[Shaggy]

I was watching a NJ Angler show the other day where they were fishing offshore for fluke and at one point they pointed to their bottom machine and talked about getting their drift correct so they go over the prime structure. On their machine, you could see a number of waypoints that was the structure.
So, that got me thinking, are their chips out there (such as Navionics) that you can buy with a lot of the structure marked/waypointed for each of the reef sites or do you essentially have to find the structure and mark it manually. I live in PA and only expect to get out a couple of times this year and it would be great to be able to have a number of places programmed in my machine ahead of time (maybe wishful thinking though).
Thanks!

 

[brew]

There's a reef / dive book out there that has details on all the reefs and waypoints for certain spots and what was dropped there. Forget exact name but I got mine at Boater's World.

 

[DoubleG]

The navionics chip will outline the reef area, but you still need to search for specific structure, The use of the reef maps available from the Div of Fish Game & Wildlife will give you exact locations of the structure within the reef area. Use both & then create waypoints within the reef area.:thumbsup:
George

 

[JoeyZac]

Go to this page, and print out the .pdf(s) for the reef(s) you want to fish. The charts give you general numbers for all the structure and wrecks. You'll have to fine tune it, but it's a really good start.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/artreefguide09.htm

 

[High Wire]

The reef guides are good but there is no way to get around finding each piece unless someone gives you the exact Lat/Lon. If you are going to fish large structure, you are going to have to learn how to find it yourself eventually. Just 100 ft off is the difference between hit and complete miss.

 

[Ohana]

http://www.thebassbarn.com/gps.htm

 

[Capt Charley]

I've been using C-Map Bathy Charts.....Block Island to Cape Fear. They go all the way out and clearly show all the contours.....VERY useful for drift fishing as you can identify the hills and gullies and pick your spots vased on that days drift.

They also have every known wreck already charted. The NJ reef book (already mentioned above) will show the rubble and wrecks on the reef (c.map does not). As you identify them with your sounder you can then mark them on your plotter.

You'd be amazed at how many wrecks we pass over to get to where we think the fish are.

 

[DaisyMaySportfishing]

I agree with everyone, especially Archie(High Wire). A chartplotter with a chip will let you know when you get inside the reef boundaries, but there is so much structure out there you will never get it all. I probably have well over 300 waypoints for Del reef #11 alone, and this has taken years to compile. When I'm not fishing, I stand right next to the plotter and mark any new pieces that we run over. I usually get a couple on every trip!!!

The key when fluking is to target that specific piece(or drift) that is holding fish and keep making the EXACT SAME DRIFT!! Like Archie said, 100 feet can throw you off. When we get a good drift, I make a waypoint for where we started and head back to that waypoint when the bites stop. If I don't get within 10 FEET of that starting waypoint, I will circle around until I do before the order to get em down:thumbsup: