Google Maps Fishing Spots

[shawngo]

Hello everyone..

I was wondering if anyone is willing to give some feedback on this idea that I had. I put a site together combining Google maps and fishing spots. I made this and didn't really do anything with it and felt like seeing if anybody thought this would be cool or useful.

http://www.shawngo.com/hotspots.php

Please don't consider this spamming or blatant disregard to the forum rules. I saw this forum and thought this would be a perfect complement! The service is and always will be free.

Basically you locate a fishing spot on the map (not the exact location of your favorite hole per se) or locate via GPS coords, address, or country and just add some details about it.

I have also added the ability to export the database information into Google Earth, which is really cool!

Check it out.. maybe it could catch on... or is there something out there similar? It would be easy to make changes, add-ons etc.

Ok, enough rambling, check it out and have fun!

Thanks,
Shawn

[jeremys]

That would be great!!! But only if some people contribute...I added one.

[shawngo]

GPS Tagging seems to be the next big buzzword in this all_to_do_well web2.0 hype. GPS Tagging essentially means attaching geographical information (long,lat,alt,etc) to a given media type, for instance images, and then mapping that media. Flickr and others have done this rather successfully and it is really hitting home.

I have done something similar with this interactive map. I have added the capability to add images, links, comments, and soon to add a few more bells and whistles. I also have the ability to overlay topographical maps for a given area. There is geographical data for nearly every body of water (with some exceptions) in the United States. With that said, it is possible, given a specific region (due to the size of the database), to create an incredibly interactive mapping system. A few drawbacks from the current Google Maps implementation is that the map resolution hasn't caught up in less populated areas. I now have the data from the HotSpots page deliverable in KML format, which is what Google Earth uses to define locations. Google Earth is probably about the coolest free geo utility I've seen. It does some amazing things and there is a terrific community of developers coming up with new ideas.

What I would really like to do next is focus on a particular region as sort of a test subject by pooling together (pardon the pun) the lake/river/etc data and combining it with user input. Aside from catching fish whilst perusing the site, the possibilities are near endless. The ability exists to keep certain data private from normal access which means that a group of individuals could create their own private map system. Does this sound like fun or what?

I'm running a poll at http:/www.shawngo.com/hotspots.php and was curious if anyone had any more input of what they think would make this application really useful.

Thanks again,
Shawn

[Grumpy]

I don't like to be a "spoil sport" but you asked for opinions and mine is that this thing is absolutely worthless. Every lake location that I have tried to use the SATALLITE image of, has said NO IMAGE AVAILABLE when I tried to zoom in close enough for it to be useful. The regular map images do go in closer but still don't show any real detail. Maybe I am missing something but I can't find any use for your system. I'll stick with HotSpots and the KY GIS maps on the Kentucky Geographical Network.

[know1]

Next will be injecting RFID tags into fish as we catch and release them.

[MarkW]

Not a bad idea---got any?

[know1]

It sounds like a joke, but RFID tags could become the technology version of the caged fish. They are fairly mainstream now, and will become more and more popular in the very near future.

[Devils Horse]

I have plenty of RFID tags, AP's, scanners, and other gear. Now if I could only catch some decent fish and get them to agree to wear the tag and bite when I need em to.

Just got back from S. Carolina last night. Fishing? No. Putting a Cisco WCS wireless network in a building about 40 minutes from Santee Cooper. Mama told me I'd pay for all those bad things I did...

[shawngo]

Take a sneak peek at the new full screen design of the Fishing Hotspots page!!

http://www.shawngo.com/gmaps/

It is still under construction so if you find any bugs/glitches please let me know.

Thanks again,
Shawn

[MarkW]

DH,
Put some of them ol RFID's in some hawgs down at Barren real soon. Then let me borrow that there fancy scanner you got and let me see if I can locate them. Sure would be fun---I promise not to catch them for a tournament---LOL!!!!!
Boy--Santee and no fisheeee! Bet that was tough, especially with the big boys there. See Ya around.

[apb]

You might consider a name change. Not sure how the Fishing Hot Spots people will react to a similar product with a similar name. I think your biggest downfall will be that you are expecting people to locate their favorite fishing hole on the web where anyone can view it/find it. Most people will not give out that info to people they do not know. My 2 cents.

Andrew

[shawngo]

I totally agree. I ran a poll of what people would like to see in future versions of this page and one of the ideas I had was the ability for people sign up for a private /group accounts so they can share their info with say fishing buddies etc.

As far as the name, that's just what I called it upon conception. It was originally for any sort of outdoor location, but since then I've focused on fishing.

Thanks,
Shawn