Finding spots with Google Maps

[MuskieBait]

Yes, this is how I've been able to find places to fish...as close as Toronto, and as far as Greece, Malaysia and Australia.

But the premise is still the same...whether it is paper maps vs. Mapquest vs. Google Earth (+ Streetview). Spent time to look at maps at home, put in the effort to narrow down some potential areas base on some special characteristics of the area, then go and check them out with good ole footwork.

Yes, you can save a little bit of time and gas if you really use Streetview effectively. But you'll still spend a lot in gas checking spots out because not all of them are fruitful even with your best efforts. Sometimes you'll see a spot on GoogleMap that looks great, but the picture was taken in spring when the water is high and the weeds are absent...but when you actually fish the same spot in the summer, the water is low and the area is weed choked. So yes...you can still get skunked. But by doing so, you also learn when to go and when not to go for a particular spot.

When Michael and I were looking for a location to fish for Rudd, I mapped out 6 locations over a stretch of 30km. Yes, that's quite a bit to cover...and we only found one fruitful spot. But that's what separate dedicated, successful anglers vs. the average weekend anglers. You need to put in that time and energy if you want to do well.