After reading multiple posts on various web sites, this is what I think makes the most sense:

Begin adding stabilizer before your last one or two outings. Do this while the fuel is very fresh. This insures that it stays as fresh as possible and also gets into the fuel line and carburetur.

After your last outing, if you have a portable tank, fill it up (unmixed) and add fuel stabilizer. This will protect the tank from corrosion. But then dump the fuel into your car in the spring and start fresh with your boat. If the tank is built in, use up (or drain) fuel as much as possible before storage. Fill with fresh fuel before your first outing in the spring.

In both cases you want to eliminate or dilute the stored fuel as much as possible before running it through your motor because the alcohol in the gas absorbs moisture over time. Also, I am not convinced that stabilizers do a perfect job of preventing the formation of all the gummy products that are found in old gas.

DeeZee,

You have already announced twice in this thread that you were done on Mille Lacs for the year, and then returned. Isn’t that just like an addict, always believing they can quit anytime they want to…. <g>

I really appreciate your reports, and am looking forward to hearing about tonight’s effort. I expect to try the Garrison area on Sat.

A couple years ago I watched a boat with 3 teenage couples pulling up to the dock at the ramp. It was coming in a little too fast, so the girlfriend of the driver was leaning over the bow, reaching to keep from banging into the dock. Just as it got close, the driver, without thinking, slammed into reverse and she did a perfect sommersault, fully clothed, into the lake. Her friends had a difficult time controlling their laughter as she stormed up to the car.

DeeZee,

I hope to get out one more time this weekend. Can you tell me a little more about the north weeds (how deep, what lures, etc)? I’ve been fishing the weeds in 9′ – 11′ south of Garrison with decent success.

Thanks.

Jason,

How deep were your reef runners going? Did you use weights to get them down? I just bought a crystal minnow the day before I saw your post, hoping to try it this weekend. It looks like a good choice to keep really shallow with a long line and slow troll.

I fished solo Sat 10/27 from about 3:30pm to 10:00pm south of Garrison. Caught 3 walleyes all about 23″, 3 northerns 23″ to 29″, and lost a few. Trolled rapallas in 9′ – 11′. Might have caught more if I didn’t continue to experiment so much with lures, depth and location after I found a pattern that worked. Water temp was 45 degrees.