Sorry, looked at the wrong chart. You need at least a size #8 AWG wiring for a 10% voltage drop with a 24 volt system. A #4 AWG system would give you a 3% drop. So at least a size #8 AWG.

Besides checking the batteries and cleaning the connections I would also check the wire size in your boat to make sure it has sufficient current-carrying ability. Your 80# thrust TM draws about 60 amps at max speed. You have about a 40′ long circuit if the batteries are in the back of the boat. The Ancor Marine catalog says #6 AWG wire would give a 10% voltage drop and a size #1 AWG wire would be required for to reduce the drop to only 3%. So check that you have at least size #6 AWG wiring (larger AWG # means smaller diameter and more resistance) in the boat. I just upgraded to a new TM with more thrust and had to pull new #4 AWG wire to handle the larger current as my boat only had size #8 AWG wire when built. The wire AWG size should be marked every few feet on the wires in your boat.

Cabela’s has a primer on non-toxic shotshells at http://www.cabelas.com/product/Non-Toxic-Shot-Buyers-Guide/532009.uts

I like the Heavi-shot in spite of its cost, but also use steel loads for waterfowl.
A trip out to the pattern board with whatever gun, chokes, and shells you choose is well worth the effort.
PJM

At 4 PM today, based on the River Gauges (http://www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil/projects/duration/ld4.2) duration data the #4 Pool @ 667.18 ft Elev is high and only exceeds this level in May about 7 % of the time. The Project Pool (I think this is their current target) level is 667 ft so I assume they will be opening gates to lower the level back to 667 if conditions downstream allow.

I fished last mid-April with my Brother-In-law in his boat out of East Harbor near Port Clinton. We stayed at “The Pond” condos owned by Pete of Captain Hook Charters. Controlled-drift fishing with jigs & minnows on the reefs around Catawaba Island was very productive. I have been out with Pete’s Capt. Hook Charter (out of West Harbor)guides in past years and they are great if you want a guide. My Bro-In-law has been staying at Pete’s condos and sometimes using him as a guide on annual spring trips for about 10 years.
The comments about weather on Erie are right on and make sure you have all the required safety gear if you take your own boat. A marine radio won’t hurt either. We got check last year the day after a WI boat got in trouble on a “Blow Day” off the Power Plant.

I have a Madd River Winooski (broader beam) canoe with 2 hp 2-stroke motor and Madd River brackets. Works good except for one windy day coming into shallower water, the wind was blowing me sideways and the motor skeg caught and flipped the canoe in a flash without warning.

I have a 16′ Polar Kraft Sportsman MV1680DB with a 50 HP Yamaha 4-stroke. Great for both fishing and duck hunting. The stern is wider to handle the weight of the 4-stroke. Very stable boat; semi-vee helps with waves; 0.1″ thick Al all welded construction has held up for 5 years. Great for fishing two people – if you fish 3 or more you might want to consider a bigger boat.

Great to see a post about this area!
I have not fished Clarksville (Dam 24) but am told it is good by Lynn Tharp (573-267-3420) who guides on pools from Hannibal to St. Louis. Also John at the South 94 Bait Shop in Weldon Spring, MO fishes that pool I believe.
I have not figured the fish out down here yet. When I fish with my Brother-in-law below Dam 17 at Muscatine we usually do well. Here below Dam 25 at Winfield I have had little success.
One guided trip at Saverton ( Dam 22) last year was a success.
Good Luck

Concerning the snow melt water, is this a plus for walleye fishing?
There should be more dissolved oxygen in the melt water but it is colder and less dense. I read a IA Conservationist article on winter fly fishing recently that said the cold melt water shut down any midge hatches and the trout fishing. Since the densest (heaviest) water is at 39 deg F is that what tends to collect in the scour holes?
What are your thoughts on temperature vs oxygen?

Boat US reviewed some re-boarding ladders last year and the C-level got a pretty good rating so I have one of these strap-type ladders tied to a rear cleat that I can reach from the water in my Jon boat. I must admit I have not tested it personally though.
I think it’s a good idea as getting back in from cold water or wearing waders would be challenging.
PJM

The site below has a discussion and some other options.
Boarding ladders

There are two times you will need to get back onto your boat from the water. First when you are swimming i.e. intentionally going into the water, and secondly when you fall overboard. The problem when you fall overboard, is that in most cases boats do not have a though out process, for getting you back onboard.

I have had two incidents of a MOB and both were in calm waters. I can tell you its much more difficult than you think to get a person back onboard. In one case the MOB was so tired by the time he got back to the boat, that he did not have the energy to pull himself up. We tried to help him but were having difficulty time in grabbing him as there was not much to grab onto.

Had we a boarding ladder or a plan, getting the MOB back aboard would have been much easier.

The RNLI says that people falling overboard (MOB or COB) is on the rise, with numbers almost doubling in the last year. In the US 2/3 of boating deaths are from drowning and 90% were not wearing a PFD.

http://www.myboatsgear.com/newsletter/2009212.asp

C Level: This simple and cheap and space saving strap is an easy addition and does work. Its a bit harder to climb up into the boat with a strap rather than a step as the strap moves around.

You may want to look at the info on buying and interpreting a fish finder at:
Fishin’ Web Home Page
The interpreting info is some of the best I have seen.
PJM

Thanks everybody for the help.
PJM

The River Gages Glosary of Terms might help which is at:
http://www2.mvr.usace.army.mil/WaterControl/glossary2.cfm

PJM

It was the first time I have fished at Saverton. They are redoing the lock gates with completion later this month. Usually fish at Winfield and have only lived here in St. Louis area about 6 years.
PJM

Thanks, Been lurking here for a few months following the posts. How do you get on the Mississippi River – Walleye group?

Thanks,
PJM