I need something to do

[BJ Laster]

Ok I didn't have to work today so I had a day full of fun stuff planned...well it didn't work out so I am sitting at home with nothing to do...HELP...I NEED SOMETHING TO DO.... I HAVE FISHING FEVER!!!!!!!!!!! I know I haven't been in a week so its been a while!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!



My day:



woke up at 8:00 and went to school to finish some yearbook stuff.

Got home about 10:00. Decided to go fishing.

Got to Hefner at 11:00. I launched my boat and started driving out to the main lake...KER KRASH lighting. I turn around and tie up and go to the pickup to wait out the storm for a little bit. I sit in my truck for a few minutes and it starts to rain but there is no thunder or lighting so I go down to the boat. My mom calls and says that there are more storms going to move through and asked if it would be ok if I jsut came home....I said only if I can stop by Bass Pro and look around. She said that would be perfectly fine. I went to Bass Pro and bought some tubes and hooks and bag of this candy my sister likes made by Uncle Buck.....I get home around 1:00ish. I go to my room and lay down because I am kinda tired and I fell asleep. I woke up at 3:30 to clouds and no storms....I have been looking for something to do.....since then..its now 4:45...I have checked the weather and its not supposed to storm really for the rest of the day so I may try to go out and fish a little this evening at lake draper....dont really like the lake but its 10 minutes from me...but I'll wait till I can ask for permission. My mom is asleep and my dad is asleep sick.....so...I was going to fish a tourny at Hefner tomorrow but it may not work out now....



OH and one more thing. Joy and I were supposed to go to a movie tonight with some friends of ours....can't get ahold of them but they said it may not work out when we asked them....sooo....i'm still bored.....



BJ

 

[BJ Laster]

One thing I want to add....



I have never had a prob when fishing by myself with launching the boat. Today when I went to launch I fell in....I climbed on my bed cover to go down to the trailer...well i missed the trailer. The ramp I was using isnt the ramp I normally use on the lake but this one looks "cooler" because the docks are between the three ramps...lol. The ramp I typically use is just a plane ole' ramp with the dock to the left of it. My question is how do ya'll who have bed covers get in your boat without getting wet when fishing by yourselves...I thought about stepping up on the tire and then putting my foot on the bumper but I figured It would be easier to get on the bed cover because i wouldn't get wet...lol.

 

[Carlos Hathcock III]

Hey BJ,

When my son is bored, I have him clean his room



Bummer of a day though...

 

[Dewey Leggett]

I don't have a cover, but when I had my Jeep, I would usually step on top of the rear driver-side tire (not underwater), then step to the back bumper, then to the trailer tongue, and up into the boat. Try it, hopefully it will work, especially someone like you who is half my age.



BTW - Many years ago I caught a 4+ sand bass out of Draper. Just missed the record (at least back then).

 

[Michael Snow]

BJ, this is one I know about...



Leave the bow strap on, but take off about 5' of strap off the wench, so the boat can slip back on the trailer without floating away. Back the trailer down so that it's right next to the dock. Walk off the dock onto the boat and disconnect the bow strap. Back off, tie boat. Pull some of that slack strap back onto the wench so you don't drag the hook all over the parking lot. Leave enough so you can hook to the bow when you re-load.



When you get back, back the trailer down next to the dock again. Drive the boat onto the trailer, hook the bow strap, walk off the boat onto the dock and ta-da.

 

[BJ Laster]

Thanks Snowman!!!!



what do i do when there is not a dock next to the trailer tho???



Actually at Draper yesterday I tried climbing on the tire and then to the bumper...it worked but I felt really wierd like I was going to fall off any second. I'm sure with a lil practice I can have it down.



Thanks again buddy!!!



BJ

 

[Michael Snow]

When there's no dock... Let about 10' or so of wench strap out. Back down a little deep so the boat floats off, then pull out slowly so the boat sets back on the trailer a bit and pull far enough so you can get to the bumper.



Now, it's time to test your muster... first thing to remember is if you slip enough that you "might" fall, jump and be done with it. That way you control your landing. One leg one way and one the other and the feet slipping on the moss on the ramp and you don't have to worry about girls liking you anymore . Okay, jump on the bumper tightrope it to the wench. Remember, your trailer tongue is wet.... now, grap the wench strap and use it to balance, but use the end connected to the wench (which won't move) vs the boat end (which will move with weight applied). Hopefully, there's enough slack in the strap to get the bow eye unhooked. go tie off, pull up the loose wench strap and pull the truck out.



When you back the truck down to retrieve the boat, back up deep to wet the bunks, then pull up some. You're still gonna get your feet wet here though unless you use the bed rails and I'm "too much" man to do that (not too much "man" but "too much" ... man) .

 

[Rich D]

Launching - Attach a 25' rope to the bow eye, tie one end to the trailer post, making sure the rest is loose. Back in and let the boat float off, then pull out till the post is on dry land, untie the rope and tie off at dock or beach.



Loading - I went to Gander MT and bought a $15 pair of hip waders I keep in the boat and toss in the truck when in use. Or in the summer I am in shorts and sandals, so don't mind the water. I back in, and walk in the water, pull the boat on the trailer, then pull out.



I imagine I am built like Snow (body by Budweiser) and I have the coordination and balance of... well... a really uncoordinated animal. Rather than risk injury, I walk in.



Rich D

 

[Larry Harp]

Rich, that's more like I do it except I give it a little more of a launch when I back in and then pull up. It's a procedure that looks like it was designed by the Keystone Kops but it works.



Bringing the boat back to the trailer means either wet feet or I have been know to ask some guy out launching his boat to pull me up a few feet. They usually don't mind.



Harpo

 

[Rich D]

Harpo,



Yeah, a quick stop when backing up gives it a nice float back.



Rich D

 

[Texas Transplant]

I launch by myself all the time. I have a 50ft rope that I keep in the back of the SUV or in the boat, just for this purpose. I attach it to the bow, then either tie it to a dock cleat, or something on shore (if need be). I then float the boat, get out, and then tie off the boat. Then take tralier and such out of the water.



After I get the boat ready (engine started and such), I take off the bow rope and stow it.



Now, getting it back on by myself.



I keep a pair of sandals (at the least) in my boat so that I can just jump in and finish up. Alternately, I raise the back lid on the SUV that I use, and crawl through. Since I have an SUV, and most ramps that I use require me to get the rear tires wet (or almost wet) to get launched, it's alot like launching from a truck with a bed cover on it.



Tex