Fish beware!

Originally Posted by dorado50

The most important navigational tool on any vessel is the magnetic compass. Properly selected,installed,and compensated,a marine compass will provide simple,trouble free reference for direction under virtually any circumstance and without the need for electric power or electronics. Because of its basic importance,the marine compass should be selected with in-depth knowlege of its operation and the type of boating that is expected to be done. The compass can provide the skipper with trustworthy readings in all types of water,visibility,and sea conditions.

No one is denying the validity of a compass...

[lowprofile]

I've never found a rock pile or reef with a compass... GPS all the way!

shoot gimme some numbers and i don't even need sonar.

[dorado50]

Originally Posted by dorado50

Sonar only is just fine! But make sure you have a compass on board and know how to use it...

my original statement above. You can take it where you want.

[makobob]

On a clear day with your compass and a couple of land marks you should be able to find a rock pile. That was the way before Loran and GPS.

[dorado50]

Makobob gets it!. Triangulation is a very old practice still used today by awesome fisherman that can't afford sonar/ GPS. I really appreciate a few of these guys taking the time to teach me this age old tradition

[Pocoloco]

Originally Posted by makobob

Great question Dorado. Maybe follow the swell, prevailing winds and the sounds of the jets flying in and out.

I did that once and ended up at torry pines beach.

[makobob]

Easy enough to get home when you know where you are. Years ago came back in HEAVY fog from Catalina to Torrey pines, headed to Mission bay with compass and fathometer. Spent night off Torrey, followed beach next morning. No worries, compass and common sense. Be safe figure it out before it happens, know what you will do if it is ever needed.