You can't always count on being able to see other boats. Last Sunday it was socked in and kind of rough. A GPS is a must in my book. Follow the bouy line out if you can see them and when you get past the last one head out 11-15 miles at a heading of about 245..fish in 175-200 ft of water and troll at 50' with a 6-7" spoon or a large herring.