I often tell my friends and family that I believe I may have been born in the wrong century. I often dream about how much more simple life must have been in many ways back during the early to mid-eighteen hundreds. I picture myself as a hunter and fisherman living off the land, caring my favorite side arm daily, and perhaps even riding a horse to town every so often to get a few bare essentials. Those that know me well; know not to expect a quick response on e-mail, never send me a text message, and yes the word is out the Pickett house hold just got cable TV and high speed internet a few months ago. None of my friends can believe that I am a partner in an internet company, and I quickly inform those that do not know me that I do not handle any of the computer technology on the site; I just help with the content from time to time.
The few items that I am tapped into as far as technology goes are all items that tie into my ability to get out on the water, get on some fish, relax, and most importantly get back home safely. For instance I am quite familiar with the proper usage of my GPS/Chart Plotter, VHF with DSC, radar, and EPIRB.
While I am some what resistant to change and “new” technology I always keep an open mind when a new product or service hits the marine industry that may make for a safer day with more fish. Within the last two weeks two forms of technology really had an effect on my outlook of offshore fishing: the NOAA National Data Buoy Center system and XM Satellite Radar.
Saturday before last we had plans to run offshore to one of the local reefs to try for Spade fish. Those that are most familiar with this kind of fishing know that it is best done when seas and winds are near calm. The 5 pm Friday night NOAA Weather forecast was predicting southwest winds 5 to 10 knots and 2-foot seas, perfect for our target. On Saturday morning at 5 am I called again to get the latest weather forecast and they were still calling light southwest winds and 2-foot seas. All sounded good for a day