Maps for all of you... be careful.. heh

[RussGW270]

Okay guys... this is the non-clean version.. but....no, wait.. let me make some disclaimers...

1 - I make maps.....not for a living, but...
2 - This may seem like a small map.. but.. grab a freaking cup of coffee if you are on anything small for a PC... and be patient.
3 - I will be updating this a LOT. I lost a ton of data a few months ago because I was not even considering getting an ocean-going vessel and then.. well, things went fast. I know.. SHOCK..but.. so, I am rebuilding. Be patient, I will take requests and build them out in your area as well, but...this is the Gulf of Mexico right now and I have decades of data to re-add, so will be a few months.

So.. did I mention I love maps? In my house, I have maps of my ranch, maps of Texas, etc.. and, 8 years ago, when I had my "network" of people that I helped with maps....I had massive Google Earth maps... so massive, my Alienware PC flat out cried.

So, new PC....it still got mad, but the file was old and corrupt.. so I am rebuilding it... heh, runs smoother now.

I have a philosophy in making maps... "I do not own the fish"... so... I share.. everything. I do not do this for a living. I have a full time job... and I go to work.. lol.. but I love boats, love maps, love fishing.. and love sharing so..

To use this, you will need a couple things:

1 - Google Earth Pro (it is free online for your PC or MAC)... or you can use their web version. I may just upload it there later when I get a little more worked out and then all I have to do is share it.

2 - There is a link online and software. I will need to set it up on my PC again. Once I do (later this weekend) I will let you know what it is.

Why would you care? Because, if you are like me and want to plan out a fishing trip... you can select only where you are going.. then convert it to the file type for your chartplotter and copy that to a SD card and access it on your boat.

What did I / am I adding? I started with the entire Gulf of Mexico data with the Department of Energy... every known current and past underwater / above water oil rig....yes.. all of them.

I added pirate ships, Liberty ships (over 800 of those... love the one in the inter-coastal outside Port Aransas), every TPWD known man made or artificial, or accidental, or natural reef.

I had.. HAD.. a ton of tuna competition people hand me their spots.. but.. that was the data I deleted.. but.. as I share and rebuild my network, I wil start adding more... but... there are already a FEW spots that will list depth, types of confirmed fish caught, and I hope to add in what they were caught on.

I will also have land spots for marinas, bait shops, etc.. and I will try to link in websites etc.

So... again.. don't care to make money on this stuff.. I care to grow it and share it....I am making it for ME.. so.. does not hurt to share.. since, as you will see, there are.. a.. LOT.. of locations.. lol

So, enjoy!

I will keep updating this as time goes on and maybe move it to where folks can add comments etc... we will see.

Take this as a "thank you" for helping me ease into a new boat.

Unzip it.. it is a kmz google maps file and it has been cleaned by Malbwarebytes.

Okay, I changed the file. I DE-SELECTED the fields.. so it would load faster. When you add the file to Google Earth Pro... you will see the boxes on the left. Click them slooooowwwllyyy.. lol. The oil platforms is loaded... if you select all, it will / may say unresponsive or not responding.. just let it sit... that is normal. It will load, eventually.. depending on how fast your PC is. Take it slow.. there is a lot of info.. see the screenshot..

I am going to grab Florida and East coast later today... to at least start getting those entered. I also have decades worth of map books I own that will be getting entered, along with at least the lakes I use the most


I take requests, but do not have a ton of northern fishing spots. I DO take submissions of spots that people care to share.. but, I do not require anyone to give up their "honey hole".. heh

I will also be adding a "Tips" section... will not have spots, but will have things to look for in that area to help fishing luck



Russ

 

[three4one]

Russ,
Nice work. The organization is great. Will you be including the west coast of Florida?
Your efforts are really appreciated.

 

[Halfhitch]

I guess I'm not literate enough Russ. I double clicked on the Gulf spots file and I get Google earth zoomed in to the Northern Gulf but no information other than just the satellite picture. Could you explain how to use this?

 

[RussGW270]

I am in training all week so slow to respond. Will reply in more depth if I get a break or later tonight.

If you go to google and download google earth for pc, and install that, then download the kmz and open it from here. Then:

I only have the gulf of mexico atm. This is like 1/10th of what I have, but will add more after I clean it up and get it organized more. It has been left alone since like 2008, so I need to get a weekend to start cleaning it.

That being said, I will add any area people want, and the next area will be the coast of Florida. My plan is to work my way around the U.S...heh

Also, I will make it editable online so others can add to it if you see an error...or let me know and I will make adjustments.

 

[three4one]

I guess I'm not literate enough Russ. I double clicked on the Gulf spots file and I get Google earth zoomed in to the Northern Gulf but no information other than just the satellite picture. Could you explain how to use this?

Look at the list of places on the left of the google earth screen. At the bottom will be temporary places. Click on the empty box next to Gulf Spots.

 

[RussGW270]

yes, sorry... what he said... heh.