sneak_e_pete

Hi all, with the weather being so crappy lately, I seems like it is harder and harder to get a good day to go fishing. I have to plan a day on the water often weeks in advance, so I am forced to take what mother nature dishes out if I want to go fishing. Besides, the weather network is so often wrong. I have stayed home when it called for bad weather and it was fine, and I have gone out when it called for good weather and been dumped on. My question to you....what would you do if you were out on the lake and a thunderstorm rolled in. This has only happened to me once, and unfortuneately, I only had an electric motor and didn't make it back to the launch in time. I had to beach my boat on shore and run up into the forest and lay down flat until it passed. (I know...still not safe, but I figured it was safer than being a lightning rod in a metal boat on the lake). It was a wicked storm.

Hi all, planning a trip to fish the Otonabee this Monday. Only fished it once before, but had a small boat and wasn't able to travel much. I have the new boat now and can venture around. I was planning on launching about 6 km's up from Rice Lake. Any advice/info would be appreciated. Looking for bass and walleye. Also, if you have any other suggestions on where to go for a day trip that would be cool. Coming from Stoney Creek. I enjoy fishing the stumps and blowdowns for bass, so that is why I picked the Otonabee. Thanks in advance.

I always wear my life jacket, even in a 12 footer....not worth the chance. If you get a comfortable zipper one (and as mentioned above, they can be found cheap), you won't mind wearing it all day. Mine is light weight and gives me full range of motion...very comfortable. Got it at CT for $30.00.

You're right. After looking at it again, the knob on the handle is for the throttle friction. Which....brings up another question. Is that basically cruise control for the throttle. If I tighten the throttle friction, does that just mean that if I let go of the throttle (and obviously still steer the motor), the motor will maintain current speed without lowering the throttle? Thanks.

Thanks. On my motor, the steering friction adjustment is a knob that is located on the actual tiller handle. The manual said that turning the knob left or right will increase/decrease steering drag.

Hi all, I am reading the manual for the motor that I just bought and there are 2 things I don't understand/need clarification on. What is steering friction (drag) adjustment? I don't understand the manuals explanation of what it means. To be sure I understand this correctly as well, am I supposed to drive the boat with the motor tilted down all the way (totally vertical)? It is a 2001 Mercury 40hp 4-stroke ELPT Thanks.

Thanks. How far is south bay by boat from the park?

Hi all, heading up to Balsam next week for the first time. I just bought a new boat that I will be playing with up there. I am launching out of the Provincial Park and plan on fishing the weed beds in front and to the south, however I would like to take the new boat for a good spin. Are there any hazards I need to look out for? Can anyone direct me to an online map? I tried to find one, but couldn't. Thanks.

Thanks for the responses. Do you just get it at a dealer then? Any idea on cost per litre (roughly)?

Just bought a boat that has a 40hp four stroke. I have never owned one and have a question about the oil. The owner's manual says 10w30. Do you have to buy specific 4 stroke outboard oil that is 10w30, or is it just 10w30 oil? I went to CT and PartSource today and they didn't carry any 4 stroke outboard oil. Thanks.

Honestly, I have dreamt of this day for years. I finally bought my first "real" boat. I have had a 12 ft. aluminum with only a old 6hp on it for a few years, but I have always wanted something bigger. I found this boat on the trader site on Wednesday and drove 2 1/2 hours this morning to buy it. I will actually pick it up next week. Here are the details: 1996 Alumacraft Backtroller - 16 ft. tiller 2001 Mercury 40hp ELPT It has lockable rod storage for up to 7.5 foot rods, comes with 3 pedestal seats, livewell and baitwell, and lots of storage. I've got a 55lb. Minnkota bowmount that I bought for my 12 footer (with a 16 footer in mind) that I am going to put on it. I am pumped. I do have one question though. I have a 10lb. anchor on my 12 footer. Will that be fine for this boat? Thanks for reading.

I'm mainly a bass guy, but have recently taken interest in walleye. Kawartha, muskoka lakes mostly. Thanks.

