Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

Bass Fishing => Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion => Topic started by: Waterfoul on January 08, 2013, 02:00:37 PM

Title: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Waterfoul on January 08, 2013, 02:00:37 PM
January is our slowest month of the year so we try to work on store projects and such.  Well, I'm about out of things to do around here!!  Add to it that GLB is almost silent these last few days and I'm about falling asleep leaning on the counter here!!! 

Someone post fish pics or fall thru the ice (in shallow water of course!!!) or do something interesting.  Please?!?!?!   :P
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Redbone on January 08, 2013, 02:14:27 PM
Making balsa square bills are a pain. I had better step it up a notch if I am going to use these next season. You can do all the research you want but its still a trial and error figuring out what works. I Just put a layer of clear coat on my first one. Its looking good! :) I still have to paint it though.



Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Redbone on January 08, 2013, 02:17:05 PM
Question. Does the bow graph stay on all tourney long? Shut it off for runs? What the skinny?
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Mike S. on January 08, 2013, 03:18:14 PM
I wish I had a cooshy job like yours where I could be on GLB all day or sleep on a counter.

I'm willing to bet nobody will fall through the ice.....there is none. I'm seeing a high of 53 for Saturday. Isn't pike still open?  And walleye?  Tempting.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Waterfoul on January 08, 2013, 06:11:44 PM
There's lots of pike in Muskegon Lake and I have a box full of stick baits!

As for the bow graph, if it's a long run... like from Muskegon to White Lake or so I turn mine off.  If it's just across the local lake to change spots I don't bother.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Mike S. on January 08, 2013, 07:39:03 PM
I have to work Sunday, but I can be at Fisherman's by 3. Just saying...........

I even know where there's a black and gold Skeeter that hasn't been winterized.  ;D
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Waterfoul on January 08, 2013, 08:34:41 PM
Let me look into it.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Mike S. on January 08, 2013, 08:49:37 PM
Oh, I guess.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: bigjc on January 08, 2013, 08:55:17 PM
Quote from: Waterfoul on January 08, 2013, 06:11:44 PM
There's lots of pike in Muskegon Lake and I have a box full of stick baits!

As for the bow graph, if it's a long run... like from Muskegon to White Lake or so I turn mine off.  If it's just across the local lake to change spots I don't bother.

I agree, depends on how far I am planning to run.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Lightningboy on January 08, 2013, 09:04:21 PM
My Lowrance units have a "standby" setting.  I usually put the bow on standby when I'm driving, and put the dash on standby when I fish.

Just tryin' to save power, ya know?
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: bob o on January 08, 2013, 09:21:21 PM
just finished putting up some wooden blinds up in the game room, later
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Waterfoul on January 08, 2013, 09:24:13 PM
Just spent about 2 hours in the basement assembling a new shelving unit for all my plano boxes.  Then put a bunch of new pegs on the peg board to hang more baits.  I'll post a picture when I'm done.  You will all be jealous!!
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: thedude on January 08, 2013, 09:31:07 PM
turning them on and off requires bending down to press the button. mine stay on until i hit the master power switch at the end of the day. granted, i don't turn the front on until i get to the first spot.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: bigjc on January 08, 2013, 10:00:50 PM
Well, leave it to Justin to spill the ugly truth...we're all just too lazy to turn it on and off.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Waterfoul on January 08, 2013, 10:32:56 PM
Quote from: bigjc on January 08, 2013, 10:00:50 PM
Well, leave it to Justin to spill the ugly truth...we're all just too lazy to turn it on and off.

About sums it up.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Mike S. on January 09, 2013, 04:04:17 AM
I turn mine on before I launch that way I don't have to bend down for that too. It sucks being a fat guy.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: fiker on January 09, 2013, 06:05:13 AM
Yesterday I started to inventory my tackle.  I decided that I'd know what I needed before the show this weekend.  I don't really need to spend too much this year.

I found a few unopened packages from last year's show.   I never did throw the Alabama rig.

I"m such a sucker for what the bait monkey says. 

;D
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Mike S. on January 09, 2013, 06:33:58 AM
I threw the A rig twice last year. Once in the lake. The second was out of the boat, into the junk pile on the garage floor.  ;D
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Redbone on January 09, 2013, 08:03:56 AM
Quote from: thedude on January 08, 2013, 09:31:07 PM
turning them on and off requires bending down to press the button. mine stay on until i hit the master power switch at the end of the day. granted, i don't turn the front on until i get to the first spot.

Are you running a seperate battery for electronics?
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Redbone on January 09, 2013, 08:05:14 AM
Quote from: Redbone on January 08, 2013, 02:14:27 PM
Making balsa square bills are a pain. I had better step it up a notch if I am going to use these next season. You can do all the research you want but its still a trial and error figuring out what works. I Just put a layer of clear coat on my first one. Its looking good! :) I still have to paint it though.





No wonder these things start out at $20. The clear coat makes it look purty.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Waterfoul on January 09, 2013, 10:54:37 AM
Quote from: Redbone on January 09, 2013, 08:03:56 AM
Quote from: thedude on January 08, 2013, 09:31:07 PM
turning them on and off requires bending down to press the button. mine stay on until i hit the master power switch at the end of the day. granted, i don't turn the front on until i get to the first spot.

