The good thing is you have found that the labels are there. The map labels are the reference, you just have to find them. Overall, it doesn't take long to learn these places. You can use the pause key to stop why you look. Sometimes it will also give longitude and latitude, so that makes it easy.
However, unless you're in a nearby position, chasing most of these contacts is pointless. RSRD doe's a good job of historical movements you
can study on the net where they took place and be there ahead of time.
I prefer to chase historical battles than do patrols zones over and over. I will do one, after that I'm gonna be where large convoys and TF's are.
Take the battle of Leyte. You place yourself in the San Bern Strait on Oct.25, Kurita's Center Force with about 25 ships will come right over you with several BB's. Know where to be and you can constantly run into convoys of 50 ships.
During the Solomon's Campaign, hang around in the slot and you have many TF come through.
You can also watch large surface engagments. The sound of a bunch of surface vessels shooting it out is awesome. It's fun to sneak in and attack while these are going on.
Search Battles of the Pacific and get maps and dates.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leyte_Gulf