Are you ready?

[Lightningboy]

I'm not.  Every fall I swear I'm gonna take care of things over the winter.  But right now:

1) My power head is on the garage floor.  New exhaust plate & motor mounts are on the way.

2) I haven't ordered the stuff to build a new bow dash panel.  Mine gave up the ghost, too much for a replacement.

3) None of my reels are cleaned.  All old line too.

4) I really haven't ordered any of the new baits I intend to try.  Or the staples I'm low on.

5) Don't even ask about the honeydo jobs that aren't done...

Why is it I always wait till ice out to get it in gear?

[Waterfoul]

I'm with you.  Just bought a "new" used boat.  Needs work before it's ready for ME.  I'm picky and I need it rigged just right.

No batteries in it.

Installing recessed foot tray for bow mount pedal (just came UPS Wed.)

Trolling motor needs to be wired

Bow mount LMS 522 needs to be wired

Console mount 'Bird 797 Si need to be installed and wired up

Carpet needs to be cleaned (it's fairly new but dirty)

Both seats need to be replaced (got a line on some though)

Then there's the tackle... reels are still sitting just as I left them last fall... old line, dirty, etc....

I spent the winter buying tackle.  Now I need to organize it all for the new boat.  I have a ton more storage in this boat than my last one so I need to re-organize everything!!

As you can see I'm weeks from being ready.  And since my boat doesn't fit in my garage (something I am working on also) I have to work outside.  Weather is a big factor as to when I may be ready.

That's not to say I've done nothing.  I put new tires on the trailer.  Rewired the entire lighting system on the trailer and installed LED tail lights.  Oh, and I spent the winter buying tackle, that I now need to organize!

[1javelin]

Guys, sorry to bust your bubble, but mine's been in the water already, will be again tomorrow on Wawasee, and may be yet again this week if I'm lucky.  Got a few things I should do to it, but when the time is right, and when it could be in the water is not the right time.

1Jav

[Skip Johnson]

  been out 4 times in the last 2 1/2 weeks 

sorry to hear about your mechanical issues 

[dartag]

my Ranger is sitting in the driveway ready to go.  New 520c on the bow.  Hot foot installed.  all wiring cleaned up and neatly organized.  put my dock and boat hoist in today.   Water is COLD need new waders.  even got some yard work done.  probably put the boat in tomorrow and ride around a little.  then store it on the hoist until i hear the walleye are biting in the river.  have not done that in years.

did see a nice Stratos cruising around today.   looked like he was playing with his electronics.

[SethV]

I had my boat in the water yesterday!  Ran great and it felt awesome to be on the water after a long winter.

[DennisB.]

just got to pour the tackle in the boat and it will be all sorted out by fall, just to be dumped back into the basement again.

[Waterfoul]

OK, fairly productive afternoon.  Got the recessed tray installed.  Went well.







Next project:  Batteries and wiring!!! 

[macbass]

well mike looks like you had a pretty productive afternoon since i seen you this morning at the gr show

[Cheetam]

Not even close.  I haven't cleaned a single reel or pulled off any old line.  I did fix a couple rod tips a few weeks ago (that's about it).  My tackle is thrown all over my garage floor.  I guess I'll have to get on it soon.

[TCook]

I have been ready for awhile, all tackle organized, new line, and all rods and reels good to go. This is easy to do when you dont have a boat to take care of. Been out 6 full days so far in march and heading to Wawasee tomorrow to battle the wind in search for some legal cold water bass.

T

[Langer]

Took the boat out today for a shake down run, and search for some crappie. Boat ran great, crappie fishing sucked!

[t-bone]

rods/reels ready - new line in all
tackle sorted and ready
walleye box ready
panfish box ready

Boat is going through spring prep and nearly ready to go

About a week away from firing up the Merc and making some casts. By then the walleye will be starting to make their way up the river.