Using Navionics Fishing Ranges

Navionics recently added a new feature that will revolutionize the way we prospect for new fishing spots. The Fishing Ranges feature allows you to customize and display up to five depth ranges on your SonarChart™ map layer at the same time. How does adding depth colors revolutionize prospecting? Let’s take a look

The first step is to select “Menu” and then click on “Map Options”.

The next step is to select “Fishing Ranges”. If you don’t see this on your app go to the app store and download the latest Navionics update.

Once open, “Fishing Ranges” will let you choose the depth and color you want highlighted. First step is to give the depth a name and then click on the depth which will initially read “0 – 0 ft”.

A screen will pop up that allows you to type in a depth anywhere between 0 and 300-feet. When entering the depth you need to type in the maximum depth first and the minimum depth second. It won’t let you enter it in the other format.

Once you’ve entered the depth you want to highlight click on the “X” in the upper left corner of the pop up window.

Once you’ve set your first depth, you can set other ones in the same manner and assign whichever colors you like. I set these depths to help me prospect for rockfish spots at San Clemente Island. I started at 140-feet because any shallower than that and I’m likely to catch bass. I went as deep as 300-feet but only did so to show me a bigger picture as I don’t like to fish that deep. I also put a break at 210-feet and 250-feet because it seems like once you get deeper than 210-feet salmon grouper can be a problem so I want to try and stay on the shallow end of that.

This is a random spot on the backside of San Clemente that has lots of rockfish potential. As you can see I have points in several depth ranges. The points that are highlighted in pink would be my preferred starting spots with the purple being secondary spots if the shallow ones don’t bite.

This shot shows the well known structure around Desperation Reef in the center of the image but the arrows point to less obvious spots that might be holding some bigger fish since they get less pressure.

While this feature is only available on the app, you can take it on the boat and use it even if you don’t have cell signal as the app runs off GPS. You can also plug waypoints for the spots you want to try into your plotter before heading out. If you’d like to learn more about finding rockfish when fishing in new areas please check out this article.

With adjustable depths you can use this feature when prospecting for whatever you’re targeting and wherever you’re targeting it. Just use your imagination and get out there and find some new fishing spots!