High-Tech Fishing Equipment

Commercial fishermen introduced technological advances to the field when they began using sonar devices to determine the location of schools of fish. Most recreational fishermen, though, prefer simple handheld gadgets like the depth finder. This nifty tool pinpoints the whereabouts of fish by reading sound waves that bounce off any objects heavy enough to warrant detection. To make the job even easier, some depth finders come with color screens and GPS (global positioning systems). Their only drawback is that they sometimes mistake tree roots and debris for fish.

Should you feel that discovering the hiding places of the fish themselves takes the fun out of the sport, you can also buy depth finders that only measure the depth of water. To locate the perfect place to cast, try Cabela's Depthmaster Tournament fishing rod, a digital marvel that lets you consult a digital line counter. And a GPS device helps every fisherman's dream come true: once you've found a prime fishing spot, you can record its exact latitude and longitude in the computer so that you can return later.

Bad weather remains one of the few aspects of fishing that technology can't control. However, handheld weathercasters prepare you for sudden changes, plus display temperatures and alert you to upcoming storms by beeping. If you'd like to see what's going beneath you, check out an underwater camera that can transmit images from up to 60 feet below the surface. This tool also features a built-in light to counteract the murk, and provides an aquarium-like experience that's intriguing even for those who don't fish and might be along just for the ride.