Dr Depth

[reddog]

I just made my first map with Dr Depth with data that I collected last year. I was up against the ice line on the reservior at the top of the picture, thats why it ends so abruptly. Kinda adds a whole new perspective to your fishing spots.

Here is the map configured with the bottom hardness scale.

Obviously, you can load the contour map onto an SD card for use in your Lowrance or Humminbird gps units for a custom map of your special spot.

[solbes]

Actually I just checked the HDS manual. Looks like on page 26 there is a method outlined to copy and paste any file to the card. So maybe it's not a huge deal afterall. I just need to wait 2 weeks to get back up to the boat.

[JimBuck]

All you Dr. Depth users, I have a question in regards to importing shoreline data. I understand you can simply trace in Google Earth then export that file as a .kml to Dr. Depth? Can anyone confirm this or give me a quick refresher on how to get some shoreline data on my maps? Thanks guys.

[solbes]

I just did this about a week ago. Go to the Dr Depth forum on the big Y search engine site. Message 706 is the one that showed me how to do it.

First you have to trace the shoreline in Google Earth as a path (don't use polygon). Save your file (I think your "Place") as a .kml extension, not .kmz.

Open Dr Depth and first convert this .kml file to a Dr Depth using Import/Convert? Then open the file in Dr Depth. You should see a pattern of dots where you marked in Google Earth. Then run through the process outlined above to set them as shoreline data points and to connect a solid line. Then I opened my other data into that shoreline set. Should be good to go.

I will be using my first .lcm map tomorrow on our HDS 7. Kinda excited. Lots of lake left to map.

[JimBuck]

Neat. Thanks Solbes. I'll give it a shot and check out the forum. Good luck with the map tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be running a few in the next couple weeks. I've been having a lot of fun just collecting data while fishing.

[solbes]

Jimbuck, Did it work? It does create a much better shoreline map because it now has a constraint of 0 to compare against.

I was able to grab 9 more "mini maps" over my 4 days up north. I went to add them to my existing map last night and discovered the logs were in the .sl2 format instead of the .slg format. I was initially pretty upset becuase Dr Depth didn't seem to recognize them and I thought I had wasted all that time. It appears that if I update my Dr Depth software to the newest revision, it will read the .sl2 files. I guess I'll try that tonight.

I wonder why my HDS switched from .slg files to the .sl2? I didn't make any changes that I knew about.

[JimBuck]

solbes, I finally got around to tracing in Google Earth. I spent quite a bit of time collecting data this weekend so I didn't have a chance to import my .kml file.

One thing I have a question on is adjusting the data according to water levels. I fish a couple rivers during open water season and would like to continue adding the data as levels drop or rise. Last weekend I noticed a solid 2ft. drop in water levels over the course of the weekend. I'm curious at what point do you compensate for water levels and save the changes?

I assume you import/convert the data into Dr. Depth, then make the water level changes and save the data. Once this is complete, you add the new data to your existing table or master map?

[whitebassman]

I am interested in mapping our lake we live on. Would be interested in Dr. Depth, but don't know if the cost will justify mapping just one lake. It is a 180 acre lake, so not very large. Anyone willing to map it for me if I provide the data points? Would like bottom hardness too if possible.

Also, I can't seem to find the Yahoo group. Is it under a different name?

(Found it, no space between the name!)

[Doctor_Sonar]

If you provide the data I will create a map of your lake. [email protected]

Recorded files are too large to email so you will have to copy them to a CD and mail them.

How do you get notifications of posts to this topic by email? I have selected “watch this topic” and I get no notifications.

[reddog]

If you provide the data I will create a map of your lake. [email protected]

Recorded files are too large to email so you will have to copy them to a CD and mail them.

How do you get notifications of posts to this topic by email? I have selected “watch this topic” and I get no notifications.

You cant beat that offer Whitebassman!

Cant help you Doc withn that one.

[CAMAN]

How do you get notifications of posts to this topic by email? I have selected “watch this topic” and I get no notifications.

Go to 'My Stuff' -> 'Watched Topics' -> 'Edit My Watched Topics' -> select 'Immediately'

Don't know why they don't make it a default, but that's the only way I know how to change it.

[LMITOUT]

Yep. I just tried it an I got an email when a post was made to the topic I was watching.

So how is everyone's mapping going? I know first hand that using this software has resulted in fish. I mapped an area this spring that I typically don't fish and after the season opened I tried some areas on the map I created and caught fish off structure I never knew existed on this particular lake. Can't beat that.

On other lakes where I know there is structure it has helped me in trolling because I can watch the GPS and know it's approaching, allowing me to make course adjustments instead of running up on the weed or rock beds which would either foul my crank or cause a snag. Much more effective trolling with detailed maps on the GPS screen.

[whitebassman]

Thanks Doc!

Bear with me, it may take some time to figure how to download the data, but I will let you know when I am ready.

[solbes]

So how is everyone's mapping going? I know first hand that using this software has resulted in fish. I mapped an area this spring that I typically don't fish and after the season opened I tried some areas on the map I created and caught fish off structure I never knew existed on this particular lake. Can't beat that.

I've had the same experience as well. Caught some fish off of new structure. I've found 2 additional rock piles in areas that I would guess no one knows about. There are probably another 3 or 4 out there in our 250 acre basin, just need to complete my mapping. Apparently the technology to find these small pieces of structure was not available during WWII in 1940 (last time our lake was mapped).

Also agree on catching fewer weeds. Another cool feature is that I can give the completed map to some friends/family for their use.

The only problem I've found is that I now have about 85% of my attention glued to the GPS on my contour trolling. I need to make sure I look up once in awhile so I don't plow into someone.