Just curious what everyone thinks about using marker buoys vs GPS or using them in conjunction. I know I like to use the gps to get me in the area but like the visual reference of the marker on the structure I am fishing. I painted my buoys black and green to reduce the visibility and attraction of other fishemen. What are your thoughts?

Welcome to the forums!  

I am the same as you.  GPS gets me in the area but if I am in open water with no cover to use as guideposts I often use marker buoys.  

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

Both ~ and Black's where it's at.

A-Jay

I'd say I'd be a fan of using both. GPS is great, but when staring out into the openness of open water it's easy at times to lose a point of reference. It's good to be able to just toss out a buoy when needed. GPS can be almost as good though. If you have a gps with a heading sensor, it'll keep your waypoints in the same relation to the boat so it's easier to know for sure where they are. It's also great for shallow water targets that are submerged. It might not be something that you stop and fish for a half an hour but knowing it's there will at times help you pick up an extra fish or two.  

1 hour ago, WIGuide said:

If you have a gps with a heading sensor, it'll keep your waypoints in the same relation to the boat so it's easier to know for sure where they are. It's also great for shallow water targets that are submerged. It might not be something that you stop and fish for a half an hour but knowing it's there will at times help you pick up an extra fish or two.  

Since I added a heading sensor to my boat, I stopped using buoys. 

How y'all are?

Both!

When fishing grass flats & catch one I kick a buoy over the side then work the area in an increasing circle, when done I pick up the buoy & mark it.

I use GPS for fishing structure since that usually won't change very much.  I use buoys when fishing cover.

Both when fishing offshore structure. Find and mark on gps/imaging. Then drop bouy and back off to fish. Bouy keeps me in casting distance better.

20 minutes ago, contium said:

Since I added a heading sensor to my boat, I stopped using buoys. 

Can't wait to add one this year

I even take marker buoys to small lakes and fishing from jon boats . One is always ready to quickly toss overboard .

Heading Sensor, casting rings, and waypoint overlay on 360---just say no to bouys.

 

 

Both - sometimes just GPS, other times a buoy along with it. Always have both in/on the boat at all times. Casting rings are pretty neat. though.

-T9 

Both, sometimes one or the other. GPS is great, but if you're way offshore, like on Erie, a visual marker is easier to stay on top of.

Once in a while I'll toss out a buoy, no electronics on the yak yet

I've never yet been able to cast accurately to a way point.

5 hours ago, scaleface said:

I even take marker buoys to small lakes and fishing from jon boats . One is always ready to quickly toss overboard .

this is the method i began with.

back in the day all i needed was my 12' johnny, a hundred dollar Eagle depth finder, old window weight(s) anchor, and marker buoys. some of my best spots i kinda found by accident while on the trolling motor. the good old days.