VHF Channels ?

Hey I got my vhf and was wondering what channel to use. or if there is a different one for each fishing spot. any help?

NCKA's mainly using CH69.

us kayakers generally use 69 for our fishing reports/bsing in fresh and salt

saltwater power boaters usually use 68 around here
freshwater power boaters usually use 69 " "

channel 16 is coasties/distress number. use this if you are in trouble.  

make sure you know the vhf channel the local harbor patrol is monitoring as well they usually post that in the marina.  normally it will be 16 but some monitor other channels as well

cool thanks so hopefully the weather will get better and i can take it out and try it.

Though I am intimately familiar with WX, 16, & 69, I often wonder what the others are designated for. 

I think I have heard 11 be harbormaster?  22 sounded like you hail for coast guard non-emergency on 16, then move off to 22?  Someone said commercial boats use 80? (no idea if these are true) 

Is there a VHF guide of sorts that one can reference like Scanner people use?

straight from the horses mouth

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/vhf.htm

straight from the horses mouth

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/vhf.htm

Good info here. I guess this explains why I have only ever BS'd on 68, 69, and 71, and I monitor 16. Prior to this chart I only used those channels because that's what someone told me I was supposed to do. 

And here all this time I just thought some dirty ole man said, hey, lets converse via Ch. 69.

Michael

straight from the horses mouth

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms/vhf.htm

Good info here. I guess this explains why I have only ever BS'd on 68, 69, and 71, and I monitor 16. Prior to this chart I only used those channels because that's what someone told me I was supposed to do. 

Hahahha, me too!  LOL!  Thanks Ben, great info!  Will bookmark that one for sure!

After unpacking my new VHF and reading the "docs" realised i had to be a little nerdy to program it...but the WX ch. got me wanting to head to the coast...the double scans, triple scans... a little confusing, but so is trying to figure out the bite sometimes....