Fishing

[Oklahomabassin]

I recommend taking an online boating class to learn different distances (various speeds) to stay away from others. Navagational rules. Etc.

Boat ramp etiquette.
1. Don't block the ramp while getting ready to launch or after loading out.
2. Use park lights after dark on the ramp so someone can safely back in beside you.
3. Don't block the ramp.

 

[dennishoddy]

Boat ramp hogs are my biggest issue. Get your stuff ready before pulling in line.
I require 2 minutes or less to get on and off the ramp if a driver is available.
If not available, another five minutes if all by myself.
Often thought of putting out a sign at boat ramps during holidays that I'll back in or take out your boat for $20. The later in the day, the more money I could make.
Holidays are for amatures. We stay off the water during that time, but making some bucks as well as videos could always be fun.
For the OP, check out the hazard buoy's and what they mean.
Our local lake has a couple of areas that a boat can run aground at normal lake levels.
It floods often so some of the buoys get washed away and the Corps of Engineers don't replace them very soon after they are gone.
Local boaters typically throw out a brick with a milk jug to mark the spot, which is illegal, but it stops unwanted groundings around one of the local hot spots with new boaters.
Talk to the marina to find out places to stay away from.

 

[LBnM]

Dennis, when you are 82 and always by yourself, it takes a little longer.

 

[swampratt]

Grandson is 5 and I showed him how to cast a spinning reel today.
He tried 2 different ones and did very well.

Got it out there pretty far in the back yard.
He was aiming at a rabbit.
Got close a couple times but other times it went on the roof or in a tree.
He's got game though.

More practice.

 

[kirk1978]

Got on a few!

 

[dennishoddy]

Dennis, when you are 82 and always by yourself, it takes a little longer.

Typically fish by myself. Launching and loading is not easy when by oneself.
Pretty much have it down to a science now. When I had a buddy that fished with me that lives in Florida now, we went to the ramp, usually got in and out of the water in two minutes.
Single, not so fast now. but still within 5 minutes.
I've seen an internet thing on an auto locking front bow device.
Drive the boat up and it locks without having to get out and hook up the winch rope.
That might be a real game changer.

 

[Ready_fire_aim]

Ev

Ok, so a few dumb questions for a complete boating noob. We have a family friend that has a boat at Lake Elsworth that rarely uses it and said we could use it pretty much any time we want to. I don't know the first thing about taking a boat out on the lake. I assume if we used it, we need enough life jackets for everyone onboard and a fire extinguisher and that's as far as my knowledge goes. lol. So what else would we need if we take it out to be legal? He said he would get the tag and w/e else up to date to make it legal. I have my lifetime license and will get a lake permit to fish, but Iike I said, I just don't know all the rules on the boat part and want to have everything I need incase we were to run into the lake patrol.

Others have mentioned basic boating rule stuff. Covered things pretty well there.

When it comes to operating the boat: few tips:::::

keep the trim mostly down, until you’re on plane then trim up. Don’t go fast on plane unless you know for sure the water is deep and doesn’t have any sandbars/submerged debris etc

Don’t make sharp turns under load/speed. It throws huge roller waves for other boaters to hit and it puts strain on your engine/transom

If you’re coming into a dock a little fast just bump reverse so you don’t hit too hard

If you’re retrieving the boat on a ramp remember to trim the outdrive way up before pulling forward up the ramp (damaged a couple skegs in my newbie days lol)

Come off plane/speed SLOWLY don’t just cut the throttle

Know your switches… bilge pump, gas fume blower if applicable, nav lights, etc

 

[dennishoddy]

Ev



Come off plane/speed SLOWLY don’t just cut the throttle

I have to elaborate on this.
The ridges under the boat are called chimes. They keep the boat stabilized at speed.
I bought a boat back in the day that was used in the Red Man bass fishing circuit.
Ranger that was 17.8' in length with a 200 hp merc on it. The boat was only rated for 175 HP on the plate. The engine was highly modified to produce a lot more HP.
Long story short, definitely come off speed slowly. Most boats are designed with engines designed to keep the boat stabilized at any speed. Come off it quickly with one that isn't, the boat is likely to overturn unless the operator knows how to oversteer for it.
Get one like mine, it's going to be unstable at top speed because the chimes will be out of the water. Scary coming off the throttle when running almost 80MPH.
Buddy and I went in partners on a SS Taylor jet boat. 455 olds engine with dual 4-barrel carbs and a cam.
We ran it at the Catoosa drags to 92 MPH.
Both boats gone now.
Went back to my roots with grandpa's 14' aluminum boat and a 10hp Johnson.
I actually caught more fish with that boat vs the lake blaster as I learned to fish the location, not cast and blast.
Moved up to a Tracker 198 with a 75 merc a couple years ago.
40 MPH is good for me now.

 

[RickN]

If I can get a week or two without yard work, doctor runs or other crap coming up, I AM going to drown a few worms this year if it kills me. So far I have only made it to the range once this year. Let alone fishing.

 

[Glocktogo]

Typically fish by myself. Launching and loading is not easy when by oneself.
Pretty much have it down to a science now. When I had a buddy that fished with me that lives in Florida now, we went to the ramp, usually got in and out of the water in two minutes.
Single, not so fast now. but still within 5 minutes.
I've seen an internet thing on an auto locking front bow device.
Drive the boat up and it locks without having to get out and hook up the winch rope.
That might be a real game changer.

https://drottoproducts.com/

I've thought about getting one a time or two.