bigbearstroop122

I was dying to go out today but we are heading out on vacation tomorrow and I promised the wife I would do the last minute running around with her. Glad you ran into some fish. I ended up putting the transducer on that came with my helix 9; I was using 2D on the Terrova so hopefully when I get back I can give it a test run.

beautiful fish, that will warm you up real quick.👋

Nice write up, looks like those fish need helmets.

I will fish into the low 30's but its really the wind that gets ya. as far as becoming acclimated to the cold that's so true I have worked construction my whole life and in the winter I would go the bus stop and all of the office workers would be there with so much stuff on they could barely move and all I would have on was a hat, gloves and a hoodie with good thermals on and a sweatshirt in my bag. My crazy postman wears his shorts all winter long and I'm talking all winter long even with snow on the ground.

I ordered a few of the siebert chatter baits and I love them, very good quality and they thump right on startup.

I find myself moving around a lot more than I probably should, when I was bank fishing I would definitely fish a spot more thoroughly. This is my first year with a boat and while I didn't do to bad overall I know I could have made some changes, I guess that's why we are all here to gain experience and apply it.

what a day, glad you got into them and the weather cooperated for you. Its starting to get pretty frosty here and the wind gusting at 25-30 isn't helping.

Nice catch congratulations.

excellent report, glad you were able to find them.

I’m in Central Jersey and this is the first gear with the boat, the only tile the gas motor was run was at the dealer, I have fished all reservoirs and small ponds, next year I plan on running the motor. I have been out in my Kayak in November fishing so I’m aware of all the risk just don’t want to do any damage to the boat. I will winterize the rv after this weekend since it’s our last trip for the year.

No electric deploy I have to partially pick it up and steer it by hand and then pull it out at the last second.

I do have a push pole, there is a small lake that’s close to the house that doesn’t have a real ramp and no dock so you are forced to beach the boat after launching it.

I was out last weekend and it was 38* when I launched and maybe 50* by the time I headed back to the ramp. while it wasn't unbearable it was slightly uncomfortable. Of course I can better prepare for that but also don't want to do any damage to the boat. I was thinking of having the boat winterized and fish electric only for the remainder of the year, but was also planning on pulling the batteries once the season is over which is a PITA since I have to remove the hatch cover to remove the trolling motor battery.

I can get the boat on much better now drifting in with the trolling motor now that I’m leaving the gas motor down to act as a keel. I don’t have a rope to pull the trolling motor up I’m using a Terrova which makes it a bit more challenging but who doesn’t like a challenge right hahaha. once again thanks for all of the great advice.

I actually have the pvc pipe guides and a 2 step ladder the problem is I can’t get the boat far enough up the trailer to hook it and reach the steps, if I bury the trailer deep enough to float on and barely touch the bunks then I’m definitely getting wet. I have some spare aluminum diamond plate I was thinking about attaching some of that to the floor of the trailer next to the winch to step down onto,I really don’t want to drill holes in the trailer to attach it.

Went to Marlu lake and ended up with 4 in 2 1/2 hrs biggest one was about 3#.

Tried it yesterday and keeping the motor down definitely kept me going in a straight line, still had to hop off of the bow and onto the frame but was able to avoid having to use knee high boots. Thanks for the advice.

I purchased the boat April of this year and never ran the motor, the dealer hooked it up to water and turned it over so I’m assuming it should be winterized. A shop close by quoted me a $100 for running the engine on winterizing fuel mix, adding stabilizer to the gas, gear lube change, and fogging the engine. For a $100 I think it’s worth it just for piece of mind. Thanks for all of the replies I really appreciate it.

One more quick question, I don't plan on using the outboard for the remainder of the year just going to fish electric only lakes is there anything stopping me from winterizing it now. Thank you

Definitely appreciate all of the advice hopefully I will get out Saturday and put it to use. I will definitely try if with the motor trimmed down as I have always had it in the raised position. thank you all

Central, Middletown. I have it pretty much figured out just wanted to see if if anyone had a better method. Thanks for the offer

The only problem how far I have to back the trailer in, I will give it a try and see if I can get far up enough on the trailer to reach the winch.

Thanks for all of the replies, I just picked up a pair of muck boots for the spring and fall. Initially I was trying to pick up speed with the trolling motor and then pull it at the last second but that wasn’t working out to well, I would usually end up going onto the trailer sideways or not far enough up and then have to grab the push pole. Now I just push it out with the rope on the bow and pull her in which isn’t to bad depending on cross wind and current of course.

So fishing on electric only lakes and can launch without getting my feet wet but getting the boat back on the trailer there is no way to keep my feet dry. between the water levels being low and some ramps have very little incline I have to put the trailer in kind of deep to get the boat back on i. Are there any tips or tricks (by the way I'm using a bow mounted trolling motor). Thanks

Congratulations, you have to always set the bar high.