Texas Transplant
Well-Known Member
Well, our 5th Federation tournament was on my home lake this past weekend. I was hoping to draw a boater that had some experience on the lake, so that I could continue to learn more about the lake. I drew someone who lives in Charlotte, and fishes the lake 2-3 times a week. Great.
He fishes out of a 185 Skeeter. It was probably more the 'boater' than the boat, but may I not ever be treated to a day in a boat like that one. Also, his boat was in terrible condition. Live wells sucked (he had one floater). They were NEVER full. He had to reset something in the back (I assume breakers), several times during the day. And, there was not one hatch/latch that operated. Had to use my pliers to get the livewells and equip. hatches open. His cooler, only had room for two bottles (small) of my water/drinks. He had about 10-12 of his in there.
Coming out of the blast off, I thought it was somewhat of a interesting ride (poor handling), but it wasn't all that bad. However, when we left the creek arm (major) and headed up the lake, I knew something was wrong. Only several boats in sight, and the ride is rough and uncomfortable.
Once the lake started receiving pressure from other boaters, it just got worse. The boat porpoised continually. When we hit any type of wake/wave, it slammed and jumped like crazy. There was NO WIND, therefore no 'natural' waves on the lake.
Mid-day, we moved from one are to another. About a 8-10 minutes ride. I was holding on for dear life. Trying to keep me, my tackle, my rods, etc., in the boat. When we got to our next spot, I stood up and two rods (one brand new) were no longer in the boat. I assume at least some responsibility for this. He had a strap down system, but it was not very good and difficult to get to easily. Too big of fingers for small connections.
Anyway, back to the fishing. At our first stop, I got the first strike off the corner of a dock with a shallow CB. He went airborne, and promptly spit it back at me. While I was reeling in, ready to pick up a secondary bait to throw back in there to, my boater promptly cast behind me and put a bait there. We moved, and I got one at our second stop (rip-rap bank) off a lemon fluke. Boater got one also.
The rest of the day (more or less) we fished shallow laydowns and docks. However, we fished them using a drive by technique. Boater would use a fluke, followed by pitching a worm once/twice, then we would go to the next one. Never got a decent shot at a dock.
Later in the day, I finally picked up #2 off a laydown bush in the water. Nice chunk that picked up the worm and ran with it.
The last two hours, we fished no more than 20 minutes. Most of the time, we rode and looked.
Air temp when we weighed in: 97 degrees.
Asphalt temp: 110+ degrees.
All in all (after reviewing my GPS system), we moved over 30 times during the day. The longest period in any one area, was the first, which was about 45 minutes. I now have experienced Run N Gun. It's not my style.
Good part is that I did learn alot about some other areas of the lake.
Lessons learned. Sometimes you get good boaters, other times, you get . . . .
Will be back out on Wylie Saturday night for our Club Tourney.
Tex
He fishes out of a 185 Skeeter. It was probably more the 'boater' than the boat, but may I not ever be treated to a day in a boat like that one. Also, his boat was in terrible condition. Live wells sucked (he had one floater). They were NEVER full. He had to reset something in the back (I assume breakers), several times during the day. And, there was not one hatch/latch that operated. Had to use my pliers to get the livewells and equip. hatches open. His cooler, only had room for two bottles (small) of my water/drinks. He had about 10-12 of his in there.
Coming out of the blast off, I thought it was somewhat of a interesting ride (poor handling), but it wasn't all that bad. However, when we left the creek arm (major) and headed up the lake, I knew something was wrong. Only several boats in sight, and the ride is rough and uncomfortable.
Once the lake started receiving pressure from other boaters, it just got worse. The boat porpoised continually. When we hit any type of wake/wave, it slammed and jumped like crazy. There was NO WIND, therefore no 'natural' waves on the lake.
Mid-day, we moved from one are to another. About a 8-10 minutes ride. I was holding on for dear life. Trying to keep me, my tackle, my rods, etc., in the boat. When we got to our next spot, I stood up and two rods (one brand new) were no longer in the boat. I assume at least some responsibility for this. He had a strap down system, but it was not very good and difficult to get to easily. Too big of fingers for small connections.
Anyway, back to the fishing. At our first stop, I got the first strike off the corner of a dock with a shallow CB. He went airborne, and promptly spit it back at me. While I was reeling in, ready to pick up a secondary bait to throw back in there to, my boater promptly cast behind me and put a bait there. We moved, and I got one at our second stop (rip-rap bank) off a lemon fluke. Boater got one also.
The rest of the day (more or less) we fished shallow laydowns and docks. However, we fished them using a drive by technique. Boater would use a fluke, followed by pitching a worm once/twice, then we would go to the next one. Never got a decent shot at a dock.
Later in the day, I finally picked up #2 off a laydown bush in the water. Nice chunk that picked up the worm and ran with it.
The last two hours, we fished no more than 20 minutes. Most of the time, we rode and looked.
Air temp when we weighed in: 97 degrees.
Asphalt temp: 110+ degrees.
All in all (after reviewing my GPS system), we moved over 30 times during the day. The longest period in any one area, was the first, which was about 45 minutes. I now have experienced Run N Gun. It's not my style.
Good part is that I did learn alot about some other areas of the lake.
Lessons learned. Sometimes you get good boaters, other times, you get . . . .
Will be back out on Wylie Saturday night for our Club Tourney.
Tex
