What is the best way to name waypoints?

Just let the unit name them 1, 2, 3, etc or give them actual names. i.e. "25' rock ledge" or "grassy point"?

Is it better to start with the lake name like TB1 for your number one spot on Toledo Bend or SR1 for Sam Rayburn so you can find them on you GPS faster?

Or would you name a spot TB-25 Grass point for a 25' deep grassy point on Toledo Bend?

How about "icons? Do you put X"s on them all? $ on your money spots? Question marks ? on spots you want to look at later?

I'm sure everyone has different methods so how about some discussions?

I fish 6 lakes and keep my waypoints in seperate files for each lake. Most of the time I can keep them seperated but once in a while I have a brain fart.

So I preface all my wpts with letters designating the lake, for example, TR for Table Rock and BS for Bull Shoals. Then I sometimes just use the numbers that the unit puts on and sometimes I use an identifier like brush or ledge. It all depends on how I feel and what I remember at the time.

I do all of my naming at home on the computer where it is easier and I am not missing any fishing time.

With Icons I select different ones for different uses. If I am heading out for a several mile ride and plan to fish my way back, especially at night, I set the STOP sign icon so I will know to stop there on the way back.

When fishing I like to keep the fish icon ready and mark spots where fish come from. If I get multiple fish on a new spot I switch to the multiple fish icon and mark before I go on. If you get in the habit of using that option it only takes a few seconds to use it and it takes the guess work out of several hours or days later trying to get a repeat.

When I am heading out to fish, if the lake is different from the one I last was on, I save the file to the sd card and delete all wpts, icons, and trails. Then I load the file for the lake I will be fishing.

What is the best way to name waypoints?
Depends on the best way you relate the two.
For me, Use the name(s) from the map(s) i.e.
Magic Point is (Mag Pt)

Is it better to start with the lake name like TB1 for your number one spot on Toledo Bend or SR1 for Sam Rayburn so you can find them on you GPS faster?
That would work or Use SD cards (as suggested above)
The numerals didnt work for me, thats alot of #'s to sort thru IMO.

Or would you name a spot TB-25 Grass point for a 25' deep grassy point on Toledo Bend?
or maybe "TB25 Gr Pt" OTW its better make the name quick and short.
At home you can always Edit.

How about "icons? Do you put X"s on them all?
Most I do, but will use Multiple Fish " sandies" ,Skull/Crossbones for the Dangerous........

Question marks ? on spots you want to look at later?
Yes definately.

Some Trial and Error and SD Cards.
Good Luck-Good Fishing

So every time you go to a different lake do you clear your way points from your GPS and load new ones? If so, may I ask why? Seems like a lot of effort. I just keep all my waypoints in one file. I do sometimes create separate files if I want to share some on a particular lake with friends.

I'm just getting started with the waypoints on my FishElite. I think I'll name mine for the fish I caught (123crappie, etc.) on that particular spot.

I'll do this because I do not fish for just one species of fish. I might start out that way on a given trip but if the opportunity arises I want to know what came off that spot on the GPS on future trips. (ever been on Grapevine crappie fishing when the sandbass started surfacing?).

At least I think that will work for me. Anyone see any problems with that approach?

It only takes a short time to clear the data once you do it a few times. I do it on both units and I'll bet it is less than 30 seconds per unit. If I know I am going to another lake next trip, I save the file,then, I clear them while waiting for my pard to go get the trailer.

It is a lot less effort than putting the rods back in the rod locker.

The reasons are: I have way more than the unit will allow me to store (over 600 on just one lake) and when I work with them on the computer I don't want to have to look at more than necessary in a given list.

I also store them in 4 places besides the units: sd card, zip drive, Map Create file, and computer desk top. To me they are too important to take a chance of losing them and spending years to get them back, if ever.

I name most of mine with the date if I find a new spot and catch fish. Usually just the month/day. It helps me keep up with which spots and what type of water I should be fishing any time of the year.

MrG i like that idea of useing the date,i'm going to have to steal that one.......rick

most of mine are named......."NO FISH HERE EITHER"

got a 2gig sd card full of those.:)

I like to name my waypoints by using date and water temp. I can see what lake it is when I look at it. This helps me tell when the area was good and the conditions. like 12/01-73.

Dayne,what program do you use on your computer?

I do this also. It's doesn't take long and IMOP, it makes it eaiser to manage your waypoints. Especially if your using software on your computer.