cheap Gps,

 

You could always used the old method from early sailing. Use a piece of rope or string with a known distance (two knots will work) on it. Measure the time it takes a certain point of your boat to pass the first knot to a second point on the boat relative to the second knot. With some basic math you can calculate your speed. If you have a tach on the boat you could get an indication of your speed based on your RPM's

Tubuzz's tip is really the best and most accurate method though.

 

Hook N Book – I just purchased my rope, and i’ll give it a try this weekend – j/k

Thanks both – how cheap of a GPS can I get, and still be able to monitor the low speeds?

 

This GPS on Ebay is cheaper than that thing from Cabelas
http://catalog.ebay.com/Garmin-eTre...cpr=249&_dmd=2&_fifpts=1&_pcatid=43&_refkw=handheld+g+p+s&_trksid=p3286.c0.m271

 

Garmin GPS on the Market Place forum. Go check it out.

 

Most gps will show speed. If you go hand held, then you got battereis to replace. But then you can hard wire in. The one in the marketplace has the hardwire with it. Garmins are a good brand.

 

Please note that there is a huge difference in lure speed and surface speed. Anyone who has ever used a fish hawk will back this up. The unit that cabelas is selling gives you speed at the lure. Ever wonder why you catch all of your fish trolling in one direction? Turn around and can't buy a fish? Get to the front of the school of fish and turn around again and catch more? LURE SPEED! Current doesn't show up on a GPS, no matter what model or cost. Is it mandatory? No. Is it a huge benefit to catch fish in both directions? YES! I have seen upwards of 2.5 MPH between lure and surface speed. Everyone has to start some where and ]the old luhr jensen rig works fine.