Nice! I sure hope the river behaves itself this year, we don’t need another summer like last year.
Don

Thumper
I started to document my fishing outings in 2012 using simple pen and paper. It started out very basic with minimal data, but then grew into more of a log/story telling book as I went along. I now record date, place, time of day, wind direction and speed, cloud conditions, water temp and pool 4 water level,(when fishing on it). Also included is information on where I caught the fish, presentations used, sketches to explain various things, etc…
I prefer the pen and paper method because technology changes so fast, electronic storage methods come and go, but hand written words will never be lost or accidently deleted. Yes, it takes time and commitment to enter each and every outing, but it’s worth it. I intend to pass all my log books on to my grandchildren after I’m gone.
As far as how many days I fish… I average 60-70 days a year. My 3 year old new boat has over 285 hours on the engine already.
My FW says I have a serious addiction to fishing, I said “no, it’s more important than that”

Good luck
Don

When I was a 13 YO kid living on the river, I caught a collapsible wire fish basket chock full of live white bass and walleye right off the dock, in the current on 8lb mono.

Also “caught” my sister one time with a daredevle right in her nose when she came up behind me when I didn’t realize she was there. Lots of blood in the nose!

B-man-I did the full troubleshooting routine; fuses, checked voltage on each output, checked to make sure the suspect battery was good, swapped leads with other battery, (problem stayed with bad output side), etc…

I did call MinnKota, their answer was pretty much, “That’s too bad, but we can’t help you”

BassnDan- good point, I’ll keep an eye on it when I start using it in this manner.

Why isn’t anything built to last any longer now days?!

Thanks for the info guys.
Don

shockers wrote:

Alumacraft Tiller Boat. Why sell the 1850? That should be a fine boat on the Mississippi

X3
I have lived and fished the Miss all my life, I also own the 1850 Pro Tiller. I can’t think of a boat better suited for river fishing than this one, it’s light for it’s size, smooth ride, cuts the waves nicely, good on gas, stable and a nice front deck to fish from.
The only other boat I can suggest is a 16 foot jon boat with a 25 hp. But it has it’s limitations on the lake with large waves. (that’s what I grew up with during the commercial fishing days).

What doesn’t the 1850 give you that you’re looking for?
Don

Hi Greg
I just had a similar problem with my MinnKota 212, 6 amp, 2 bank. After checking all the fuses, I swapped leads from one battery to the other, problem stayed with that particular output. Called MinnKota technical help, They verified what I did and agreed with my suspicion that that particular output was bad. 2 months out of warranty. Too bad, they couldn’t help me.
Just bought a replacement charger, but not a MinnKota.

There really isn’t much to troubleshoot on these chargers, but, I would check the battery lead fuse(s) with an ohm meter to ensure it’s good, not just visually. Then I would power it up, checking the charger output voltage at a set of leads that are working and compare it to the suspect leads. If you’re not getting any voltage output, you’re probably in the same boat as I was.
Good luck
Don

biggill wrote:

You can’t just drain developed land into a river.

So where is it all coming from?

Yes, the battery will be shot, however, I would check over the battery wiring connections and any other exposed wiring. After a deep discharge and sitting over the summer, the humidity can accelerate corrosion at exposed terminals. Similar to a D cell left in a flashlight or kids’ toy for a long time, it can reek havoc.
Hope everything’s OK.
Don

End of January, Eleuthera Bahamas for bones on the flats and hopefully some tarpon and cuda

Thanks also cat, not what I wanted to hear, but maybe it’ll break up by sat?
Won’t hold my breath.

Thanks Mike, B Blake is where I’m heading. I’ll look for your post tomorrow.

Thanks
Donnie

catmando wrote:

Will check Deer tomorrow for you, only live 2 miles from Tipperary.

Perfect, thanks cat!

craig s wrote:

Im in chisago and guys are out already..

On the ice??!! Seriously?! they’ve got bigger walnuts than I do.

Ryan Wilson wrote:

Washing them in stain-defending hydrophobic detergent can make microfiber do exactly what you’re experiencing as well. Making microfiber hydrophobic defeats the entire purpose of microfiber to begin with

Ryan, can you explain this a bit more?
Thanks,
Don

I forgot to mention, my boat’s only 2 years old; oxidation already? I suppose it’s possible. But my engine has the same look as the hull.
Toilet bowl cleaner?! Yikes!
I did a bit more research, it looks like it’s hard water spots. I’ll go with the straight vinegar for now, yes I know it’s an acid…

Thanks for the input guys!
Don

Calendar year.

Oh,duh. Thanks Tom.

By the way, those plastics are working great!

Perfect!

Chuck Melcher wrote:

Everything stored there is in large zip lock bags or plastic containers.

I like that idea Chuck.

munchy wrote:

I use mine as strictly storage and never had an issue. As long as there is zero water/species in the tank there is nothing the DNR can do about it

Thanks for the input guys!

Another follow up question….does anyone really use their baitwells? I like the idea, but just not practical.
Unless it’s below 40 degrees outside, whatever you put in there is going to die. Don

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Wow, 1 big paragraph and difficult to follow. Must be drugs

Ill pay the price yall got great workers to need to get up there more then I do if you still have some willows or creek chubs id be interested

Huh?

I would add that any cheap “too good to be true” knockoffs are always a disappointment,

Gotcha!
The rest of the FES should chime in too.

The infamous PakShak. Need I say more?

That is a Tiger Musky

Started in 1969 as a deck hand with my grandparents’ commercial fishing operation. Gill nets, seining, turtle trapping, setlines…all of it. Pretty exciting for a 10 year old.
Spent my entire life fishing pool 4.

Hi Koonce,
I usually start with anything shad colored, (black/silver) first.
Then move onto other natural colors (craw, orange, browns and blues before jumping to the chartruese, purples, clown, firetigers, etc… But there’s always exceptions to the rule.

On a side note, what does your typical transition from lead to mono/floro consist of? Just a small barrel swivel? I struggle with getting a good knot on the lead side. what does everyone tie in this spot?

Isn’t it somewhat early to start lead lining?

Don

Hi,
I’m a happy owner of a 2016 Crestliner 1850 Pro Tiller with a 90 HP Merc 4 stroke, just bought it last year at the boat show. (that’s why FW won’t let me go again this year…)
The boat is great, quite a step up from my old ’90 Forester.
It has everything a guys needs, tons of storage, lots of room, very smooth ride (and no, it’s not a wet ride like a lot of people say. That’s a boat handling and operating issue).
For an aluminum boat, I think it’s at the top of the list.

I fish pool 4 exclusively. Can’t wait to get back out on the water….
Don

Thanks for all the reports guys. I went on Blake, stayed close to the launch. I had really good action very early then it slowed as it got into late morning.
The ice is a little (ok a lot) un-nerving right now. There’s a good solid clear base but what’s on top is a little scary, really slick too.
Was making ice yesterday, lots of banging and snapping.

Good luck guys and most important….be safe out there.

Don

Thanks Chuck, I guess I knew the answer but like to hear it from others.

Now, if I can get them to just complete the repairs before Friday!

Thanks,

James Holst wrote:

My question is, what are you seeing the other 1 out of 10 times? Quality fish? And by quality I mean 18″ – 20″ or better? Or are you boating 13″ – 16″ fish that 1 time out of 10?

James, the 1 out of 10 usually are the smaller fish.
As all of you mentioned, I’m probably wasting my time working for the 1 or 2 quality fish in the school. I’ll move on or work them over with cranks and plastics next time out, see what happens.
How long do you typically spend on a location/fish size like this before moving?

Thanks guys!
Don