Maybe a dumb question but here it is???

Medics-R-US · 05-07-2007, 10:23 AM

I am a little unsure if I should even ask this question as I do not want to lesson my chance of filling an open seat on anyones boat but I have always found that being staight upforward about things is the best policy.

I have this thing about being honest with people as I truely get very irritated when someone just does something like this without asking for permission.

What is the consensus for a person bringing a handheld GPS aboard someone elses boat?

I do not want to cause an issue as I would just like to know how to approach this so I do not offend anyone.

My thought is that I would ask the captain/owner of the boat before going out and I would abide by his or her rules.

My only reason that I would like to have some general ideas of where to go for fish when I get my own boat after I finish up with Paramedic school. The boat is going to be my graduation gift after I get my certification.

Any way I hope that my honesty will pay off and not bite me in the rear.

Thanks
Michael

colbachlaw · 05-07-2007, 10:39 AM

Michael,

I would be happy to see someone on my boat with a GPS.

You can never have too many people paying attention to where you are and we all had to learn where the fish are by learning from other people.

Mike C

CATCH AND EAT · 05-07-2007, 10:46 AM

Ain't a problem unless the skipper says it is. Sometimes during tuna season though captains on livebait trips may ask you to shut it down as there is a theory some electronics may drive the school down. I shut mine off during this time if I see jumpers ahead I will mark the spot and then shut it off along with motors. Only thing on is the radio.

fyshndad · 05-07-2007, 10:48 AM

Medic Mike
asking is the right thing to do
I took my handheld up to S sound shrimping and asked if it was OK to mark a way point and was told "NO PROBLEM go for it"

The way I look at it on my boat is this:
If I did not want someone to know my spots I wouldn't ask them to go in the 1st place

It should not be an issue especially if you have the courtesy to ask

Something Good · 05-07-2007, 10:53 AM

Most people don't have a problem with it. You should always bring it for your own safety just ask the skipper before you turn it on. I will let people mark most spots but there are a few I get from other people and I'm asked not to pass them along.

Capt Bob · 05-07-2007, 10:55 AM

Not a problem. No secrets on my boat. I feel that everyone on board should know exactly what we are doing and where we are going. The crew should have some input on where to fish. The Capt will have the last word. I think most of the Salty Dogs would feel the same way. It would be good to ask first as you did here.
If I had a hot spot that I did not want you to know about, I just would not take you out that day.
Good fishin,
Bob

FASTWATER · 05-07-2007, 03:45 PM

I never leave the dock with out my handheld vhf and gps if it is a problem I am not going as crew, I would not use it to mark fishing spots since I actually am giving out numbers more than looking for them but for my own sound of mind I always carry them, more than once they both have been life savers!!!PEACE

ron m · 05-07-2007, 04:09 PM

I encourage folks to bring a hh gps and a hh vhf if they have them. I have a hh vhf as backup, but don't yet have a hh gps for backup. I've lerned a lot from the dogs and want to participate in sharing info. Besides, if something did go wrong out there, more backup would be helpful.

Oh, and re: secret spots. If other boats know you're catching fish, it won't stay a secret for long. Not hard to mark the location of another boat if you have radar overlay on your chart plotter.
ron m

little doc · 05-07-2007, 07:03 PM

Unlike fresh water, most salt water fisherman know LOTS of good "spots" and a handheld GPS wont be a problem. Salmon move from minute to minute and GPS coordinates are unlikely to be helpful, Tuna are on temperature more than location, and bottom fish hang on rocks on the bottom, (very plentiful, at least at PC). Bring it on my boat anyday. It will be helpful with location fishing some, but more helpful learning how to get back to the beach. That is something that only comes with experience, and we all learned at one time or another.

Scott.

Moldy45 · 05-07-2007, 07:44 PM

It wouldnt bother me at all unless you were out there to just mark spots and not fishing.All you would have to do is ask me for a spot I have and I would gladly just give or maybe even logg it in for you.I dont keep any secrets and have no problem calling dogs to a bite.

Spindrifter · 05-08-2007, 06:30 AM

My handheld GPS is a part of my ditch bag that I bring on EVERY trip I take offshore. It always goes with me but I always ask the captain if it's alright to turn it on, out of respect, while we are running and fishing.

Laguna29 · 05-08-2007, 06:47 AM

Funny how we get these secret spots then find out where they are at and we are surrounded by many other boats. Lots of fish great big ocean fish are on the move but hang out in general areas. Just dont make it a secret and ask. Most of the halibut spots are commonly known anyway. If the skipper starts to blind fold you at the dock you might start looking for another ride.

Medics-R-US · 05-08-2007, 07:47 PM

I really appreciate all the replies and it sounds like I will just take my gps along and ask the captain for permission to use it.

Mike

Silver Eagle · 05-09-2007, 07:16 AM

Medics-R-US there are a few people I would really like to get my hands
on there GPS, but if they bring it along I always willing to share, the
extra GPS might be the one to put the fish in the boat or get the boat
back to the dock, most people that have one either have something to
share or something to learn either way it can be a good thing. If you spots
are so secretive you better start with the Camo paint and only fish in
Low light or fog..................Now if they smuggle some beer aboard and
don't share now thats an issure...........................Ray