With over 20 years of fishing offshore on lakes through Texas I have learned that buoy markers are a valuable tool to all fishermen.

When utilizing your sonar unit to seek structure it is a great value to get a visual picture of the size and shape of the structure you are graphing. Make a couple of passes over the structure to determine the depth at its shallowest point. Then pick a depth about 5 foot deeper and begin at the point by placing a WayPoint Marker. Then make a pass over the structure about 50 feet in on it and place two markers one on each side, always in the same depth as the first marker. If you feel the need to place a second set you will again make a pass 50 feet in on the structure and place two more markers at the same depth as the first three. This will give you a visual picture in your mind of the size and shape of the structure you are attempting to dissect.

Lastly, graph the area within the buoy markers looking for key structure, rocks, brush, trees and or fast drops. These are the sweet spots (critical area) on the structure, most likely where the fish will be.
 

PRADCO bass fishing pro Jimmy Mason of Rogersville, Alabama explains the importance and functionality of marker buoys. Jimmy lists them as one of the most important pieces of equipment he couldn't be on the water without having them in his boat!