Q: I like to run my GPS in north-up mode but my fishing partner runs his in track up. What are the advantages of each?
A: Jeff "Gussy" Gustafson responds:
Great question. This topic often comes up with all of the different fishing partners that I share a boat with. For me, I learned how to use a GPS in north up, and I have always stuck with that mode. The difference is that in in north up mode, north is always at the top of the screen. In track up, the direction of travel is at the top of the screen.
Each has benefits. North up gives you a good overall view of your surroundings and shows you directionally, where you are, like if you were looking at a paper map. I think this resonates with me because I learned how to run around in a boat with a map in my hand. Track up is better for high-speed running, especially if you are weaving in and out of buoys or if you are trying to follow a trail because it’s showing you what is coming up in front of you on your right or left. I don’t know anybody who switches back and forth, but maybe that’s the way to get the most out of your GPS unit.
One of my good friends on the Bassmaster Elite Series runs his GPS in track up and there is a big difference when we talk about general locations. I’ll often use east or west to describe an area, while he’ll usually use right or left to describe an area. I always poke at him that he never knows what direction anything is… and that’s why I like north up the best.
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Originally published in the Ontario Out of Doors Fishing Annual 2026
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