Ocean Fog

finclipped · 07-31-2000, 07:16 AM

Yesterday I spent the whole day waiting for the fog to lift on the Columbia Bar, so I could fish in the Ocean. It never happened. Back at the dock several people asked me why I didn't follow someone out? I did not have any navigation other than a compass, but others without navigation seemed to be very comfortable following boats into the ocean that had a GPS or radar. Are there any readers out there who have done this?

I guess I just didn't feel comfortable, so I bought a GPS. Are there any others who use GPS for navigation in the fog and are they dependable? Any input would be helpful.

stalmonator · 07-31-2000, 08:00 AM

We followed some boats out yesterday and it wasnt that bad when we got out there. Fished for about 2 hours and we hooked about 25-30 coho. Going to get a gps this week.

Don · 07-31-2000, 08:31 AM

I did the same on Sunday - my friend wasn't crazy about the idea, but when you are surrounded by so many boats in relatively good conditions, there really isn't much risk. Remember the basics to get home - head east until you see land or breakers, then head north or south accordingly.

We had about 20+ hits in 90 minutes or so. The fish were very aggresive and the quality is excellent.

Yes GPS is the way to go, but don't ever forget people used compasses for hundreds of years .
(My buddy is going to buy a GPS this week just to calm his nerves)

Don
Sturgeon Salmon Steelhead http://www.worldstar.com/~dlarson

Bait O' Eggs · 07-31-2000, 08:39 AM

I have a GPS and it works great. I believe they have taken most of the error out the units, because mine is a lot more accurate than it was last year.

I have used mine out of Garibaldi and set a waypoint at the bar when I cross. From anywhere I can tell the unit to goto that waypoint and it will give me a distance in miles and a compass bearing.

Last year I would set a way point and without moving I would tell it to go to that way point and it would be 0.2 miles (about 1000 feet) away without me moving. Every time I told it goto it may be telling me to go west one time them east the next time, without me moving from the original point. Now when I run the same test, it is about 0.01 (about 50 feet) from the waypoint. THe more satelites you can pick up the more accurate the units.

I find the simple units very easy to operate. In the simplest mode you set a waypoint on the way by someplace then tell it to goto that point when you want to get back. Entering long/lat coordinates then goint to that point is much more difficult (at least with my unit). I did it one time last year trying to find a little remote lake in the cascades. I had to take a best guess at the coordinates off a map, create a waypoint and then try to go to it. The creating a waypoint without being there took a lot of key strokes. I ended up finding the lake, but I was about 1/2 mile off with my coordinate guess. Of which could be accounted for partially with the built in error.

They do give you a comfort feeling, but they can fail like all electronics. The more you use them the easier they are to operate.

I am sure the unit kept me from having to spend the night in the brush last year hunting. Knowing which way the pickup was and how far to walk was nice. Because I would have guessed about 30 degrees different, and would have missed the road all together.

DanS · 07-31-2000, 05:30 PM

Bait-O-Eggs,

The GPS's ARE more accurate now, due to the military making more satellites available for the units to use to fix their position. The portable aviation units I sell at work have no more than a 50 ft +- error.

Relying solely on a GPS can be risky, but certainly not as risky as following other boats out and back. Make sure your batteries are fresh before heading out if you're using a portable unit.

The new Garmin GPS's have databases available which are incredibly detailed with roads, restrooms, waterways, airports, restaurants, etc. And you can download a custom database from your PC directly into your unit. The aviation units are still pretty pricey at $500-$1500, but the "backpacker" models can be had for $250 or less. Definitely worth the price. And there's nothing better than being able to mark your honey spots with a waypoint, and be able to return to that very spot with less than a 50 foot error.

Fish on........

Grant Scheele · 08-02-2000, 08:26 AM

Friends of mine went out of Newport on one of the last Silver days last week in the FOG having only a compass and cell phone. It was there idea to follow a charter boat out and in. They landed their 4 fish in about 30 minutes but lost their charter boat in the ever thickening fog. To make a long story short, the pump sucked up seaweed once they found the beach (they were 6 miles South of Newport by then) and the Coast Guard found them as the cell phone died. Being towed in at 1:30 in the morning was not worth 4 salmon. The coast guard told them that only about 1 in 10 are found before dark. Most are found by helicopter in the morning.

I think that you are extremely smart to not go to sea without at least a GPS, fog or no fog.

Pilar · 08-02-2000, 09:27 AM

Hey guys, what you have to ask yourself is can you handle being lost in a potentially dangerous place. GPS is good but the most important equipment on the boat is the Captains' brain. The Columbia river estuary is no place to practice your navigation skills with newly purchased equipment. Practice somewhere else less risky and once you have some confidence go play with the more challenging water. All you have to do while your waiting for fog to lift is listen on VHF 16 to the Coast Guard talking to/rescuing the other inexperienced boaters who decided to follow a charter boat. Remember that as good as GPS is it not officially commissioned and can be tweaked, turned off or otherwise become unavailable to you as you try to find your way back home. Not to mention dead batteries in your hand held unit or other bad luck. One more thing, GPS does absolutely nothing for detecting other boats bearing down on you in the fog. Only Radar can do that. Use your brain, no fishon is worth getting written up in the newspaper or on a Coast Guard report form. Sorry about the earlier blank message, I'm struggling with replying to this forum.

Bait O' Eggs · 08-02-2000, 12:39 PM

I know Fishermans Marine in Oregon City has offered a class for $25 on operating the GPS units. I dont know if they still offer it, but a buddy took it a while back.

Mr. Fisherman · 08-02-2000, 02:11 PM

G.I. Joes also offers a class.

Be careful out there and remember to brush up on boater safety before heading out there. There are specific procedures on boating in the fog, sounding a horn or other device with a minnimum decibal rating etc.

Tight Lines,

Mr. Fisherman

------------------
Live to Fish
Fish to Live

finclipped · 08-02-2000, 11:42 PM

Thanks, for the input on the topic. I appreciate getting the different views on the subject.

I now have to learn how to use the GPS and will likely try again this weekend to get out in to the Ocean. It would be nice if it was clear and calm, then I wouldn't have to worry about the Fog.

I bought a hand held GPS with a cigarette lighter adaptor, so with the batteries, I will have two power sources. I guess there is nothing I can do about a equipment failure, but one of my friends also bought one. If we both bring them, it would be very unlikely both would break down.

I'll also spend some time learning to use the GPS. I read the manual last night and there are so many options and screens, its difficult to figure out whats going on.