A C-MAP CASE STUDY
Huff shared an example of a lake map created by a Lowrance pro-staffer
for Walled Lake in michigan. The images show how the lake was scanned, as
well as the resulting contour, bottom hardness and vegetation maps. Google
earth imagery shows an overhead view of the lake, and some of the underwa-
ter features are even visible in the clear water, so you can see how those fea-
tures are displayed on the final maps.
This sequence of photos displays the capabilities of the c-map system, as
well as the result of using Huff’s suggested method for charting lakes.
A.
B.
KEYS TO CREATING
QUALITY CHARTS
1. 9 to 10 mph speed is ideal for
creating bottom hardness and
vegetation charts.
2. You must travel less than 20 mph
to create standard contour maps.
3. In most cases, graphing in back-
and-forth passes 40 to 50 yards
apart produces the best results.
The system will extrapolate infor-
mation for the areas in between
passes.
4. If complete coverage is desired,
space passes 25 yards apart. “If
you are in a lake that’s known for
having really, really crazy bottom,
like some of those glacial lakes
where there are rock piles every
2 feet, do a really tight grid,” says
Huff. “If you’re in Florida you
don’t have to be quite as
extreme.”
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C. D.
E. F.
TIME MANAGEMENT
According to Huff, C-Map Genesis is working on a live mapping program
that’ll convert sonar information directly into contour, hardness and vege-
tation maps on the screen as it is gathered. The technology should be avail-
able sometime in early 2018.
That’ll solve one of the only hang-ups that some traveling tournament
pros might have with the system – that they have to spend time graphing,
then upload content and then download the data later. Usually, that
requires heading back to the bank and accessing the web with a computer
and a strong wireless signal, though not always, depending on your depth
finder model and wi-fi connection.
“It’s not plug-and-play. It’s for people who want an extra edge and are
willing to put in a little extra time,” says Huff. “We’re trying to get it closer to
plug-and-play, and the live will help with that.”
Likewise, Huff suggests that anglers incorporate the process into their
tournament practice and pre-practice strategies, especially when they’re
spending hours graphing anyway.
“You have to be wise with your time. On those giant reservoirs people
just graph the stuff that’s fishable,” Huff says. “If everybody who goes out
for a tournament practice would just simply push those three buttons and
record all the areas they are graphing, they are going to do so much better
in the tournament. Graphing with sonar shows you where the fish are that
day, but mapping shows you where they might have gone when they’re not
there anymore.”
FLWFISHING.COM I NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2017