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Details, details, details. Every map company claims they have the most detailed map and this holds true for those companies that make fishing and lake maps. Every company is claiming the "most detailed" this or "most detailed" that but, what is really a detailed fishing map? Surprisingly, not many truly know what makes a detailed fishing map detailed. So, you ask, what factors and map elements really make a detailed fishing map?
To begin with, detail is dependant on two primary things: 1) what information you want from a map and, 2) how that information is presented. Ask yourself what you want from a fishing map and you'll know what detail is important to you. It is important to know what species you fish for and how to fish for them in deciding if a map is detailed enough for your use.
Contour information alone does not make a detailed fishing map. Look for maps that contain weed growth information, stump fields, dead falls and other fish holding structure. Additionally, does the map you are looking at contain information about the lake that is important to your fishing activities? Most maps on the market today do not provide any information beyond contour information, whereas a Fishing Hot Spots map gives you extensive information on the lakes physical and biological characteristics as well as general and location specific fishing tips and techniques. Which would you rather have on your boat, a map that just shows you lake depth or a Fishing Hot Spots map that shows lake depth and contains extensive information on how and when to fish the lake.
Don't be confused by the appearance of many maps currently available. There are mapmakers who include an abundance of surface roads on their maps in order to give the appearance of being detailed. Surface won't help you fish or navigate your boat. The inclusion of surface features is often done to obscure the lack of information regarding what's really important - lake features. All Fishing Hot Spots maps contain the surface roads that lead to a boat ramp, which are the important ones to get you on water.
Other companies claim their maps are "High Definition" because they show 1-foot or 3-foot contours lines. Take a close look at these maps and ask yourself if the additional lines are really useful to you. The maps that claim this "High Definition" too often become useless when several contour lines run together and you cannot determine which line is which. Remember, a 5-foot contour line is a 5-foot contour line regardless of the contour increment. Fishing Hot Spots maps provide contour information that is legible, easy-to-use and does not require you to guess where one line starts and the next begins.
Still, other companies claim their maps are "3-D" and that this helps anglers catch fish. When you encounter one of these maps ask yourself if the "3-D" appearance is useful. Beyond looking pretty cool and adding some "flash" to the map, the "3-D" presentation does little to enhance the usability of a map. Most of these maps use the exact source data to create the map that other map companies, including Fishing Hot Spots, use and the only difference is the eye-candy provided by a graphic designer.
Chances are you are looking for a map that gives you everything possible to be more successful on the water. A complete map that is legible, easy-to-use, focuses on the lake and provides information useful to fishing. Fishing Hot Spots maps are the most comprehensive and detailed maps available, delivering all of these features. Although other maps claim to be "detailed" their definition of detail is not necessarily the definition of detail that anglers have. All Fishing Hot Spots maps are made by anglers, for anglers and provide the detail you want and need.
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