Where does this law fall when we are thinking about winter? Those of us who fish Pool 4 in the winter use corks, plugs and whatever else we can think of to permanently plug our livewells and hull. To take them out and put them back in every trip would be a huge PITA. What are everyone’s thoughts on that?
And the first thing I do when I forget the plug is to look around to see if anyone noticed what I’d done. It happens.
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And the first thing I do when I forget the plug is to look around to see if anyone noticed what I’d done. It happens.
I would do the same thing…except if no one is around I would take a photo and then post it. 
I don’t know if this could help with your problem with the drain plug. I recently bought a new boat and being a beginner I want to make sure I don’t have any mishaps (yea right). Someone at the boat ramp told be about a product that he bought online and said that it helps him not to forget his plug. I forgot what the product he said was, has anyone heard of any such product? Please let me know. Thanks 
i put my back up drain plug on my gear shift lever. Hard to go anyplace without messing with it…
I think its called a bail r matic…. they don’t work as well as hyped, I heard as they get debris in them, they turn into constant leakers. 
At $45. over priced…and then I couldn’t complain on line about the dang drain plug law.
Since the goal is to ensure AIS is not transported by water in your hull, and the flapper may or may not work because of debris, I’m going to take my chances by removing the plug and hopefully remembering to replace it before I flood my boat.
But that’s me.
Exactly my thoughts Brian. I have ALWAYS removed my plug after every trip, regardless. It becomes habit after a few times. $45 to put a leak in my boat… no thanks.
After doin some research with the bail-r-matic. I saw a product called safelaunch that is like 20 bucks and you don’t have to mess with your boat drillin anything or make any changes to it. Has anybody heard of that? I looks like a good thing?
What if you forget to use it?
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Where does this law fall when we are thinking about winter? Those of us who fish Pool 4 in the winter use corks, plugs and whatever else we can think of to permanently plug our livewells and hull. To take them out and put them back in every trip would be a huge PITA. What are everyone’s thoughts on that?
I’m thinking that if you permanently plug your livewell, it better be full of dry storage, if you plan to convince a CO that you don’t use it for water. As far as drain plug, it needs to be out if you going down the road.
I’m thinking if you have a bait cooler with aeration in your truck, and drain any bait before; you return it to the cooler, you might be compliant with the rules. However I’d check with a CO before I’d try it.
Looking at the directions on their website. It looks like it attaches to the tie down strap and the other end goes into the drain plug so I guess if what they say is that if you try to launch without the drain plug the other end can’t be removed without putting in the drain plug and same goes for removing the plug. Have to research more? Although seems like maybe a better choice than 50.00 for the bail-r-matic I suppose.
Mr. Seaweed? Would you perhaps be affiliated with these products?
No I am not. Just a boater trying to help out with the discussion. I myself don’t use any product. I am leaving my boat in all summer at a marina and do not trailer it.
I don’t see why this is such a big deal. Buy yourself a $.99 carabiner at Menards. Clip drain plug to carabiner and store it on the key ring or on my tiller rig with no key, I clip it to the fuel hose by the bulb.
I’ve seen other guys store the plug on a carabiner clipped to the safety chain by the bow eye.
On my big Wellcraft, I have a bilge water alarm. It’s an easy addition if you’re really worried about forgetting the plug.
Grouse
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