So I am finally going to buy a boat tomorrow morning. I will post pics once I get it. I need some more help though. The dealer said he would throw in a Humminbird Fish Finder, however I know it will be base. I want a decent unit, nothing crazy, but I would love a unit with GPS and am O.K. to pay him a little extra to get it. I know nothing about sonar and am needing some input on a decent model to get. I am not on the water 200 days a year, I am a weekend (at best). Thanks in advance.

Hi there, looking for some advice to help prevent outboard motor theft. I am looking at a boat with a 40hp, so I know that is fairly heavy to steal, but are there products/devices/systems out there to help prevent theft?

Sorry, forgot to mention that both boats are side consoles, have front casting decks, in floor storage and live wells.

Thanks. When buying used, how do you know you are getting a good deal? I did find a 16 footer (1990's) model with a 2001 Mercury 40hp 4-stroke for $6300 and also a 2007 14 footer with a 2003 25 hp 2-stroke for $7300. Hopefully I can talk them down $1000.

Hi all, looking for some information/advice on possibly buying a new boat. I currently have a 12ft. aluminum and want to upgrade to something bigger, more stable and comfortable and that I can take my 2 boys out on (when they get older). My dream boat is $20,000, and that's not going to happen anytime soon, but I am wondering how much I have to spend to get something better. Obviously I have to go used, and am hoping to get something for $5,000 tops. I am nervous about going used because I don't know what to look for and I really need something that will be in good shape, is reliable and will last me for several years (I am hoping 10 years). My ideal boat is: 16 ft. aluminum with enough horsepower to move along nicely (my current boat only has an old 6hp and doesn't even get up on plane). I would like something without bench seats (or something that is at least stable enough for me to build a casting platform on) because I want to be able to move around in the boat. I don't care about bells and whistles, don't need a livewell (although if it had one, that's cool). How much do you think I have to spend to find this? Any suggestions from the seasoned boat owners on what type of boat? Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi all, camped on the Otonabee River from June 29 - July 1. Although the weather reports looked horrible, it only rained on us for a total of 30 minutes the whole time. The rest of the time it was really nice and we even managed a sun burn on the 30th. I went up with my brother in-law who doesn't really fish, so I didn't spend as much time on the water as I would've like, but still managed to get quite a few. Caught a ton of small largemouth and smallmouth bass. Biggest was 2 pounds and most were in the pound range. All were caught on tubes fishing the fallen trees on the banks. Tried some evening trolling for walleye along the weed edges, but didn't get anything. The highlight of the trip for me was that I caught my first ever Musky. I was trolling an eerie deerie tipped with a minnow. The bait got hung in some weeds and as I started to reel in to check it, the fish hit. Sure got my blood pumping. I wasn't big, (I estimate 32-36 inches) but it still took line off the reel. Anyhow, thanks to those that offered their advice for fishing the Otonabee....had a great time.

Thanks. Are there good spots close to Balsam Provincial Park? Also, when fishing a jig and grub, are you just jigging it slowly along weed edges?

Hello all. I will admit that I am totally green at fishing for walleye, but I was hoping to hit Balsam or Rice camping for a few days either the end of July or early August. I have several questions that I am hoping you can help me with. As info, I only have a 12 ft. aluminum with 6hp. 1. Which is better (and easier) to catch walleye? 2. Any recommendations? If Balsam, I was thinking the provincial park near Coboconk? 3. Suggestions on what to use? All I know to do is to troll Eerie Deeries or jerk baits along the weed lines. Thanks in advance for your help.

Not to hijack this post, but was reading it and thought of a question. I too bought some of these this week and planned on pairing them up with a 1/2 ounce football head jig. Is it the same concept as a jig? Throw to cover, twitch it in place a bit and slowly hop it back toward the boat?

I really enjoyed this post. Thanks. I've got a 20 month old son and 2 month old son and I can't wait to take them fishing.

Thanks. How do you keep them alive after you catch them...i.e. food?

I enjoy using minnows from time to time, but they seem to be hard to find, transport, etc. sometimes. Especially when camping for 3 or 4 days, how do you keep them alive? I have thought about catching my own with a minnow trap. Is it easy? What do you use for bait? Anywhere specific to put the trap? Thanks.

Heading up to lake Dalrymple next week with my wife's uncle. Never fished there before, although he has been a few times. Any suggestions? I am determined to outfish him. Thanks.