BigBendFishing.Net

Does anyone know where I can find maps that show grass flats? My charts and GPS maps show contour and depth but not bottom makeup. Is there such a thing out there? If so where. I'll take maps or internet sites! Thanks

You've probably tried this, but if not, a download of Google Earth is a great tool http://www.google.com/earth/download/ge/agree.html

It's pretty easy to see what is grass and what's sand. The rocks often look white because of the absence of grass around them.

There's probably some old threads on this on here using the search box.

Hope you get out and fish and get refreshed for your service.

Thanks! Ill try it. Keep fishing for men

What bottom machine do you have?
I'd look into the Fish-n-Chip from Navioncs if it's compatible with your machine.

For all of those interested and with a little learning curve; above the google earth level, GIS (Geographic information systems) has been used for years to map Benthic habitat and the FWC has a very good GIS webservice http://ocean.floridamarine.org/mrgis/

The Seagrass composite layer is under the Coastal and Marine Habitats and Cover Layers

If you need assistance contact me and I'll try to help you with it.

GIS Joe

Ranaman wrote:For all of those interested and with a little learning curve; above the google earth level, GIS (Geographic information systems) has been used for years to map Benthic habitat and the FWC has a very good GIS webservice http://ocean.floridamarine.org/mrgis/

The Seagrass composite layer is under the Coastal and Marine Habitats and Cover Layers

If you need assistance contact me and I'll try to help you with it.

GIS Joe

That's pretty sweet, and the layers are available for download as shapefiles! Thanks for the link!

Ranaman wrote:For all of those interested and with a little learning curve; above the google earth level, GIS (Geographic information systems) has been used for years to map Benthic habitat and the FWC has a very good GIS webservice http://ocean.floridamarine.org/mrgis/

The Seagrass composite layer is under the Coastal and Marine Habitats and Cover Layers

If you need assistance contact me and I'll try to help you with it.

GIS Joe

Very, very cool. If it had the "Google Earth ruler", that would be incredible. Is a ruler on there somewhere that I am not seeing?

Upper right hand corner of the tools set next to the (I) (information) it looks like a ruler you can measure lines polygons or use the point to get coordinates. The (I) tool is also very helpful this tool allows you to click on the different layers of data and see the table of information for that particular, point, line or polygon or imagery. Each feature, whether it be a point, IE: sea turtle nest, shipwreck or boat ramp, Line, IE: channel, State water boundary line, or Polygon, IE: FWC region, ecological presever or Seagrass composite, has information related to each individual feature (point, line or polygon). I hope that helps!

Enjoy!
-Joe

Ranaman wrote:Upper right hand corner of the tools set next to the (I) (information) it looks like a ruler you can measure lines polygons or use the point to get coordinates. The (I) tool is also very helpful this tool allows you to click on the different layers of data and see the table of information for that particular, point, line or polygon or imagery. Each feature, whether it be a point, IE: sea turtle nest, shipwreck or boat ramp, Line, IE: channel, State water boundary line, or Polygon, IE: FWC region, ecological presever or Seagrass composite, has information related to each individual feature (point, line or polygon). I hope that helps!

Enjoy!
-Joe

Awesome tool, Joe. Have used lots of other similar ones but none with a few of the overlay features you shared that I REALLY appreciate.

Also have to say, mighty generous of Jumptrout to have shared so much intimate details about his holes with the Florida Marine Resources folks!

Hey thanks! That is a great site!

Another little trick. Look carefully for the stationary boats. Those are good winter fishing spots. Where you see numerous boats in one location, those are JT51's holes.

(Just funnin' ya JT51)