Fishing maps are basically the
GPS of the sea. In order for one to ensure a successful catch, one needs to
know where to go. After all, if you go out into an ocean where there are very
little schools of fish to catch, then it renders the effort useless. Knowing
how to read fishing maps will definitely eliminate unproductive time in the
water. Catching fish takes some time, and if you have been sitting on the edge
of your boat apparently waiting for nothing, then that is one day devoid of
money and profits. When you have a fishing map right in front of you, you need
to familiarize yourself what the map symbols, map scales, and contour lines on
the map are for. The contour lines of a fishing map are the most important
symbols of the map that you need to understand. Why? It is so mainly because
the contour lines indicate the shape and the changes in the bottom's structure
and the depth of the body of water you are venturing on. The depth of the
contour lines may be from 10 to 40 feet depending of course on the tide levels
and the natural composition of the water.
Of course, aside from knowing
what the map symbols, map scales and contour lines are for in the fishing map,
it also pays to know the other symbols that are inherent in all fishing maps as
well as in lake maps. These other important map symbols include the
representation of muck, sand, rubble, gravel, boulder, fish cribs, flooded
timber, stumps, snags, submerging vegetation patches, emergent vegetation
patches, floating vegetation patches, navigational hazards and swamps. A keen
eye and a good understanding of what these represent in the actual and physical
environment is important. If all these aspects of the fishing map are still a
blur to you, then it is best that you pair your fishing maps with fishing
books. Fishing books in the world of fishing are the library of tips and
knowledge.
Fishing books are references and
publications that explain further the art, science and world of fishing. Aside
from providing resources for lake and fish map reading, there are also a host
of other books that lend information on different areas of fishing. These
include publications about guides on game fishing, trout fishing antics, bait
drifting for trout, offshore fishing, and a whole lot more. There are also
fishing books that lend support for advocacies such as fish, dolphin and whale
conservations, development of bioregions and books on maintaining balance
between land and marine life.