Are you running a seperate battery for electronics?

I don't have a seperate electronics battery but I do run a Deka M6 group 27 high reserve starting battery.  It has 1050 cranking amps and a 182 minute reserve, which is better than some deep cycles.  It starts my Merc, runs the livewells, and both fish finders.  It's been in the boat since spring of 2012 with no issues so far.  I do turn the brightness down one or 2 notches on the 997 at the dash though.  Still very visable and draws about 1/4 less power than full brightness.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Redbone on January 09, 2013, 01:00:25 PM
Didn't you get a dead battery last season?
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Waterfoul on January 09, 2013, 02:25:48 PM
Quote from: Redbone on January 09, 2013, 01:00:25 PM
Didn't you get a dead battery last season?

Yes, but that was a charging issue with the motor, not the fault of the battery.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Mike S. on January 09, 2013, 05:13:50 PM
I have the same battery for my starting/electronics. We were on Manistee for almost 12 hours running electronics and livewells. It was close, but it still fired the big motor up.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Lightningboy on January 09, 2013, 10:13:43 PM
Just curious, but how are you determining that turning down the brightness is reducing power use by the unit?  Ammeter hooked to it?
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Waterfoul on January 09, 2013, 10:36:36 PM
I could actually see the voltage go up a touch on my volt meter when I tested it in the garage... not a ton, but anything helps on a long day.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Lightningboy on January 09, 2013, 10:48:08 PM
Interesting.  I may have to measure the power use by my units with and without backlighting.

Although the worst offenders are pumps.  Gotta keep the livewells pumping, but boy they suck power if you're not driving much.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: TheFishinPollock on January 09, 2013, 11:35:16 PM
Here ya go waterfoul    22 inches,  12 inches around

(http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3df28b3127ccef2464520b4ef00000030O02AcN2jVk4asQe3nws/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/)
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Mike S. on January 10, 2013, 08:27:49 AM
At least it's not brown!!  I just had to get a poke in at you while I could. There's not a whole lot of conversation going on lately.  ;D. I expect it to come back around.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Waterfoul on January 10, 2013, 12:17:57 PM
That's a cute little walleye!   ;D
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Firefighter Jeff on January 13, 2013, 12:56:35 AM
  Looks yummy to me !!!
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: TheFishinPollock on January 13, 2013, 12:54:26 PM
It was fried, um in some real butter !!!!!  Ate the whole thing all by myself like a big boy!  :D
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Big dreams on January 13, 2013, 03:12:41 PM
Quote from: Lightningboy on January 09, 2013, 10:48:08 PM
Interesting.  I may have to measure the power use by my units with and without backlighting.

Although the worst offenders are pumps.  Gotta keep the livewells pumping, but boy they suck power if you're not driving much.

I do the same as many people on here and leave the electronics on after the first stop.  Normally I leave them on until the trip back to the launch.  I have an HDS 5 up front and an 8 on the console.  I have fished two full days without any issues on my batteries. 
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Waterfoul on January 17, 2013, 03:47:34 PM
Bringing this back to the top because I haven't seen a customer in about an hour.... so what's going on out there???

Anyone shopping for a new boat?
Who's planning a trip out of state this spring?
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Mike S. on January 17, 2013, 04:04:27 PM
I'm always shopping for a new boat. My wallet always stops me though.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Got Fish?? on January 18, 2013, 08:26:36 AM
 Wow. you guy's are bored. You should go  down to the Monroe Fishing Show. It is the 2ND weekend in Feb. There will be Lot's of different types of tackle there. With several local tackle company's. I will be at the Mad Viking Tackle booth on Saturday.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Dan on January 18, 2013, 10:02:34 AM
I just bought a Stealth Charging system for my boat last spring. It charges the batteries whenever you are up and running and it has an optional switch that I got that if your starting battery goes to low to start the boat for whatever reason you just flip a switch and it uses the power from your trolling motor batteries to start the boat. Really nice back up feature. You cannot beat a Stealth Charging system. KVD runs them and they are top of the line with top of the line support.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Lightningboy on January 18, 2013, 11:36:36 AM
I drool over the stealth charge system, but just never seem to have the cash to drop; always something else to buy.  Bonus on the stealth charge system is that you're charging the batteries ASAP.  Charging right after discharge lengthens your battery life.

Anybody used the Oxygenator system in their livewells?  Supposed to use much less power than regular pumps.  Just a lot of cash to take a chance.
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Big dreams on January 22, 2013, 10:16:50 PM
What is the big deal with the Oxygenator?  I hear people talking about it and the advertisement.  From what I understand it puts out a myst spray that adds more oxygen compared to the standard jet spray?  Is that right?
Title: Re: Bored!!! What is happening out there?
Post by: Waterfoul on January 22, 2013, 10:43:16 PM
Quote from: Big dreams on January 22, 2013, 10:16:50 PM
What is the big deal with the Oxygenator?  I hear people talking about it and the advertisement.  From what I understand it puts out a myst spray that adds more oxygen compared to the standard jet spray?  Is that right?

Nope, it's acutally under the waters surface and takes the water and ADDS oxygen to it via very, very small bubbles so the O2 can be absorbed by the water mollecules easier.  And yes, they do work well.