The next step in fishing electronics....

WTL · 03-23-08, 04:44 PM

So, given how important the computer has become to anglers while they are at home, how long until we see bass boats with laptops integrated into either the bow or consol?

They could essentially be waterproof and in one interface through USB ports be connected to the depth finder, GPS, Bilge, aerator, engine and battery.

The desktop screen could then display all the depth and water info, GPS, lake topo all right there in 1 unit. You would have access to a hard drive with additional info and even the internet. You could even fish while playing your favorite MP3s.

It could record all the information gleaned by these units for storage, for instance it could keep a synchronized record of water depth with GPS coordinates, allowing you to create your own lake maps detailed to the areas you fish with included cover and structural features. Even your weather radio could be incorporated. Think about it, should dark clouds linger on the horizon you could just click on weather.com from the bow of your boat and check the radar.

This is where we are headed. Who will be the first to put this idea all together?

bamabassman · 03-23-08, 07:34 PM

it is already happening my friend. i believe that the pros have their fishfinders hooked up to their internet, phones, and laptops. and i think that they are connected to the weather service and so forth. the use everything they can to gain an edge on the other guys if they can. i may be wrong though. but i doubt it. kinda sad really. i thought that it should stay kinda primal. man against fish. but hey iuse a fishfinder too, lol.

Buckeyefishing · 03-27-08, 10:32 AM

I hate to break someone's bubble, but people caught bass without going into thousands of dollars of debt to do it. Face it ,alot of today's fishermen do what they do because it makes them look good. One day I was fishing offshore throwing some of my favorite plastics and had caught four bass. There was a couple of guys in a fancy boat wearing fancy clothes with all the patches on them. They said they were fishing a tournament but hadn't caught anything. If those guys enjoy spending the big bucks to look good so be it,but it sometimes has nothing to do with the pure sport of fishing.
BF

WTL · 03-27-08, 01:26 PM

You're right buckeye, and you can see my other posts as evidence that I lean more towards the purist side of the spectrum anyways.

There are a couple things I like about the laptop in the boat idea though. First, you will be able to look at radar when a storm appears close. Second, you will be able to create detailed maps of lakes that there are no maps for, even ponds, and it will contain information besides bottom contour. Will that help me catch more bass? Probably not, but its an interesting gadget that seems way more worth it to me than 300 horsepower or 50 rods.

Wishing2BFishing · 03-27-08, 02:20 PM

"There are a couple things I like about the laptop in the boat idea though."

WTL, you forgot to mention that if you have the laptop in the boat and the fish aren't biting you could also do the following:
1) Look at some Pics on those porn sites and
1) Check the latest posts/threads on BassFishin.com forums
(Of course, not necessarily in that order)

03-23-08, 04:44 PM	#1
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	The next step in fishing electronics.... So, given how important the computer has become to anglers while they are at home, how long until we see bass boats with laptops integrated into either the bow or consol? They could essentially be waterproof and in one interface through USB ports be connected to the depth finder, GPS, Bilge, aerator, engine and battery. The desktop screen could then display all the depth and water info, GPS, lake topo all right there in 1 unit. You would have access to a hard drive with additional info and even the internet. You could even fish while playing your favorite MP3s. It could record all the information gleaned by these units for storage, for instance it could keep a synchronized record of water depth with GPS coordinates, allowing you to create your own lake maps detailed to the areas you fish with included cover and structural features. Even your weather radio could be incorporated. Think about it, should dark clouds linger on the horizon you could just click on weather.com from the bow of your boat and check the radar. This is where we are headed. Who will be the first to put this idea all together? __________________ Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.

03-27-08, 01:26 PM	#4
WTL BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,466	You're right buckeye, and you can see my other posts as evidence that I lean more towards the purist side of the spectrum anyways. There are a couple things I like about the laptop in the boat idea though. First, you will be able to look at radar when a storm appears close. Second, you will be able to create detailed maps of lakes that there are no maps for, even ponds, and it will contain information besides bottom contour. Will that help me catch more bass? Probably not, but its an interesting gadget that seems way more worth it to me than 300 horsepower or 50 rods. __________________ Selling live waterdogs for less since 2005.

03-23-08, 07:34 PM	#2
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	it is already happening my friend. i believe that the pros have their fishfinders hooked up to their internet, phones, and laptops. and i think that they are connected to the weather service and so forth. the use everything they can to gain an edge on the other guys if they can. i may be wrong though. but i doubt it. kinda sad really. i thought that it should stay kinda primal. man against fish. but hey iuse a fishfinder too, lol.

03-27-08, 10:32 AM	#3
Buckeyefishing BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canton,Ohio Posts: 45	I hate to break someone's bubble, but people caught bass without going into thousands of dollars of debt to do it. Face it ,alot of today's fishermen do what they do because it makes them look good. One day I was fishing offshore throwing some of my favorite plastics and had caught four bass. There was a couple of guys in a fancy boat wearing fancy clothes with all the patches on them. They said they were fishing a tournament but hadn't caught anything. If those guys enjoy spending the big bucks to look good so be it,but it sometimes has nothing to do with the pure sport of fishing. BF

03-27-08, 02:20 PM	#5
Wishing2BFishing BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Morgantown, Pa Posts: 1,254	"There are a couple things I like about the laptop in the boat idea though." WTL, you forgot to mention that if you have the laptop in the boat and the fish aren't biting you could also do the following: 1) Look at some Pics on those porn sites and 1) Check the latest posts/threads on BassFishin.com forums (Of course, not necessarily in that order)

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)