I’m already beginning to uncover the boats and get the gear ready for open water. As I look around at all the toys surrounding me I begin to realize how fishing has evolved into a sport that requires - at least for me - gadgets. My favorite is the sonar/GPS and I love the fact that they now come with the ability to drop in a map chart SD card and provide contours of the lakes I fish. My Lund Baron sports a Humminbird 997C with side imaging and two slots for the cards. With this unit I can put myself on the hottest underwater real estate for fishing with pinpoint accuracy. I have been using the Navionics charts and love them. So now I’m chomping at the bit to get the boat on the water and work down a contour line hoping for that tug on the line. It won’t be long now.

The kayaks are calling as well. Those small waters around the upper midwest won’t get ignored this year as I take to these fishing holes in the Hobie Outbacks. I also have an Ocean kayak I run in the small rivers and the fishing has been phenomenal out of the Ocean. All of these small watercraft have sonar/GPS units and I use the charts in these as well.

It’s gotten to the point where I feel like something is missing from my trip if I don’t have the underwater eyes and the ability to hang on that contour with the map chip. Am I spoiled? You bet.