Starting to get a little Restless

Anyone else starting to get a little restless for spring?? Due to work arrangements and our now toddler I don’t get to really get much/any ice fishing in the last two winters which doesn’t help any (next year I think Wyatt will be ready for some short ice fishing trips I think though). That being said I’ve spent my ‘free’ time going over the things I want to get done to my boat this spring and I swear if we don’t start seeing more signs of it one the way than just the days getting longer I’m going to loose it. Boat is trapped in the shed, no light, no heat, and my truck is unwilling to give up its parking stall in the garage (that’s also not heated) so I’m pretty much at a standstill till the weather turns around. The good part, I’ve had all kinds of research time to find better ideas and better prices. Anyone else in the same situation waiting to jump on any boat and or gear upgrades??

I bought a ‘new to me’ lund pro sport last summer and so far my spring ‘to do’ list includes:
-replace both trailer fenders (one got hit in a parking lot and both are a little rough anyway)
-re-wire the trailer (1 of 4 clearance lights work, lots of cuts in the wiring)
-Install hooks for tie downs for the travel cover
-Install a quick detach on the Terrova so it can come off to fit the travel cover on properly
-purchase and install a new 1100 ‘bird on console
– purchase and install all wiring for networking bow unit, console unit and terrova
– possibly install the i-pilot link system (this one is iffy in the budget right now)
– install the 788 I already have at the bow
– general re-organizing of the storage
– get the OB tuned up and checked out
– get my old boat sold
– get it out fishing

So who else has big spring plans?? Perhaps if we get talking enough about them old man winter will get the hint and start working on packing his bags.

Shame on you, this kind of talk will only get us 6 more weeks of winter…and that’s optimistic.

But I’ll play, dropped the hammer on a hbird 999 ci HD si and am working on a bow deployment system for the transducer. New rod rigged for early spring walleye. That’s it for now, my family is keeping ropes and sharp objects away from me.

Got my spring to do list all checked off during that hot spell few weeks back when we hit 30+ degrees 2 days in a row.
Yes, I did it outside.
rewired from 12V to 24V for upgrade from Terrova 55 I-pilot to Terrova 80 I-pilot link
and switch from 2 bank to 3 bank charger.
Got the bird and I-pilot upgraded and talking to each other.
I am good to go while you are getting ready.

I’m being careful not to start my spring cleaning too early on my boat. I’m going completely insane this winter already, cleaning and buffing my dingy will only make it worse. I did install my new trolling motor and my talon already. If I get enough tax return I would like new seats and maybe a new bird, but in the mean time I’m still going through my reels and I got to make about 100 jigs. This is no way going to get here fast enough for me

Spring cant come soon enough!! Awesome to do list. I also picked up a new to me 14′ aluma backtroller and I haven’t even been in it yet!! Taking my Dads and his good friends word that the boat is in awesome shape, and got a really nice deal so my first goal is to get it out of his backyard somehow all the way to the front before FYB.

-Install a 8 switch electrical panel, figured go big and hopefully one day fill up all the switches.
-Get some LEDs hooked up inside, got the list just got to see the boat and see the lengths needed.
-Get a good aerator in the livewell so when I start getting in some tourneys I don’t kill everything.
-Move the rear seat base, it is darn near centered in the back which is goofy, which also means I might need to replace the carpet with some vinyl since there will be a void.
-Install the 597DI.
-Break in the new boat with the wifey, giggity.
-Break in the new waders I just got for my Bday, since Monticello isn’t an option it seems this winter, warm weather cant come soon enough!!!!!!!

I’m in the middle of a life altering event, and its really changing the way I think about a few things. Probably foremost is just having fun. I wantb to get back into that spirit of just dumping the boat into a new body of water and go exploring. Not always the hours of looking at maps, reading creel census info, and picking the lake apart. But to just get out and relax, cast a shoreline and enjoy the company of my family and friends.
For 2013 I spent over 100 days out, but only a dozen times with my family and friends. Even then, I was running and gunning spots to see where fish had moved to and prepping for an outing. My wife never stepped foot in our boat for the entire 2013 calender year. Even my daughters had to be passed up because when they had an available day, I was booked. Then add in weather and other life circumstances….I always felt like I never had time. That will change for 2014!

* Trailer is really showing signs of the previous few winters. The salt has got the rust going pretty bad so I want to sand blast and powder coat it.
* Trailer was hit on the driver side crushing in the guide roller. Had to bend it out and hammer it so I could load the boat up that afternoon.
* Three weeks later the passanger side was hit and crushed the light and step on the trailer.
* Hoping to have prototypes of a few crank baits I designed this last year. They are close, and will be fun to have the real thing tied to my line.
* I have the final touches done on a jig design and will be introducing that to a few manufacturing companies to see if it goes anywhere.
I have 2 tentative trips planned for going back to Colorado. I want to break my inland lake trout PB(non – great lakes) of 21#
I’ve been asked to be a Regional Tournament Director for a National Tour. Giving that some very serious thought.

NO!! I’m in the middle of a 4 weekend snowmobiling binge then 3 more ice fishing trips. I probably wont be restless until mid/late March or so. I’m still loving winter.

I came out of the gates strong for Ice fishing this year but I’m afraid the cold weather has me down for the count. I just can’t handle this sub-zero crap.
Very anxious for open water. There is a small walleye lake by the cabin another member turned me on to last fall that I got out on once and am really fired up to fish it this spring.
I’m thinking of adding a HB 999 to the boat to replace the Lowrance LMS332 and team up with the 597 on the bow.

Thanks to Randy’s help I’m building my first rod. A new hobby I think I’m really going to enjoy. I made my own wrapper/dryer out of a sewing machine motor, like the foot pedal control. I’ll post some pics of the first open water rod. I’m building a ice rod to practice the wrapping, boring out the cork, etc…

Having said all that I know we’ll get some nice weather that will recharge the ice urge and get out a few times before the stuff hits the rafters.

My girls are already talking about the opener, hope the ice is gone this year!

That’s the beauty of snowmobiling. We actually prefer these temps over warmer so this works out perfect for us. I’ll start fishing again when it swings the other way.

Same here, last time I was on Castle Rock it wasn’t for fishing, but for blowing the carbon out of the sled.