Map
• In the left panel, click Menu More and then Export to KML/KMZ
• Follow the on-screen instructions

GPS Coordinates and Fish Finders

Once you have data such as GPS coordinates from an external source, it might be necessary to convert the format so it can be imported into your GPS device or fish finder.  There are many different formats, but DMS (Degree, Minute, Second) and Decimal Degrees are the most common.  You can use a site such as GPS Coordinate Converter, Maps and Info to convert between data formats.

Fish Finder Applications

All major GPS/Sonar vendors have applications that enable you to manage your device via phone and/or desktop.  These apps provide functions such as software updates, import, export, offline chart review, course plotting and are very useful for the angler.  I have spent many hours with the Garmin Active Captain application on my phone to plan the fishing trips and mark prospective fishing spots.  Once they are entered on the phone, these apps will sync to the GPS device on your boat once they connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

To import external data (GPX) files into the Sonar units, you can either use a SD card or the import functionality within the specific application.

Being able to import/export and integrate data can make you a more productive angler on the water.  Finding productive fishing spots can be fun and extremely rewarding.   The fishing location is only part of the solution to being a successful angler.  Tides, time of year, bait, water temperature, etc. all play a role in catching fish.  If you find a likely spot try to fish it under various conditions and see what you can catch.

If you have any suggestions or other ways to find productive fishing spots, please send me a note.  You can contact me by email at [email protected].

Tight lines …  Captain P.